Fast Estimation of Line-Start Reluctance Machine Parameters by Finite Element Analysis

This paper compares two methods to compute the parameters of a line-start synchronous reluctance (LSSR) machine, by means of finite element analysis. In both methods, both the impact of the skin effect on the rotor parameters and the impact of saturation on magnetizing inductances are taken into account. The first method is based on an equivalent single-phase model of the machine. A pulsating flux is imposed along the d- and q-axes separately, so as to compute the machine parameters along both d- and q-axes. Magnetizing inductances are achieved as a function of the flux, and the rotor resistances and leakage inductances are obtained as a function of rotor frequency. The second method is based on the d-q axis model of the LSSR machine. A rotating magnetic field is imposed, and the d-q axis parameters are estimated simultaneously from the field solution. In addition, such a method allows the cross-saturation to be considered as well.