Design and experimental validation of a low voltage high current SRM for light electric vehicles

The paper details the background of design, modeling, building and experimental validation of a low power switched reluctance machine (SRM) together with its attached custom made electronic converter. Aspects regarding the design of the machine highlight the main analytical involved procedures. The model of the machine is firstly validated through simulation wise involving two strategies, one based on finite element analysis (FEA) and one based on a complex Matlab/Simulink model. The building of the machine is also presented in the paper. In order to validate the studied system via experimental tests, a custom made electronic power converter was built based on high current MOSFET type power switches. The control of the converter was accomplished using a dSPACE 1103 board. The position and speed sensing of the machine is based on a resolver type sensor. Preliminary, simple hysteresis control was involved in order to validate the developed torque of the machine at different velocities.