Design and testing a low-voltage high-current drive for SRMs used in light electric vehicles

The paper deals with the design and testing of a low-voltage high-current half bridge converter built for powering a switched reluctance machine (SRM). The machine will provide traction power for a light electric vehicle, in particular for a powered wheel chair dedicated for persons with physical disabilities. The paper reveals the control strategy of the SRM that the converter must be able to fulfill, this being the main guideline in its design and building. On the converter side, some design guidelines are detailed, followed by discussions highlighting the differences between the designed structure and the built one. The differences refer to the values of some components obtained from the analytical design and those installed on the converter for its better operation. The experimental validation of the electronic power converter is fulfilled by operating it as proposed and by acquiring and analyzing different signals using a digital oscilloscope. Finally, the goal of the study is to provide a proper converter needed to control the and also to prove a good design of the converter.