Four-quadrant operation drive strategy for a linear switched reluctance motor

This work presents a drive strategy for a linear motion switched reluctance motor that attempts to speed control with four-quadrant operation. The magnetization curves and phase inductance profiles are obtained experimentally. These are mathematically represented using Fourier series approach. A mathematical model to represent the machine dynamics is then developed and presented. A drive structure is proposed that covers the converter, the speed and current controllers, and the phase switching mode. Computational simulations are achieved by use of the mathematic model and the control strategy and include motions in both directions, comprising the start, speed control, and braking until total stop of the machine. From the results, the proposed drive strategy indicates a desirable operational versatility.