Energy efficient control technique for switched reluctance motor drives

This paper describes modeling and machine independent method to minimize the energy consumption of a speed controlled Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM). The method for modeling depends on the mathematical models of SRM under an a-b-c stationary frame and a d-q synchronous frame. The control strategy is to vary the duty cycle of the applied current regulator in order to obtain the desired speed quickly. When operating in steady state vary the turn-on angle (θ_on) of the phase-voltage to minimize the energy consumption. The power flow is measured in the DC part and used to control the turn-on angle. Simulations the system on a 6/4 pole SRM justify the algorithm. Measurements on load systems show it is possible to minimize the energy consumption on-line in a speed controlled SRM without loosing the dynamic performance. The algorithm is fully applicable to other SRM at other power levels or with other pole configurations.