A Vibration-Based Condition Monitoring System for Switched Reluctance Machine Rotor Eccentricity Detection

We propose a condition monitoring strategy for the detection of rotor eccentricity in switched reluctance machines. It uses vibration measurements and harmonic analysis to generate a Fourier series for the vibrations. Assessment of the change in key vibration components allows development of an eccentricity index that can give an indication of increasing eccentricity. The method discriminates between static and dynamic eccentricity. We have tested the method in simulation, using finite-element analysis, and verified it experimentally. Although mechanical resonance is an issue, a method of measurement over a number of speeds illustrates that it can be overcome.