Field Analysis Based Open-Phase Fault Modeling and Postfault Torque Control for a Triple Three-Phase Synchronous Reluctance Motor

Performance of an electric motor is one of the most critical factors in vehicle electrification. This makes the reliability of motor drive system in electric vehicles a priority in design, operation and control. The adverse effect of faults includes high pulsating torque generation, resulting into vibrations, and probable breakdown of the entire drive system. Proper fault modeling and postfault control of the motor becomes necessary for the fault-tolerant capability to be utilized. Therefore, this paper presents open-phase fault modeling and postfault control of a Triple Three - Phase Synchronous Reluctance Motor. The torque control is applied on the currents hence electromagnetic (EM) field concept that employs current becomes the most suitable choice of analysis. The fault model and postfault pulsating torque suppression were presented. Multi-static Finite Element Analysis (MS-FEA) was conducted on the model to verify the formulation. The results from MS-FEA confirmed the analytical values using the field methods.