Rotor Design and Modeling for Switched Reluctance Motor to Minimize Torque Ripples

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have found extensive use in various applications due to their simplicity and robustness. They have been employed in low-power servomotors, high-power traction drives, and even household devices. However, one significant issue with SRMs is their tendency to generate acoustic noise and vibrations, primarily caused by torque ripple. Torque ripple, the variation in torque output during the motor's operation, is a key contributor to the acoustic noise and vibrations in SRMs. To mitigate these issues, design modifications can be made to the stator and rotor magnetic structure of the SRM. One approach to reducing torque ripple is by introducing design changes, such as using different culverts on the rotor and stator and incorporating circular holes in the rotor poles. In the case of a standard SRM design, variations like a U-shaped culvert and a modified U-shaped culvert can be created at the unaligned position of the rotor. The impact of these design alterations on torque ripple is evaluated using finite element analysis (FEM) for a specific SRM model, such as the 6/4 model. By reducing torque ripple through design modifications, SRMs can operate more quietly and with reduced vibrations, making them more suitable for a wider range of applications.