Finite-element study on a two phase switched reluctance motor with slitted rotor poles: article

The magnetic saturation characteristic of the switched-reluctance (SR) motor has a very strong influence on its current, torque and power. The best power per weight ratio of SR motor can be achieved by employing equal cross-section area in every part of its magnetic core. However, in some designs a non-uniform or larger stator-core cross-sectional area is required to achieve acceptable rigidity and acoustic noise levels, and as a consequence these motors do not achieve optimum power density. Adding parallel slits to motor poles may modify the saturation characteristic and air-gap flux distribution of SR motor. This paper investigates the effect of rotor-pole slits on the performance of a small two-phase 4/6-pole SR motor using finite element and time-stepping simulation. It is found that adding suitably sized parallel slits to the rotor poles can enhance the performance of the SR motor.