Current loop controller design for torque ripple suppression of switched reluctance motors

Abstract

Due to attractive features such as low cost and highly robust, the demand for Switched Reluctance Motors has reached an all-time high. However, the torque ripple caused by the inherent double salient structure of SRMs leads to speed ripple as well. In order to cope with the aforementioned torque/speed ripple problem, many studies rely on sophisticated control techniques. However, in most of the previous studies the powerful Digital-Signal-Processor is used to realize these sophisticated control schemes since their complicated structures require massive computing power. The fact that the DSP-based solution is not cost effective results in a conflict with the original benefits of SRMs. To cope with the aforementioned problems, this paper employs a variable gain PI-type controller to suppress the torque ripples of SRMs. In order to have a cost effective solution, all the motor drive algorithms and control schemes are implemented using a low cost microcontroller in this paper. Experimental results show that the torque ripple has been significantly reduced so as to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.