Review of research and development of switched reluctance motor for hybrid electrical vehicle

Research and development of a switched reluctance motor and a generator for hybrid vehicle application in the authors' laboratory have been reviewed. Some keys to achieve high torque density, high efficiency, enhanced output, but reduced rms current have been presented. Comparison of efficiency distribution with respect to PM motor is presented. A similar competitive switched reluctance generator with respect to rare-earth PM generator has been investigated. It is found that switched reluctance motor is better, if idling iron loss is considered in operation. Two methods to reduce the acoustic noise are presented. One is to have cylindrical rotor outer shape to reduce windage noise. Another is novel current waveform to make radial force sum constant.