An investigation of multiphase excitation nodes of a 10/8 switched reluctance motor with short flux path to maximize its average torque

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) with short-flux path and multiphase excitation mode has become a good candidate for electric vehicle applications due to its higher torque to weight ratio. This paper describes an investigation of multiphase excitation modes of a five-phase 10/8 SRM with short-flux path in the case of more practical phase-current waveforms. For the purpose of maximizing the average electromagnetic torque of the SRM, the phase torque and instantaneous torque of the SRM are analyzed and simulated corresponding to typical excitation modes. From these simulations, an effective approach for average torque maximization at any given speed is proposed in terms of maximization of the average phase torque in one electrical cycle by choosing optimal turn-on and turn-off angles. Simulations illustrating this new approach are also included.