A Novel Hybrid-Excited Modular Variable Reluctance Motor for Electric Vehicle Applications: Analysis, Comparison, and Implementation

A variable reluctance machine (VRM) has been proven to be an outstanding candidate for electric vehicle (EV) applications. This paper introduces a new double-stator, 12/14/12-pole three-phase hybrid-excited modular variable reluctance machine (MVRM) for EV applications. In order to demonstrate the superiorities of the proposed structure, the static torque characteristics and dynamic performances of the novel MVRM are compared with two other VRMs with similar dimensions and parameters. Then, the steady-state performance of the proposed motor with single-pulse control (SPC) for two operating speeds is obtained. Additionally, the cogging torque profile of the machine is derived. Finally, the motor performance is investigated under faulty conditions. The proposed MVRM is built and the test results are obtained. Both of the simulation and test results indicate that the proposed MVRM produces higher average torque compared to the two other machines in the same operational speeds, with an ignorable cogging torque.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *