Torque ripple minimization and performance enhancement of switched reluctance motor for electric vehicle application

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are an attractive choice for electric vehicle (EV) applications but suffer from certain limitations, such as high torque ripple and acoustic noise. This paper presents ongoing research and development activity details to enhance the performance of SRMs for EV applications. The poor performance of a conventional SRM which is available in market with a rating of 8/6 poles, 48 V, 500 W, and 2,000 rpm is tested. A motor model of the same rating is developed using ANSYS Maxwell software. Motor performance parameters important for EV applications, such as efficiency, rated torque and torque ripple are compared with the conventional motor. One novel technique to reduce the torque ripple of SRM is discussed along with the results. Torque ripple of developed software model is reduced by 24.52% without a reduction in the efficiency and rated torque of the motor. The performance of the developed SRM software model is better compared to conventional SRMs available in the market. 2D and 3D models of SRM were presented using ANSYS Maxwell software.