Mitigation of torque ripple in a switched reluctance motor using an interval type II fuzzy controller

This work proposes a fault-tolerant control strategy for a Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) to minimize torque ripple when subjected to a short circuit fault and ensure torque stability under a variety of operating profiles. The SRM finds itself industrially applicable despite its high efficiency and beneficial power to torque ratio due to issues of torque ripple, vibration, and unwanted acoustic noise mainly at higher speeds associated with increased magnetic coupling between the stator and rotor. To mitigate this issue, an Interval Type-II Fuzzy Logic Controller (IT2FLC) was developed in a 6/4, 3-phase SRM to minimize radial forces and acoustic noise while providing current and speed regulation with a closed-loop operational capability. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink to support the papers' proposed concept. In this simulation, the IT2FLC smooths out the phasor current waveforms of the SRM by compensating currents for dips in torque, thereby minimizing radial forces without sacrificing torque output. The simulation resulted in a torque ripple minimization of 2.36% and an increase of 4.28% in efficiency compared to a fuzzy based sliding mode controller while improving the stability and reliability of the proposed controller functionality.