Investigation on Torque Sharing Function for Torque Ripple Minimization of Switched Reluctance Motor: A Flower Pollination Algorithm Based Approach

ABSTRACT

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive has outstanding features like robust construction, double saliency, fault tolerance capability, and heat withstanding capability. Despite these, torque ripple is an intrinsic characteristic of SRM because of double salient geometry, air gap length, and switching sequence of motor phase currents, making it unsuitable for slick torque and high dynamic performances applications. This paper discusses the novel Torque Sharing Function (TSF) implementation and the flower pollination algorithm-based intelligent controller to minimize the torque ripples in Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM). TSF values depend on commutation angles during turn on, turn off, and overlapping angles. The proposed TSF and flower pollination algorithm evaluates the performance parameters using the machine model and controls the torque ripples for a wide range of speeds. Additionally, optimal results are obtained using three TSFs functions with valuable guidance provided for TSF selection. The proposed TSF with flower pollination algorithm-based intelligent controller finds its suitability for online evaluation of optimal turn on, turn off, and overlapping angles. The performance of the proposed method has effectively reduced the torque ripple in SRM than the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm.

KEYWORDS:

• Commutation angles
• Speed control
• Switched reluctance motor
• Torque minimization
• Torque ripples
• Torque sharing function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Gengaraj

M Gengaraj was born in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India, in July 1987. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli affiliated to Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu in 2008 and a master's degree in power electronics & drives from Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli affiliated to Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu in 2013. He is currently working as assistant professor at National Engineering College, Kovilpatti, and working towards PhD in electrical engineering, Anna University, Chennai. He has published his research findings in the reputed international journals, book chapters, international conferences. He is a member of professional bodies such as ISTE, etc., His research interests include power electronics, converters, industrial drives, and soft computing techniques. Email: [email protected]

L. Kalaivani

L Kalaivani was born in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India, in August 1976. She received her bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli in 1999, master's degree in computer science and engineering from National Engineering College in 2008, and PhD degree in information and communication engineering from Anna Universitby, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India 2013. She is working as a professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Engineering College, Kovilpatti, Tamilnadu, India. Prof Kalaivani has around two decades of teaching and research experience. She is a member of various professional bodies and organized varied funded workshops and seminars. She acted as co-investigator and completed one funded project from DRDO. She has comprehensive publications in SCI, Scopus indexed journals & conferences. She is an expert member of the NBA and actively engaged in developing the institute towards modern teaching learning practices and mentor in institute curriculum development through industrial collaboration. She has made a number of collaborations with industries in electrical engineering. Her research areas include electrical drives, control systems and soft computing techniques.

R. Rajesh

R Rajesh was born in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India, in March 1994. He received bachelor's degree in instrumentation and control engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, in 2015, and a master degree in control and instrumentation engineering from Anna University Regional Campus, Coimbatore, India in 2018. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India. His research areas include advanced control systems design, soft computing techniques, vehicle dynamics, electrical systems testing and measurements. Email: [email protected]