Explain the construction and principle of operation of a switched

reluctance motor.
A switched reluctance motor (SRM) is a type of electric motor that operates based on the
principle of magnetic reluctance. It consists of a stator with windings and a rotor with salient
poles, typically made of ferromagnetic material. The stator windings are energized sequentially,
causing the rotor to align with the stator magnetic field and rotate.

Construction of a Switched Reluctance Motor:

1. Stator: The stator of an SRM consists of windings typically arranged in a three-phase

configuration, although single-phase configurations are also possible. The stator
windings are wound around the laminated iron core, and the number of poles in the
stator can vary depending on the motor design.
2. Rotor: The rotor of an SRM consists of salient poles made of ferromagnetic material, such
as laminated iron cores. The number of rotor poles is typically different from the number
of stator poles, resulting in a salient rotor with unevenly spaced poles. The rotor is not
equipped with any windings or permanent magnets, making it a simple and cost-effective
design.

Principle of Operation of a Switched Reluctance Motor: The SRM operates based on the principle
of magnetic reluctance, which is the tendency of magnetic flux to flow through a path of least
reluctance. When the stator windings are energized, they generate a magnetic field that induces
magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor poles align themselves with the stator poles to reduce the
magnetic reluctance, which is the opposition to the magnetic flux.

The SRM operates in a simple and efficient manner by switching the stator windings on and off in
a sequential manner to generate torque. The stator windings are typically energized in a phased
sequence, and the rotor poles align themselves with the energized stator poles due to magnetic
attraction. As the rotor rotates, the next set of stator windings is energized, and the process
repeats. The torque is generated by the tendency of the rotor poles to align with the energized
stator poles, resulting in the rotor's rotation.

The SRM does not require any permanent magnets or complex rotor windings, making it cost-
effective and suitable for various applications. However, it may produce relatively higher levels of
vibration and acoustic noise due to the abrupt switching of currents in the windings. Advanced
control techniques, such as pulse width modulation (PWM), are often used to improve the
motor's performance and reduce these effects. SRMs are commonly used in industrial and
automotive applications where cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and high torque-to-inertia ratio are
desired.

Discuss the following in brief about operations in Switched

reluctance motor:
(i) Method of rotor position sensing (ii) Sensor less operations
Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are a type of electric motor that do not have any permanent
magnets or wound field windings on the rotor. Instead, they rely on the variable reluctance
principle, where the rotor moves to align with the stator poles with the lowest reluctance to
create torque. In SRMs, the rotor position sensing is critical for proper motor operation and
control.

(i) Method of rotor position sensing: There are several methods for rotor position sensing in
SRMs. Some common methods include:

1. Hall effect sensors: Hall effect sensors are used to detect the position of the rotor by
sensing the magnetic field of the stator poles. They are typically mounted on the stator
and can provide accurate rotor position information.
2. Optical encoders: Optical encoders use a light-emitting diode (LED) and a photoelectric
sensor to detect the position of the rotor. They can provide high-resolution rotor position
information, but may require additional components for installation and may be sensitive
to dust and dirt.
3. Resolver: A resolver is a type of rotary transformer that can be used to determine the
rotor position in an SRM. It provides an analog output that can be used to determine the
rotor angle with high accuracy.

(ii) Sensor less operations: Sensor less operation in SRMs refers to operating the motor without
using any external rotor position sensors. This can simplify motor construction, reduce costs, and
improve reliability. Some common methods for sensor less operation in SRMs include:

1. Back-emf sensing: The back-emf (electromotive force) generated in the motor windings
can be used to estimate the rotor position. By measuring the voltage across the windings
during the off-state of the respective phase, the back-emf waveform can be used to
determine the rotor position. However, this method may require additional signal
processing and may not be accurate at low speeds.
2. High-frequency injection: Injecting a high-frequency signal into the motor windings and
measuring the response can provide information about the rotor position. This method is
based on the fact that the inductance of the motor changes with rotor position, and the
injected signal can cause variations in the motor current, which can be measured and
used to estimate the rotor position.
3. Model-based methods: Using mathematical models of the motor, the rotor position can
be estimated based on the motor's electrical parameters, currents, voltages, and other
measurable quantities. Model-based methods often require complex algorithms and
parameter identification, but can provide accurate rotor position estimation.

Sensor less operations in SRMs are still an active area of research, and various techniques are
being developed and refined to improve their accuracy and reliability. However, they can offer
advantages in certain applications where external rotor position sensors may be impractical or
costly to implement.
State the advantages of sensor less operation.

Sensor less operation in motor drives refers to the ability to control and
operate a motor without using dedicated sensors, such as position or speed
sensors. Instead, sensor less techniques rely on estimating the motor's
operating parameters based on the measurements of other available
variables, such as voltage, current, and back-EMF. Here are some
advantages of sensor less operation:

1. Cost Reduction: One of the primary advantages of sensor less

operation is cost reduction. Traditional motor control systems that
rely on dedicated sensors can be expensive due to the additional
hardware, wiring, and installation costs associated with sensors. By
eliminating the need for these sensors, sensor less operation can
significantly reduce the overall system cost, making it more
economically viable.
2. Improved Reliability: Dedicated sensors can be vulnerable to
environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and vibration,
which can impact their reliability and accuracy. In contrast, sensor less
operation does not rely on external sensors, eliminating the risk of
sensor failures due to environmental factors. This can result in
improved reliability and robustness of the motor drive system.
3. Increased Flexibility: Sensor less operation allows for greater flexibility
in motor drive systems, as it eliminates the need for physical sensors,
which can limit the motor's placement and orientation. Sensor less
techniques enable motor control in situations where sensor
installation may be challenging or impractical, such as in confined
spaces or harsh environments.
4. Simplified Maintenance: Traditional motor control systems with
sensors may require regular maintenance and calibration of the
sensors to ensure accurate operation. Sensor less operation
eliminates the need for sensor maintenance, making the system
easier to maintain and reducing downtime due to sensor-related
issues.
5. Higher Efficiency: Sensor less operation can also contribute to higher
motor efficiency. Traditional sensors may introduce additional losses
in the motor drive system, such as friction and wiring losses. Sensor
less techniques can eliminate or reduce these losses, leading to
improved motor efficiency and energy savings.
6. Scalability: Sensor less operation can be more scalable as it does not
depend on specific sensor types or positions. This allows for easier
adaptation to different motor types, sizes, and applications without
the need for sensor customization or repositioning.
 7. Reduced Complexity: Sensor less operation can simplify the motor
control system by eliminating the need for sensor interfaces, wiring,
and processing, reducing system complexity and improving overall
system performance.

In conclusion, sensor less operation offers several advantages, including

cost reduction, improved reliability, increased flexibility, simplified
maintenance, higher efficiency, scalability, and reduced complexity. These
benefits make sensor less operation an attractive option for motor drive
systems in various applications. However, it is important to carefully
consider the specific motor and system requirements to determine if sensor
less operation is appropriate and feasible for a particular application.

Describe the construction and working of rotary and linear

switched reluctance motors.
Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are a type of electric motor that do not
have any permanent magnets or windings on the rotor. Instead, they rely
on the interaction between the stator and the rotor with salient poles to
generate torque. SRMs can be classified into two main types based on their
motion: rotary SRMs and linear SRMs.

1. Rotary Switched Reluctance Motor:

Construction: A rotary SRM typically consists of a stator with windings and a
rotor with salient poles. The stator is made of laminated iron cores
arranged in a circular or polygonal shape, with each core having multiple
coil windings. The number of poles on the stator can vary depending on the
desired torque and performance characteristics. The rotor is also made of
laminated iron cores with salient poles that align with the stator poles. The
rotor is free to rotate and does not have any windings or permanent
magnets.

Working: When the stator windings are energized with a current, they
create a magnetic field that attracts the rotor poles towards them. As the
rotor poles align with the stator poles, the reluctance of the magnetic path
is minimized, resulting in a low reluctance path for the magnetic flux. This
causes the rotor to align with the stator poles, and the motor starts to
rotate. To maintain the rotation, the stator windings are sequentially
energized in a phased manner, based on the rotor position, to continuously
attract and repel the rotor poles, resulting in continuous rotation.

2. Linear Switched Reluctance Motor:

Construction: A linear SRM consists of a stator and a translator. The stator is

similar to the stator of a rotary SRM, with multiple laminated iron cores and
coil windings. The translator, also known as the mover, is a magnetic plate
or coil assembly that moves along the length of the stator. The translator is
typically made of laminated iron cores with salient poles that align with the
stator poles, and it is free to move along the linear path.

Working: When the stator windings are energized with a current, they
create a magnetic field that attracts or repels the translator depending on
the polarity of the current. The translator moves along the stator in
response to the changing magnetic field, and this motion is converted into
linear motion. To maintain the linear motion, the stator windings are
sequentially energized in a phased manner, based on the translator
position, to continuously attract and repel the translator, resulting in
continuous linear motion.

Both rotary and linear SRMs are characterized by their simple construction,
high torque-to-inertia ratio, and high efficiency. However, they require
precise control of the stator windings to achieve optimal performance, and
control strategies such as pulse width modulation (PWM) and position
sensing techniques are commonly used to achieve accurate and efficient
operation. SRMs are used in various applications, such as automotive
systems, home appliances, industrial machinery, and aerospace, where high
torque density, high reliability, and cost-effectiveness are desired.