EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

Constructional features – Types – Axial and Radial flux motors – Operating principles
– Variable Reluctance Motors – Voltage and Torque Equations - Phasor diagram -
performance characteristics – Applications.

1.1 CONSTRUCTION OF SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR

The structure of reluctance motor is same as that of salient pole synchronous machine as shown in
fig. The rotor does not have any field winding .The stator has three phase symmetrical winding,
which creates sinusoidal rotating magnetic field in the air gap, and the reluctance torque is
developed because the induced magnetic field in the rotor has a tendency to cause the rotor to align
with the stator field at a minimum reluctance position.

Fig 1.1 Idealized Three Phase Four Pole Synchronous Machine (Salient Pole)

Fig 1.2 Cross Section of Synchronous Reluctance Motor

The rotor of the modern reluctance machine is designed with iron laminations in the axial
direction separated by non-magnetic material. The performance of the reluctance motor may
approach that of induction machine. With high saliency ratio a power factor oh 0.8 can be
reached. The efficiency of a reluctance machine may be higher than an induction motor because
there is no rotor copper loss. Because of inherent simplicity, robustness of construction and low
cost.

The synchronous reluctance motor has no synchronous starting torque and runs up from
stand still by induction action. There is an auxiliary starting winding. This has increased the pull
out torque, the power factor and the efficiency.

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

Synchronous reluctance motor is designed for high power applications. It can broadly be
classified into

Axially laminated and

Radially laminated.

Fig.1.3 cross section of axially laminated

Reluctance motors can deliver very high power density at low cost, making them ideal for many
applications. Disadvantages are high torque ripple (the difference between maximum and
minimum torque during one revolution) when operated at low speed, and noise caused by torque
ripple. Until the early twenty-first century their use was limited by the complexity of designing
and controlling them. These challenges are being overcome by advances in the theory, by the use
of sophisticated computer design tools, and by the use of low-cost embedded systems for control,
typically based on microcontrollers using control algorithms and real-time computing to tailor
drive waveforms according to rotor position and current or voltage feedback. Before the
development of large-scale integrated circuits the control electronics would have been
prohibitively costly.

Fig 1.4 cross section of radially laminated

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

The stator consists of multiple projecting (salient) electromagnet poles, similar to a

wound field brushed DC motor. The rotor consists of soft magnetic material, such as laminated
silicon steel, which has multiple projections acting as salient magnetic poles through magnetic
reluctance. The number of rotor poles is typically less than the number of stator poles, which
minimizes torque ripple and prevents the poles from all aligning simultaneously—a position
which cannot generate torque.

When a rotor pole is equidistant from the two adjacent stator poles, the rotor pole is said
to be in the "fully unaligned position". This is the position of maximum magnetic reluctance for
the rotor pole. In the "aligned position", two (or more) rotor poles are fully aligned with two (or
more) stator poles, (which mean the rotor poles completely face the stator poles) and is a position
of minimum reluctance.

When a stator pole is energized, the rotor torque is in the direction that will reduce
reluctance. Thus the nearest rotor pole is pulled from the unaligned position into alignment with
the stator field (a position of less reluctance). (This is the same effect used by a solenoid, or
when picking up ferromagnetic metal with a magnet.) In order to sustain rotation, the stator field
must rotate in advance of the rotor poles, thus constantly "pulling" the rotor along. Some motor
variants will run on 3-phase AC power (see the synchronous reluctance variant below). Most
modern designs are of the switched reluctance type, because electronic commutation gives
significant control advantages for motor starting, speed control, and smooth operation (low
torque ripple).
Dual-rotor layouts provide more torque at lower price per volume or per mass. The
inductance of each phase winding in the motor will vary with position, because the reluctance
also varies with position. This presents a control systems challenge.
[
Dual-rotor layouts provide more torque at lower price per volume or per mass. The
inductance of each phase winding in the motor will vary with position, because the reluctance
also varies with position. This presents a control systems challenge.

 Fig.1.5 Salient rotor

Salient rotor design is as shown. The low Ld. /Lqratios are largely the result of circulating
flux in the pole faces of the rotor. However the ruggedness and simplicity of the rotor structure
has encouraged for high speed applications.

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

1.2.2
 Radially Laminated Rotor (Flux Barrier)
Another approach is to use laminations with flux barriers punched into the steel
for a 4 pole machine. The flux barriers and the central hole of the lamination required for the
shaft weaken the rotor structurally and thus make this approach a poor choice for high speed
design.

Fig.1.6 Radially Laminated Rotor

1.2.3 Axially Laminated Rotor

Fig.1.7 Axially Laminated Rotor

Two pole phase axially laminated rotor with a Ld. /Lqratio of 20, the maximum efficiency is 94%
has been reported in the literature. It is observed that torque ripple and iron losses are more
axially laminated rotor than radially laminated rotor.

Another rotor design as shown in fig. The rotor consists of alternating layers of ferromagnetic
and non-magnetic steel. If choose the thickness of the steel such that the pitch of the
ferromagnetic rotor segments matched the slot pitch of the stator.

Fig 1.8 New rotor design

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

The ferromagnetic rotor segments always see a stator tooth pitch regardless of the angle of
rotation of the rotor. This is done to maximize flux variations and hence iron losses in the rotor.

Special rotor laminations make it possible to produce the same number of reluctance path as
there are magnetic poles in the stator. Synchronous speed is achieved as the poles lock in step
with magnetic poles of the rotating stator field and cause the stator to run at the same speed as
the rotating fields. The rotor is pressures with end rings similar to induction motor .Stator
winding are similar to squirrel cage induction motor.

1.3 ROTOR CONSTRUCTION

Explosion bonding technique as shown in fig. Other joining techniques such as brazing
roll bonding, or diffusion bonding may also appropriate for rotor construction.

First sheets of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic steel are bonded. The bonded sheets
are then cut into rectangular blocks h\which are machined into the desired rotor. The rotor shaft
can also be machined out of the same block as the rotor.

Fig 1.9 Explosion bonding

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

The rotor joining technique known as explosion bonding. Explosion bonding uses
explosive energy to force two or more metal sheets together at high pressures. Conventionally
the high pressure causes several atomic layers on the surface of each sheet to behave as a fluid.
The angle of collision between the two metals forces this fluid to jet outward. Effectively
cleaning the metal surface, these ultra clean surfaces along with the high pressure forcing the
metal plates together provide the necessary condition for solid phase welding.

Experimental tests on a stainless steel/mild steel bond indicate that the tensile and fatigue
strengths of the bond are greater than those of either of the component materials due to the shock
hardening which occurs during the process. The bond was also subjected to 10 cycles of
temperature variation from 20° C - 70°C, with no significant reduction in tensile strength.

1.4 WORKING OF SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR

In order to understand the working of synchronous reluctance motor, when a piece of

magnetic material is located in a magnetic field, a force acts on the material tending to bring it
into the desert portion of the field. The force tends to align the specimen of the material in such a
way that the reluctance of the magnetic path that passes through the material will be minimum.

When supply is given to the stator winding, the revolving magnetic field will exert reluctance
torque on the unsymmetrical rotor tending to align the salient pole axis of the rotor with the axis
of the revolving magnetic field, because in this position, the reluctance of the magnetic path
would be minimum. If the reluctance torque is sufficient to start the motor and its load, the rotor
will pull into step with the revolving field and continue to run at the speed of the revolving field.
Actually the motor starts as an induction motor and after it has reached its maximum speed as an
induction motor, the reluctance torque pulls its rotor into step with the revolving field, motor
now runs as synchronous motor by virtue of its saliency.

Reluctance motors have approximately one third the HP rating they would have as
induction motors with cylindrical rotors. Although the ratio may be increased to 9one half by
proper design of the field windings, power factor and efficiency are poorer than for the
equivalent induction motor. Reluctance motors are subject to cogging, since the locked rotor
torque varies with the rotor position, but the effect may be minimized by skewing the rotor bars
and by not having the number of poles.

Fig1.10 Rotor Position due to Revolving Magnetic Field

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

1.6 PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Torque – angle characteristics

The torque speed characteristic of synchronous reluctance motor is shown in fig. The
motor starts at anywhere from 300 to 400 percent of its full load torque (depending on the rotor
position of the unsymmetrical rotor with respect to the field winding) as a two phase motor. As a
result of the magnetic rotating field created by a starting and running winding displaced 90° in
both space and time.

At about ¾th of the synchronous speed a centrifugal switch opens the starting winding and the
motor continues to develop a single phase torque produced by its running winding only. As it
approaches synchronous speed, the reluctance torque is sufficient to pull the rotor into
synchronism with the pulsating single phase field. The motor operates at constant speed up to a
little over 20% of its full load torque. If it is loaded beyond the value of pull out torque, it will
continue to operate as a single phase induction motor up to 500% of its rated speed.

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

1.7 PHASOR DIAGRAM OF SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR

The synchronous reluctance machine is considered as a balanced three phase circuit, it is

sufficient to draw the phasor diagram for only one phase. The basic voltage equation neglecting
the effect of resistance is

V = E – j IsdXsd – j Isq Xsq …………(1.1)

Where

V - Supply Voltage

Is - stator current

E - excitation emf

ᵟ - load angle

ɸ - phase angle

Xsd and Xsq - synchronous reactance of direct and quadrature axis

Isd and Isq - direct and quadrature axis current

I = Isd + Isq…………….(1.2)

Isd is in phase quadrature with E and Isq is in phase with E.

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

V = E – j IsdXsd – j Isq Xsq

From phasor diagram

V cosȢ = E + Isd + Xsd ………………(1.3)

Isd =

IsqXsq = V sinȢ

Isq = ………………..(1.4)

Is cos ɸ = Isq cosȢ - Isd sinȢ ……………(1.5)

Where

Xsd and Xsq are synchronous reactance of d and q axis.

Sub (3) and (4) in Eqn (5)

Is cos ɸ = + …………………(1.6)

P = 3 Vis cos ɸ ………………….(1.7)

Sub equ (6) in equ (7)

Pm = 3 [ sin +V 2 sin2 Ȣ ]

Pm = T ωs

T = Pm/ωs

Sub E = 0

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

Equation (1.9) is the torque equation of synchronous reluctance motor.

Fig 1.13 Torque Angle Characteristics of Salient Pole Machine

Plotting the equation (9) as shown in fig indicates that the stability limit is
reached at Ȣ =± /4

And by increasing g load angle torque also increases.

2
V [ ] sin 2 ȣ = reluctance Power

In synchronous reluctance motor, the excitation emf(E) is zero.

Fig 1.14 Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Reluctance Motor with E=0

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EE6703 UNIT 1 – SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTORS

1.8 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SYNCHRONOUS

RELUCTANCE MOTOR

ADVANTAGES

There is no concern with demagnetization; hence synchronous reluctance
machines are inherently more reliable than PM machines.

There need not be any exciting field as torque is zero, thus
eliminating electromagnetic spinning losses.

Synchronous reluctance machine rotors can be constructed entirely from
high strength, low cost materials.

DISADVANTAGES

High cost than induction Motor.

Need Speed synchronization to invertor output frequency by using rotor
position sensor and sensor less control.

Compared to induction motor it is slightly heavier and has low power factor.

By increasing the saliency ratio Lds/Lqs, the power factor can be improved.

1.9 APPLICATIONS OF SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR


Metering Pumps.

Auxiliary time Mechanism.

Wrapping and folding Machines.

Proportioning Devices on Pumps or conveyors.

Synthetic fibre manufacturing equipment.

Processing continuous sheet or film material.

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