Super-high-speed switched reluctance motor for automotive traction

Abstract

This paper presents a Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) capable of running up to 50,000rpm whilst producing an output power of 60kW. The high speed operation allows for a smaller overall size, which in turn leads to lower manufacturing costs. It is demonstrated that, at very high speeds, merely shrinking the motor is not enough and certain mechanical considerations should be taken into account. A rotor with a flywheel type design that uses bolts to secure the laminations rather than feeding them onto a central shaft is introduced. Electromagnetic and mechanical simulation results for the motor are presented for key operating points, the results confirm that the stresses on the rotor in the proposed topology are below the yield strength of the material with a safety factor of 1.2. This combined with high output power might make a viable design for use in mass production hybrid electric vehicles.