Performance evaluation of a fault-tolerant decoupled dual-channel switched reluctance motor drive under open-circuits

This study presents a new configuration for dual-channel switched reluctance motor (DCSRM) called as decoupled DCSRM (DDCSRM), which can be proposed as a suitable candidate for high-reliability applications. In this new DDCSRM, the two channels could be considered as two synchronously independent 6/4 three-phase SRMs with no mutual coupling when they are excited simultaneously. The machine topology and magnetic characteristics of flux distribution, static flux linkage and torque by using finite-element analysis are presented. Then, the mathematic models of the DDCSRM drive under normal and open-circuit fault operations are proposed. To achieve fault-tolerant operation, a control strategy of open-circuit faults for the DDCSRM drive is presented. The key of the fault-tolerant control strategy is to maintain the rotor speed as the normal motoring operation. The dynamic performances of the DDCSRM drive under normal and open-circuit fault conditions are analysed by using the control strategy. Finally, an experimental setup for a 12/8 DDCSRM drive system is built for verification. The experimental results at normal and various open-circuit fault conditions are presented to verify the control strategy of the DDCSRM drive system and the analytical and simulation results.