Finite Element Analysis and Design Methodology for High-Efficiency Synchronous Reluctance Motors

Abstract

Although synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) like other electrical machine has a non-linear magnetic field, the complicated structure is mathematically analyzed by analytical equations and then finite element method (FEM) simulation is utilized to validate the design. One of the well-known drawbacks of SynRM is that it has poor power factor. SynRM machine rotor design is revisited in this paper using analytical and finite element methodologies. The study focuses on highly efficient SynRM with improved power factor and excellent saturation and torque ripple effects. The rotor is designed with optimum shapes of flux barriers and then concentrates on the flux barrier dimensions, the number of flux barriers, and optimum placement of flux barriers to improving the performance parameters of SynRM. Finally, the power factor and saturation effect on SynRM are also included. This paper investigates all possible methods to improve the power factor without affecting its torque density. The best design with high performance is used for final current control optimization simulation.