An improved indirect instantaneous torque control strategy of switched reluctance motor drives for light electric vehicles

The switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are powerful alternatives for electric vehicles (EVs). However, the high torque ripple is the main obstacle for their acceptance in high-performance applications. This paper introduces an improved indirect instantaneous torque control (IITC) strategy of SRMs for EVs. It aims to achieve the vehicle requirements including maximum torque per ampere (MTPA), minimum torque ripple, high efficiency, and extended speed range. First, a simple analytical formulation that determines the most efficient turn-on angle for torque production is developed. Second, A modified torque sharing function (TSF) is introduced to compensate for torque tracking errors. To accurately represent the SRM, its magnetic characteristics are calculated using finite element method (FEM). They are employed to build machine model and implement the required transformations. Finally, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is adopted to determine the best control parameters for the conventional IITC. This is done basically for comparison and verification purposes. The results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control over extended speed range. © 2020 The Author(s