Switched Reluctance Motor Drive for Automotive Applications

This research project is intended to improve the switched reluctance motor drive performance to provide a smooth SRM operation solution with a cost-effective technology to automotive industries. Absence of rare earth magnet, no coils on the rotor and their simple design make switched reluctance motor (SRM) a promising machine for electric vehicles. The main barriers for wide-spread use of SRM are torque pulsations, acoustic noise and size and cost of power electronic converter used for motor drive. In this research we will work to minimize the switch component count of the drive which lead to reduce the switching loss and increase the efficiency of SRM drive. The silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors characterised with high switching frequency and wide bandgap reliable to operate at a high voltage, will be instrumental on this research. The use of SiC technology with novel converter design will play a significant role in miniaturizing the drive physical size and reducing the switching losses. Reliable SRM drive will have a substantial role in the automotive revolution and sustainable environment.
The main objective will be:
* To increase the overall operation efficiency of SRM drive
* To achieve a faster excitation and demagnetization time resulting in smoother torque.
* To develop a reliable and reasonable cost drive.
Down grade the switching loss and the physical size of the motor.

This CDT will produce power electronics specialists with industrial experience, and will equip them with key skills that are essential to meet the future power electronics challenges. They will be highly employable due to their training being embedded in industrial challenges with the potential to become future leaders through parallel entrepreneurial and business acumen training. As such, they will drive the UK forward in electric propulsion development and manufacturing. They will become ambassadors for cross-disciplinary thinking in electric propulsion and mentors to their colleagues. With its strong industrial partnership, this CDT is ideally placed to produce high impact research papers, patents and spin-outs, with support from the University's dedicated business development teams. All of this will contribute to the 10% year upon year growth of the power electronics sector in the UK, creating more jobs and added value to the UK economy.

Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.

Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through

b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics

c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement

d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training

e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce


Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel

b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive

c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact

d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion


Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming

b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.

c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports