Abstract:

The research status and shortcomings of switching reluctance motor/generator (SRM/G) in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications are analyzed primitively. Then, a new type of motor called flux switching motor/generator (FSM/G) is proposed to improve the performance of this type of machine in HEV applications. Next, the design methodology of FSM/G is deduced. In order to verify the design methodology and investigate the performance of FSM/G, a 1.5 kW prototype for HEV applications is designed by the authors with the designed parameters. Using the finite element method (FEM), the performance of the FSM/G is simulated in motor and generator mode, and the simulation results are optimistic. The results show that the output voltage of FSM/G at generator mode is sinusoidal and output torque is linear in a wide electric excitation at motor mode. Finally, a FSM/G test board is set up in the laboratory and the results are presented and discussed. The test results show that the output voltage is 30 V in series and 7 V in parallel. The output voltage decreases as the increase of electric load but the coil in parallel shows a better adaptation for electric load. This work has a reference value for FSM/G in HEV applications and proves FSM/G is promising mechanical and electrical products for HEV.

Key words: experimental investigation, FEM, flux switching motor/generator, theoretical design, HEV