16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014

Design and Dynamic Analysis of an Axially-Laminated

Self-Starting Synchronous Reluctance Motor
Said M. Allam
Department of Electrical Power and Machines Engineering
Faculty of Engineering - Tanta University
sm_allam@yahoo.com
Abstract-- This paper presents a proposed design of an axiallylaminated self-starting synchronous reluctance motor. The
proposed synchronous reluctance motor has a stator of originally
three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor. The experimental
axially-laminated rotor is made of solid-steel laminations and
built with dimensions to fit into a standard stator frame. The
proposed rotor is equipped with a cage winding in order to
provide a starting torque. An accurate analysis with which the
dynamic behaviour of the proposed synchronous reluctance
motor can be successfully predicted under different operating
conditions is also presented. The proposed analysis is based on
the dynamic qd-axis model. The qd-axes are attached to rotor
and hence, they rotate at the rotor speed, r. Some comparisons
between the simulation and experimental results are illustrated
to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed design and the
developed dynamic model. High agreement between
experimental and simulated results has been observed, which
supports the validity of the proposed design and analysis.
Index Terms - Design, dynamic analysis, axially-laminated,
synchronous-reluctance, cage winding.

I. NOMENCLATURE
A
B
D
D
gq
Ids, Iqs
J
Lds, Lqs
Lmd,
Lmq
P
P
rdr, rqr
rs
Te
tLr
Vds,
Vqs

r, s

: side-length of rotor-shaft cross-sectional shape

(lamination base)
: viscous friction coefficient, N.m/(rad./sec.)
: rotor outer diameter
: diameter of the rotor-shaft circumscribing circle
: air-gap length in the q-axis direction
: d-axis and q-axis stator currents respectively, A
: system moment of inertia, Kg-m2
: d-axis and q-axis stator inductances
respectively, H
: d- axis and q-axis magnetization inductances
respectively, H
: number of pole pairs
: differential operator (d/dt)
: d-axis and q-axis rotor resistances respectively,

: stator resistance,
: electromagnetic developed torque, N.m
: rotor-lamination thickness
d-axis and q-axis stator voltages respectively ,V
mechanical power (Load) angle, rad.
mechanical rotor and synchronous speed
respectively, rad./sec

II. INTRODUCTION
Synchronous reluctance machine is a salient-pole
synchronous machine without field excitation. Recently,
synchronous reluctance motor has received a lot of attention
because of their mechanically simple and robust structure (no
brushes, no slip-rings and no dc field winding), low cost and
maintenance-free operation. It provides a constant speed
(synchronous speed) from no-load to full-load with no slip.
Therefore, the controller is simpler than other types of ac
machines [1]-[2]. As the saliency rotor has no magnets,
therefore this machine type is suitable for high speed operation
and sensorless control [2]-[5]. In addition, synchronous
reluctance motors can be used in low power, constant speed
applications and some industrial applications such as
proportioning drives on pump or conveyors, manufacturing
equipment, positioning control and textile machinery.
Generally, the synchronous reluctance machine is working
on the basis of development of reluctance torque. A different
air gap in the d-axis and q-axis enable development of a
reluctance torque [6]. Therefore, the operating characteristics
of this motor type are determined mainly by the rotor
construction. The major types of synchronous reluctance
rotors are simple salient-pole rotor, segmented rotor, fluxbarrier rotor and axially-laminated rotor [7]-[10].
The axially-laminated rotor has layers of electromagnetic
iron sheet in the rotor axial-direction for the purpose of
achieving maximum flux orientation and improving saliency
ratio [11]. Therefore, using this rotor design, a good overall
performance can be obtained. Moreover, the electromagnetic
developed torque is also increased and the harmonic contents
on the air-gab flux density are decreased.
For line-start synchronous reluctance motor, the rotor
design should be compromised by the need of a cage winding.
The cage winding allows starting the motor directly from the
grid, like the induction motors. In a synchronous operation,
the cage winding acts as a damper of the speed-oscillations
[6].
This paper presents a proposed design and of an axiallylaminated synchronous reluctance motor. The proposed
synchronous reluctance motor has a stator of originally threephase squirrel cage induction motor. The axially- laminated
rotor design is obtained using a number of isolated laminations
collected together to form a required number of poles.

16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014
The experimental axially-laminated rotor is made of solid
steel and built with dimensions to fit into a standard stator
frame. The rotor is equipped with a cage winding to provide a
starting torque. In addition, the paper presents an accurate
dynamic analysis of the proposed synchronous reluctance
motor under different operating conditions.

For a square cross-sectional shape of the rotor shaft, the

diameter of rotor-shaft circumscribing circle, d equals 2 a .

III. ROTOR DESIGN

The proposed axially-laminated reluctance rotor is built
with appropriate dimensions to fit into a standard stator frame
initially used for a 3-phase squirrel cage induction motor rated
at 1 HP, 380 V, 50 Hz and a 4-pole. In order to obtain the
proper design of the proposed rotor, some considerations
should be taken into account. These considerations can be
pointed as:
The proposed axially-laminated reluctance rotor should
have the same outer diameter of the original cage rotor.
This means that, the d-axis air-gap length should be
equal to air-gap length of the original squirrel-cage
induction motor.
The saliency-ratio of the proposed axially-laminated
reluctance motor depends upon the selection of the q-axis
air-gap length.
Fig. 1 shows the structure of the proposed axially laminated
reluctance motor with a cage winding to enable self starting as
an induction motor.
q-axis
cage

Fig. 2. Proposed rotor-shaft structure

45o

45o
a
(a) Schematic shape

d-axis

(b) Experimental shape

Fig. 3. Proposed rotor-lamination shape

ktq

Fig. 1. Structure of the proposed axially laminated reluctance motor with

a cage winding

A. Rotor-shaft structure
In order to ensure a good installation of the rotor
laminations, the cross-sectional shape of the rotor shaft is
chosen to be a square as shown in Fig. 2.
B. Dimensions of the proposed rotor lamination
The proposed schematic and experimental rotor-lamination
shape is shown in Fig. 3. It can be noted that, the rotorlamination length should be the same as the original rotor
axial-length. However, the rotor-lamination width can be
determined, aided with Fig. 3-a, as follows:
WLr a 2 L

where: L (D d) / 2

(1)

C. Determination of the number of rotor laminations per pole

The number of rotor laminations per pole, NLr can be
determined using the following relation:
k tq
(2)
N Lr
t Lr
where:
ktq: the total thickness of the rotor laminations in the q-axis
direction
tLr: the thickness of one rotor lamination
Moreover, the total thickness of the rotor laminations in the
q-axis direction can be determined, depends up on the
selection of the air-gap length in the q-axis direction (gq), as
follows:

k tq

Da
gq
2

(3)

16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014
D. Collecting rotor parts and injection of rotor cage-winding
In order to collect the rotor parts together on the shaft, an
iron cylinder, shown in Fig. 4, is used without using the
regular methods of riveting. This results in a good distribution
of the magnetic flux. Fig. 4 shows the proposed rotor parts
after collecting them together.
Finally, the grouped rotor parts are inserted into the plunger
in order to inject aluminium rotor bars in the q-axis direction.
Moreover, two aluminium end-rings are used to complete the
rotor-cage circuit. It can be noted that, in addition to providing
a starting torque and a good transient behaviour, the rotor
cage-winding helps in a good collection of the rotor
laminations.
Fig. 5 shows the final shape of the proposed axiallylaminated rotor with a cage winding.

2
2

cos(r ) cos(r 3 ) cos(r 3

k s 2 sin (r ) sin (r 2 ) sin (r 2

3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2

Phase-b
Axis

(4)

Q-Axis

Phase-a
Axis

D-Axis
Phase-c
Axis

Fig. 6. Phase-axis relationship

The final qd-axis model of a synchronous reluctance motor

can be obtained as follows:
Fig. 4. Proposed rotor parts after collecting them together on the shaft

The qd-axis voltage equations can be written as:

Vqs Rs iqs pqs r Pds

Vds Rs ids pds r Pqs

(5)

0 rqr iqr pqr

0 rdr idr pdr
The qd-axis flux linkage relations are expressed as:
qs Lqsiqs Lmqiqr

ds Ldsids Lmd idr

(6)

qr Lqr iqr Lmqiqs

Fig. 5. The proposed axially-laminated rotor with a cage winding

All data related to the original induction motor and the

proposed axially-laminated rotor dimensions are given in the
appendix section (table I and table II respectively).
IV. DYNAMIC MODELING
In order to eliminate the time-varying inductances in the
voltage equations, the machine was represented in the qd- axis
reference frame. The qd- axis reference frame is fixed in the
rotor, which rotates at r.
Fig. 6 shows the phase axes relationship of the three-phase
synchronous reluctance motor, from which the transformation
of the abc-axis variables to the qd-axis variables can be
obtained. The transformation matrix of the abc-axis variables
to the corresponding dqo-axis variables can be written as
follows:

dr Ldr idr Lmd ids

The electromagnetic developed torque can be obtained
from the following relation:
3P
Te
(ds iqs qs ids )
(7)
2
The electromechanical equation can be written as:
Te Jp r B r TL
(8)
Finally, the machine power (load) angle
calculated as:
( s r )dt

can be
(9)

V. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
In order to verify the validity of the proposed design and
the mathematical model describing the dynamic performance,
a series of experimental tests were performed on the proposed
machine.

16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014
Simulation results were obtained by solving the
aforementioned dynamic model using the MATLAB-Version
7.10.0 software. The machine parameters were measured
using the standard techniques and listed in the appendix
section (table III). In the experimental study, the
measurements have been done using two-channel Hameg 1507
storage oscilloscope. Two different modes of operation are
presented including both no-load and loading conditions;
Direct On Line (DOL) operation and operation under constant
voltage per hertz. The final obtained results of these two cases
can be summarized as follows:
A. Direct on line (DOL) operation (ensuring self starting)
Fig. 7 shows the run-up response and the corresponding
stator current of the proposed axially-laminated synchronous
reluctance motor under both no-load and loading conditions.
In order to ensure self starting process, the motor terminals are
connected directly to the mains power supply with a reduced
voltage. The voltage of the mains power supply is set to 160Volt (line-line voltage) with a rated frequency of 50-Hz.

The predicted electromagnetic torque during free

acceleration is also shown in the figure.
In the simulation process, the stator winding is firstly
connected directly to the mains supply, with the same ratings
stated under no-load conditions, up to 2.5 seconds, when a 0.4
N.m load torque is applied.
It is obvious that the motor operates at a synchronous speed
(Ns=1500 rpm corresponding to 50-Hz frequency) even if the
motor voltage is much less than the rated value. In addition,
the motor speed reached its initial synchronous value after
small transient period even after loading the machine. This
ensures a self-starting process and that the motor speed is
independent on loading conditions (synchronous mode).
On the other hand, when the motor is subjected to a load
torque higher than the pull-out torque, the rotor speed
decreases and the motor behaves like a conventional induction
machine (asynchronous mode). This is due to the cage rotor
structure. The obtained results in this mode are shown in Fig.
8.

(a) Experimental (600 rpm/div., 2 A/div. & 1 sec./div.)

(a) Experimental (600 rpm/div., 2 A/div. & 1 sec./div.)

(b) Simulation
(b) Simulation
Fig. 7. Run-up response and the corresponding stator current of the proposed
axially-laminated synchronous reluctance motor under both no-load and
loading conditions (synchronous mode)

Fig. 8. Run-up response and the corresponding stator current of a loaded

axially-laminated synchronous reluctance motor in asynchronous mode (the
load is higher than pull-out torque)

16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014
B. Operation under constant volts per hertz (V/f)
In this mode of operation, the motor is supplied from a
controlled ac voltage source using a Sinusoidal Pulse Width
Modulation (SPWM) Inverter. In this case, the presented
experimental and simulation results are obtained when the
motor frequency is adjusted to 15-Hz. The motor run-up
response and the corresponding stator phase-current under
both no-load and loading conditions are shown in Fig. 9. The
motor is loaded with a constant load torque of 1.75 N.m after a
steady-state period of the no-load condition is attained. It can
be observed that the motor operates at the synchronous speed
(Ns=450 rpm corresponding to 15-Hz motor frequency) for
both no-load and loading conditions.

It can be noted that, with this load torque, the motor cannot
operate at a synchronous speed. In this case and as the rotor is
equipped with a cage winding, the motor works as an
induction motor (asynchronous mode) and runs approximately
at a speed of 300 rpm. However, it can be observed that the
motor has the ability to work synchronously again after this
load (2.5 N.m) is removed.

(a)

Experimental (300 rpm/div., 5 A/div. & 1 sec./div.)

(a) Experimental (300 rpm/div., 5 A/div. & 1 sec./div.)

(b)

Simulation

Fig. 10. Run-up response and the corresponding stator current for both
synchronous and asynchronous mode of operation (the motor frequency is
adjusted to 15-Hz)

VI. CONCLUSION

(b) Simulation
Fig. 9. Run-up response and the corresponding stator current of the proposed
axially-laminated synchronous reluctance motor under both no-load and
loading conditions (the motor frequency is adjusted to 15-Hz)

On the other hand, Fig. 10 shows the synchronous and

asynchronous operation of the proposed motor when the motor
frequency is adjusted to 15-Hz. In this case, the motor is
loaded with a constant load torque of 2.5 N.m after a steadystate period of the no-load condition is attained.

This paper has presented a proposed design and dynamic

analysis of an axially-laminated self-starting synchronous
reluctance motor. The run-up response of the proposed
synchronous reluctance motor has been studied in detail under
different operating conditions. The results showed the motor
capability to operate at a synchronous speed even if the motor
voltage is much less than the rated value. In addition, and due
to cage rotor structure, the motor behaved like a conventional
induction when it is subjected to a load torque higher than the
pull-out torque.

16th International Middle- East Power Systems Conference -MEPCON'2014

Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, December 23 - 25, 2014
Moreover, the motor has the ability to work synchronously
after the pull-out load torque is removed. In general, the
results ensured a self-starting process and acceptable transient
behaviour of the proposed motor under different operating
conditions. A close correlation between the experimental and
simulated results was found, which verifies the validity of the
proposed analysis.

[4]

[5]

[6]

VII. APPENDIX
[7]

TABLE I
ORIGINAL INDUCTION MACHINE DATA
Rated power, Po
Rated voltage, V
Rated current, I
Pole pairs, P
Stator bore diameter
Rotor outer diameter
Rotor axial length

1 hp
380/220 V /Y
3.4/2 A /Y
2
75.5 mm
75 mm
70 mm

TABLE II
PROPOSED AXIALLY-LAMINATED ROTOR DIMENSIONS
q-axis air-gap length, gq
Rotor outer diameter, D
Rotor axial-length (rotor-lamination length)
Side-length of rotor-shaft cross-sectional shape, a
(lamination base)
Rotor-lamination sides, L

5 mm
75 mm
70 mm
25 mm
19.8 mm

Rotor-lamination width, WLr

64.6 mm

Rotor-lamination thickness, tLr

Total thickness of the rotor laminations in q-axis
direction
Number of rotor laminations per pole
Total number of rotor laminations

0.65 mm
20 mm
30
120

TABLE III
PARAMETERS OF THE PROPOSED AXIALLY-LAMINATED SYNCHRONOUS
RELUCTANCE MOTOR
Stator resistance, Rs
q- axis magnetization inductance, Lmq
d- axis magnetization inductance, Lmd
q- stator inductance, Lqs
d- axis stator inductance, Lds
q- axis rotor inductance, Lqr
d- axis rotor inductance, Ldr
q- axis rotor resistance, rqr
d- axis rotor resistance, rdr
Moment of inertia, J
Viscous friction, B

10
0.2043 H
0.4297 H
0.2414 H
0.4668 H
0.2163 H
0.4417 H
35.31
19.29
0.00625 Kg-m2
0.000005
N.m/(rad./sec.)

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[8]

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