University of the Philippines

Los Baños, Laguna

AY 2010-2011

RELUCTANCE MOTOR

Prepared by:

Richelle dela Cruz

EE 199
I. INTRODUCTION

A continuing transition to the more reasonable AC system commenced after the introduction of the
DC electrical distribution system which was created by Thomas Edison in the United States. Lighting
worked as well on AC as on DC. By means of alternating current, transmission of electrical energy
covered longer distances at lower loss. On the other hand, motors were a problem with alternating
current. Initially, AC motors were built like DC motors. Numerous problems were encountered due to
changing magnetic fields, as compared to the static fields in DC motor field coils.

Charles Steinmetz Nikola Tesla

To solve these problems, Charles P. Steinmetz investigated on hysteresis losses in iron

armatures. Nikola Tesla envisioned an entirely new type of motor when he visualized a spinning
turbine, not spun by water or steam, but by a rotating magnetic field. He created a new type of motor,
the AC induction motor. Characteristics of this machine are its ruggedness and make for long life, high
reliability, and low maintenance.

Modern solid state electronic circuits drive brushless DC motors with AC waveforms generated
from a DC source. The brushless DC motor, actually an AC motor, is replacing the conventional
brushed DC motor in many applications. And, the stepper motor, a digital version of motor, is driven by
alternating current square waves, again, generated by solid state circuitry.
II. RELUCTANCE MOTOR

.
Construction and Operation of a Reluctance Motor

Reluctance motor stators consists of multiple salient (i.e.,

projecting) electromagnet poles, similar to a wound field brushed DC motor. On the other
hand, its rotor consists of soft magnetic material, such as laminated silicon steel, which
has multiple projections acting as salient magnetic poles through magnetic reluctance.

The number of rotor poles is typically less than the number of stator poles, which
minimizes torque ripple and prevents the poles from all aligning simultaneously—a
position which cannot generate torque.

When a rotor pole is equidistant from the two adjacent stator poles, the rotor pole
is said to be in the "fully unaligned position". This is the position of maximum magnetic
reluctance for the rotor pole. In the "aligned position", two (or more) rotor poles are fully
aligned with two (or more) stator poles, (which means the rotor poles completely face the
stator poles) and is a position of minimum reluctance.

When a stator pole is energized, the rotor torque is in the direction that will
reduce reluctance. Thus the nearest rotor pole is pulled from the unaligned position into
alignment with the stator field (a position of less reluctance).

In order to maintain rotation, the stator field must rotate in advance of the rotor
poles, thus constantly "pulling" the rotor along. Some motor variants will run on 3-phase
AC .

When connected to an alternating-current source, the stator winding produces a

rotating magnetic field, with a speed of 4πf/p radian per second (120f/p revolutions per
minute), where f is the frequency of the source and p the number of magnetic poles
produced by the winding. When the rotor is running at the same speed as the stator field,
its iron poles tend to align themselves with the poles of that field, producing torque. If a
mechanical load is applied to the shaft of the motor, the rotor poles lag farther behind the
stator-field poles, and increased torque is developed to match that of the mechanical load.

This phenomenon develops torque only at synchronous speed, and thus no

starting torque is produced. For that reason, induction-motor rotor bars are usually built
into the pole faces, and the motor starts as an induction motor. When the rotor speed
approaches that of the magnetic field, the pole pieces lock in step with the magnetic poles
of the field, and the rotor runs at synchronous speed.
 Advantages

 Simple construction
 High efficiency and reliability compared to conventional AC or DC motors.
 High starting torque.
 Cost effective compared to brushless DC motor in high volumes.
 Adaptable to very high ambient temperature.
 Low cost accurate speed control possible if volume is high enough.

Disadvantages

 Current versus torque is highly nonlinear

 Phase switching must be precise to minimize ripple torque
 Phase current must be controlled to minimize ripple torque
 Acoustic and electrical noise
 Not applicable to low volumes due to complex control issues

IIII. TYPES OF RELUCTANCE MOTORS

 Synchronous Reluctance Motor

 Variable Reluctance Motor

 Switched Reluctance Motor

 Variable Reluctance Stepping Motor

A. Synchronous Reluctance Motor

Operations and Construction

A synchronous motor has a stator and a rotor supported in the inner periphery of the stator and is
capable of being locally exciting, being structurally the same as the stator of a common induction motor.
Generally, the synchronous reluctance motor is well known as a motor which is simply structured so as to
not need electric current channels and permanent magnets in the rotor.

The synchronous reluctance motor is designed with the aim of generating a larger torque and
higher power by using reluctance torque. The reluctance torque is generated by a difference between the
inductance of the rotor in a d-axis direction (defined by connecting a center-point of the permanent magnet
in circumferential direction of the rotor with a rotational center of the rotor), and an induction of the rotor in a
q-axis direction (defined as a direction rotated relative to the d-axis direction by 90 electrical degrees).

As described above, this synchronous reluctance motor is aimed to use the reluctance torque. But
the synchronous reluctance motor is constructed to mainly use a magnet torque generated between the
permanent magnet and the rotor, and not to positively and sufficiently use the reluctance torque.

In the rotor of this synchronous reluctance motor, portions of the rotor defined between the
permanent magnets neighboring each other in the circumferential direction (or distance defined between the
permanent magnets neighboring each other in the circumferential direction) are determined to be as small or
narrow as possible. On the contrary, the permanent magnets are designed to be as large in size as possible
so that the magnetic flux will not leak outside of the distance, and for efficiently using the magnet torque.

In this synchronous reluctance motor, the inductance should be large, while, the inductance should
be small for generating the reluctance torque. If the reluctance torque is increased relative to the total torque
generated by the synchronous reluctance motor, a torque ripple may occur. To reduce the torque ripple, a
plurality of permanent magnets needs to be disposed in the radial direction of the rotor, but then, for
example, the manufacturing cost of the rotor will be increased.

Thus the synchronous reluctance motor capable of generating the large total torque and reducing
the torque ripple, and further manufactured at low cost is desired.

Applications

 Used in glass making machinery

 Used in spinning metering pump 0.32/1.6 hp , 4 pole, 16-80 Hz , 54-220V
 Used in friction Roll motor (Reluctance synchronous)0.625hp, 1500rpm(4 pole), 100V/50Hz,
suitable for frequency 40 to 120 Hz and 80V
 Used in synthetic fiber industry, glass making machinery, textiles
B. Variable Reluctance Motor and Switched Reluctance Motor

Switch reluctance motor and variable reluctance motor are similar to each other. A switched
reluctance or variable reluctance motor does not contain any permanent magnets. The stator is similar to a
brushless DC motor. However, the rotor consists only of iron laminates. The iron rotor is attracted to the
energized stator pole. The polarity of the stator pole does not matter. Torque is produced as a result of the
attraction between the electromagnet and the iron rotor.

Variable Reluctance Motor

This type of motor is based on the principle that an unrestrained piece of iron will move to
complete a magnetic flux path with minimum reluctance, the magnetic analogue of minimum
resistance. It is generally designed for use in low power, open loop position and speed control
systems where efficiency is not of prime importance.

i) Electronic Driven Variable Reluctance Motor

An electronic driven variable reluctance motor is one deviation of a variable reluctance

motor which resembles a brushless DC motor without a permanent magnet rotor. It is also simple
and inexpensive. It is also optimized for continuous high speed rotation with minimum ripple torque.
Switched Reluctance Motor

This type of motor does not contain any permanent magnets. It is also a form of stepper
motor that uses fewer poles. It also has the lowest construction cost because it’s simple in structure

Switched reluctance motors’ phase windings are electrically isolated from each other,
resulting to a higher fault tolerance compared to inverter driven AC induction motors. It is more
suitable for high speed/power density applications.

Operation of Switch Reluctance Motor

1) The iron rotor is attracted to the energized stator pole. Torque is produced as a result of
this attraction between the electromagnet and the iron rotor.

2) The rotor forms a magnetic circuit with the energized stator pole.

3) The reluctance of a magnetic circuit is the magnetic equivalent to the resistance of an

electric circuit.

4) The reluctance of the magnetic circuit decreases as the rotor aligns with the stator pole.

5) The rotor is in line with the stator the gap between the rotor and stator is very small. At
this point the reluctance is at a minimum. This is where the name “Switched Reluctance”
comes from.
 Applications

 The automotive industry now makes extensive use of variable reluctance motors for
applications such as traction drives, power steering systems, pumps and windscreen
wipers.
 3 or 4 phase motors used for scooters and fans.
 High speed pumps and compressors.
 Household appliances like washing machine, vacuum cleaner , and fan
 Automatic Doors in buildings and vehicles
 Oil and fuel pump
 Lawnmower

C. Variable Reluctance Stepping Motor

 The variable-reluctance stepper motor has no permanent-magnet rotor and no residual torque to
hold the rotor at one position when turned off. When the stator coils are energized, the rotor teeth will align
with the energized stator poles. This type of motor operates on the principle of minimizing the reluctance
along the path of the applied magnetic field. By alternating the windings that are energized in the stator, the
stator field changes, and the rotor is moved to a new position. The stator of a variable-reluctance stepper
motor has a magnetic core constructed with a stack of steel laminations. The rotor is made of un-
magnetized soft steel with teeth and slots.

Operations of a Variable Reluctance Stepping Motor

Variable reluctance stepping motor works on the principle of electromagnetism. There is a

soft iron or magnetic rotor shaft surrounded by the electromagnetic stators. The rotor and stator
have poles which may be teethed or not depending upon the type of stepper. When the stators are
energized, the rotor moves to have a minimum gap with the stator. This way the stators are
energized in a sequence to rotate the stepper motor.

The figure shown below illustrates the variable-reluctance stepper motor and switching
sequence.
 Applications
 Industrial applications are in high speed pick and place equipment and multi-axis machine CNC
machines often directly driving lead screws or ball screws .
 In the field of lasers and optics they are frequently used in precision positioning equipment such as
linear actuators , linear stages , rotation stages and mirror mounts .

D. FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Present technology demands higher and higher precision and speed adjustment as well as exact
reproducibility. With conventional controlling methods, the time necessary for measuring and controlling the
speed increases over proportionately with increasing demands on the accuracy. Here are some of the
advancements done in the construction of reluctance motors:

 non-excited synchronous motor

 squirrel-cage rotor with damper cage
 noise-tested anti-friction bearings (lifetime lubrication)
 no carbon brushes
 no permanent magnets
Special advantages:

 unrestrictedly suitable insulating system for inverter operation

 digital pre-selectable speed
 speed deviation 0% in entire operating range
 no long-term drift
 synchronous or asynchronous start possible
 basic torque during standstill
 higher insulation material classes

Concentricity
With good quality inverters, a concentricity adequate for many applications can presently be attained with
frequencies starting with approx. 1,5 Hz.

Grease
Reluctance motors could be lubricated with highly loadable EP grease (ex. Mobiltemp SHC 100). This
grease enables lifetime lubrication also with the higher temperatures due to the speed control. A large
selection of special greases is available for special applications.

Motor protection
As with all variable-speed motors, reluctance motors definitely should be protected by installed PTC
thermistors or thermo-contacts.

Insulating system
Insulation system could be of highest quality. The winding is made out of varnished copper wire of the
insulation material class H with a particularly high mechanical strength. In general three layer material is
used as groove insulation. The complete windings are saturated with impregnating varnish in a vacuum.
This results in a particularly high stability against voltage peaks as well as against moisture. Up to now, no
winding failures have occurred caused by inverter operation when respecting the directives of
electromagnetic compatibility.
 Digital Variable Reluctance Motor

Shopsmith’s Power Pro headstock upgrade.

This new type of motor could provide a speed range from 250 to 10,000 rpm, with full torque throughout. It
also features a 2 HP, 240V DVR motor ( 1 3/4 HP available for 120V ). As a drill press, it will be possible
to spin large diameter forstner bits, and as a shaper/router, at 10,000 rpm, it will swing some of the widest
raised panel cutters.
Conclusion
TYPE OF RELUCTANCE CONSTRUCTION
MOTOR
-constructed from either permanent
magnets or electromagnets energized by
direct current supplied through slip rings
-uses distributed stator windings similar
to those used in squirrel cage induction
Synchronous Reluctance motors
Motor
-the rotor however needs salient poles to
create a variable reluctance in the
motor's magnetic circuit which depend
on the angular position of the rotor
-only the stator has windings
- rotor is constructed from laminated
"soft" magnetic materials, shaped to
Variable Reluctance Motor form salient poles
-consists simply of steel laminations
stacked onto a shaft
- only the stator has windings
-rotor contains no conductors or
permanent magnets
-consists simply of steel laminations
stacked onto a shaft
Switched Reluctance Motor
-it’s a form of stepper motor
- has no permanent-magnet rotor and no
residual torque to hold the rotor at one
Variable Reluctance Stepping position when turned off
Motor
- the stator has a magnetic core
constructed with a stack of steel
laminations
-the rotor is made of un-magnetized soft
steel with teeth and slots.
APPLICATIONS
-metering pumps
-industrial process equipments and
other equipment where regulated
control is required
- generally designed for use in low
power, open loop position and speed
control systems where efficiency is
not of prime importance
- designed for use in high power,
high efficiency, variable speed drives
able to deliver a wide range of torque
-automotive industry such as traction
drives, power steering systems,
pumps and windscreen wipers.
-3 or 4 phase motors used for
scooters and fans.
-High speed pumps and
compressors.
-Household appliances like washing
machine, vacuum cleaner , and fan
-Automatic Doors in buildings and
vehicles
-Oil and fuel pump
-Lawnmower
-frequently used in precision
positioning equipment such as linear
actuators , linear stages , rotation
stages and mirror mounts, and in the
field of lasers and optics
-industrial applications are in high
speed pick and place equipment and
multi-axis machine CNC machines
often directly driving lead screws or
ball screws
 “Reluctance” motor is called as such because it depends its operation on the rate of change of the
reluctance per pole with respect to the lag angle. Therefore, at constant torque load the rotor runs
in synchronism with the stator field, with the rotor poles lagging the field poles by a constant angle. This phenomenon
develops torque only at synchronous speed, and thus no starting torque is produced. For that reason, induction-motor
rotor bars are usually built into the pole faces, and the motor starts as an induction motor. When the rotor speed
approaches that of the magnetic field, the pole pieces lock in step with the magnetic poles of the field, and the rotor
runs at synchronous speed.
References:

Reluctance Motor. In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 20, 2011 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reluctance_motor
Reluctance Motor. In All About Circuits. Retrieved February 27, 2011 from
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_13/4.html

Switched Reluctance Motor Tutorial. Retrieved February 27, 2011 from

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=2125&param=en542241
Stepper Motors. Retrieved February 27, 2011 from
http://www.engineersgarage.com/articles/stepper-motors

Electric Drives - Brushless DC and Reluctance Motors. Retrieved February 27, 2011 from
http://www.mpoweruk.com/motorsbrushless.htm