Chaos in the switched reluctance motor drive employing digital speed and current control

Abstract

Adjustable speed motor drives are among the most representative types of non-linear systems which can exhibit rich varieties of complex dynamic behaviours. This study presents the investigation of chaotic phenomena in the switched reluctance (SR) motor drive employing digital speed regulator and hysteresis current controller. For conducting stability analysis, a small signal discrete-time model of the SR drive has been derived and analysed for a range of control parameters. The simulation results of time-domain and frequency-domain analysis and phase portraits of the SR drive system are also demonstrated and discussed. Two influencing factors for chaotic behaviour in the SR drive system are identified and examined in detail: The feedback delay of the speed regulator and measurement imperfection from a rotary incremental encoder. For verification, an 8/6 pole 2.3 kW SR drive is employed in experimental tests. The bifurcation diagrams of the reference signal, waveforms of phase current, and the corresponding frequency spectra are recorded and illustrated for both normal and chaotic operations, which reveal the pattern of chaos exhibited from this type of electric drive system.