Design and analysis of a new double-sided linear Switched reluctance motor with improved propulsion and ripples for high-speed rail systems

Increasing pollution and traffic congestion have accentuated the need for efficient linear motor-powered mass transit systems. Linear Switched Reluctance Motor (LSRM) shows competency for use in these systems due to their economic structure and high force. However, their utilization is not given in due to disadvantages like high force ripples and complex control. To overcome this drawback, this paper presents a design of a double-sided LSRM having increased force and reduced force ripples. The proposed motor consists of moving twin translators. The stator consists of split-teeth poles facing the translators in opposite directions to form upper and lower parts. These parts are fitted between the twin translators with the help of a stator yoke. The upper and lower stators are shifted by half stator pole pitch to reduce both force ripples and saturation inside the stator yoke. The designed three-phase motor contains 6 stator poles against 16 translator poles. To match the translator poles, each stator pole is divided into two parts. The paper presents the design methodology for this double-sided configuration. The motor is designed and analyzed using 3-D finite element method (FEM). The FEM results validate the design and improved performance of the double-sided LSRM as compared to equivalent single-sided LSRM.