UNIT I

1. What is a synchronous reluctance motor? [NOV/DEC 2013]

A reluctance motor that utilizes an ac rotating field, which allows for
the possibility of extremely smooth torque and good operation to low
speeds.
2. What are the types of rotor in synchronous reluctance
motor? [April/May 2008 Nov/Dec 2009 April/May 2011,
May/June 2013 April 2017].
1. Salient rotor
2. Radially laminated rotor
3. Axially laminated rotor
3. Mention some applications of synchronous reluctance
motor. [May/June 2007 Nov/Dec 2012 April/May 2015 Nov
2016 April 2017]
1. Fiber-spinning mills
2. Industrial process equipment
3. Metering pumps
4. Wrapping and folding machines
4. What are the advantages of increasing Ld/Lq ratio in
synchronous reluctance motor?
1. Motor power factor increases.
2. I2R losses reduced.
3. Reduced volt-ampere ratings of the inverter driving the machine.
5. Compare synchronous reluctance motor and induction
motor.
Synchronous reluctance motor Induction motor
1. Better efficiency Efficiency is low compared with
synchronous reluctance motor.

2. Highcost Lowcost

3. Low power factor. High power factor.

4. Used for low and medium Used for high power application.
power application.
6. Write down the torque equation of synchronous reluctance
motor. ( NOV/DEC-14 & MAY/JUNE-14)

3 2 X sd  X sq 
T V  sin 2
s  2X X 
 sd sq 

Where, V = supply voltage,  = load angle,

s = synchronous speed, Xsd, Xsq = synchronous reactances of d and q
axis
7. Draw the torque-angle characteristics of synchronous
reluctance motor. (APR/MAY-2015)

8. Draw the speed-torque characteristics of synchronous

reluctance motor.
 9. Draw the steady-state phasor diagram of synchronous
reluctance motor.

10. 11. Mention some advantages and disadvantages of

synchronous reluctance motor? (NOV/DEC-2013)
Advantages:
1. There is no concern with demagnetization, hence synchronous
reluctance.
2. There need be no excitation field at zero torque, thus eliminating
electromagnetic spinning losses.
3. Synchronous reluctance machine rotors can be constructed entirely
from high strength, low-cost materials.
Disadvantages:
1. Compared to induction motor it is slightly heavier and has low power
L
factor. But increasing the saliency ratio ds , the power factor can be
Lqs
improved.
2. High cost than induction motor.
3. Need speed synchronization to inverter output frequency by using
rotor position sensor and sensor less control.
11. Write down any two properties of synchronous reluctance
motor.
1. High output power capability.
2. Ability of the rotor to withstand high speeds.
3. Negligible zero-torque spinning losses.
4. High reliability.
12. What is reluctance torque in synchronous reluctance
motor? [Nov 2013]
The torque exerted by the reluctance motor because of the tendency of
the salient poles to align themselves in the minimum reluctance position.
This torque is called reluctance torque.
 13. What are the design considerations in synchronous
reluctance motor? [NOV/DEC-2012]
1. Power factor
2. Copper loss and core loss
3. Cost
4.Efficiency
14. What are the main advantages of synchronous reluctance
motor? [May/June 2007]
1) Freedom from permanent magnet
2) Ability to maintain full load torque at zero speed
3) A wide speed range at constant power.
15. What is Vernier Motor? [Nov/Dec 2007 Nov/Dec 2009
April/May 2010]
It is an unexcited reluctance type synchronous motor the
peculiar feature of this motor is that small displacement of the rotor
products a large displacement of the axis of maximum and minimum
permeance.
16. Write down any two properties of synchronous reluctance
motor. [Nov Dec 2007]
The synchronous reluctance motor is not self starting without
the squirrel cage. During run up it behaves as an induction motor but as
it approaches synchronous speed, the reluctance torque takes over and
the motor locks into synchronous speed.
17. List the application of Vernier Motor. [April/May 2008
April/May 2011]
The Vernier motor is mainly used where require low speed and
high torque.
1) Direct Drive applications
2) High Torque at low speed applications.
18. What are the types of rotor available in synchronous
reluctance motor? [April/May 2010]
1) Cage rotor for line start.
2) Cageless-rotors for variable speed.
19. Give the difference between synchronous reluctance motor
and switched reluctance motor. [May/June 2013].
SYRM
1) The motor has the same number of poles on stator and rotor.
2) The stator of SYRM is cylindrical type with distributed
winding.
3) The stator has a smooth slot for slotting
4) Excitation is a set of 3 phase balanced sine wave current.

SRM
1) In order to have starting capability and bi-directional control, the
motor of a SRM has lesser pole than the stator.
2) The stator of SRM has salient poles with concentrated coils like on
d.c motor.
3) Like a d.c motor, the stator and rotor have salient poles.
4) Excitation is a sequence of current pulse applied.
20. What are the merits of 3-phase brushless PMSM?[Nov/Dec
2013]
(1)Regenerative breaking is possible
(2) Speed can be easily controllable
(3) It is possible to have high very speeds
(4) There is no field winding. So no copper loss.
21. What are the different types of power controllers used for
synchronous reluctance motors.[Nov/Dec 2014]
1. Two power semiconductors and two diodes per phase
2.(n+1) power semiconductors and (n+1) diodes per phase
3. Phase winding using bifilar wires
4. Dump C converter
5. Split power supply converter
22. Give the operating Principle of radial flux motor.
(May/June 2012)
It has salient rotor shape such that the quadrature air gap is
much large than the direct air gap. This yields relatively small Ld /L0
ratio and results circulating flux in the rotor pole faces.
23. What is the function of drive circuit in stepping motor?
(May/June 2013)
The output from the logic sequence generator signals are low
level signals which are two weak to energize stepper motor windings. To
increase the voltage, current and power levels of the logic sequence
output by using power semi-conductor swithcing circuit. This circuit is
called power drive circuit.
24. What are the types of synchronous reluctance motor?
(May/June 2013)
The main types are:
1. Cage less. 2. Line-start.

According to the magnetization

1. Radial Type. 2. Axial Type.
PART – B
1. Explain the constructions and working principle of
synchronous reluctance motor. [Nov 2007 May 2007 May
2008 May 2010 Nov 2012 Nov 2013 Nov 2014 May 2014 Nov
2016 April 2017]
(OR)
Describe the constructional features of axial and radial flux
synchronous reluctance motors. [May/June 2013 April/May 2015]
Construction of Synchronous Reluctance motor:
The idealized structure of reluctance motor is same as that of the salient
pole synchronous machine shown in fig. except that the rotor does not
have any field winding. The stator has a three phase symmetrical
winding, which creates sinusoidal rotating magnetic field in the air gap,
and the reluctance torque is developed because the induced magnetic
field in the rotor has a tendency to cause the rotor to align with the stator
field at a minimum reluctance position.

Fig. Idealized three phase two pole synchronous machine (Salient pole)
The rotor of the modern reluctance machine is designed with iron laminations in the
axial direction separated by nonmagnetic material as shown in fig., to increase the
reluctance to flux in the q-axis. Compared to the induction motor, it is slightly
heavier and has a lower power factor. With proper design, the performance of the
reluctance motor may approach that of induction machine. With a high saliency ratio
(Lds/Lqs), a power factor of 0.8 can be reached. The efficiency of a reluctance
machine may be higher than an induction motor because there is no rotor copper
loss. Because of inherent simplicity, robustness of construction and low cost,
reluctance machines have been popularly used in many low power applications such
as fiber spinning mills, where a number of motors operate synchronously with a
common power supply
The synchronous reluctance motor has no synchronous starting torque and runs up
from stand still by induction action. There is an auxiliary starting winding.
Subsequent design modifications involved the introduction of a segmental rotor
construction of effort a flux barrier in each pole. This has increased the pull out
torque, the power factor and the efficiency. The simple applications where several
motors are required to rotate in close synchronism.

Fig. Cross-section of synchronous reluctance motor

Synchronous reluctance motor is designed for high power applications. It can
broadly be classified into
(a) Axially laminated and
(b) Radially laminated
synchronous motors. These motors have the same stator construction as the
multiphase induction motor. Generally three types of rotors used in synchronous
reluctance motor. They are segmental, flux barrier (radially laminated) and axially
laminated structure.
The ideal synchronous reluctance machine is having a rotor whose structure such
that the inductance of the stator windings in the dq reference frame varies
sinusoidally from a maximum value Ld(direct inductance) to a minimum value Lq
(quadrature inductance) as a function of angular displacement of the rotor.

Fig. Cross section of axially laminated SyRM

 Fig. Cross section of radially laminated SyRM
Rotor Design:
Salient rotor (Segmental):
Salient rotor shape such that the quadrature air-gap is much larger than the direct air
gap. This yields reactively small Ld/Lq ratios in the range of 2.3

Fig. Salient Rotor.

Salient rotor design is shown in fig. The low Ld/Lq ratios are largely the result of
circulating flux in the pole faces of the rotor. However the ruggedness and simplicity
of the rotor structure has encouraged study of this approach for high speed
applications.

Fig. Radially laminated rotor

Another approach is to use laminations with "flux barriers" punched into the steel for
a 4 pole machine as shown in fig. However these flux barriers and the central hole of
the lamination required for the shaft weaken the rotor structurally and thus makes
this approach a poor choice for high speed design.
Axially laminated rotor:
The fig. shows the axially laminated rotor.

Fig. Axially laminated rotor.

This approach is to laminate the rotor in the axial direction. For a two pole two phase
axially laminated rotor with an Ld/Lq ratio of 20, the maximum efficiency is 94% has
been reported in the literature. It is observed that torque ripple and iron losses are
more in axially laminated rotor than radially laminated rotor.
Another rotor design is shown in fig. In this case the rotor consists of alternating
layers of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic steel. If choose the thickness of the steel
such that the pitch of the ferromagnetic rotor segments matched the slot pitch of the
stator. In this way the ferromagnetic rotor segments always see a stator tooth pitch
regardless of the angle of rotation of the rotor. This is done to minimize flux
variations and hence iron losses in the rotor.

Fig New rotor design.

Special rotor laminations make it possible to produce the same number of reluctance
path as there are magnetic poles in the stator. Synchronous speed is achieved as the
salient poles lock in step with magnetic poles of the rotating stator field and cause
the stator to run at the same speed as the rotating field. The rotor is pressure cast with
end rings similar to induction motor. Stator windings are similar to squirrel cage
induction motor
Rotor Construction:
To construct the rotor, we are using a joining technique known as explosion bonding.
Explosion bonding uses explosive energy to force two or more metal sheets together
at high pressures. Conventionally the high pressure causes several atomic layers on
the surface of each sheet to behave as a fluid. The angle of collision between the two
metals forces this fluid to jet outward. Effectively cleaning the metal surface, these
ultra clean surfaces along with the high pressure forcing the metal plates together
provide the necessary condition for solid phase welding.
Experimental tests on a stainless steel/mild steel bond indicate that the tensile and
fatigue strengths of the bond are greater than those of either of the component
materials due to the shock hardening which occurs during the process. The bond was
also subjected to 10 cycles of temperature variation from 20°C - 70°C, with no
significant reduction in tensile strength.
Explosion bonding technique is shown in fig. 7.9, other joining techniques such as
brazing, roll bonding, or diffusion bonding may also appropriate for rotor
construction.

Fig. Explosion Bonding

First sheets of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic steel are bonded as shown in fig. The
bonded sheets are then cut into rectangular blocks which are machined into the
desired rotor. The rotor shaft can also be machined out of the same block as the
rotor.
Working Of Synchronous Reluctance Motor:
In order to understand the working of synchronous reluctance motor, when a piece of
magnetic material is located in a magnetic field, a force acts on the material tending
to bring it into the densest portion of the field. The force tends to align the specimen
of the material in such a way that the reluctance of the magnetic path that passes
through the material will be minimum.
When supply is given to the stator winding, the revolving magnetic field will exert
reluctance torque on the unsymmetrical rotor tending to align the salient pole axis of
the rotor with the axis of the revolving magnetic field, because in this position, the
reluctance of the magnetic path would be minimum as shown in fig. 7.10. If the
reluctance torque is sufficient to start the motor and its load, the rotor will pull into
step with the revolving field and continue to run at the speed of the revolving field.
Actually the motor starts as an induction motor and after it has reached its maximum
speed as an induction motor, the reluctance torque pulls its rotor into step with the
revolving field, so that the motor now runs as synchronous motor by virtue of its
saliency.

Fig. Rotor positions due to revolving magnetic field

Reluctance motors have approximately one-third the HP rating they would have as
induction motors with cylindrical rotors. Although the ratio may be increased to one-
half by proper design of the field windings, power factor and efficiency are poorer
than for the equivalent induction motor Reluctance motors are subject to "cogging"
since, the locked rotor torque varies with the rotor position, but the effect may be
minimized by skewing the rotor bars and by not having the number of rotor slots
exactly equal to an exact multiple of the number of poles.
Operating Principle Of Synchronous Reluctance Motor
To understand the working principle of synchronous reluctance motor, let us keep in
mind the following basic fact.
When a piece of magnetic material is located in a magnetic field, a force acts on the
material, tending to bring it into the most dense portion of the field. The force tends
to align the specimen of material in such a way that the reluctance of the magnetic
path lies through the material will be minimum.
In a nutshell, when a piece of magnetic material is free to move in a magnetic field,
it will align itself with the field to minimize the reluctance of the magnetic circuit.

Fig. Synchronous reluctance motor

The Fig. shows the synchronous reluctance motor. The stator has open slot and semi
closed slot structures. The rotor has two types of air gap viz., radial and axial. Here
for simplicity, the synchronous reluctance motor having the open slot stator and axial
air gap rotor structure is shown in Fig. All the configurations of synchronous
reluctance motor are having the same working principle.
The stator has a 3, symmetrical winding, which creates a sinusoidal rotating field in
the air gap when excited. The rotor has an unexcited ferromagnetic material with
polar projections.
When the supply is given to the stator winding, the revolving magnetic field exerts
reluctance torque on the unsymmetrical rotor tending to align the salient pole axis of
the rotor with the axis of the revolving magnetic field. [It is the position, where the
reluctance of the magnetic path would be minimum]. So the reluctance torque is
developed by the tendency of ferromagnetic rotor to align itself with the magnetic
field. The reluctance torque developed in this type of motor can be expressed as.

 p    Lds  Lqs  
Te  3   s2 sin 2  ...1
 2   2Lds Lqs 
Where,
P  Number of poles
 s  Stator flux linkage
Lds  Direct axis inductance with respect to synchronously rotating frame
Lqs  Quadrature axis inductance with respect to synchronously rotating frame
  Torque angle
If the reluctance torque is sufficient to start the motor and its load, the rotor will pull
into step with the revolving field and continue to run at the speed of the revolving
field.
The motor starts as an induction motor and after it has reached its maximum speed as
an induction motor, the reluctance torque pulls its rotor into step with the revolving
field, so that the motor now runs as synchronous motor by virtue of its saliency.
Even though the rotor revolves synchronously, its poles lag behind the stator poles
by a certain angle known as torque angle, [something similar to that in a
synchronous motor]. The reluctance torque increases with the increase in torque
angle, attaining maximum value when α = 45°. Reluctance motors are subjected to
“cogging” since, the locked rotor torque varies with the rotor position, but the effect
may be minimized by skewing the rotor bars and by not having the number of rotor
slots exactly equal to an exact multiple of the number of poles.
The operation of motor at synchronism with ideally zero rotor electrical losses will
improve the efficiency. But the reluctance motors have approximately one third the
hp rating, when compared with the condition that they would have operated as
induction motors with cylindrical rotors. Although the ratio may be increased to one-
half by proper design of the field windings, power factor and efficiency are poorer
than for the equivalent induction motor.
Once the rotor of synchronous reluctance motor is synchronized, the cage winding
rotates synchronously with the stator field. Thus, the rotor winding plays no part in
the steady state synchronous operation of the motor. The machine continues to
operate synchronously, provided the pull-out torque of the motor is not exceeded
This is the load torque required to pull the rotor out of synchronism.
The pull in torque is defined as the maximum load torque which the rotor
can pull into synchronism with a specified load inertia. The pull-in torque can be
increased at the expense of larger starting current, but it is always less than the pull-
out torque.
The reluctance motors have been widely used in adjustable-speed
multimotor drives requiring exact speed coordination between individual motors. If
all the motors in multimotor drive system are accelerated simultaneously from
standstill by increasing the supply frequency, the machines operate synchronously at
all times, and pull-in torque requirements.
The reluctance motor unfortunately exhibits a tendency towards instability
at lower supply frequencies, but it forms a low cost. robust and reliable synchronous
machine.
The constant speed characteristics of the synchronous reluctance motor
makes it very suitable for the applications, such as, recording instruments, many
kinds of timers, signaling devices and phonographs.
2. Draw and explain the characteristics of synchronous
reluctance motor. [Nov/Dec 2013 Apr/May2010]
(OR)
Draw and explain a typical torque-speed characteristics of a
synchronous reluctance motor. [April/May 2008]
(OR)
Describe in detail, the speed-torque and torque-angle characteristics
of synchronous reluctance motor with phasor diagrams.[Nov/Dec
2012 Nov/Dec 2013 Nov/Dec 2014 April/May 2015]
Characteristic Of Synchronous Reluctance Motor
Torque angle characteristic
We know that the developed electrical torque of synchronous reluctance motor can
be expressed as,

 p   s  Lds  Lqs  
2

Te  3    sin 2  ...1
 2   2Lds Lqs 
The plotting of the above equation for different field excitations gives the various
torque (Te) -  angle curves as shown in Fig.1.21, for both motoring and generating
modes. The steady-state limit corresponds to the maximum points and is indicated by
the dots in the Fig.
It is evident from the equation that if Vs/e is maintained constant (i.e., the supply
voltage is changed in proportional to the frequency), for a fixed excitation and torque
angle, the developed torque remains constant.
But we have defined the synchronous reluctance motor as the motor which
has the same structure as that of a salient pole synchronous motor except that it does
not have a field winding on the rotor. So, there is no excitation in the motor. So, in
the torque angle characteristics of Fig. drawn for salient pole machine, the reluctance
torque component is the lowest curve which corresponds to zero percent excitation
or zero excitation, where the stability limit is reached at δ ± π/4

Fig. Torque- angle characteristics of salient pole machine

The reluctance torque component is in such a shape as shown in Fig.
because the ideal synchronous reluctance machine is having a rotor whose structure
is such that the inductance of the stator windings in the dq reference frame varies
sinusoidally from a maximum value Ld [Direct inductance] to a minimum value Lq
[Quadrature inductance] as a function of angular displacement of the rotor.
Torque - speed characteristic
In synchronous reluctance motor, the reluctance torque is developed by the
tendency of a ferromagnetic material to align itself with a magnetic field. On a fixed
frequency a.c. supply, the synchronous reluctance motor is not self-starting unless
the rotor is fitted with a squirrel-cage winding to permit starting by induction motor
action.
When the rotor speed approaches synchronous speed, the reluctance torque is super
imposed on the induction motor torque, and as a result, the rotor speed oscillates
above and below its average value. If the load torque and inertia are not excessive,
the instantaneous rotor speed increases such as to reach synchronous speed and the
rotor locks into synchronism with the stator field.
The Fig. shows the torque-speed characteristics of synchronous reluctance motor.
The motor starts as an induction motor at anywhere from 300 to 400 percent of its
full load torque (depending upon the salient pole axis of the rotor with the axis of the
revolving magnetic field) as a two phase motor.
When the motor reaches its maximum speed as an induction motor, the
reluctance torque pulls its rotor into step with the revolving field, so that the motor
now runs as synchronous motor by virtue of its saliency. As it approaches
synchronous speed, the reluctance torque is sufficient to pull the rotor into
synchronism with the pulsating single phase field.

Fig. Torque-speed characteristics of synchronous reluctance motor

From the Fig, it is known that even though the torque is increased, the motor speed
remains constant. But when the torque exceeds maximum value, the motor goes out
of synchronism. The motor operates at constant speed upto a little over 200% of its
full load torque. If it is loaded beyond the value of pull out torque, it will continue to
operate as a single phase induction motor up to 500% of its rated output.
 The torque-speed characteristics of synchronous reluctance motor is shown
in fig. The motor starts at anywhere from 300 to 400 percent of its full load
torque as a two phase motor
 As a result of the magnetic rotating field created by a starting and running
winding displaced 90 degree in both space and time.
 At 3/4th of the synchronous speed a centrifugal switch opens with starting
winding and the motor continues to develop a single phase torque product
by its running winding only.
 As its approaches synchronous speed the reluctance torque is sufficient to
pull the rotor into synchronism with pulsating single phase field.
 The motor operates at constant speed up to a little over 200% of its full
load torque.
 If it is loaded beyond the value of pull out torque it will continue to operate
as a single phase induction motor upto 500% of its rated output.

Fig. Circle diagram of synchronous reluctance motor

 In the complex phasor diagram the maximum continuous phase current
defines a circular locus Fig. (a) and (b).
 With a sine-distribution of ampere conductors whose magnetic axis is
aligned with the d-axis
Ns
sin p
2p
 The mmf integral H dl for flux lines that cross the air gap via the pole is
given by
Ns i  
cos p, 
2p 2p 2p
 Fig. (a) calculate of d-axis synchronous reactance showing the assumed
magnetic potential boundaries. Fig.(b) Distribution of d-axis flux excited
by sine-distributed stator winding.
 The expression equals one half the ampere-conductors enclosed within a
closed flux line that crosses the air gap at the angle 0. The other half of the
enclosed ampere conductors cab is thought of us forcing the flux line
across the air gap via the adjacent poles. Thus the equations developed
here arc all on a ‘per-pole’ basis.
 If all the poles are in series, Ns is the number of the turns in series per
phase, and Ns/p is the number of turns per pole. Flux entering the sides of
the pole is classified as fringing flux and is ignored at this stage.
 The dotted line drawn across the rotor and along the q-axis is in
equipotential V0 and as before, this potential may be assigned to zero with
no loss generality, since it is common between adjacent poles.
 The pole piece is at a uniform magnetic potential V 1 as yet unknown, the
Fig. circle diagram showing loci of maximum current limited by both
current and voltage, for hybrid motor with ceramic magnets (0.4T; V 1 =
15V and 38 V).
  This is a rectangular hyperbola asymptotic to the negative d-axis and to a
q-axis offset to the right.
 Note that all these relationship are independent of frequency and speed.
 With high energy magnet the offset Eq/x is so large that the constant-
torque contours are almost horizontal straight lines, as they arc for the
surface magnet.
 This again shows the similarity between the two machines when high
energy magnets are used.
 When the hybrid motor is ‘under excited’, as it may well be with ceramic
magnets, the constant-torque contours have more curvature.
 For the pure synchronous reluctance motor the constant-torque contours
are also rectangular hyperbolas but with no offset.
 The torque contour for 0.312 Nm in Fig.1.24 is tangent to the maximum
current circle at point 1. This torque is attainable at 300 rpm with a
controller of voltage only 15V.
 As the speed increases the size of the voltage-limited current locus can
be maintained by increasing the voltage (by P.W.M control) up to
maximum of 38V, which is reached at 8400 rpm. This is the highest
speed at which the torque of 0.312 Nm can be attained, giving an
electromagnetic power of 274.5 W at the air gap.
 If the speed is raised to 10500 rpm, the torque must decrease as the
operating point is constrained by maximum current limit.
Torque - Speed Characteristics:
The torque speed characteristics of synchronous reluctance motor is
shown in fig. The motor starts at anywhere from 300 to 400 percent of its full
load torque (depending on the rotor position of the unsymmetrical rotor with
respect to the field winding) as a two phase motor. As a result of the magnetic
rotating field created by a starting and running winding displaced 90° in both
space and time
 Fig. Torque - Speed characteristics.
At about 3/4th of the synchronous speed a centrifugal switch opens the
starting winding and the motor continues to develope a single phase torque
produced by its running winding only. As it approaches synchronous speed, the
reluctance torque (developed as a synchronous motor) is sufficient to pull the
rotor into synchronism with the pulsating single phase field. The motor operates
at constant speed upto a little over 200% of its full load torque. If it is loaded
beyond the value of pull out torque, it will continue to operate as a single phase
induction motor upto 500% of its rated output.
Application characteristics:
 Comparable power density but better efficiency than induction motor.
 Slightly lower power factor than induction motor.
 Slightly small field weakening range than induction motor.
 High cost than induction motor but lower than any type of PM motors.
 Need speed synchronisation to inverter out frequency by rotor position
sensor and sensorless control.
 Sensorless control is much easier due to motor saliency.
 By adding squirrel cage induction motor to synchronous reluctance
motor one obtains line starting reluctance motors.
 Line started reluctance motors can be parallel with open loop control if
the load does not change suddenly.
 Other combinations are possible such as adding PM for improved
performance
 Rotor design for best manufacturability is still being optimized
especially for high speed applications
3. Explain in detail about vernier motor. [Nov/Dec 2007
April/May 2008 April/May 2010]
Vernier motor:
A vernier motor is an unexcited (or reluctance type) inductor synchronous
motor. It is also named because it operates on the principle of a vernier. The
peculiar feature of this kind of motor is that a small displacement of the rotor
produces a large displacement of the axes of maximum and minimum
permeance. When a rotating magnetic field is introduced in the air gap of the
machine, the rotor will rotate slowly and at a definite fraction of the speed of the
rotating field. This rotating field can be produced either by feeding poly phase
current to the stator winding or by exciting the stator coil groups in sequence. As
the rotor speed steps down from the speed of the rotating field, the motor torque
steps up. A vernier motor, therefore works as an electric gearing. This kind of
motor is attractive in applications which require low speed and high torque and
where mechanical gearing is undesirable.
Since the vernier motor is a synchronous machine, useful torque is developed
only when it operates at synchronous speed. To be capable of self-starting
without any auxiliary means, the rotor must be pulled into synchronism within
the time of one-half cycle. The vernier motor, therefore must be designed to run