Patent ID: 6014003
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: H02P

Abstract:
A method of enhancing the performance of a reluctance machine system, the machine system including a rotor, a phase winding coupled to a voltage bus by power switching devices, the method comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a selected net average voltage level as a function of the operating parameters of the reluctance machine;(b) applying the selected net average voltage to the phase winding when the rotor reaches a first pre-established angular position; and thereafter(c) monitoring the current in the phase winding and, once the phase current exceeds a desired peak current value, controlling the current in the phase winding to be near the desired peak current value;(d) applying the selected net average voltage to the phase winding when the rotor reaches a second pre-established angular position; and thereafter;(e) controlling the net average voltage applied to the phase winding as a function of time such that the net average voltage varies from the selected net average value to a pre-established voltage level in a controlled fashion.