Abstract
This paper analyses the effect of rotor barrier pitch angles
on torque ripple production in Synchronous Reluctance
Machines (SynRMs), with the objective to reduce torque
ripple contents in medium size ground Electric Vehicles
(EVs). While keeping major-design parameters constant,
the barrier pitch angle is varied by a quarter of the stator
slot pitch. Three SynRMs having different rotor barrier
pitch angles are designed and modeled using 2D Finite
Element Method (FEM). The specifications of a
traditional 5.5 kW, three-phase, 50 Hz, induction machine
are used to design and model the SynRMs. Torque ripple
reduction of ± 48 % is achieved for barrier pitch angles of
15o and 17.5o mech, when the machines operate at current
space phasor angle of 45o electric.