Designs of a Four-in-one Laminated Electrical Steel Rotor Structure for Application-oriented Synchronous Reluctance Motors

To meet the higher operational efficiency regulations of electric motors due to energy-conservation concerns, specific design efforts have been dedicated to those motors for different application requirements. Since the synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) is generally designed based on the same stator structure as that of the induction motor and operated at synchronous speed whereas no electrical contact to its rotor, it is capable of providing a robust structure and no rotor copper loss. Such features are very attractive for the related hoist, punch, roller, and pump applications that are commonly adopted in the metals industry. By equipping adequate power factor correction and line-start capabilities, the detailed designs and performance analyses of the SynRM with a common rotor structure composed by laminated electrical steels will be proposed. Based on this common rotor structure, the operational characteristics of the SynRMs for fulfilling different specifications will all be thoroughly investigated. Confirmed by experimental validations, valuable guidance for related SynRM constructions and applications can thus be provided for metals industry and motor designers.