Lumped thermal model for the multi‐layer switched reluctance motor

The multi‐layer switched reluctance motor (SRM) is a special type of the SRM which can be utilised appropriately in high‐power applications such as electric vehicle (EV). Thermal modelling of the multi‐layer SRM is considered for the first time in the present study and a lumped parameter thermal model is introduced for quick prediction of temperature rise in this motor. In the introduced lumped thermal model, independent thermal networks are considered for different parts of the machine including frame, stator yoke, stator pole, winding, air‐gap, end‐winding, end‐cap air, rotor pole, rotor core and shaft. All details of the modelling and the required equations are given and therefore someone can use the model easily. The developed thermal model is applied to a typical two‐layer 8/6 SRM and a prototyped three‐layer 8/8 SRM and the simulation results are then compared with those derived from three‐dimensional finite element (FE) method using ANSYS FE package and experimental results. These comparisons show well high computation speed and accuracy of the lumped thermal model developed for the multi‐layer SRM.