Performance enhancement of synchronous reluctance motors with rotor design

With the developing technology and industrialization in the world, the need for energy is also increasing. The increasing need for energy has obliged producers to use existing resources effectively, in other words, the concept of energy efficiency. When we look at the energy consumption data, a large amount of energy in the industry is used by electric motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Asynchronous motors are at the forefront of these motors. However, motor designs that can be an alternative to asynchronous motors that are widely used in industry and that can provide high efficiency are becoming increasingly important. In line with the developments and researches, synchronous reluctance motors, which have better efficiency compared to asynchronous motors, have been the first alternative motor types that come to mind. In recent years, it is thought that even a small improvement in the efficiency of synchronous reluctance motors compared to asynchronous motors in terms of efficiency and reliability will provide large efficiencies in annual energy consumption. The synchronous reluctance motor, which has high efficiency and moment density compared to asynchronous motors and is cheaper than permanent magnet synchronous motors, has taken its place as a strong alternative in the industry. SynRMs are modern electric motors that attract attention with their high efficiency and low manufacturing costs. However, the performance of these motors is highly dependent on the rotor design. The aim of this study is to optimize the performance of SynRMs by analyzing various rotor structures. This thesis investigates the effects of rotor design on motor performance for Synchronous Reluctance Motors. The performance of synchronous reluctance motors, which play an important role in modern electric motor systems due to their energy efficiency and cost advantages, is highly dependent on the rotor design. The aim of this study is to optimize the performance characteristics of SynRMs by analyzing various rotor structures. It investigates their effects on performance parameters such as efficiency, torque production, power factor, and cooling. For this purpose, various rotor models were simulated and analyzed using Motor CAD, a computer-aided design program. Simulation results are verified and analyzed with experimental data. The findings show how the rotor structure affects the performance of the motor. In particular, it is observed that the optimum number and placement of barriers minimizes torque ripple and improves the power factor. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of the rotor material are found to play a decisive role on the motor efficiency and heating characteristics. This thesis demonstrates that motor performance can be improved by optimizing the rotor structure in SynRM design. The results aim to contribute to the development of high-efficiency and low-cost SynRMs for industrial applications.