Switched reluctance machine control system and method

A switched reluctance machine system, comprising:

• a stator;
• a rotor situated to rotate relative to the stator;
• a plurality of phase windings situated in the stator;
• a power converter;
• a power supply connected to the phase windings via the power converter;
• and
• a controller outputting control signals to the power converter to selectively apply power to the phase windings, the controller receiving signals from the phase windings providing current feedback;
• the controller being programmed to analyze the phase current feedback and control the power converter to inject diagnostic pulses into any of the phase windings in which current is below a predetermined level to determine the position of the rotor relative to the stator.

A control system for a switched reluctance machine having a stator, a rotor situated to rotate relative to the stator, a plurality of phase windings situated in the stator, a power converter, and a power supply connected to the phase windings via the power converter, the control system comprising:

• output terminals for providing control signals to the power converter to selectively apply power to the phase windings;
• and
• input terminals for receiving current feedback signals from the phase windings;
• and
• a controller connected to the input and output terminals, the controller being programmed to analyze the phase current information and control the power converter to inject diagnostic pulses into any of the phase windings when the current in the phase winding is below a predetermined level to determine the position of the rotor relative to the stator.