Absences of permanent magnets, high fault tolerant, low cost and competitive weight, are some of the key features of the Linear Switched Reluctance Motor, hereafter LSRM. The aim of this project is to develop an LSRM drive system for mass rapid transit system (MRTS). Replacing the conventional wheel based transit system with linear motion technology will lead to simplification of the MRTS technology. The four quadrant performance and benefits of MRTS will be studied with a prototype small scale design.
The comparison of this new technology with the conventional linear machines such as linear induction motor (LIM) and linear synchronous motor (LSM) used for transport systems will be demonstrated. The construction cost, controller design, vehicle mass, force to inertia ratio will be some of the benefits that will be showcased as a benchmark of LSRM in comparison with conventional technologies.