Performance Evaluation of an Induction Motor Drive for Traction Application

Abstract

This paper concerns the design of an induction motor drive for traction application in the framework of the EU H2020 "Smart, Green and Integrated Transport" challenge. The target vehicle reflects the specification of a high-class electric vehicle, and it led to design a traction induction motor capable to provide 200 kW in the range from 6000 to 20000 rpm. The paper focuses on the performance evaluation of the motor design accounting for the drive control strategy. Design features and data are provided. Maximum performance both in the constant torque and the flux weakening zones are outlined by finite element method steady-state analyses, providing the thermal and supply limits. Then, the drive control is taken into account by dynamic simulations. The performance are evaluated over the whole torque-speed region considering the actual control strategy and driving modes of modern smart vehicles. Operating examples are provided.

Design and performance analysis of a high-efficiency Y3 induction motor

“…The FEM offers extensive details on the nonlinear effects of the machine (based on its geometry and material properties). This modelling method will provide a precise and comprehensive definition of an electrical machine [8]. The FEM is extremely adaptable, particularly for new designs that include new shapes.…”

Impact of Wire Selection on the Performance of an Induction Motor for Automotive Applications

“…In particular, the reference motor is an induction motor (IM) developed within the framework of the Horizon 2020 ReFreeDrive project (Rare Earth Free e-Drives) [31,32]. The induction motor is a useful technology as it reduces rare-earth magnet use, making it an attractive and feasible solution in the automotive industry due to its simple manufacturing process, robustness, versatility, cost-effectiveness, and fault-tolerant capabilities [33].…”

Transient Modeling of Induction Motors considering Space Harmonics

“…The case study refers to the IM motor developed in the frame of the Horizon 2020 project ReFreeDrive "Rare earth Free e-Drives featuring low cost manufacturing" as the traction engine of high power 200kW electrical vehicles, [4].…”

“…In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the dynamic modeling of Induction Motors (IM), also due to their use in new and particularly relevant application areas, such as automotive [1][2] [3] . Lumped Parameters (LP) models are the most used method to evaluate the transient performance of electrical motor drives, [4]. Based on a set of differential non-linear equations with constant or variable parameters, they allow a dynamic analysis with small calculation times with obvious advantages.…”