Evaluation of a radial flux air-cored permanent magnet machine drive with manual transmission drivetrain for electric vehicles

Date
2011-03
Authors
Groenewald, David Jordaan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Due to finite oil resources and its political and economical impact, a renewed interest in energy independence has compelled industry and government to pursue electric vehicle designs. The current worldwide research that is being conducted on drivetrain topologies for EVs, focus mainly on direct in-wheel drive, direct differential drive and fixed-gear differential drive topologies. Furthermore, the control strategy for these type of motor drives require a, so called, field-weakening operation in order to achieve acceptable performance characteristics for the vehicle. This thesis evaluates the use of a manual gearbox drivetrain topology and a radial flux air-cored permanent magnet (RFAPM) synchronous machine, without flux-weakening operation, as a traction drive application for EVs. For the purpose of this research study, a 2006 model Opel Corsa Lite is converted to a battery electric vehicle, and the Corsa is renamed to the E-Corsa. The Corsa is converted so that all the original functionality, boot space and space inside the vehicle are retained. The original 5-speed manual gearbox is used as drivetrain for the vehicle and a 40 kW, 70 Nm RFAPM traction drive is developed for the manual gearbox. A power electronic converter is designed for RFAPM traction drive and a Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery pack is used as energy source for the traction drive. The battery pack is mounted partially in the front and partially in the back of the vehicle to maintain an even weight distribution in the vehicle.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Dual-rotors, Electric vehicles, Dissertations -- Electrical engineering, Theses -- Electrical engineering, Permanent magnet motors, Electric motors, Brushless, Radial flux air-cored permanent magnet (RFAPM)
Citation