VDS GROEP T Motor controller team
In 2008-2009 the motor controller team will focus on two specific domains: the hardware implementation of the PMSM controller algorithm – both controller and high power electronics – and the first develop cycle of the SRM algorithm. In the second quarter of 2009 VDS GROEP T will show their PMSM controller, and a first version of the SRM algorithm.
For the motor controller team we have for the moment two students working on the implementation of the motor controller algorithm on a hardware platform, the XUP Virtex-II Pro bord from Xilinx. Last year this algorithm was designed and successfully tested on a 50kW motor. To start with, this algorithm will be fully written into software and then tested. Afterwards, the parts of the code will be translated into hardware so the algorithm can work a lot faster. This is needed to be able to drive motors with higher power. At the moment almost half of the algorithm had been written into software. By the end of December the complete algorithm will be ready in software, so the translation into hardware can begin. The first prototype of the control part will be ready in the beginning of April.
Next to this, there’s also a student working on the inverter which delivers the needed power (30kW) for the motor. The first prototype of this will be for a lower power, around 3kW.
The past month the work which has been done was mainly around the measurements the control algorithm needs to be able to drive the motor correctly and some circuits for protection of the power stage. Also an efficient power supply has almost been finished. This will deliver the needed voltages to supply the different parts of the controller. After this, testing on a small motor can start. With the experience and results from these tests, the final design can then be started.
2008-2009 VDS GROEP T Objectives
Submitted by Arthur Vijghen on October 1, 2008 - 9:00am.Mid summer of 2008, VDS produced the first VISION prototype in the Turin, Italy. Based on this experience, VDS GROEP T now develops a second prototype, the VISION GT. It will be assembled in spring 2009. The prototype will effectively be used for drive tests and endurance tests. The VISION GT will be a VDS GROEP T car: it will show the lightweight frame, electric motor and motor controller to the maximum. The power train, power steering, suspension and braking systems will be incorporated from another existing car. Our researchers won’t focus on these integration components; the innovative sub systems have our priority.
This academic year, the frame team will focus on composites in particular. They want to develop and build a 100% carbon composite frame. Our researchers also explore the possibilities of flax fibres, because they have an impressive low life cycle impact – which is the de facto target of VDS GROEP T. The frame will be produced in cooperation with several industrial partners.
The motor team finished the design of the PMSM motor in September 2008. This motor is obviously controller by the PMSM controller, which will be finished in Q2 2009. The production of the Switched Reluctance Motor is scheduled in Q1 2009. The VISION GT will be driven by a 30 KW SRM motor. The SRM motor has significantly better results in the life cycle analysis, compared to all other electric motors. Next to a cheap, fast and environment friendly production, it has a very high efficiency while in use.
The motor controller team will focus on two specific domains: the hardware implementation of the PMSM controller algorithm – both controller and high power electronics – and the first develop cycle of the SRM algorithm. In Q2 2009 VDS GROEP T will show their PMSM controller, and a first version of the SRM algorithm.
Jelle Collignon
July 15 1986, D-day for Jelle. Since then he lives in Olmen, a little village. After 18 years he leaves his hometown during the week, to go study at Group T. 3 years and a lot of study later he joins the Vehicle Design Summit project. This because it’s a good thing for the environment. If everyone had a car like this, there would be a lot less consequences for the environment. The time there is left, he works for Bruudruuster Visuals Productions as director, cameraman and photographer. He also likes Walt Disney and themeparks.
Gert Vos
Gert Vos was born on the 20th of June 1985 in Leuven, where he grew up and still lives today. Here he finished his high school at Koninklijk Atheneum Leuven ‘De Ring’. He studies sciences and mathematics, what else did you expect?
Very soon he seemed to be interested in everything that has something to do with computers, hence the choice to study civil engineer computer sciences. But after the first year the studies seemed to be not what he expected them to be, a bit too theoretical, so he decides to study industrial engineer at GROUP T.
In his third year electronics-ICT he noticed that he was more interested in electronics than ICT. Also during the bachelor project, where he was team leader of an international team of 15 students, he became more interested in a large international project like VDS. During this bachelor project he mostly worked with low-power digital electronics. This time he will take the challenge with VDS to work with high powers and so design the motor controller. As the team leader of the Electrical Motor Team he will also be involved in the project management.
Hobbies:
* Computers: websites, networking, ...
* Elektronica: what did you think!
* Music: guitar, piano, recording, ...
