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.
VDS GROEP T Motor team
The motorteam 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 an 30 KW SRM motor, 100% developed and designed by VDS GROEP T. 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.
Maarten Vanhove and Thomas are working together on the Switched Reluctance Motor for the Vision GT. This 30 kW motor is fully self-designed and researched under the VDS project and of course framing the characteristics of the motor in the environmentally friendly aspect of the project. Due to lack of rare metals (magnets) and an extremely robust construction this motor has an excellent Life Cycle Cost.
At this moment are Thomas and Maarten in the completion of the phase "Geometric adjustments." This means that the geometric design of the engine is as good as finished and that soon a thermal analysis will take place. The actual construction of the engine is no longer so far away!
Of course there is an awful amount of much work preceded. The motor team, after an extensive literature study, started with the design of an analytical software program on which a first image can be formed of the average torque that the motor will generate. This way you can make a rough estimate of the size of the motor.
After this initial estimate is time to verify the results with a finite element package. The team uses the software engine Magnet ®. With this incredible software many geometries can be tested in a quick and reliable way, e.g. particularly adjustments of stator and rotor angles, air gap width, curvature of stator poles, etc.
