Periodic Report Summary 1 - ARMEVA (Advanced Reluctance Motors for Electric Vehicle Applications)
Project Context and Objectives:
Global warming and high pollution levels require a more intensive use of clean and renewable energy sources. For transport, one of the solutions is an increased electrification of the powertrain as can be found in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Today the majority of electric motors in electrified powertrains are permanent magnet motors, because these motors combine a high power density with high efficiency. The limited availability of permanent magnet material (rare earth metals) and the increased demand makes room for alternative electric motor technology. Key success factors for alternative motor technology are lower cost, comparable power density and efficiency and good NVH performance.
In the ARMEVA project an advanced reluctance motor for electric vehicle applications is being developed. This permanent-magnet free motor combines a similar power density and NVH-performance of a comparable permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The efficiency over different drive cycles (type approval as well as real world driving cycles) is comparable to state-of-the-art PMSM while the cost of the complete drive is lower. An important aspect of the cost is the integration of the motor and power electronics.
The project started with specifying the target passenger cars to develop the motors for. One vehicle as EV and one vehicle as PHEV were selected. By using vehicle simulations, the expected vehicle performance over different cycles and in different conditions was translated into motor peak and nominal performance (torque/power versus speed characteristic).
Three reluctance motor technologies (Switched Reluctance (SRM), DC-Excited Flux Switching (DCEFSM) and Synchronous Reluctance Machine (SynRM)) were investigated in detail to meet the performance requirements. Moreover, to allow for a fair comparison between the different motor technologies, a few design parameters were fixed. The design process of each technology was achieved by means of multi-attribute design tools developed in the project framework to evaluate, at an early stage, the electromagnetic, thermal, vibro-acoustic and system level behaviours.
Each design had its strengths and weaknesses and to further explore their capabilities, a preliminary investigation of the different applicable control strategies and power electronics architectures was carried out. Based on all these different assessments a final comparison was carried out to define the most promising reluctance technology to be further developed in this project framework. As an outcome, the Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) was selected.
Currently, the specified motor design is being elaborated: mechanical, electrical and thermal design suitable for production of the motor and definition of the necessary dismantling process. The motor control principles are converted into control algorithms and motor control software. In parallel, the power electronics is being developed. The motor, control system and power electronics are being integrated into an electric drive system.
The project still looks promising that it will succeed in developing a very cost effective, efficient and powerful electric drive for passenger cars. Moreover, the set of development tools, at the respective partners, developed and used in the project will enable shorter development track for additional motor drives by performing a lot of development work by simulations. So the project partners are motivated to continue co-operating.
The motor drive developed in this project, as well as those developed afterwards, will contribute to the application and proliferation of permanent magnet free electric drives for (partially) electrified passenger cars. The additional cost benefit is an extra driver considering the high cost premium for these vehicles. As such, the project can have a positive impact on reaching the environmental goals related to global warming and air quality, and rare earth materials.
Project Results:
WP1
The motor requirements and high level specifications starting from vehicle requirements and operational conditions for typical EV passenger cars have been determined.
Simulation models were used to define the electric drive system which must be designed in order to fulfil the needs for the vehicle.
WP2
In work package 2, three reluctance motor technologies (Switched Reluctance (SRM), DC-Excited Flux Switching (DCEFSM) and Synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM)) were investigated in detail to meet the performance requirements set in the previous work package. Moreover, to allow for a fair comparison between the different motor technologies, a few design parameters were fixed. The design process of each technology was achieved by means of multi-attribute design tools developed in the project framework to evaluate, at an early stage, the electromagnetic, thermal, vibro-acoustic and system level behaviours.
Each design had its strengths and weaknesses and to further explore their capabilities, a preliminary investigation of the different applicable control strategies and power electronics architectures was carried out. Based on all these different assessments a final comparison was carried out to define the most promising reluctance technology to be further developed in this project framework. As an outcome, the switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) was selected.
WP3
The specified motor design is being realized. Mechanical, electrical and thermal design suitable for production of the motor and definition of the necessary dismantling process is ongoing.
WP4
WP4 commenced with a detailed study on the PE topology concept for the SRM-drive (major topics: 3-phase end stage & sensing and control). The PE requirements were extracted from the electric drive system requirements. The consortium is now in the middle of the architectural PE design phase (iterative process). In the upcoming period, the development of the PE hardware and control software will result in a functional prototype
WP6
• Development of ARMEVA logo, website, templates
• Development of ARMEVA Dissemination Plan
• Development of dissemination material (flyer, poster)
• Development of Exploitation Plan
Potential Impact:
The ARMEVA motor drive will offer:
• An efficient, magnet free motor
• Integrated motor control (electronics)
• Offering comparable performance (power, torque ripple and noise)
• As a cost effective package
During the project a complete tool chain (modeling) is developed for fast and comprehensive motor development
Strategic Impact
• Increased energy efficiency over a wide range of EV operating conditions
• Increase affordability and reducing cost towards mass use in next generation electric vehicles
Technological impact
• Magnet-free motor concept
• Weight reduction and increased power density
• Increased efficiency through smart packaging of power electronics
• Optimised design and processes for manufacturing and dismantling
Economic Benefits
• Reduced costs for Electric Vehicles
• EV range extension
• Rare earth materials
• A New Export Product for Europe
Social and environmental benefits
• Rare earth materials
• Uptake EVs
• Comfortable EVs
• Job creation in a EU region through export to China and the far east
• Research integration
List of Websites:
http://www.armeva-project.eu/
Global warming and high pollution levels require a more intensive use of clean and renewable energy sources. For transport, one of the solutions is an increased electrification of the powertrain as can be found in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Today the majority of electric motors in electrified powertrains are permanent magnet motors, because these motors combine a high power density with high efficiency. The limited availability of permanent magnet material (rare earth metals) and the increased demand makes room for alternative electric motor technology. Key success factors for alternative motor technology are lower cost, comparable power density and efficiency and good NVH performance.
In the ARMEVA project an advanced reluctance motor for electric vehicle applications is being developed. This permanent-magnet free motor combines a similar power density and NVH-performance of a comparable permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The efficiency over different drive cycles (type approval as well as real world driving cycles) is comparable to state-of-the-art PMSM while the cost of the complete drive is lower. An important aspect of the cost is the integration of the motor and power electronics.
The project started with specifying the target passenger cars to develop the motors for. One vehicle as EV and one vehicle as PHEV were selected. By using vehicle simulations, the expected vehicle performance over different cycles and in different conditions was translated into motor peak and nominal performance (torque/power versus speed characteristic).
Three reluctance motor technologies (Switched Reluctance (SRM), DC-Excited Flux Switching (DCEFSM) and Synchronous Reluctance Machine (SynRM)) were investigated in detail to meet the performance requirements. Moreover, to allow for a fair comparison between the different motor technologies, a few design parameters were fixed. The design process of each technology was achieved by means of multi-attribute design tools developed in the project framework to evaluate, at an early stage, the electromagnetic, thermal, vibro-acoustic and system level behaviours.
Each design had its strengths and weaknesses and to further explore their capabilities, a preliminary investigation of the different applicable control strategies and power electronics architectures was carried out. Based on all these different assessments a final comparison was carried out to define the most promising reluctance technology to be further developed in this project framework. As an outcome, the Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) was selected.
Currently, the specified motor design is being elaborated: mechanical, electrical and thermal design suitable for production of the motor and definition of the necessary dismantling process. The motor control principles are converted into control algorithms and motor control software. In parallel, the power electronics is being developed. The motor, control system and power electronics are being integrated into an electric drive system.
The project still looks promising that it will succeed in developing a very cost effective, efficient and powerful electric drive for passenger cars. Moreover, the set of development tools, at the respective partners, developed and used in the project will enable shorter development track for additional motor drives by performing a lot of development work by simulations. So the project partners are motivated to continue co-operating.
The motor drive developed in this project, as well as those developed afterwards, will contribute to the application and proliferation of permanent magnet free electric drives for (partially) electrified passenger cars. The additional cost benefit is an extra driver considering the high cost premium for these vehicles. As such, the project can have a positive impact on reaching the environmental goals related to global warming and air quality, and rare earth materials.
Project Results:
WP1
The motor requirements and high level specifications starting from vehicle requirements and operational conditions for typical EV passenger cars have been determined.
Simulation models were used to define the electric drive system which must be designed in order to fulfil the needs for the vehicle.
WP2
In work package 2, three reluctance motor technologies (Switched Reluctance (SRM), DC-Excited Flux Switching (DCEFSM) and Synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM)) were investigated in detail to meet the performance requirements set in the previous work package. Moreover, to allow for a fair comparison between the different motor technologies, a few design parameters were fixed. The design process of each technology was achieved by means of multi-attribute design tools developed in the project framework to evaluate, at an early stage, the electromagnetic, thermal, vibro-acoustic and system level behaviours.
Each design had its strengths and weaknesses and to further explore their capabilities, a preliminary investigation of the different applicable control strategies and power electronics architectures was carried out. Based on all these different assessments a final comparison was carried out to define the most promising reluctance technology to be further developed in this project framework. As an outcome, the switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) was selected.
WP3
The specified motor design is being realized. Mechanical, electrical and thermal design suitable for production of the motor and definition of the necessary dismantling process is ongoing.
WP4
WP4 commenced with a detailed study on the PE topology concept for the SRM-drive (major topics: 3-phase end stage & sensing and control). The PE requirements were extracted from the electric drive system requirements. The consortium is now in the middle of the architectural PE design phase (iterative process). In the upcoming period, the development of the PE hardware and control software will result in a functional prototype
WP6
• Development of ARMEVA logo, website, templates
• Development of ARMEVA Dissemination Plan
• Development of dissemination material (flyer, poster)
• Development of Exploitation Plan
Potential Impact:
The ARMEVA motor drive will offer:
• An efficient, magnet free motor
• Integrated motor control (electronics)
• Offering comparable performance (power, torque ripple and noise)
• As a cost effective package
During the project a complete tool chain (modeling) is developed for fast and comprehensive motor development
Strategic Impact
• Increased energy efficiency over a wide range of EV operating conditions
• Increase affordability and reducing cost towards mass use in next generation electric vehicles
Technological impact
• Magnet-free motor concept
• Weight reduction and increased power density
• Increased efficiency through smart packaging of power electronics
• Optimised design and processes for manufacturing and dismantling
Economic Benefits
• Reduced costs for Electric Vehicles
• EV range extension
• Rare earth materials
• A New Export Product for Europe
Social and environmental benefits
• Rare earth materials
• Uptake EVs
• Comfortable EVs
• Job creation in a EU region through export to China and the far east
• Research integration
List of Websites:
http://www.armeva-project.eu/