Performance Evaluation of an Induction Motor Drive for Traction Application

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.