Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Zinger, Donald S.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Electrical Engineering

Abstract

Battery electric vehicles are currently fighting to have any advantage over internal combustion engine powered vehicles to reduce global transportation greenhouse gas emissions. Electric motors are typically deemed as the largest source of loss in many vehicles but have recently become more efficient on average than the AC-DC converter used to charge the vehicle. This paper investigates the potential for a dual three phase electric traction motor based on a BMW i3 electric vehicle traction motor to take the place of an isolated DC-DC converter, an important part of the AC-DC converter. This electric machine in simulations produced a similar efficiency and torque vs. angle curve to what was measured by Oak Ridge National Laboratory during their testing of the BMW i3 traction motor. Acting as an isolated DC-DC converter shows a peak efficiency of up to 65.59%. While this efficiency is not suitable to replace the components in the current state-of-the-art, there are proposed pathways to increase efficiency. Additional benefits of this concept have been recognized, potentially impacting the design of fuel cell vehicles and other vehicles with multiple energy sources.

Supplemental files include the simulated motoring efficiency in both single three phase and dual three phase operation, as well as the D and Q-axis alignment efficiencies operating as an isolated DC-DC converter. The “.fem” motor model files are also included in the supplemental files to have the original motor simulation as well as the isolated model. The final set of files included is MATLAB simulation files for the various tests completed.

Extent

186 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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