Abstract

This thesis develops and implements a testbed for the evaluation of inverter fed motor drives used in electric vehicles. The testbed consists of a computer-controlled dynamometer connected to power analysis and data collection tools. The programming and operation and of the testbed is covered. Then it is used to evaluate three pairs of identical rating inverters. The goal is to analyze the effect of topology and software improvements on motor drive efficiency. The first test analyzes the effect of a soft-switching circuit on inverter and motor efficiency. The second test analyzes the difference between space vector modulation (SVM) and current-band hysteresis. The final test evaluates the effect of both soft-switching and SVM on drive performance. The tests begin with a steady state analysis of efficiency over a wide range of torque and speed. Then drive cycles tests are used to simulate both city and highway driving. Together, these dynamic and steady state test results provide a realistic assessment of electric vehicle drive performance. Master of Science

Abstract

n 80 V bipolar lead-acid battery was constructed and tested using hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drive cycles. Drive cycles with a peak power of 6.7 kW, equal to 1/5 of the total power profile required for the HEV studied, were run successfully. Model calculations showed that the 80 V module constructed, which is at the moment 2.5 times heavier than required for the HEV operation studied, can be optimized to meet the requirements.