Tesla Motors Club
When discussing the electric motor for an EV or Hybrid, the main two talked about are either Permanent Magnet, or 3-phase AC Induction. Both have drawbacks.
The "3" phase motor has now expanded to include a new "Multi-phase" AC induction motor that can operate in ways that a 3-phase cannot.
Example, if using a standard 3 Phase AC electric motor
Option 1 (Alternator) – High speed, Low torque HS/LT
Option 2 (Starter) – Low Speed, High torque LS/HT
Option 3 (Combo) – must be “oversized” to provide both HS/LT & LS/HT (and is therefore more expensive)
The new multi-phase motor/drive, called Chorus Meshcon, co-opts the harmonics that limit motor performance and that typically cause motor heating. This means a Chorus multi-phase motor can generate far more ‘burst’ and ‘startup’ torque than its conventional brethren, up to ten times the torque of a comparable electric motor. And this torque is the type that is needed for only 10-15 seconds at a time and then only on rare occasions, like when going from a dead stop to joining the highway.
This improved “torque” is key to rethinking the use of an AC induction motor in hybrid or electric vehicles. Chorus Meshcon accomplishes this greater startup, or ‘burst,’ torque by changing both the layout and the software of a standard AC induction motor, with the software "reconfiguring" the motor on the fly, which enables it to smoothly change from behaving like a high-torque low-speed motor to behaving like a low-torque high-speed motor - all without the need for efficiency-robbing physical gearing. This motor effectively provides a ‘Virtual Transmission’ between high speed/low torque operation and the opposite
More information on this electric motor can be found at Chorus Motors plc.
Also, Delta Airlines is going to be putting this motor on their Boeing 737NGs starting 2010 (www.Wheeltug.com)
The press release can be found here
This motor also provides some other advantages such as simplifying the cooling system (can be air cooled) and simplifying the transmission, saving both weight and expense.
The "3" phase motor has now expanded to include a new "Multi-phase" AC induction motor that can operate in ways that a 3-phase cannot.
Example, if using a standard 3 Phase AC electric motor
Option 1 (Alternator) – High speed, Low torque HS/LT
Option 2 (Starter) – Low Speed, High torque LS/HT
Option 3 (Combo) – must be “oversized” to provide both HS/LT & LS/HT (and is therefore more expensive)
The new multi-phase motor/drive, called Chorus Meshcon, co-opts the harmonics that limit motor performance and that typically cause motor heating. This means a Chorus multi-phase motor can generate far more ‘burst’ and ‘startup’ torque than its conventional brethren, up to ten times the torque of a comparable electric motor. And this torque is the type that is needed for only 10-15 seconds at a time and then only on rare occasions, like when going from a dead stop to joining the highway.
This improved “torque” is key to rethinking the use of an AC induction motor in hybrid or electric vehicles. Chorus Meshcon accomplishes this greater startup, or ‘burst,’ torque by changing both the layout and the software of a standard AC induction motor, with the software "reconfiguring" the motor on the fly, which enables it to smoothly change from behaving like a high-torque low-speed motor to behaving like a low-torque high-speed motor - all without the need for efficiency-robbing physical gearing. This motor effectively provides a ‘Virtual Transmission’ between high speed/low torque operation and the opposite
More information on this electric motor can be found at Chorus Motors plc.
Also, Delta Airlines is going to be putting this motor on their Boeing 737NGs starting 2010 (www.Wheeltug.com)
The press release can be found here
This motor also provides some other advantages such as simplifying the cooling system (can be air cooled) and simplifying the transmission, saving both weight and expense.