The paper presents an unconventional approach to control the hybrid excited synchronous machine (HESM), which can be used for drives of pure electric vehicles. The hybrid excitation of the additional control coil placed on the rotor of the machine has been realized by the wireless energy transfer system connected with the rotor shaft. Experimental results of back-EMF characteristics obtained on a prototype of HESM were compared with 3-dimentional finite elements analysis (3D-FEA) predictions. This design, despite some additional complications in the power supply system of the machine, simplifies the mechanical construction and reduces the control coil’s losses compared to the construction with the coil placed on the stator.

Modern ships are required to increase the energy efficiency and minimize fuel consumption. This paper presents the construction, main properties and exemplary measurement results of a novel system intended for main shaft power monitoring. The telemetry system consists of the stationary part, responsible for wireless supply energy transfer to the rotating part. Additional functions of the stationery unit include radio-based, bidirectional communication with the rotating, microcontroller-based unit, and Modbus-based communication with the graphical user interface. The non-stationary (rotating) part receives the necessary energy using the wireless transmission and performs the torque and speed measurement using strain gauge and a special setup of the wireless energy system. A novel system of flexible printed circuit board (PCB) coils is used for wireless energy transmission and increases the flexibility of the device while minimizing the necessary size, weight, and costs of the setup. The microcontroller unit used for measurements allows proper sampling of highly dynamic signals and can be used for advanced drive system diagnostics or as a typical power monitoring device. Such unit was installed on a ferry and operation was monitored for several sea trips. Main results depict characteristic power data referenced to vessel speed and specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC). Proposed system construction allows to reduce system costs and provides stable readings for long period of operation.

Purpose: Permanent magnet (PM) electrical machines are becoming one of the most popular type of the machines used in electrical vehicle drive applications. The main drawback of permanent magnet machines, despite obvious advantages, is associated with the flux control capability, which is limited at high rotor speeds of the machine. This paper aims to present a new arrangement of permanent magnets and flux barriers in the rotor structure to improve the field weakening control of hybrid excited machines. The field weakening characteristics, back-emf waveforms and efficiency maps of this novel machine have been reported. Design/methodology/approach: In the study, finite element analysis was used to perform simulation research. Then, based on the simulation studies, an experimental model was built. The paper also presents selected experimental results. Findings: Obtained results show that the proposed machine topology and novel control strategy can offer an effective flux control method allowing to extend the maximal rotational speed of the machine at constant power range. Practical implications: The proposed solution can be used in electric vehicles drive to extend its torque and speed range. Originality/value: The paper presents original design and results of research on a new solution of a hybrid excited machine with magnetic barriers in a rotor.

Effects of space vector modulation strategy on hybrid (Si-SiC) inverter losses: This work summarizes efficiency measurement results of a full bridge, 3 phase inverter composed of state-of-the-art Si IGBT transistors and Si or SiC diodes. Different (symmetrical and discontinuous) space vector modulation strategies were chosen in order to examine their influence (together with modulation frequency) on inverter losses. Induction machine was used as load, different load points were examined. Results clearly show, that proper modulation strategy, minimizing the switching losses of semiconductor switches, can increase the overall output efficiency at about 1% in case of both silicon and hybrid constructions. The drawback of DPWM approach is connected with the decreased quality of inverter output current. Hybrid technology can also improve the output efficiency at about 1% when compared to traditional constructions, but only in case of elevated switching frequencies. At low frequencies (below 10 kHz) modern semi-conductors offer comparable results at much lower device costs.