Electric traction motors

Inverter-fed electric machines have been known in drive technology for a long time. However, the shift in mobility towards electric drives brings with it new requirements in terms of efficiency and functionality. The strength of the insulation, depending on the inverter topology and ambient conditions, plays a decisive role in the reliability of the drives.

The Department of Systems and High Voltage Technology (AHT) is one of 8 departments from the fields of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering/computer engineering that have joined forces to form the Vehicle Systems Research Association (FAST). In addition to other tasks, the declared aim is to jointly offer and carry out more complex, interdisciplinary projects.

As part of the research network, the AHT department is working on the project: "Condition assessment of insulation materials used in vehicle drives when subjected to pulsed repetitive stresses". In particular, the focus of the condition assessment is based on partial discharge measurement technology. Fundamental investigations are carried out into the partial discharge behavior of insulation systems under pulsed test voltages.

Furthermore, the possibility of partial discharge measurement in end-of-line tests of electric traction motors is being investigated, as well as the integration of the partial discharge measurement system into a production process.