High Power Electronics

[BCuomo]

This site seems to exclusively focus on the batteries. As important as the batteries are, what about the high power electronics that will pull all of this together? What are some of the challenges there? What is the progress? I reviewed the presentation by Steven Schultz that was posted. It seems that there needs to be a supplier base of automotive high power electronic components that needs to be put in place as well.

Thoughts?

[Texas]

With the weight GM can throw at its suppliers there should be little concern. It's not like Tesla trying to get a good transmission design. The power electronics are well proven technology and thus with a proper amount of funding they will get a nice robust design. Sleep well.

[Engineer_101]

I was reviewing an article on some developmental military vehicles that were built on a serial hybrid platform. The traction drive was said to be built by the Allen-Bradley Company in Wisconsin.

The powerpoint presentation done by Shultz(?) (Torrance, CA engineer) had an image of the traction power module that looked alot like the Allen-Bradley development model.

I think that we need to move beyond the battery discussions to encompass more information on the other vehicle systems - like traction drives, accessories, interior climate control.

I would like to see integration of the on-board diagnostics and the capabilities of OnStar to communicate with the owner/driver/maintaining dealer/GM corporate engineers.

"This is your GM Volt calling to advise on the state of readiness..."

There are so many more things to discuss than just batteries.

[Texas]

If you stick around a little bit and learn how to use the forum controls you might just be surprised at what we have already discussed in great detail. Have a look and check back if there’s any unturned stone.

[Cybereye]

Engineer 101,
I'm still waiting for info on the motor as well. I just have to keep an eye on this forum. All we can talk about the battery in the past 7 month or so. I'm sooo bored with battery and price of the car. Come on GM toss a bone here. So we can complain. Times fly faster when people are complain.

[Jim I]

I wonder if the final selection for the electric motor, generator, climate controls, etc, have been selected yet?

That may be why GM is keeping mum on the subjects. I would imagine that all of that will come together after the Li-Ion powered mules have completed their tests....

[BigRedFed]

I wonder if the final selection for the electric motor, generator, climate controls, etc, have been selected yet?

That may be why GM is keeping mum on the subjects. I would imagine that all of that will come together after the Li-Ion powered mules have completed their tests....

There was either a blog post by Lyle or just a forum thread in the old forum where this topic was discussed. If I remember correctly, Lutz said they had to look into designing new components or finding manufacturers that developed low power drawing alternatives to the radio, speaker system and other electronic controls in order to minimize the drain on the battery. It was a brief comment that was quoted from Lutz and I couldn't find the post/thread, so I might be imagining it.

[Engineer_101]

There were discussions several weeks ago regarding the abbreviation for the motor technology mentioned in the Schultz briefing that occured in Austin, TX.

We all fumbled with the term "PMI", or was it "IPM"? This is a Permanant Magnet Induction motor.

This type of motor works well in traction applications when regeneration is used to decelerate the vehicle and to push power back into the battery. As long as the generated voltage is high enough, or phase-shifted to drive a current back through the drive electronics and that the battery is receptive.

Could GM also be considering the use of a reluctance type motor? They are very durable indeed. The stator field rotates in the same way as a poly-phase induction motor, but there is a intentional mismatch in the pole count of the stator and the salient pole rotor. The "trick" is in the power electronics and and the magnetic flux path through the rotor.

Does anyone have more information on this? Maybe the details are secret now due to patent license negotiations?

[Jim I]

BigRedFed:

I remember that as well. It was the big scream fest over the winshield wipers!!!

What I really meant was about the main drive electric motor. I can't remember anything about any specific manufacturer or model ever being mentioned. Same thing for the generator.

[BillR]

The Volt's drivetrain will be similar to that of the Fuel Cell Equinox, which Lyle has driven!

See more at this post:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252