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inverter

Applied EV selects CISSOID technology to drive autonomous vehicle electric motors

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Applied EV, a developer of vehicle control system technologies for software-defined machines, has selected CISSOID’s new CXT-ICM3SA series of Silicon Carbide Inverter Control Modules (ICMs) to drive their latest generation of autonomous vehicle e-motors.

Dedicated to the E-mobility market, CISSOID’s software-powered SiC ICMs are augmented with onboard programmable hardware, accelerating the response time to critical events, off-loading the processor cores and enhancing functional safety.

The ICM is integrated into Applied EV’s Digital Backbone, a centralised control system combining state-of-the-art software and hardware, setting a new benchmark for safety rated vehicles. [Read more…] about Applied EV selects CISSOID technology to drive autonomous vehicle electric motors

ZF partners with STMicroelectronics to develop silicon carbide devices

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Automotive technology group ZF will, from 2025, purchase silicon carbide devices from STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications.

Under the terms of the multi-year contract, ST will supply a volume of double-digit millions of silicon carbide devices to be integrated in ZF’s new modular inverter architecture going into series production in 2025.

ZF will leverage ST’s vertically integrated silicon carbide manufacturing in Europe and Asia to secure customer orders in electromobility. [Read more…] about ZF partners with STMicroelectronics to develop silicon carbide devices

Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

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Magna has been awarded a grant by the US Department of Energy to develop and “auto-qualify” advanced electric motor technologies for next-generation vehicle propulsion systems.

In partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Magna is applying its powertrain, electronics and full-vehicle expertise to deliver an automotive-grade, high-performance electric motor that aims to achieve increased power density and reduced cost compared to current e-motors.

The project objective is to develop an electric motor that is half the cost and eight times the power density, while delivering 125 kW of peak power – similar to packing a gallon of milk into a pint-size container. [Read more…] about Magna to develop ‘affordable’ electric motor

How do DC/DC converters work in hybrid and electric cars?

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Within every electric vehicle is a battery that outputs a certain voltage.

Given that this voltage might not be appropriate for the various devices being driven, we need to install another device along the signal path.

This device is known as a DC/DC converter, and without it, the modern electric car wouldn’t be possible. [Read more…] about How do DC/DC converters work in hybrid and electric cars?

Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

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Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.’s electric vehicle (EV) inverter has been adopted by Audi for its first mass production EV, the e-tron, which went on sale in Europe in March this year.

With tightened environmental regulations around the world, many countries are driving for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

This has led to the demand for more efficient and higher-output electric motors, inverters, and other electric powertrain systems that will contribute to high performance EVs.

[Read more…] about Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

Technical insight: The brake chopper size conundrum

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brake choppers

John Mitchell, global business development manager of maintenance and repair specialist CP Automation, looks at the dangers of taking your IGBT for granted

Many drives manufacturers design and build their products with a seventh Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), in the form of a brake chopper, incorporated into the device. 

Manufacturers often include a brake chopper up to a certain size of inverter, but beyond that size, they will expect customers to use an external unit.

However, to reduce the cost of the drive to the end user, the seventh IGBT isn’t necessarily rated to the full power rating of the drive itself.  [Read more…] about Technical insight: The brake chopper size conundrum

Manufacturing: Benefits of universal peripherals

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Benefits of using peripherals
Even drives with onboard brake choppers are not rated sufficiently for the braking demand of the application

John Mitchell, global business development manager of maintenance and repair specialist CP Automation, discusses the benefits of using a universal brake chopper that works with any inverter

There is a real danger in the specification of inverters for use in heavy-duty applications. Fresh from the manufacturer, most drives – even ones with onboard brake choppers – are not rated sufficiently for the braking demand of the application.

Non-specialist engineers face an extremely complex task when asked to choose the correct inverter, resistor and brake-chopper combination for a project.

To help counteract this problem, CP Automation recommends using an external brake chopper unit that simplifies the process of inverter selection. Where an inverter doesn’t feature a built-in brake chopper, the new CP Automation unit, manufactured to the highest standards, supplies that functionality. It’s a universal model that works with any inverter, from any manufacturer.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing: Benefits of universal peripherals