Battery Charging Mode Research Articles

Sustainable desalination through hybrid photovoltaic/thermal membrane distillation: Development of an off-grid prototype

Global freshwater scarcity is a critical challenge, particularly severe in remote Australian communities where seawater intrusion and aquifer salinisation exacerbate the need for alternative water resources. Conventional desalination technologies are energy-intensive and unsuitable for rural areas. This study introduces a novel, off-grid, sustainable desalination solution utilising solar-integrated membrane distillation (MD) technology. An innovative, stand-alone prototype combining a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system with direct contact MD (DCMD) has been designed and developed. This fully integrated PV/T collector efficiently supplies the thermal and electrical energy required for the MD process. The photovoltaic panel generates the necessary electrical energy, while the heat from the PV panel warms the MD system’s feed solution, enhancing overall efficiency through the solar cell cooling effect. In addition, an innovative fan-cooled radiator equipped with two DC fans with a low power consumption rating was designed and customized to be applied as MD system cooling medium within the outdoor setting. The concept development and feasibility of the system are explored in detail through a comprehensive experimental investigation employing an innovative and practical approach to design and examine the integrated hybrid solar MD unit. This unique system was designed, constructed, and tested under dynamic outdoor conditions, during the summer season in Melbourne, to assess the integration strategy and evaluate its long-term operational performance. The performance of the integrated PV/T-MD system was evaluated using two commercial hydrophobic membranes with different pore sizes under various outdoor conditions and PV/T fluid flow rates. Key performance metrics analysed include solar irradiance intensity, temperature profiles of the PV/T panel and MD module, power, current and voltage profiles of the unit components, permeate flux, specific water productivity (SWP) and the thermal (ηthermPV/T) and electrical (ηelecPV/T) efficiencies, along with the gained output ratio (GOR). Comprehensive experimental assessments in indoor and outdoor settings were undertaken to confirm the technical viability of the system. The study demonstrates the feasibility of such systems through real-world trials and addresses key challenges in energy efficiency and internal heat recovery. The experimental trials demonstrated permeate flux values ranging between 8–16 kg/m2h outdoors, compared to 22–30 kg/m2h indoors, reflecting the impact of fluctuating environmental conditions. The system’s power consumption was measured 130–140 W, about one-third of the PV/T power rating. The maximum power generation reached 280 W in battery charging mode. achieving a maximum ηthermPV/T of 20 % and an ηelecPV/T of 18 %. Additionally, the cooling effect of the PV/T panel resulted in a 1.5–2 °C temperature reduction, improving electrical power output by 0.8–1.2 %. The findings highlight the significant potential of the system in providing reliable and efficient freshwater production in remote, off-grid communities, offering a scalable solution to address global water scarcity challenges.

On the Effect of Current Stabilizer on Dynamics of a Small Hybrid Wind Power Generator

The use of small wind power generators remains quite relevant. In particular, they can be efficient for charging batteries in remote locations where there is no centralized power supply (including in the Arctic, Far East, etc.). They can also be used as part of missions to planets with atmospheres. One of the promising design solutions for a small wind power generator with a vertical axis of rotation is a hybrid device. It consists of two wind turbines that have a common axis of rotation: external (Darrieus wind turbine) and internal (Savonius rotor). This scheme represents a compromise between the relatively high power coefficient of the Darrieus turbine and the good startup characteristics the Savonius rotor. It is known that one of the typical battery charging modes is constant current charging. Here we consider a hybrid installation, the generator of which is connected to a current stabilizer. The load is simulated with an active resistance. It is assumed that the generator is a DC generator. A closed mathematical model of the studied system is constructed. The aerodynamic load is described using the quasi-steady approach. It is assumed that the characteristic time of electrical processes is much smaller than the characteristic time of mechanical processes. The influence of load resistance on the behavior of the system is investigated. It is shown that, under certain conditions, several steady modes (up to five) exist in the system. In this case, at least two of them are attracting. Therefore, the hysteresis of the angular speed of the steady mode is possible when the load resistance changes. It should be noted that in a number of situations, an unstable steady mode (which corresponds to a lower angular speed of the turbine than a stable one) may be preferable (for example, to reduce the load on bearings). In this regard, a resistance control strategy has been proposed to ensure stabilization of the unstable stationary regime.

Analysis of the Effect of Motor Waste Heat Recovery on the Temperature and Driving Range of Electric Heavy Truck Batteries

In some scenarios, electric heavy-duty trucks with battery swapping mode (ETBSm) are more cost-effective than battery charging mode. The viability of battery swapping stations is contingent upon the operational requirements and range capabilities of the ETBSm. Low temperatures have the effect of reducing the range of the ETBSm, thereby creating difficulties for battery swapping. This article proposes the use of motor waste heat recovery (MWHR) to heat batteries, which would improve range. A number of subsystem models have been established, including the ETBSm, battery, motor, and thermal management system (TMS). The calibration of battery temperature and motor efficiency is achieved with a model error of less than 5%. Comparison of performance, such as temperature, energy consumption, and range, when using only positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating and when using both PTC heating and motor waste heat. The results indicate a 15% increase in the rate of rise in battery temperature and a 10.64 kW·h reduction in energy consumption under Chinese heavy-duty vehicle commercial vehicle test cycle (CHTC) conditions. Then, the motor waste heat percentage, energy consumption, and range are analyzed at different ambient temperatures. At an ambient temperature of −20 °C, −10 °C, and 0 °C, the percentage of the motor waste heat is 32.1%, 35%, and 40.5%; when 75% of the state of charge (SOC) is consumed, the range is improved by 6.55%, 4.37%, and 4.49%. Additionally, the effect of the PTC heater on temperature characteristics and power consumption is investigated by changing the target temperature of the coolant at the battery inlet. In accordance with the stipulated conditions of an ambient temperature of −20 °C and a target coolant temperature of 40 °C at the battery inlet, the simulation results indicated a battery temperature rise rate of 0.85 °C/min, accompanied by a PTC power consumption of 15.6 kW·h. This study demonstrates that as the ambient temperature increases, the utilization of motor waste heat becomes more effective in reducing PTC heating power consumption. At the lowest ambient temperature tested, the greatest improvement in driving range is observed. It is important to note that while an increase in the target heating temperature of the PTC helps to raise the battery temperature more rapidly, this is accompanied by a higher energy consumption. This article provides a reference for the ETBSm with MWHR.

Switching regulator based on an adaptive DC-DC buck converter for a lithium-ion battery charging interface

A switching regulator based on an adaptive DC-DC buck converter for a Li-ion battery charging interface is introduced in this paper with the aim of improving the efficiency of charging the Li-ion battery during the whole charging process. By using the battery voltage as feedback, an adaptive reference is generated. This reference is employed by the converter, which is in continuous conduction mode (CCM), to produce a wide adaptive output voltage that closely tracks the battery voltage, intended to serve as the power source for the multimode charging interface. The converter was implemented in a 180 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process and simulated using the Cadence Virtuoso tool. With an input voltage of 5 V and a switching frequency selected at 500 kHz, the simulation results show that the converter produces different charging currents for each battery charging mode, and an adaptive output voltage ranging from 2.8 V to 4.38 V, with the current ripple of 38 mA in CC mode and voltage ripple factor less than 1% in constant voltage (CV) mode. The average converter efficiency is 83.5%.

Advanced Multi-Sampling PWM Technique for Single-Inductor MIMO DC-DC Converter in Electric Vehicles

Amongst the various topologies of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) DC-DC converters, single-inductor MIMO (SI-MIMO) converters have the advantages of a reduced component count, a simpler structure, and low cost. These converters are suitable in electric vehicle (EV) applications involving variable ports, essential for performing different functions. Digital control in SI-MIMO converters is promising for enhancing transient performance due to its numerous benefits. However, delays in digital control, particularly computational and pulse width modulation (PWM) delays, can negatively impact the performance of DC-DC converters. Multi-sampling and double PWM update methods can mitigate these control delays, but they often necessitate complex control schemes, adding computational burden. In this work, an advanced multi-sampling PWM technique, integrating sample shift and multi-sampling, is proposed while employing a simple digital PID control scheme. The proposed method was tested for a shared-switch SI-MIMO converter with battery discharging and charging modes in the MATLAB/Simulink environment and compared with the conventional single- and multi-sampling PWM methods. The results demonstrated that the proposed method significantly improved the converter performance, surpassing the conventional single- and multi-sampling PWM methods. In the battery discharging mode, utilizing the proposed method, the output voltage achieved a settling time of 0.075 s in response to a step change in its reference, significantly outperforming multi-sampling, which yielded a settling time of 0.124 s, and single sampling, which exhibited an even longer settling time of 0.898 s. It also demonstrated a minimal overshoot of 0.06 volts compared to 1.5 volts with multi-sampling during the step change in the input voltage. Similarly, in the battery charging mode, upon a step change in the reference output voltage, the proposed method effectively minimized the overshoot of the output voltage to 0.845 volts compared to 1.175 volts with multi-sampling, and it decreased the inductor current settling time to 0.296 s from 0.330 s recorded under multi-sampling. These findings underscore the potential of the proposed method in enhancing the digital control performance of SI-MIMO DC-DC converters in electric vehicles.

A Three-Port DC-DC Converter with Partial Power Regulation for a Photovoltaic Generator Integrated with Energy Storage

A novel integrated DC-DC converter is proposed for the first stage of two-stage grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems with energy storage systems. The proposed three-port converter (TPC) consists of a buck–boost converter, interposed between the battery storage system and the DC-AC inverter, in series with PV modules. The buck–boost converter in the proposed TPC is utilized for maximum power point tracking by regulating two power switches. The output power of the proposed converter is regulated by controlling the DC-AC converter. During the battery-charging mode, partial power regulation is employed with a direct power flow path (the series-connection of the PV panel, the battery and the output). As resistances in this path are almost negligible, the power conversion efficiency is higher than existing topologies. During battery-discharging mode, the power conversion is processed through a buck–boost converter with only two active power switches and one inductor. With fewer components, higher power conversion efficiency is also achieved. The circuit operation and analysis are presented in detail. To illustrate the simplicity of the converter control, the performance of the converter is tested with a straightforward maximum power point tracking on a PV system with battery cells. Simulation and experimental tests are carried out to demonstrate circuit operation and power conversion efficiency.

Integrated on-board electric vehicle battery charger with multifunctional features

ABSTRACT Because of the continuous demand for reliable, efficient, small-size, light weighted, and low-cost Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charging systems, an integrated on-board charger is proposed with a high-power propulsion motor drive. It utilises stator windings of motor, the 6-leg Voltage Source Converter (VSC), DC-DC converter, and feedback sensors to facilitate vehicular battery charging. With this system, soft switching technique based bidirectional isolated DC-DC converter is proposed that offers the advantage of simple circuitry design due to no usage of extra passive or active components. This paper presents mathematical modelling, analysis, and controller design of this proposed configuration under various operating modes. The complete system is developed in Sim Power system toolbox of MATLAB software and tested in real-time environment. The performance investigations of proposed system are carried out for three operating modes like Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) under Constant Current (CC) and Constant Voltage (CV) battery charging modes. Furthermore, the investigations ensure the system’s excellent efficiency, less THD, and nearly unity power factor operation under all operating conditions.

Визначення проєктних параметрів системи керування енергетичних космі-чних апаратів для безконтактного живлення космічної індустріальної платформи

The study of the features of near-Earth space industrialization is a promising line in space science. The scientific development of this line is rather deep, and it is carried out both at a theoretical conceptual level and at an experimental level by trying various technological processes onboard the International Space Station. One of the lines of this concept is the study of the features of designing a power system for a space industrial platform. The power system is of the distributed type, which provides for the combined use of power generation modules onboard the space industrial platform itself and an orbital constellation of power spacecraft. In its turn, the use of power spacecraft with contactless electric power transmission to a space industrial platform is intended for highly power-intensive technological processes. In view of the aforesaid, the goal of this paper is to study the features of controlling the power spacecraft of the distributed power supply system of a space industrial platform in such a way as to provide the synchronization of their operating modes with the operation sequence of the space industrial platform. A power spacecraft’s angular motion controllers are synthesized for a solar battery charging mode, a receiving spacecraft aperture pointing mode, and a waiting mode. Methodological recommendations are given on synthesizing the operation schedules of the power spacecraft of the distributed power supply system in such a way as to provide their synchronization with the operation schedules of the space industrial platform. The design parameters to be chosen in designing spacecraft for contactless power transmission to a space industrial platform are identified.

Comparative Analysis of Energy Storage Technologies for Microgrids

Nowadays, microgrids (MGs) are receiving a lot of attention. In an economical MG, the battery energy storage system (BESS) plays an important role. One of the biggest challenges in MGs is the optimal choice of the BESS that can lead to better performance of the MG, which will be more flexible, efficient, and effective than traditional power systems. In this paper, we present the modeling and simulation of different energy storage systems including Li-ion, lead-acid, nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hybrid (Ni-Mh), and supercapacitor (SC), for renewable energy applications, and more specifically for MGs. The results of simulation show that Li-ion batteries have a better response time than lead-acid batteries, Ni-Cd batteries, and Ni-Mh batteries and thus are more suitable for combination with supercapacitors. Li-ion batteries are the best option for fast-charging applications in MGs. The discharge phase ends with SOC ≤ ±94%, SOC ≤ ±95%, SOC = 95%, SOC < 95%, and SOC < 60%, respectively, for Li-ion, lead-acid, Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh, and supercapacitor. Moreover, the use of the battery management system (BMS) can significantly improve the performance of BESS, leading to higher levels of SOC and longer life span. The obtained results have shown that with an optimization algorithm for energy storage systems, more specifically for the battery-charging mode, the response time of BESSs can be further improved. The effect of ambient temperature has also been investigated on the functional capacities of the batteries. The obtained results demonstrated that extreme temperatures (80°C to −80°C) have a significant impact on battery performance and capacity, especially for Li-ion batteries, with a drop in capacity of up to 50% at −40°C. This highlights the importance of considering the ambient temperature in the design and operation of MGs. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the optimal selection of BESS and the impact of ambient temperature on their performance, which can help in the development of more efficient and reliable MGs.

Real-world emissions of nanoparticles, particulate mass and black carbon from a plug-in hybrid vehicle compared to conventional gasoline vehicles

Among various Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) charged from the grid are seen as the most advanced ones, as they can drive dozens of kilometers using only the electric engine and thus producing less tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions than vehicles with internal combustion engines or other HEVs. The proportion of PHEVs among all vehicles is still relatively low but increasing rapidly in many countries. However, the real-world emissions from these novel hybrid technologies are not straightforward to estimate. This study investigates multiple properties of the particle emissions of a PHEV, with gasoline direct injection, GDI, compared to two conventional gasoline vehicles, one with port fuel injection, PFI and one with GDI. Distance-based emission factors (EFs) for each vehicle in various driving modes, including battery-hold and battery-charge driving modes for the PHEV, were analyzed. The results showed that the PHEV produced smaller particles in size, resulting that particle mass (PM) and black carbon (BC) were lower by factor of ten in comparison to EFs from the vehicles with PFI and GDI engines. The PHEV consistently emitted lower distance-based EFs than the PFI and GDI vehicles in all driving modes, though EF for particle number (PN) in battery-charge mode was close to the EFs from the other two vehicles. The study also found that the vehicle cold start effect was present in the case of the shorter driving route but not as significant in the longer one. Overall, the study demonstrated that PHEVs could produce lower particle and BC emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. The vehicle cold start and systematic combustion engine restart effects still can have significant impacts on particle emissions, especially in shorter trips.

Charging the battery via an electric machine fed by dual power source in fuel cell vehicles

In the powertrain of the available fuel cell vehicle, a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter is needed to solve the problem of voltage mismatch between the fuel cell and the battery. To cut down the cost and reduce the space occupation, the DC/DC converter is omitted from the powertrain in this study, where the electric machine has two sets of windings supplied by the fuel cell and the battery directly. This study aims to realize charging the battery through no DC/DC converters but only a dual winding electric machine in fuel cell vehicles. Four battery charging modes for the fuel cell vehicle are analyzed under different driving conditions. With a full consideration of the power source characteristic, a strategy based on a power distribution factor is proposed to charge the battery and satisfy the power demand of the vehicle simultaneously. To charge the battery without DC/DC converters when the vehicle is stopped, a method of changing d-axis flux linkage is proposed to make the electric machine perform like a transformer and conduct energy transfer between the fuel cell and the battery. The feasibility of the proposed charging method is verified by both simulations and experiments.

Elektromobiliai Lietuvoje – dabartis ir ateitis

The article reviews electric cars, their various types and their structural features, analyzes the market of electric cars in Lithuania and its prospects. The existing electric vehicle infrastructure is evaluated, and development plans for the network of charging stations for public and semi-public use of electric vehicles are presented. The characteristics of electric car public charging stations and private to use charging stations are presented. Battery packs used in electric cars, battery charging modes and possibilities are analyzed. The impact of state promotion measures and new, advanced technologies on the development of electric cars is evaluated. Conclusions are presented at the end of the article. Keywords: electric car, infrastructure, charging stations, battery pack.

Design and Control of Two Stage Battery Charger for Low Voltage Electric Vehicles Using High Gain Buck-Boost PFC AC-DC Converter

The design and control of a two-stage onboard battery charger (OBC) for the low-voltage electric vehicle (LVEVs) are presented in this study. The presented charger operates over a wide range of AC input voltage at high power factor. The presented charger utilizes a bridgeless high gain high power factor AC-DC converter with continuous input current characteristics at its front end. At the back end of the charger, an isolated Cuk DC-DC converter is employed to control and implement different battery charging modes, viz. constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) charging profiles. The presented AC-DC converter operates under discontinuous current mode (DCM) operation and achieves minimum control complexity at the AC-DC stage. The DCM design and high voltage conversion ratio allow it to function reliably over a comprehensive range of input and intermediate DC link voltage. This study covers the charger's design for a power rating of 650 W and output battery voltage of 24 to 72 V. The overall operational analysis and effectiveness of the design are verified through both simulations and experimental implementation and the performance is compared with other contemporary power factor correction (PFC) topologies on various parameters.

How to Choose the Refueling of New Energy Vehicles under Swapping vs. Charging Mode: From the Consumers’ Perspective

Battery charging mode (CM) is a prevalent method of trans-shipping power to new energy vehicles (NEVs). Unfortunately, due to the limited capacity of batteries, typical NEVs can only travel for approximately 350 miles on a single charge and require hours to be recharged. Battery swapping mode (SM), as a novel alternative, can offer an ideal solution by exchanging depleted batteries for recharged ones at swapping stations in the middle of long trips, inevitably influencing potential consumers’ purchase behaviors. To examine the impact of SM and CM on consumers’ purchase intention, this paper examines a duopolistic market consisting of two new energy vehicle manufacturers (i.e., a NEV-SM manufacturer and a NEV-CM manufacturer), who adopt SM and CM to service consumers, respectively. Considering SM is characterized by low initial investment and ease of use for consumers, NEV-CM manufacturers capitalize on extended battery warranty services in response to rivals’ utilization of SM. Thereby, non-cooperative game models are formulated, in which government subsidies are taken into account. The optimal production decision for both the NEV-SM manufacturer and the NEV-CM manufacturer are analyzed under three scenarios: without extended warranty service, with extended warranty service, and with extended warranty service and subsidy. The results show that the two manufacturers’ market dominance relies on the ratio of the swapping station’s convenience to the extended warranty service and the valuation incremental rate. Additionally, we also find that the government subsidy can dramatically improve the NEV-SM manufacturer’s performance at the initial stage, but if the subsidy is insufficient in size at the subsequent stage, this will lead to policy failure and inefficiency in propelling the diffusion of swapping mode.

Speed and energy optimization method for the inland all-electric ship in battery-swapping mode

Zero-emission battery-powered ship is considered the ideal technical solution to achieve emission reduction and energy conservation in inland shipping. However, due to long charging time, limited onboard space, and initial investment cost, the all-electric ship in battery charging mode may not be suitable for inland long-distance navigation. Therefore, the all-electric ship in battery-swapping mode is proposed, and a joint optimization method is designed to acquire optimal voyage scheduling and energy management. First, considering the environmental factors of water speed and water depth and cargo amount, the energy consumption model for the all-electric ship in battery-swapping mode is established by analyzing its energy transfer process. Second, a speed and energy optimization model is established to minimize the battery-swapping cost, considering the constraints of sailing speed, sailing time, and battery energy use. Third, differential evolution with neighborhood search (NSDE) is adopted to solve this nonlinear and complex problem. Finally, a case study for the ship in the Yangtze River is studied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the operation cost could be minimized by this method effectively.

Design and analysis of reconfigurable sensorless brushless DC motor drive for regenerative braking and battery charging in electric vehicle

SummaryThe expected depletion of fossil fuels has brought in an increased demand for electric vehicles with better performance in terms of easiness of control and reliability of operation and hence is a fertile area of research. In the present scenario, motoring, regenerative braking, and charging operations are performed in electric vehicles by separate converters. In this paper, an integrated scheme is developed, wherein the same voltage source inverter is employed to obtain all the three modes of operation, which in turn reduces the number of switching devices. Further, a sensorless control used in the proposed scheme improves the operational reliability. This novel approach adopts a simple switching scheme for voltage source inverter to operate as a dual‐boost DC‐DC converter during the regenerative braking period. This switching scheme enables reconfiguring voltage source inverter to a dual‐boost rectifier in conjunction with a LLC resonant converter in the charging mode. A comparison is also provided between the performance of single switch boost and dual‐boost converters used for braking operation. The performance of a prototype brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive with Li‐ion battery pack is evaluated in motoring, regenerative braking, and battery charging modes. This paper presents a detailed design of the scheme, the simulation of which is done on a MATLAB/SIMULINK platform and validated experimentally.

Modeling and simulation of vehicle integrated thermal management system for a fuel cell hybrid vehicle

The high-efficiency thermal management is one of the major challenges for fuel cell vehicles due to the diversity and complexity of the components and systems. Thermal management systems and corresponding control strategies can affect the components’ performance, durability and reliability, the vehicle’s driving performance, fuel economy and occupant thermal comfort. The main objective of this study is to perform multi-case simulation analysis of the fuel cell vehicle thermal management system through modeling to derive the operating mechanism and thermal performance analysis of each subsystem and integrated system. To achieve this purpose, an integrated thermal management system model with different control strategies was proposed based on a fuel cell vehicle prototype, powered by a 65 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and a Li-ion battery with a capacity of 15 kWh, which considers the cooling of the driving system, fuel cell stack, battery and cabin. The results showed that the critical temperature of each subsystem could be controlled within a reasonable range even in the battery charging mode, where the fuel cell generated about 136.6 % more thermal power than the discharging mode to charge the battery. Moreover, in the series structure of the radiators and condenser, the average temperatures of the inlet air of the motor and the subsequent fuel cell radiator were respectively 3.9 °C and 7 °C higher than the ambient temperature (35 °C), thus reducing the impact of the radiator fan. The proposed model may provide the contribution in the design of integrated solutions for thermal management systems for fuel cell hybrid vehicles under high temperature scenarios, including control strategies development and system-level coupling analysis.

Fully Integrated Multilevel Power Converter for SRM Drive With Charging Capabilities (G2V) for Electric Vehicle Application

This article presents a fully integrated multilevel power converter topology (IML-PCT) with integrated battery charging capability for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive. The battery charger is integrated within the IML-PCT, which eliminates the requirement of any additional module for charging purposes. The proposed IML-PCT applies higher energization and de-energization voltages during the driving mode, which leads to an enhanced constant torque region for SRM drive. For the battery charging mode, the proposed IML-PCT exhibits the characteristics of an onboard charger (OBC) capable of charging the battery energy storage system directly via a standard ac outlet. The OBC functionality is realized by reconfiguring the proposed IML-PCT into an interleaved bridgeless boost power factor correction circuit (IBB-PFCC). The charging inductors for IBB-PFCC are realized by reutilizing/reconfiguring all the windings of the four-phase SRM. Also, with the proposed IBB-PFCC configuration, the charging current in the windings leads to an average zero torque production. Thus, the rotor is kept stationary during battery charging mode without any external braking mechanism. Detailed simulation and experimental studies on a 1.1-kW laboratory prototype four-phase SRM demonstrate ac level-1 (120 V/240 V) charging performance of the proposed IML-PCT.

An Integrated Driving/Charging Four-Phase Switched Reluctance Motor Drive With Reduced Current Sensors for Electric Vehicle Application

This article proposes an integrated power converter (IPC) with driving/charging capabilities for four-phase switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive-based electric vehicle (EV) application. With the proposed IPC, only two current sensors are employed for measuring phase currents under all operating conditions. The proposed IPC integrates three circuits. First, during the SRM driving mode, the proposed IPC is utilized as an improved Miller converter. Second, during battery charging mode, the proposed IPC is utilized as an on-board battery charger, which is based on a bridgeless boost power factor correction circuit (PFCC) that incorporates two dc–dc boost converters. The on-board battery charger is realized by utilizing the existing power electronic switches in the proposed IPC and all the phase windings as charging inductors. Third, a front-end bidirectional dc–dc converter is employed for maintaining voltage and current balance between IPC dc-bus and battery. During driving mode, the front-end converter boosts the battery voltage to the IPC dc bus voltage. And during regeneration/braking, the stored magnetic energy is used to charge the battery in constant-current (CC) mode via the front-end converter. During battery charging via ac grid, the bridgeless boost PFCC and the front-end converter operating in buck mode charge the battery in CC/constant-voltage (CV) modes without stepping down the ac grid voltage. The claims of the proposed IPC are validated through simulation and experimental verifications.

A multi-functional converter based switched reluctance motor drive for electric vehicle

<span>Owing to the resilience and ease of control, switched reluctance motors are commonly utilized in electric vehicle drives. This paper provides a topology for a multi-functional power converter for switched reluctance motor based electric vehicle drive with driving, braking and charging potentialities. With efficient control algorithms, a single power electronic converter is used for motoring, regenerative braking, and charging of the battery bank, resulting in a cost-effective power electronic interface. The front-end voltage control and current control of the switched reluctance motor (SRM) are used to achieve open loop and closed loop speed control during driving mode. Re-generation is made possible through restricted switching of phases in negative torque region. A bridgeless rectifier converter is built in battery charging mode by combining the SRM's two-phase windings with the prevailing power devices of an integrated power converter, eliminating the need for additional inductors and charging units. Simulations are run in MATLAB/Simulink, and simulation results are used to validate the control schemes for all modes.</span>