electiveHQ

⚡ This module is about modern electric motors, as found in transport applications like cars, bikes and trains, and also ubiquitously in factory settings. Importantly, the performance of such motors depends on the electronic circuits which are used to supply them: it is no longer common to directly connect a motor to an ᴀᴄ source (such as the national grid) nor a ᴅᴄ source (such as a battery) There is generally an intervening layer of electronics, known as a motor drives, which allow the motor's operation to be controlled and optimised. This module will describe how such drives work, alongside some treatment of power converters more generally. 🔋 The topic of this module is growing in relevance as batteries continue to get cheaper, smaller and more energy dense. More and more transport applications will transition to battery electric traction systems. For instance, electric aircraft are already commercially available, and battery powered ships are beginning to emerge. On our streets, more and more cars will become electric, as will motorbikes, buses & vans, alongside micromobility solutions like electric scooters & unicycles. 👨‍🏫 Broadly, the module will treat: ᴅᴄ power conversion: • Three phase uncontrolled and controlled rectification: current and voltage waveforms, power factor, firing angle, overlap angle, generation of firing pulses. • Switch-mode power supplies, • Operation of DC motors and generators (Speed control, starting procedures etc.) ᴀᴄ power conversion: • Single phase inverters. • Three phase inverters: line commutated and full wave converters. • Rotating magnetic field motors fed from inverter supplies. • Motor torque/speed characteristics and control approaches. • Speed control and starting of ᴀᴄ motors and generators. • Device characteristics, diode, thyristor, ғᴇᴛ & ɪɢʙᴛ valves, snubber circuits. Thermal characteristics of devices. While not mandatory, some relevant books include: 📙 "Electric Motors and Drives: Fundamentals, Types and Applications" by Austin Hughes 📙 "Fundamental of Power Electronic" by Robert Erickson & Dragan Maksimovic 📙 "Electrical Machines" by JD Edwards