Smart Integrated Electric Motor Drives

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Electric motors are widely used in industry and more particularly in transportation systems. They are mostly driven by power electronic drives. Traditionally, power electronic drives and electric motors are considered as two separated entities. A recent trend consists in integrating power electronic drives inside electric motors enclosure. Wide-bandgap (WBG) switches are the key components enabling this trend. This allows reducing significantly losses in the drive. This latter together with optimal design of the motor improves the overall efficiency of the electromechanical conversion system. Indeed, this constant improvement is due to new materials and designs, more performant drives and more effective control hardware and algorithms. However, manufacturing imperfectness as well as degradation and failures due to aging or unexpected operating conditions affect electric motor performances. Electric motors of the future are expected to show more resilient with the best performances possible. In this regard, solutions are emerging in both academia and industry. This research program on Smart Integrated Electric Motor Drives aims to address and reinforce this capability in electric motors of the future by enabling health-monitoring and fault-tolerance in highly integrated motor drives. Though the concept of more resilient electric motor drives can be considered for most of applications, the interest for electrified transportation systems and especially "more electric aircraft" (MEA) and future full electric aircraft is of paramount importance. It is why the target application in this program is air transportation. Indeed, the concept of power-by-wire is developed to improve the performance and reliability of future aircraft. This trend, known as "more electric aircraft" is the major challenge facing the aircraft industry which is undergoing an in-depth revolution where pneumatic and hydraulic subsystems are being replaced by electrical ones. The aim is to enhance reliability and propulsion efficiency and reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact. To get there, the aircraft industry is developing required electronic, electrical, and mechanical components, and looking at new means to protect and monitor them throughout their operating life. The integrated motor drives fit very well with the objective of increasing the efficiency. However, additional functions like health-monitoring and fault-tolerance must be included in the integrated drives to enable their wide use in future aircraft. This is the core of the expected technical outcomes of this program.