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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: trikester on October 22, 2014, 12:43:10 AM

Title: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: trikester on October 22, 2014, 12:43:10 AM

Here is a development, using 3D printing and silicon carbide, that could greatly help improve electric vehicle drive systems.

http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/news-releases/2014/new-ornl-electric-vehicle-technology-packs-more-punch-in-smaller-package (http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/news-releases/2014/new-ornl-electric-vehicle-technology-packs-more-punch-in-smaller-package)

Silicon carbide semiconductors have been a long time in the research labs (about 55 years) and are now coming into their own. Way back then I remember seeing a photo of a SC diode glowing red from being driven very hard and it was still rectifying AC. Of course a motor controller wouldn't be driven to the point where it got that hot but it could sure be used at higher temps than pure silicon.

All good stuff in our future.

Trikester

Title: Re: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: firepower on October 22, 2014, 05:56:11 PM

Hi trikester though you might like this.

poor mans power controller.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9UjxG8sN1c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9UjxG8sN1c#ws)

Title: Re: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: Richard230 on October 22, 2014, 08:13:41 PM

That looks like fun, firepower.  My idea of a poor man's power controller is my right wrist, though.   ;)

Title: Re: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: grindz145 on October 22, 2014, 09:45:53 PM

GaN and SiC are definitely going to change the game for controllers. There are some tricks with gate drive though. Next gen everything will probably be Narrow band gap.

Title: Re: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: trikester on October 23, 2014, 12:54:28 AM

When I was a teenager I used a salt water bath "resistor" to control current to a carbon arc furnace I had built. It wasn't as sophisticated as his adjustable lye bath, however. Mine was fixed after I experimented with the amount of salt to get the current limiting I needed. Lye would probably have been a better choice than salt.

His liquid variable resistor is a good idea, I should have done something like that.

Trikester

Title: Re: Our motor controllers could become much smaller, lighter and handle more power.
Post by: firepower on October 23, 2014, 04:10:34 AM

I thought it was very clever idea (if a bit dangerous), especially not needing any advance technology.