Induction motor drive design for traction application based on drive-cycle energy minimization

Typical AC traction drive electrical components include the motor, inverter, dc link and filter elements. Drive design parameters and component values are chosen to minimize system-level drive losses. This paper presents a systematic approach for selecting rotor flux magnitude and passive component values in an induction motor drive using a comprehensive loss-minimization algorithm. The total losses obtained are lower for the proposed system-based minimization than for previously reported machine-based minimization algorithms. The effect of individual loss components on the total system loss is also studied. A standard extra-urban drive cycle is used as an example to illustrate the implementation of overall cycle-energy loss minimization. Simulation and reduced-scale experimental studies are conducted to validate the presented design scheme for a rotor-flux-oriented-control-based induction motor drive.