Investigation and development of a new brushless DC generator system for extended-range electric vehicle application

The on-board generators of hybrid electric vehicle are overviewed. Based on the doubly salient electro-magnetic machine (DSEM), a new brushless DC (BLDC) generator system for the extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) application is proposed. The principle of the DSEM, the configuration of the generator system, and the E-REV powertrain are introduced. The operation principle and the power matching relationship among the generator system, battery and the drive system are investigated, and the control strategy is presented as well. A 45kW doubly salient BLDC generator and the associated generator system controller for the E-REV application are designed and developed. The experimental results indicate that the doubly salient BLDC generator system exhibits simple and reliable configuration, convenient controllability and high operation performance with constant current/power output capability. The new BLDC generator system is a promising option for the increasing E-REV application.