Investigations on efficiency improvements of electrical propulsion system for a light airplane

This paper deals with electrical propulsion system for light aviation. Parameters and construction of the specially designed permanent magnet synchronous motor, is presented. In the article, influence of 3 aspects on the efficiency of the particular components, i.e on efficiency of the motor and frequency converter separately, as well as on efficiency of the whole drive (motor + converter) were investigated. In first phase manufacturing technology of the electric motor were examined - investigation of annealing (a heat treatment that alters the microstructure of a material causing changes in permeability and losses of an iron core of the motor). In second phase, switching frequency of the converter were tested-adjusting of the switching frequency changes switching losses in the converter and the additional losses in the motor. Third phase of the research was an investigation of influence 3 different propellers (1 fixed, 2 adjustable) on the efficiency of the entire system.