Magnet-free induction motor aims to nearly halve carbon emissions
Magnet-free induction motor aims to nearly halve carbon emissions
Two great minds in permanent-magnet-free motor design are fusing their know-how to create an even more capable inductive electric motor. Mahle and Valeo have teamed up to introduce what they call the Inner Brushless Electrical Excitation (iBEE) system, a form of e-machine that eliminates the need…
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Isn't that old tech?
Yes and no. Induction motors have been around since the early-mid 1800s. More recently some folks noticed that if you took the style of field winding that induction motors use and some hall effect sensors and stick some permanent magnets in the center you've got yourself a very nice little brushless DC motor. Turns out that if you then replace the permanent magnets with more windings, this time like those on the rotor of the induction motor, you're back at an induction motor, but this time you have a very precise idea of where the rotor is in its' rotation form the hall effect sensors, allowing you to very precisely control which coils are energized. More precise control of the coils allows for greater efficiency, power output and thermal regulation.
It's old tech with less-old tech stuck to it with some high-er tech glue.
Sounds like old tech with high tech control.
This is very similar to why Honda Accord engines from 20 years ago can be tuned and turboed to make 5 times the power they did when new. Control and feedback sensing is super important, and computers are finally cheap and powerful enough (when built reliably and redundantly) to do it.
I think one of the interesting parts is, if I understand it correctly, wirelessly transmitting excitation current for the rotor. Traditionally this is done with some mechanical coupling like brushes or slip rings.