Date of Graduation

5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Electrical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Zhao, Yue

Abstract

This paper covers the comparison between Silicon (Si) vs Silicon Carbide (SiC) for Motor Drive systems and a possible control algorithm to limit the increased Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) caused by using SiC transistors for the inverter. Motor Drive systems need constant improvements if the world is going to move on from machines that emit CO2 and other harmful gases into the Earth’s atmosphere. One reason these electric machines are not commonplace today is because of their efficiency and other problems they may cause. Silicon transistors are the most commonplace transistor around the world today, but advances over the past few decades have included newer technologies which rival Si transistors. This new technology proves to significantly improve the efficiency of the motor drive system but also has some other adverse effects such as EMI and cost that Si devices do not have. Thus, a comparison between them show the advantages and disadvantages to each for the overall system. If size and weight constraints do not matter then a SiC transistor would best serve a motor drive system in terms of efficiency and saving money in the long run. However, the system would cost more up front than a typical system with a Si transistor but would not be as efficient. A Direct Torque Controlled (DTC) motor drive with SiC transistors that effectively limits EMI and benefits from the SiC transistor is the end goal of this project, thus a contemplated control algorithm is considered in limiting the EMI produced and will be pursued in the future.

Keywords

Motor Drive, DTC, SiC

Comments

Covid-19 delayed some of the research and this research will be furthered explored in my graduate tenure.

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