Motor Bearing Characterization in SiC-based Variable Frequency Drive Applications
Abstract
Motor Bearing Characterization in SiC-based Variable Frequency Drive ApplicationsVariable frequency drives (VFDs) are employed on U.S. Navy ships for many applications including propulsion, pumps, fans, compressors, etc. Currently, silicon-based power semiconductors are widely used to drive VFD systems, using pulse-width modulated (PWM) inverters. From a device efficiency point of view, it is highly desirable to have high dv/dt to minimize the turn-on/turn-off times and switching losses. However, the high dv/dt PWM inverter output pulses have adverse effects on the machines they are driving due to motor terminal overvoltages stressing the insulation and damaging bearing currents. Next generation power electronics based on wide band gap (WBG) devices, such as SiC and GaN, have much higher switching frequency, efficiency and power density compared with traditional silicon-based power electronics. It stands to reason that the adverse effects of PWM VFDs applying SiC devices willbe exacerbated due to much higher dv/dt and di/dt operation, and the extent of those adverse effects is a science and technology (S&T) knowledge gap. The motor insulation degradation and breakdown in VFD systems employing SiC devices is being researched through other ONR contracts. Thus, this project proposes fundamental materials science research to address the motorbearing reliability S&T gaps including finite element (FE) modeling, experimental validation, bearing damage characterization using optical and electron microscopy, accelerated life testing and bearing diagnostics to enable the prediction of bearing damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 23, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912024
Entities
People
- Annette von Jouanne
Organizations
- Baylor University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy