High-Speed High-Temperature SiC Motor Drive Inverter for Hybrid Vehicles

We propose to carry out an intensive program focusing on the research and development of a high performance SiC inverter for motor drive. We shall design and develop high temperature packages for SiC devices and appropriate thermal management for theinverter to allow the inverter to operate at high device junction temperatures and high PWM frequencies. A detailed survey on the available SiC power devices suitable for inverter applications will be conducted and procured devices will be evaluated toconfirm their ratings and suitabilityfor planned investigation. Equivalent circuit models for SiC diodes and switches will be developed for inverter simulations. We shall determine the full operating range of temperature, frequency, and inverter efficiency for the SiC inverter. We shall alsodetermine the switching loss, motor efficiency, speed and torque. Based on an analysis of the experimental results and SiC inverter modeling, we shall estimate the projected benefits of SiC-based power inverters for military and civilian hybrid vehicleapplications. The Phase II SiC inverter R&D work will provide the key to the commercialization development of a high power SiC-based motor controller in Phase-III for 70 HP operations at 60 kHz.