Mitigating Against Cascade and Common-Mode Failures in Electric Drive Trains-Slides

Abstract:With the growing use of electric drive trains in transport applications, there has been a renewed focus across multiple sectors on delivering high-power-density power electronic systems. It is essential that these new power electronic systems are also at least as safe as the conventional propulsion systems they replace. Furthermore, the associated complexity of electro-mechanical propulsion systems is such that hidden coupling mechanisms may exist, which can on occasion, lead to particularly severe cascaded and common mode failures. Identifying these failure modes requires a combination of design knowledge and experience, coupled with theoretical exploration of new system behaviours. Power electronic systems and their self-protect functions lie at the heart of both the potential risks and solutions in this space. This talk will explore the opportunities and challenges in this field of research, presenting lessons learnt to date and key focus areas for new R&D.