Wide Bandgap (WBG) Power Electronics for Heavy Duty Vehicle-Video

Abstract:This presentation will discuss public information related to John Deere project funded by the US DOE-PowerAmerica. Through PowerAmerica, John Deere has formed a collaboration with researchers from the US Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (DOE NREL) to develop a 200 kW 1050 VDC silicon carbide (SiC) dual inverter. The SiC inverter converts vehicle engine power into electrical power needed for the permanent-magnet-motor based powertrain used in heavy-duty construction and mining vehicles. The presentation will cover development and test verification of various technologies deployed in the successful realization of a power-dense (43 kW/Liter) high-temperature (suitable for 115 deg C water-ethylene-glycol coolant) high-efficiency (> 98% over entre range of coolant) SiC dual inverter. Test results from various generations of the SiC inverter will be presented. John Deere has successfully demonstrated the SiC inverter in a JD 644K Hybrid Loader, using the engine radiator fluid to cool the SiC power electronics. Since then this SiC inverter has been operating on a prototype vehicle and 100s hours of continuous operation of the WBG drivetrain didn’t show any field issue. In addition to in-vehicle testing of the SiC inverter, John Deere has gained ~3,500 hours practical experience by testing of SiC inverter in a back-to-back motor dynamometer. The DOE-PowerAmerica funding has helped John Deere in accelerated development of the SiC inverter technology including realization of key commercialization objectives.