Identifying the Optimal Induction Motor Design for Increased Power Density in Commuter Railway Use through Loss Analysis

Commuter railway vehicles undergo repeated stop-and-go running patterns between short distances. The traction components are specifically designed in such to provide high power density for continual acceleration and deceleration for the operating speed range. Reducing the number of motor stator winding turns is a method to maximize power density through integrated design, of the motor-inverter traction system. This paper aims to evaluate design changes for maximize power density through loss analysis of the traction components. Analysis is done through 2D FEM simulation on the motor and digital simulation on the inverter for each design change. A loss model is created to support the loss analysis simulation. The optimal design for this application is determined by evaluating the losses and mapping the efficiencies in terms of the overall traction system.