Thin film traction motors for electric vehicles

KLD Energy Technologies of the USA is collaborating with MINTH Group of Ningbo City, China on its thin film based traction motor technology, we learnt 14.10.12 by interviewing Jimmy Wong CTO and President of the R7D Center at MINTH, when we met at the Taiwan Automotive International Forum and Exhibition in Hsinchu Taiwan where the theme was "Ecosystem for xEV the Blueprint for the Future".

 

KLD's motors use thin-film composite magnets to create a transmission-less architecture that is significantly more efficient than regular electric motor systems. KLD uses thin film materials that can achieve over 1500 Hz. The increased frequency and reduced voltage allows the KLD system to "adapt to all performance needs". CSO Ray Caamano at KLD, the inventor of KLD's first green energy technology, has been on the forefront of electric propulsion systems development since the 1980′s and is a leading pioneer in the field of low loss, cost efficient electric motor systems, utilizing thin film soft magnetic materials. He brings over 30 years of extensive research and product development in transportation technology with a focus on efficient electric drive systems.

 

Caamano currently holds 28 issued U.S. Patents and is founder and CEO of iCAP technologies. IDTechEx observes from the patents that the thin film technology can be applied in asynchronous and synchronous motors, the synchronous ones being permanent magnet or switched reluctance. The key seems to be making the thin films manipulable.

 

The plan is to use these motors in 48 V and 74 V microcars at up to 140 kph, the main target being fully homologated cars and only secondarily the microEV/ quadricycle market which encompasses what are called low speed vehicles LSV in China, which are only legal in Shandong province, where they are popular with farmers. Elsewhere, the Chinese laws do not recognise them, so there is an ambiguous situation as was explained by Tatsuhiko Hayashi, Editor in Chief of Nikkei Automotive Technology at the recent Taiwan Automotive International Forum and Exhibition. People use them but the law may catch them.

 

In 2011, KLD Energy Technologies Inc signed a deal to supply motor systems for a new line of electric scooters in Malaysia. KLD expected to manufacture at least 40,000 kits in the first year. The scooters were being developed as part of the country's efforts to reduce pollution. Utilizing KLD's motor system, Eclimo's scooters can exceed 100 kilometers per hour and have a range of more than 100 kilometres.

 

Low cost of ownership due to reduced maintenance requirements

other electric drive system on the market

 

* Based on five stator block configuration

 

Specifications (based on 3-battery pack configuration)

Battery management system Integrated

Weight 33 kgs

Nominal voltage 48 VDC

Nominal capacity (C/2, 23° C) 42 Ah / 1.4 kWh

 

In 2014, KLD formed an engineering and development partnership with Kenguru Inc. to develop Kenguru's 2nd generation steering wheel controlled all-electric low-speed vehicle that will provide reliable transportation and increased mobility for wounded U.S. veterans and other wheelchair enabled drivers. Both companies are based in Central Texas and this all-new partnership will create additional jobs in Texas. President Barack Obama also visited with Kenguru earlier in the year and praised Kenguru for its efforts to build an eco-friendly pure electric mobility vehicle designed for handicapped drivers. The wheelchair accessible vehicle will be available for less than $25,000.

 

For more see the new IDTechEx report, Electric Motors for Hybrid and Pure Electric Vehicles 2015-2025: Land, Water, Air