A Permanent Magnet-Electrically Excited Motor for High-Speed Train Applications

The benefits of hub motors are always central to the discussion concerning the choice of the most appropriate drive concept for new high speed trains. This is especially true for low-floor vehicles or double deck vehicles where it is likely that the space, which is now taken by the chassis, will be used as a walkthrough area. The distribution of the drive power between several axles represents a further advantage. In such a concept there is not much space for installing an electric motor close to the wheel in the axial direction of the wheel. In this case it has to be considered if the electric motor could be placed within the wheel. In this paper a special architecture for the design of a wheel hub motor for a high-speed train application is described, the essential concept is shown, and also the advantages and disadvantages of the concept. The result is a concept proposal for an electrically and permanent magnet excited synchronous machine which could be used as a wheel hub motor for a high-speed train application.