Rotor Shape Manipulation for the Design of an Alternator-Based Regenerative Braking System

Abstract

To widen the scope of hybrid technology, Team DRIVE studied the implementation of an alternator-based regenerative braking system onto an automobile’s drive shaft. The team hypothesized that salient rotors were more ideal for an alternator-based regenerative braking system than the standard Lundell rotor due to their improved efficiency at lower angular velocities. The team conducted computer simulations and physical experiments to evaluate the performance of three electromagnet rotors: a 4-pole and 8-pole salient rotor, and a Lundell rotor. ANSYS Maxwell was used to optimize the geometry of the salient rotors. A test apparatus was designed to test the Lundell rotor by simulating driving conditions. Recommendations were made for the implementation of a salient rotor in an alternator-based regenerative braking system.