Innovation of electrical machines

Innovative Driving Systems

With over 20 years of experience in drive technology, Fraunhofer IEE is a trusted partner for complex research and development projects. By leveraging our institute’s proprietary software environment, the expertise of highly specialized professionals, and close collaboration within the Fraunhofer Research Network, we are able to comprehensively analyze, model, and evaluate innovative drive systems.

Fraunhofer IEE develops customized, state-of-the-art, and application-oriented solutions for a wide range of applications. Starting with the electromagnetic design, we develop both conventional and novel machine concepts and, together with our partners, identify the optimal concept for the respective application. In doing so, we rely on powerful, in-house simulation and calculation tools and support the entire development process at the desired level of detail. Our laboratory infrastructure enables precise power and functional measurements, including test benches with a power capacity of up to 1 MW and integrated vibration excitation. In addition, our test benches allow for detailed investigation of the aging behavior of insulation systems and machine bearings, particularly under high-frequency influences resulting from the use of SiC semiconductors.

Superconductivity

The development of superconducting technologies is currently progressing at a rapid pace and opening up a wide range of possibilities for use in various technical applications. Fraunhofer IEE is keeping pace with these developments and conducting research into the practical use of superconductors in innovative system solutions.

In addition to the experimental operation of such systems, comprehensive numerical simulation and calculation tools play a central role in successful system design. This includes the calculation of alternating current losses in high-temperature superconductors (HTS) as well as the model-based design of cryostats, exciters, and refrigeration cycles. This integrated approach forms the basis for the efficient and application-oriented further development of superconducting energy systems.

Fraunhofer IEE develops customized, state-of-the-art, and application-oriented solutions for a variety of fields. Starting with electromagnetic design, we develop both conventional and innovative machine concepts and work with our partners to identify the optimal concept for each specific application. We rely on powerful, in-house simulation and calculation tools and support the entire development process at the desired level of detail.

Our laboratory infrastructure enables precise power and functional measurements, including test benches with a power capacity of up to 1 MW and integrated vibration excitation. In addition, our test benches allow for detailed investigation of the aging behavior of insulation systems and machine bearings, particularly under high-frequency influences resulting from the use of SiC semiconductors.

Effects of Aging

Both rotating machines and transformers are exposed to increasingly higher switching frequencies in the power supply. These high-frequency effects lead to aging in the machine, which places a heavy strain on the machine’s insulation due to wave reflections, resonances, and degradation effects. At the same time, these effects can often be significantly reduced at no additional cost (e.g., shifting), making a thorough understanding key to ensuring a long service life for the systems.

Fraunhofer IEE adheres to the philosophy that aging effects must be thoroughly understood, as aging does not necessarily imply a decrease in dielectric strength. To this end, we offer a range of services to analyze your systems and provide you with direct recommendations for action.

Test Bench Technology

Fraunhofer IEE focuses on application-oriented research. This means that we always strive to build all new developments as demonstrators or prototypes. We have extensive infrastructure at our disposal for this purpose. In addition to several specialized laboratory facilities (battery, gas, machinery, medium-voltage, etc.), we operate the Systec laboratory facility in Rothwesten, outside of Kassel, for applications requiring higher power levels.

In total, we offer machine beds up to 4x6m in size and can operate and measure load machines exceeding 1 MW. Furthermore, we collaborate closely with Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, allowing us to seamlessly integrate the Power Electronics and Power Systems Lab (PEPS) into our portfolio and carry out comprehensive research projects (TRL 0–9) and laboratory tests.

In addition, we operate highly specialized individual test benches. These include, in particular, test benches for the successful parameterization of HF machine models (measurement of multifactor aging, dielectric constant, partial discharge, etc.). In addition to aging tests, we also offer a cryogenic infrastructure that can be used for specific tests. In total, refrigeration machines with a total cooling capacity of > 2 kW at 30 K are available at Fraunhofer IEE.