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Publication - Technical

 
 
 
Doughnut-shaped object wound about with brightly coloured wire.
Inside CSIRO's in-wheel motor showing the windings around the stator.

In-wheel motor for solar-powered electric vehicles: technical details

Download the technical and pricing details for CSIRO’s in-wheel motor design, which is widely accepted as the most efficient for solar car racing.

CSIRO’s in-wheel motor is widely accepted as the most efficient for solar car racing and is used by most well-financed racing teams.

The zip file downloadable from this page contains:

  • a five-page scientific paper
  • pricing information
  • a sample of a supply of motor kit agreement
  • 24 pages of specifications and application notes
  • a four-page document showing thermal modelling of the motor
  • three technical drawings.

Design of an in-wheel motor for a solar-powered electric vehicle

This five-page scientific paper was presented at the Eight International Conference on Electrical Machines and Drives held in Cambridge, UK, in September 1997.

It details a motor design which has been optimised for high-efficiency, in-wheel operation. Cost was not considered in the design.

This paper includes the sections:

  • abstract
  • introduction
  • specifications
  • machine geometry
  • magnet arrangement
  • sources of loss
  • design optimisation
    • choice of pole number
    • effect of mass
    • effect of air-gap length
  • design results
  • experimental results
  • conclusion
  • acknowledgements
  • references.

Pricing information

This one-page document details pricing and conditions for purchasing a solar car motor kit. The price of a single kit is around A$12 000.

Supply of motor kit agreement

This four-page document contains sample terms for a supply agreement which govern the purchase of the motor kit.

CSIRO solar car surface magnetic motor kit

This 24-page document details the technical specifications for the motors so solar racing teams can construct a brushless permanent magnet motor to fit into a wheel of their choice. 

This document contains the sections:

  • specifications
  • application notes
  • important safety notices
  • availability
  • application ideas
  • frameless motor
  • motor controller
  • motor speed
  • motor frequency
  • motor current
  • thermal modelling
  • motor efficiency
  • inductor rating
  • contact and further information
  • additional important information.

Thermal modelling

Thermal modelling is used to determine whether a motor is suitable for a given application.

This four-page document shows the results of modelling done on CSIRO’s solar car motor. It features the headings:

  • legal notices and disclaimers
  • transient
  • steady state
  • check at 293 K.

Technical drawings

Three drawings are available showing the:

  • surface mount profile
  • surface mount backing
  • sensor location.

Read more about CSIRO’s work in Energy-efficient electric machines.

  • Lovatt HC, Ramsden VS and Mecrow BC. 1997. Design of an in-wheel motor for a solar-powered electric vehicle. Eighth International Conference on Electrical Machines and Drives, Cambridge, UK, 1-3 Sept. Conf. Publ. No. 444, pp234 - 238.
 

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Contact Information

Primary Contact

Dr Howard Lovatt
Stream Leader, Energy Conversion Devices
Materials Science and Engineering
Phone: 61 2 9413 7412 
Alt Phone: 61 4 1997 1263 
Fax: 61 2 9413 7573 

Location

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering - Lindfield
Bradfield Road
West Lindfield NSW 2070
Australia
PO Box 218
Lindfield NSW 2070
Australia