Video - Power-Dense High-Efficiency Engine-Coolant-Capable 200 kW Silicon Carbide Inverter for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Abstract: This presentation will discuss public information related to John Deere project funded by the US Department of Energy - PowerAmerica Institute at North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Through PowerAmerica, John Deere has formed a collaboration with researchers from the US Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop a 200 kW 1050 VDC silicon carbide (SiC) dual-inverter. The SiC inverter converts vehicle engine power into electrical power needed for the permanent-magnet-motor based power-train used in heavy-duty construction and mining vehicles. The presentation will cover development and test verification of various technologies deployed in the successful realization of a power-dense (greater than 40 kW/Liter) high-temperature (suitable for 115C coolant) high-efficiency (greater than 98% over entre range of coolant) SiC dual-inverter. Test results from various generations of the SiC inverter will be presented. In April 2017, the Fargo, North Dakota-based John Deere Electronic Solutions (JDES) successfully demonstrated the SiC inverter in a John Deere 644K hybrid front loader vehicle, using the engine radiator fluid to cool the SiC power electronics. The SiC inverter technology demonstration took place at John Deere Dubuque Works (JDDW) in Dubuque, Iowa. Since then this SiC inverter has been operating on vehicles resulting over 2,000 hours experience from real-world application of SiC power electronics technology. The DOE-PowerAmerica funding has greatly helped John Deere to accelerate the development of SiC inverter technology including realization of key commercialization objectives.
Bio: Brij N. Singh is a senior staff engineer in John Deere Inc., USA and leading the US Department of Energy - PowerAmerica (DOE-PowerAmerica) funded project to develop a 200 kW SiC inverter for heavy-duty vehicle applications. Brij has earned Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India, in 1996. In 1996, Brij joined the cole de Technology Suprieure, Universite du Quebec, Montreal, QC, Canada, as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. In 1999, Brij joined Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada as a Research Fellow. In 2000, Brij joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, as an Assistant Professor. In 2007, Brij joined John Deere in Fargo, North Dakota as a power electronics staff engineer. In Tulane, Brij received numerous teaching awards for outstanding instructions in electrical engineering. In John Deere, Brij received numerous awards for product and technology innovations and team collaboration activities. Brij has published over 90 research papers in various Journals including IEEE Transactions and IET Journals. Brij has 22 US patents, one trade secret, and numerous pending patents. Brij's scholarly work and publications have been cited by his peers over 6000 times. Brij is a senior member of the IEEE.