iPMSM — permanent magnet synchronous traction motor for the gearless drive of trams
The iPMSM is a permanent magnet synchronous traction motor created by the technology division of the manufacturer's group. It transmits torque directly to the wheel, without a gear train. These motors power the traction drive of the ForCity Alfa, ForCity Plus and ForCity Smart trams.
- Type
- permanent magnet synchronous motor (iPMSM)
- Drive
- direct (gearless), to the wheel, in a swivel bogie
- Control
- individual inverter for each motor (wheel-by-wheel control)
- Application
- ForCity Alfa, Plus, Smart trams
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
The direct drive with high torque made it possible to create fully swivelling bogies for 100 % low-floor trams. There is no gearbox, so gear mesh losses, lubricant changes and gear noise disappear. The lower mass of the unsprung parts reduces the load on the track, and bogie maintenance becomes simpler. Fully swivelling bogies with a direct drive are fitted, among others, on the multi-section ForCity Smart Artic trams for Helsinki and Tampere. By the company's own assessment, the iPMSM synchronous motors are among its top-level products.
Each traction motor is supplied from its own inverter, so control is individual for each wheel. The traction container is designed for one traction bogie and makes full use of the capabilities of the power electronics. The inverters exchange data with each other quickly. This allows curve negotiation to be optimized, increases running safety in curves and reduces wear of wheels and rails. During motor development the company performs electromagnetic and thermal calculations, after which it optimizes the design of the machine. Development is aimed at the safety of the traction drive and at predicting its characteristics before a prototype is made. The result is drives with low energy consumption that reduce the cost of maintaining cars and infrastructure.
The motors work in ForCity Smart trams in Bonn, Kassel, the RNV network, Brno, Plzeň, Ostrava, Helsinki and Tampere, and also in the ForCity Plus 52T for Prague and the ForCity Alfa. The maximum power of ForCity Smart trams is 240–1200 kW at an overhead line voltage of 600–750 V DC. In the company's portfolio the iPMSM synchronous motors are offered in all power classes alongside asynchronous ones, so the machine type is chosen for the task. The manufacturer does not publish data sheets for individual motors, and the parameters are defined for a particular tram.
The company's traction equipment is tested in its own test center, where the compatibility of the entire traction circuit, from the converter to the motor, is verified. On average the company directs 10 % of annual turnover to the development of new products, and more than 200 specialists work in its technical departments. The equipment is supplied both for new cars and for the modernization of the fleet in service.
Technical specifications
| Type | permanent magnet synchronous motor (iPMSM) |
|---|---|
| Drive | direct (gearless), to the wheel, in a swivel bogie |
| Control | individual inverter for each motor (wheel-by-wheel control) |
| Application | ForCity Alfa, Plus, Smart trams |
| Traction container | one per bogie |
Request a price and lead time
iPMSM — permanent magnet synchronous traction motor for the gearless drive of trams. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Customs codes
| UKTZED (Ukraine) | 8501 53 50 00 |
|---|---|
| HS, 6 digits | 8501 53 |
| CN (EU) | 8501 53 50 |
| HTSUS (USA) | 8501 53 40 00 |
| China customs tariff | 8501 53 00 00 |
Codes are for reference: the final code is determined at declaration for the specific model.
Questions and answers
How does the gearless iPMSM drive differ from a conventional one?
The motor transmits torque to the wheel without a gear train, so there are no mesh losses, lubricant changes or gearbox noise. The mass of the unsprung parts is lower.
How are the iPMSM motors controlled on a tram?
Each motor has its own inverter, and the inverters exchange data with each other. In this way each wheel is controlled separately, including in curves.
On what trams are the iPMSM motors used?
On the ForCity Alfa, the ForCity Plus 52T for Prague and the ForCity Smart with a maximum power of 240–1200 kW at 600–750 V DC.
Similar equipment from other manufacturers
