Design and construction of a dynamometer

Abstract

Access to a dynamometer is a useful tool for any electrical system where the motors must be selected from various suppliers and fully characterized. Motor suppliers usually provide a torque, speed, efficiency curve, but it frequently lacks complete motor characterization and includes motor controller losses in the total system loss. The dynamometer presented in this thesis is primarily designed for testing of high efficiency motors and motor controllers in the power and speed range requires for competition in the World Solar Challenge, a transcontinental race for solar electric vehicles. The testing specifications of a solar electric vehicles are uncommon among motor testing needs because it requires high torque, low power, high efficiency, and the only a small operating range. This thesis covers the design and construction of the dynamometer.