Conceptual Framework for Modelling of an Electric Tractor and Its Performance Analysis Using a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to model and validate the propulsion system of an electric tractor. Initially, the mathematical model of the ET and its load characteristics are developed based on the velocity profiles used in the agriculture ploughing operations. A PMSM is selected from the torque and power requirement of the ET. In order to replicate the ET load on the PMSM, the load is simulated in accordance with the specifications of the PMSM drive system. This article proposes a novel load-tracking control of the propulsion unit with the arrangement of a PMSM and dynamometer. The speed and torque of the propulsion motor are controlled separately using a decoupled control algorithm. The performance of the propulsion unit is verified under different load profiles of the ET. The load-tracking algorithm is used to improve the dynamic response of the propulsion motor. The propulsion system containing the mathematical model of the ET, PMSM and dynamometer is developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK and validated in a real-time environment using a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator (OPAL-RT OP5700). The result proves that the proposed load-tracking algorithm provided a better dynamic performance of the propulsion unit.