UQM Patents Non-Rare Earth Magnet Motor under DOE-Supported Project

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://energy.gov/eere/success-stories/articles/uqm-patents-non-rare-earth-magnet-motor-under-doe-supported-project

[font face=Serif][font size=5]UQM Patents Non-Rare Earth Magnet Motor under DOE-Supported Project[/font]

April 16, 2015 - 10:29am

[font size=3]Through a cooperative R&D project with the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), UQM Technologies, a company developing propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles recently patented a new design for electric vehicle motors that use non-rare earth magnets.

While most plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) use motors with rare earth metals, these materials are expensive, their prices have been highly volatile (from $80/kg to $750/kg), and their supply may fall short with potentially high market demand in the future. Electric motors that do not use rare earth metals will potentially be less expensive and have more stable prices. Non-rare earth motors may also rely more on domestic resources and processing capabilities, which could improve economic, environmental and energy security. Reducing the use of rare earth metals in PEVs can help VTO reach the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge goal of making PEVs as affordable as today’s gasoline powered vehicles by 2022.

UQM’s new motor design performs comparably to rare-earth motors, helping the company meet VTO’s size, weight, and efficiency targets. It also provides the company flexibility to adapt to the market. Once UQM develops the design, it can either use the original rare earth-based design or the new one, depending on the price and availability of rare earth materials.

…

In addition to this research, VTO previously supported a UQM component manufacturing project that increased the volume of electric motor and power electronics production. The project allowed the Colorado-based company to establish manufacturing lines that can build at least 20,000 units annually. The company is currently supplying motors to transit bus company Proterra and has supply agreements with energy management and vehicle companies around the world.

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[think]

1. Never heard of the Vehical Technologies Office before. Sounds like a huge development

For plug in electric cars.

Thank you for posting!

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. You’re welcome!

http://energy.gov/eere/vehicles/vehicle-technologies-office

[hunter]

2. Interesting, it uses AlNiCo magnets instead of rare earth magnets.

AlNiCo magnets are not typically used in motors because they become demagnetized. This design arranges the magnets in a clever way along with a non standard power supply to prevent this.

http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/07/f17/ape044_lutz_2014_o.pdf

I recall Toyota is working on motors that use electromagnets throughout as a way of dealing with disruptions in rare earth supplies.

The larger issue, I think, is not supply, but the hellish environmental conditions created by Chinese mining and refining operations.



http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth

http://www.democraticunderground.com/112784267

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. In a rational world, the hellish conditions are the larger issue

In our world, China’s control of the vast majority of rare earth production is the major issue.

[mackdaddy]

3. China was doing its best to corner the supply for Rare Earth Elements.

They were buying mines in Africa, South America, and others.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rare-earth-elements-china-monopoly-60-minutes-lesley-stahl/