AC propulsion system for an electric vehicle

An electric vehicle propulsion system consisting of a 25 hp ac induction motor, pulse-width-modulated (PWM) transistor inverter, two-speed automatic transmission, and an overall vehicle/drive controller is described. A functional overview of the microprocessor controller and a novel controller-inverter interface is given. The rationale for a gear shift is explained. Some inverter developmental problems relating to the new high power Darlington transisters are covered. Test results of an engineering prototype run on a dynamometer are given.