Attenuation of ripple torques in inverter supplied traction drives

The lifetime of traction drive components such as couplings and gearboxes is influenced by torque oscillations which are excited by the power converter. The inverter supplied traction motor generates ripple torques which excite the mechanical drive line. Ripple torques have been measured on vehicle drives with GTO and IGBT inverters. Modelling and simulation of the drive line including motor, mechanics and wheel-rail contact showed the influence of drive parameters, giving an aid to choosing couplings.