Thesis Work: Prediction of Distortion due to Welding in Traction Converters 1

Req ID:530428

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, more than 80 000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

Background

Audible noise from inductors is an important challenge in many electrical systems. During product development, there is a need for efficient methods to understand and predict the acoustic behaviour of electromagnetic components under different operating conditions.

A practical challenge is that acoustic performance is highly dependent on the electrical excitation. The current waveforms used in real applications are often complex and application-specific, making it difficult for component suppliers to perform acoustic testing under representative operating conditions. As a result, acoustic data is often unavailable or difficult to compare between different components and suppliers.

One possible approach is to investigate whether an inductor's acoustic characteristics can be represented by a response to a known electrical excitation, such as a short pulse or other broadband input signal. If such a characteristic response can be identified, it may provide the basis for a standardized characterization method that is independent of a specific application and can be used to predict acoustic behaviour for arbitrary current waveforms.

Objective

The objective of this thesis is to investigate whether an inductor can be acoustically characterized through its response to a known electrical excitation. The work includes experimental measurements, signal analysis, and evaluation of the potential to predict sound emission for arbitrary current waveforms. A key goal is to explore whether such an approach could form the basis of a standardized characterization method for inductors.

The exact methodology and research questions will be refined by the student during the project.

Desired Profile

The thesis is suitable for students in:
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Signal Processing
• Acoustics

Extent

1-2 students

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Important to note

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