Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd (CSE:HEAT, OTCQB:HLRTF) said it has completed proof of concept testing that demonstrates the elimination of switching losses with its traction inverter, potentially bringing unmatched efficiencies for future elective vehicles (EV).
The Hillcrest inverter achieved an average of over 90% fewer switching losses and a roughly 90% reduction in dV/dt compared to the conventional, hard-switched inverters found in many electric vehicles today.
"These test results represent another milestone on the pathway to commercialization of our traction inverter," Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest Energy Technologies said in a statement. "It's an exciting step that proves we're on the right track to providing the optimal inverter technology that will help make the next generation of EVs even more efficient and more powerful."
READ: Hillcrest Energy Technologies says its power inverter technology will be a 'true game changer' for EVs
Electric motors currently used in EV powertrains operate within a switching frequency range of 8kHz to 16kHz, due to the historic trade-off between the best possible switching behavior and acceptable thermal losses. The ability of the Hillcrest high-efficiency inverter to soft-switch at much higher frequencies without generating additional losses will allow motor manufacturers to take advantage of new motor concepts not previously available to them.
Leveraging the Hillcrest traction inverter in an EV powertrain is intended to improve overall system-level performance. A system with higher power density, lower cost and weight, and better power quality and performance could play an integral part in delivering a vehicle with more power, more payload capability and increased range.
"With these new test results in hand, we can more clearly demonstrate that zero-voltage switching ("ZVS") is both feasible and it offers several cost and performance benefits relative to overall system size, complexity and weight of future electric vehicles," stated Ari Berger, Hillcrest CTO.
The successful tests completed thus far with the Hillcrest proof of concept are important steps in the commercialization testing protocol. Testing of the Hillcrest 250kW 800V commercial prototype traction inverter is currently underway, with a final prototype ready for delivery to customers in the fourth quarter of this year. The company intends to provide an update on the progress of the commercial prototype shortly.
Hillcrest also said it has added a new member to its technical team, Ronald Rebeiro who holds a Ph.D. in electrical and electronics engineering and brings experience in electrical machine design and motor drives.
Additionally, effective July 1, 2022, Hillcrest has entered into a 6-month agreement with Investor Brand Network to increase exposure to retail investors in the US. IBN is a communications organization with an investor-based distribution network that connects companies to the investment community through a syndication network of 50-plus trusted web brands.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com