Multi-Domain Electric Drivetrain Modeling for UAM-Scale eVTOL Aircraft

This paper presents the modeling and validation of an electric drivetrain through an object-oriented, equation-based framework that includes aerodynamics, electric machine, power electronic converter and battery models at various levels of detail. The proposed drivetrain model considers different losses in the machine and levels of fidelity for the power source and converters. It is simulated with various maneuvers, aiming to show the effects of modeling simplifications on the behavior of UAMs. These studies show that the level of detail in the motors and power system has significant impact on the dynamic response and power consumption of the system. This is most evident in the cases where the system uses a detailed battery model and in the cases where the switching electrical components are used, creating a torque ripple.