VT BOLT, Virginia Tech University’s entry to the 2012 all-electric TTXGP is a 100 percent electric racing motorcycle driven by a low voltage Kollmorgen AKM™ 74 AC permanent magnet motor and a Kollmorgen ACS80XL 80V Gen6 drive. The results have been impressive, with the AKM motor and ACS drive enabling VT BOLT to achieve top speeds in excess of 100 mph with consistently high-performance throughout the duration of each approximately 20 mile race using a 7.5 kilowatt hour battery pack. VT BOLT was a recent first place winner of all three of its TTX75-cup races including Portland International Raceway, Laguna Seca Raceway and Miller Raceway, solidifying VT BOLT as the 2012 North American TTX75 Cup winner.

Virginia Tech’s BOLT was designed to compete in the 75-class (7.5 kWh energy storage) motorcycle division. The idea was to develop a 100 percent electric motorcycle that could perform as fast as possible, while optimizing the energy stored in the battery to achieve maximum performance throughout each race. It also required just the right balance of torque and speed to accommodate the numerous turns common to GP racetracks, but without over-consuming power and compromising performance at the end of each race. Virginia Tech not only had to understand the technology, they needed to integrate the technology into a purpose-built racing machine. The VT BOLT design team turned to Kollmorgen for help and sponsorship.

Kollmorgen worked with the team at Virginia Tech to identify the optimum drive/motor/gearing system that would enable VT BOLT to leverage the available power of the battery pack to deliver the best performance in terms of consumption and speed, ultimately specifying a Kollmorgen AKM motor and ACS drive.

The AKM74 motor was 75 percent standard and 25 percent modified to accommodate the unique needs of a high performance-racing vehicle. Modifications included a modified shaft to accept a motorcycle sprocket, a custom drive side bearing to enable the motor to withstand the radial loads exerted on the shaft by the chain, and a modified motor winding to operate at the low voltage required by the 7.5 kWh battery pack.

The ACS80 is a 40 kW, or 54 HP, drive as standard. Kollmorgen delimited the drive for the VT BOLT application to enable higher power output (57.6 kW or 77.2 HP) for the shorter duty cycle and duration of the racing environment. Monday says that the Kollmorgen ACS80XL 80V Gen6 drive was a perfect fit for VT BOLT because the capabilities needed to deliver the desired performance were inherent in the drive.

The AKM motor provides mid-ninety percent efficiencies and the ACS drive provides high-ninety percent efficiencies. Both are environmentally sealed to IP68, and are designed to withstand high vibration vehicle-type environments as standard.

The motor and controller convert DC power from the battery pack to AC power for the motor. The motor then takes the AC power and converts it to torque and speed to power the motorcycle’s drivetrain. The drivetrain consists of two gears and a chain, which are connected to the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

Virginia Tech’s BOLT Electric Motorcycle will be on display at Kollmorgen booth 7566 at PACK EXPO 2012 from October 28 – 31, 2012, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Kollmorgen will also be exhibiting its family of high-performance motion systems, components and services. The Kollmorgen booth will feature numerous live demos, including interactive hands-on opportunities for visitors, to illustrate the performance capabilities of the latest motion and automation technology in action.

KOLLMORGEN
www.kollmorgen.com