Technology: Freudenberg presents new generation of conductive seals for electric drives

Vienna – Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) has introduced a new generation of electrically conductive seals which it says prevent bearing damage caused by electrically induced corrosion and increases electromagnetic compatibility.

Unveiled at the virtual 2021 Vienna Motor Symposium, which was held 29-30 April, the “eCONevo” seals are claimed to make an important contribution to high-performance electric drives.

Explaining the process, FST said that electric cars with drive systems that operate at 800 volts instead of the usual 400 can recharge in just 15 minutes and produce enough power to drive several hundred kilometres.

The power semiconductors in the inverter ensure that the direct current stored in the battery is converted into the alternating current required by the electric motor while driving. 

These power electronics are often positioned directly above the electric motor and are also known as an electric engine injection systems. 

A new generation of semiconductors made from silicon carbide is being increasingly used for 800-volt drives as well as in other electric and hybrid drives. These silicon carbide semiconductors switch high currents up to 20,000 times per second. 

Each of the switching processes causes slight voltage fluctuations. The frequency of these overshoots is one or two megahertz, which puts it in the range of medium-wave radios. 

If left unmodified, this frequency is transferred to the rotor shaft of the electric drive and results in two undesired side effects: The rotor shaft functions as a rod antenna and radiates electromagnetic interferences; and excess voltage can potentially build around the vehicle’s electrically insulated rotor shaft, overtaxing its ability to discharge and thus discharging instead through the via shaft bearings. 

This damaging effect is known as electro corrosion and reduces the performance and life cycle of bearings.

With its new generation conductive seals, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies said it aimed to eliminate both of these effects. 

The company already launched the basic principle in series production in 2015 and says the seals are used in “the best-selling electric car in Europe.” 

With eCONevo, a very thin, conductive nonwoven material is attached to the radial shaft seal ring and provides direct electrical contact between the rotor shaft and motor housing. 

Having developed a new material blend, FST says it can use a nonwoven with the very low AC resistance of about one ohm. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the nonwoven material is high enough not only to prevent electro corrosion but also the emission of electromagnetic waves.

According to FST, the nonwoven material is about a millimeter thick, which on many occasions eliminates the need to change the motore design. 

In addition, the nonwoven material is firmly attached to the radial shaft seal so that no additional steps are required when the engine is assembled. 

As the component prevents electromagnetic interference directly at the motor, it can replace costly shielding in other areas, such as at the drive shafts. 

FST said it has demonstrated the effectiveness of the seals on a test rig developed in-house, on which components for electric motors can be tested at speeds of up to 36,000 RPM. 

The company expects that series production of the seals may start within “a few months”.

“[With the new seal] We can eliminate unwanted side effects from electric drives with power semiconductors made of silicon carbide,” said Stefan Morgenstern, advance developer at Freudenberg. 

“As a result, the seal contributes to the ultra-fast charging of electric cars, and ultimately, to faster acceptance of electric mobility as a whole,” he added.