System analysis of integration methods in novel electric motor drive systems

Integrated motor drives (IMD) have initiated a new phase of development in the design of electric machine drives for industrial and transportation electrical power applications. Starting with low output power and trivial mechanical design, IMDs evolved into a complex and versatile class of motor drives. This paper introduces an updated classification of IMD structures from its mechanical appearance and implementation of integrated power electronics (PE). New classification offers a wider variety of reference designs and gives basic estimation of their weight and dimensions. The proposed categorization is applied then to a set of IMDs presented in both the scientific literature at different stages of realization and in the industry. The results demonstrate emerging trends in the evolution of IMD with its favorable lines and "dead zones".