PROPULSION AND CHARGER SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

A system for a grid-enabled vehicle that provides vehicle traction and also a charging facility for charging the vehicle from the electrical grid. The system includes: a bi-directional DC energy source; an electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein the stator comprises a first field winding and a second field winding which are electromagnetically coupled; a first control circuit operatively connected to the first field winding, and including an input configured to be coupled to the grid; and a second control circuit operatively connected to the second field winding, and also coupled to the bi-directional DC energy source. The electric machine has two modes of operation: in a first mode of operation, the first control circuit energises the first field winding so as to supply power from the bi-directional DC energy source to the first field winding, and wherein the second control circuit energises the second field winding in synchrony with the first field winding so as to supply power from the bi-directional DC energy source to the second field winding; and, in a second mode of operation, the first control circuit energises the first field winding so as to supply power from the grid to the first field winding, and wherein the second field winding is energised by the first field winding so as to supply energy from the grid to the bi-directional energy source. The stator includes a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially around an inner surface of the stator, wherein each slot includes a first winding portion associated with the first field winding and a second winding portion associated with the second field winding.