Power Density Optimisation of a Linear Electrical Drive
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
Linear electrical machines provide a compact and mechanically efficient way of interfacing electrical power and linear motion. A linear electrical drive consists of an electrical machine, a power converter, a motion control algorithm, a power flow controller and mechanical integration. Within electric propulsion, linear electrical drives have applications in free piston engines, aerospace actuation, mag-lev and electric steering. Outside of propulsion, they are commonly found in industrial process actuation and considered in renewable energy applications.
Although the electromagnetics are common with their rotatory counterpart, the reciprocating nature of linear drives poses unique challenges to the electrical machine and power converter, resulting in pulsating electrical power and unbalanced magnetic forces. High force density, high efficiency, low cost, robust and fault tolerance are all desirable qualities, and the most appropriate design is often a compromise between these in terms of impact on overall system cost.
In this project overall power density (kW/kg) of linear electrical drives will be investigated. By integrating models of active mass, support structures and power electronic components, a scalable linear electric drive will be developed against a typical propulsion specification.
Although the electromagnetics are common with their rotatory counterpart, the reciprocating nature of linear drives poses unique challenges to the electrical machine and power converter, resulting in pulsating electrical power and unbalanced magnetic forces. High force density, high efficiency, low cost, robust and fault tolerance are all desirable qualities, and the most appropriate design is often a compromise between these in terms of impact on overall system cost.
In this project overall power density (kW/kg) of linear electrical drives will be investigated. By integrating models of active mass, support structures and power electronic components, a scalable linear electric drive will be developed against a typical propulsion specification.
Planned Impact
This CDT will produce power electronics specialists with industrial experience, and will equip them with key skills that are essential to meet the future power electronics challenges. They will be highly employable due to their training being embedded in industrial challenges with the potential to become future leaders through parallel entrepreneurial and business acumen training. As such, they will drive the UK forward in electric propulsion development and manufacturing. They will become ambassadors for cross-disciplinary thinking in electric propulsion and mentors to their colleagues. With its strong industrial partnership, this CDT is ideally placed to produce high impact research papers, patents and spin-outs, with support from the University's dedicated business development teams. All of this will contribute to the 10% year upon year growth of the power electronics sector in the UK, creating more jobs and added value to the UK economy.
Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.
Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through
b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics
c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement
d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training
e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce
Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel
b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive
c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact
d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion
Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming
b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.
c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports
Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.
Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through
b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics
c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement
d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training
e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce
Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel
b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive
c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact
d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion
Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming
b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.
c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports
People |
ORCID iD |
Volker Pickert (Primary Supervisor) | |
Lewis Chambers (Student) |
Publications
Baker N
(2023)
Design of an integrated generator and heaving buoy
in Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
Chambers L
(2022)
Developing a direct drive generator for a heaving IPS buoy
Chambers L
(2023)
Designing an Integrated Generator for a Wave Energy Converter
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/S024069/1 | 31/03/2019 | 29/09/2027 | |||
2281472 | Studentship | EP/S024069/1 | 30/09/2019 | 13/10/2023 | Lewis Chambers |
Description | The aim of this research was to investigate the integration of electrical generators into a heaving wave energy converter through a series of modelling and case studies to propose a final design. Two electrical generators were compared and analysed to address their suitability for application into the final device. This yielded research publications in collaboration with machine designers and an industrial partner. Analytical models for the analysis of sea states and hydrodynamic motion were developed for analysing device deployment locations and expected performance. This greatly informed the design process and enabled multiple research outputs. An investigation into how the generator can be integrated into the structure of a wave energy converter was conducted. The core finding from this investigation was that it is very difficult to make such devices at a small scale and produce meaningful power outputs. Acceptable performances are seen are higher scales imposing great restrictions on prototyping the particular design. |
Exploitation Route | The finding of this research could be taken forward by academic or industrial channels. This is a wide research gap with much more work to be contributed and helps to move forward a critical aspect of wave energy converters; structural integrity and small scale prototyping. |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
Description | Blue Star FEED |
Amount | £354,147 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 56808 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training for Sustainable Electric Propulsion (CDT SEP) |
Amount | £5,388,053 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S024069/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 09/2027 |
Description | MU-EDRIVE |
Amount | £788,634 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V040758/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2021 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | Blue Star FEED |
Organisation | Mocean Energy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Compared and optimized a Vernier Hybrid and Flux Reversal machine for application into Mocean's "Blue Star" wave energy converter. |
Collaborator Contribution | Mocean energy are the creators and developers of the "Blue Star" wave energy converter. This project was to increase the technology readiness level from TRL 5 to TRL 6. Supply Design Limited specialize in bespoke power electronics. Their role was to develop a robust power-chain for the machine. |
Impact | At the end of the project, A design for the generator was submitted, alongside a power electronics system from Supply Design, and a simple but robust mooring system from Intermoor. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Blue Star FEED |
Organisation | Supply Design Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Compared and optimized a Vernier Hybrid and Flux Reversal machine for application into Mocean's "Blue Star" wave energy converter. |
Collaborator Contribution | Mocean energy are the creators and developers of the "Blue Star" wave energy converter. This project was to increase the technology readiness level from TRL 5 to TRL 6. Supply Design Limited specialize in bespoke power electronics. Their role was to develop a robust power-chain for the machine. |
Impact | At the end of the project, A design for the generator was submitted, alongside a power electronics system from Supply Design, and a simple but robust mooring system from Intermoor. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | MATLAB API wrapper for MagNet FEA |
Description | This is a package of MATLAB code that forms a wrapper around the API for FEA software "MagNet". It allows for swift development of models in a MATLAB friendly environment and without needing to write VBS code. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | This software greatly increased my development speed for new models by allowing them to be defined in pure MATLAB code, removing the need to write VBS code or manually create models. Once a model is described by MATLAB code, automation and management of simulations enables rapid and meaningful generation of data on each model. |
URL | https://gitlab.com/lewis-chambers/matlab-magnet |