Integrated Propulsion Drive Design for Low Power Air Movement

Details of Project Plan including key milestones (1) To conduct a literature review of drive control architectures, with the aim of identifying one suitable to the project task: that being, the improvement of the efficiency, mass and noise production of a low power air propulsion system.
(2) Identifying the problems, issues and design considerations associated with a low power air propulsion system.
(3) Investigating different drive system, aiming to identify that which may best satisfy the goals decided upon.
(4) Investigating potential power converter strategies to be incorporated into the proposed product drive system. The aim of this project is to implement a power converter capable of, with minimal costs, driving an air propulsion system. This will involve identifying a power electronics solution that will offer the best compromise between the following parameters: size, cost, maintenance, reliability and efficiency.
(5) Exploration of various proposed design strategies using MATLAB Simulink. Narrowing down the potentialities to be pursued. An exploration of their effectiveness in addressing problems of cost, size, efficiency and noise.
(6) Based on simulation results, building hardware prototypes, testing the prototypes and further exploring feasibility.
(7) Writing up findings and thesis submission.

Ethical Issues

The University requires that all student research projects undergo appropriate ethical review.

At Ethical Approval, was your project identified as Low Risk/High Risk/Unknown* Provide a copy of the email informing you of this decision, where available. Consideration of your project proposal can continue without ethical approval, as these are two separate processes.

*Where a decision is not available, please provide an update on your ethical approval situation. Detailed information on the ethical approval process and a link to the form is available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/research/researchgovernance/ethics/process/

Summary of the Proposed Project The proposed project aims to develop a robust, efficient and cost-effective solution to the task of designing an air propulsion drive system, with the goals of it being compact and low power in mind. Current technologies in use can be improved to make them longer lasting and more resilient.

The project seeks to identify the most appropriate compromise between cost, size, reliability, longevity and efficiency. Current air propulsion systems are often noisy, this is an area that, through exploration, will be considered.

To engage with the problem mentioned above, the author proposes the following course of action:

An exploration of conventional drive control architectures: this will consist of identifying potentials for system improvement from a control systems perspective.

Following the identification of a suitable control approach, the author aims to identify the power electronics solution best suited to being incorporated into the drive system decided upon. These developments will take place in consideration of the motor design solutions available. The author also aims to consider methods for improving the cost, efficiency and robustness of the power electronics used: this will involve looking at whether the number of switches used can be reduced.

The author also aims to investigate novel control methods for the reduction of wear in the drive system used. Reducing wear in the drive system will improve longevity, reducing the need for repair; further, it will also contribute to making the drive system more efficient and less noisy.

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