Rim drive electric propulsion for small boats
Lead Participant:
RAD PROPULSION LTD
Abstract
This is a 7 month project by RAD Propulsion Ltd to undertake experimental development of an innovative new marine electric propulsion system using rim motor technology and a novel hubless propeller design. The system is targeted at both the commercial and leisure small boat marine market.
Marine propulsion is a multi-billion pound industry undergoing a rapid change from direct drive diesel and petrol to electric. To support this change there is an urgent need for innovative electric propulsion systems like the one proposed in this project. The rim driven hubless system we propose is safer (no external rotating blades), robust to becoming entangled with debris and has minimal moving parts and so will be well placed to fill the identified market gap, which is estimated to be worth approximately £150-200m /year with strong indications of significant further growth over the next decade as electric systems replace fossil fuel incumbents.
Our goal is to bring products to market that deliver zero emissions, utilize sustainable manufacturing techniques and product life cycle, provide exceptional performance, improved safety and most importantly for electric propulsion, confidence and trust for our customers transitioning from fossil fuels. RAD Propulsion is looking to develop a range of such systems and this project will look to develop a product which is targeted specifically at marine leisure and commercial market in the sub 2 kW category.
This project will:
* design, develop and integrate the worlds first compact (sub 2kW) rimless electric motor with an innovative hubless propeller design,
* develop and integrate this motor assembly into an overarching system to produce a prototype propulsion system which can then be evaluated in a representative marine environment to verify the design approach and system performance to de-risk the subsequent productisation.
Electric rim drives and hub-less propellers are not new technologies but the merging of the two together into a single product which plays on the strengths of each technology to achieve the levels of performance and weight needed in the target market means its introduction will be both innovative and transformative to the marine market in this power range.
The marine industry has been severely impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic. We see this directly with our potential customers as well as all the organisations involved in our prototyping, product development and supply chain.
Numerous companies are starting to cut back, reduce costs and release staff to reflect the potential drop of future sales. This project and the associated grant funding will directly maintain the momentum of the business, allow us to move in to a new sector and prepare the business for when the market recovers. Winning this grant will enable RAD to recruit more people and support the UK economy with the world wide launch of the first British truly innovative electric hubless marine rim drive.
Marine propulsion is a multi-billion pound industry undergoing a rapid change from direct drive diesel and petrol to electric. To support this change there is an urgent need for innovative electric propulsion systems like the one proposed in this project. The rim driven hubless system we propose is safer (no external rotating blades), robust to becoming entangled with debris and has minimal moving parts and so will be well placed to fill the identified market gap, which is estimated to be worth approximately £150-200m /year with strong indications of significant further growth over the next decade as electric systems replace fossil fuel incumbents.
Our goal is to bring products to market that deliver zero emissions, utilize sustainable manufacturing techniques and product life cycle, provide exceptional performance, improved safety and most importantly for electric propulsion, confidence and trust for our customers transitioning from fossil fuels. RAD Propulsion is looking to develop a range of such systems and this project will look to develop a product which is targeted specifically at marine leisure and commercial market in the sub 2 kW category.
This project will:
* design, develop and integrate the worlds first compact (sub 2kW) rimless electric motor with an innovative hubless propeller design,
* develop and integrate this motor assembly into an overarching system to produce a prototype propulsion system which can then be evaluated in a representative marine environment to verify the design approach and system performance to de-risk the subsequent productisation.
Electric rim drives and hub-less propellers are not new technologies but the merging of the two together into a single product which plays on the strengths of each technology to achieve the levels of performance and weight needed in the target market means its introduction will be both innovative and transformative to the marine market in this power range.
The marine industry has been severely impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic. We see this directly with our potential customers as well as all the organisations involved in our prototyping, product development and supply chain.
Numerous companies are starting to cut back, reduce costs and release staff to reflect the potential drop of future sales. This project and the associated grant funding will directly maintain the momentum of the business, allow us to move in to a new sector and prepare the business for when the market recovers. Winning this grant will enable RAD to recruit more people and support the UK economy with the world wide launch of the first British truly innovative electric hubless marine rim drive.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| RAD PROPULSION LTD | £216,406 | £ 173,125 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Martin (Project Manager) |