High Temperature Electric Motor Project

Electrical machines such as electric motors currently have limitations caused by the failure of critical components at elevated temperatures. Research at the University of Nottingham has focused on developing a deep understanding of the primary cause of this limitation - the degradation of the insulation surrounding the copper coil within the motor. This insulation is there to protect the numerous windings that constitute the active part of the motor from touching each other and causing partial discharge and short circuits. As the insulation degrades, the functionality of the insulation is compromised and the motor eventually fails.

This project aims to take the results from the work done at Nottingham and use this to improve the temperature capability of electrical machines produced by Moog. Improving this capability will mean that motors will be able to operate in areas that they currently cannot due to the high temperature surrounding it. If the insulation and the motor is able to operate in a higher temperature environment, the need to cool it is removed. Consequently, in the case of aircraft, where weight is king, heavy and expensive cooling systems that are currently required to cool the motors will no longer be needed, saving weight on the aircraft and therefore, achieving reductions in emissions as the same propulsive energy is pulling less weight.

The benefits derived from this project will drive the business case for locating new investment in this technology by Moog to commercially produce products based on this technology in the UK.