Lewis Chambers
Developing a scalable linear electric drive.
- Email: l.n.chambers2@ncl.ac.uk
Supervisors
Project description
Linear electrical machines are compact. They provide an 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
- mechanical integration
In electric propulsion, linear electrical drives are used in:
- free piston engines
- aerospace actuation
- mag-lev
- electric steering
They are also found in industrial process actuation and in renewable energy applications.
The electromagnetics are common with their rotatory counterpart. But the reciprocating nature of linear drives poses unique challenges to the electrical machine and power converter. This results in pulsating electrical power and unbalanced magnetic forces. High force density, high efficiency, low cost, robust and fault tolerance are all desirable qualities. The most appropriate design is often a compromise between these in terms of impact on system cost.
We are investigating the overall power density (kW/kg) of linear electrical drives. We are developing a scalable linear electric drive against a typical propulsion specification. We are doing this by integrating models of active mass, support structures and power electronic components.
We will develop the focus of this work after investigating:
- alternative machine topologies
- rectangular verses cylindrical cross section
- lubrication options
- lean support structures
- drive integration
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funds this research as part of the Power Electronics for Sustainable Electric Propulsion (PESEP) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT).
Qualifications
- BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
- MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies