Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide a thorough basis for electrical machines study at advanced level.
To be able to analyse electrical machines in numerical and 2D finite element simulation systems.
To have an overview of Electrical Machines in the modern world and in the context of the Electrification Revolution.
To understand the fundamentals of electric drives and their applications.
Apply the knowledge gained on electrical machines and drives to novel situations/problems independently.
Analyse and implement the control of a basic electric drive and apply various control concepts.

Outline Of Syllabus

Mechanical Modelling
Understanding the machine and load as a mechanical system and being able to analyse steady state and transient effects.
DC Machines
Understanding their principle of operation as a basis for more complex machines, derive and understand equivalent circuit and torque-speed characteristics for DC and Brushless DC machines. Understand the drive and control arrangements for Brushless DC machines.
Synchronous machines
Derive and understand power and peak torque and speed operating points of synchronous electrical machines.
Asynchronous machines
Understanding torque speed characteristics from the machine parameters, obtained by test.
Efficiency and Drive Cycle
Understand sources of loss and their effect on machine performance within a variable drive cycle.
DC drives
state space models and transfer functions. use of H-bridge for variable supply voltage
armature current and rotor speed control: cascade control structures digital control basics
position measuring devices
tuning methods for proportional-integral controllers for drives additive disturbance rejection and steady-state error
AC drives
three-phase power electronic converter space vector theory
three-phase to two-phase transformation
Permanent magnet synchronous machine dynamic equations reference frame transformation and vector control of permanent magnet synchronous motor dynamic model of an induction motor.
rotor flux-oriented vector control of induction motor drives decoupled flux and torque control: torque control at high dynamics
voltage space vector generation through a three-phase power electronic converter mathematical basis for space vector modulation
centre aligned PWM modulation strategy: phase duty cycle calculations

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The mapping of certain AHEPv4 learning outcomes to each intended knowledge outcome is indicated in each point. By the end of the module a student will be able to:
1.       Understand and classify the various types of electrical machines understand the advantages and disadvantages of each, and in an application specific manner. (M4, M7, M1)
2.       Define torque-speed and efficiency characteristics. (M1, M2, M3)
3.       Analyse and interpret measured characteristics to infer general machine performance (M1,M2,M3,M6)
4.       Model, analyse and interpret simulated machine characteristics to infer general machine performance. (M1,M2,M3,M6,M12)
5.       Understand electrical machine applications, limits on performance, and have an overview of new and emerging technologies and manufacturing techniques. (M1,M2,M3,M6,M8,M12)
6.       A good understanding of and skills on the control of an electric drive system. (M4, M7, M1)
7.       An awareness of commonly employed power circuits, electrical machines and control techniques. (M1,M2,M3,M6)
8.       Ability to analyse and tune the controllers used in electric drives and how they work in discrete time on a microcontroller. (M1,M2,M3,M6,M12)

Intended Skill Outcomes

The mapping of certain AHEPv4 learning outcomes to each intended skill outcome is indicated in each point. By the end of the module, it is expected students will be able to:
1.       develop the skills required to create an analytical model of various electrical machine types and their load (M1,M2,M3)
2.       analyse performance, derive optimal operating point, and simulate the full drive system (M1,M2,M3,M4,M5)
3.       obtain performance characteristics both statically and dynamically (M1,M2,M3).
4.       design the controllers for electric drives and implement these in a simulation environment (M1,M2,M3,M12)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide core material and guidance for further study with complementary recorded videos provided to expand on the core material (explainers) an allow students to practice simulations and tutorials in their self-study time. Simulation and worked examples will be covered in mix of computing labs and seminar rooms – where worked examples, application simulations, case studies and tutorials can be covered in detail. Additional individual support will be offered in a surgery slot timed toward the end of each unit. Software training and problem solving is introduced and practiced through lectures in computing labs.
C1,C2,C3,C6,C7,C8,C12,C13

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The semester one coursework allows the students to demonstrate an understanding of the semester 1 material covering BLDC machines and drives in a problem-based setting where they will demonstrate their knowledge using analytical skills, simulation methods, the interpretation of results.
The semester two formative assessment allows the students to demonstrate an understanding of the semester 2 material covering AC machines and drives in a problem-based setting where they will demonstrate their knowledge using analytical skills, simulation methods, the interpretation of results.
The final examination provides the opportunity for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the full course material and its application to the real world.
C1,C2,C3,C6,C7,C8,C12,C13

General Notes

N/A