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Warship deal for university spin-out
TECHNOLOGY from Sheffield could be powering the next generation of warships following city firm Magnomatics success in winning a six-figure contract with the Ministry of Defence.
The Sheffield University spin-out specialises in developing revolutionary motors and transmissions, which use magnetic gears that do not physically mesh and are quieter, more efficient, more reliable and require less maintenance than conventional mechanical alternatives.
Magnomatics has been asked by the MoD to develop a magnetically geared motor, based on its patented Pseudo Direct Drive (PDD) technology, which could be used to power frigates and submarines.
The Sheffield Bioincubator-based business has developed a number of desktop-sized prototypes and the MoD contract gives it the chance to demonstrate that its technology can be scaled up to cope with power loads of up to 15 megawatts.
Magnomatics' managing director, Chris Kirby, says there are potential applications for the firm's technology in aerospace, automotive, mining, renewable energy and industrial applications, as well as at sea, where marine designers are increasingly seeing benefits in using electric motors.
To start with, they allow the main power source – the diesel, gas turbine or nuclear generator producing the electricity – to be sited in the best location, instead of as close as possible to the propeller, eliminating the need for long rotating shafts.
"In military terms, it means a more flexible layout and a smaller target for a missile that is trying to take out the propulsion system," says Mr Kirby.
"Our technology is very much smaller than other motors, so it is possible to be more flexible about where you position the motors."
Magnomatics believes a naval PDD motor would be about half the size of conventional propulsion motors.
Its greater efficiency would increase the vessel's range, reduce its operating costs and decrease the need for cooling, which would result in a simpler engine room layout.
Assuming Magnomatics is successful in demonstrating its technology can be scaled up to power naval vessels, the next step will be to build a full-scale prototype.
"We are delighted that the MoD has decided to thoroughly investigate the potential for the use of our magnetically-geared propulsion motors within future marine vessels and we hope that this programme will successfully quantify the envisaged size reduction and performance benefits, added Chris Kirby.
Magnomatics is working with a number of companies to develop motors and propulsion systems for specific applications – among them Volvo, which is looking at the possibilities of using PDD technology in a hybrid vehicle.
The project, to develop a 'high torque density electric drive' for commercial vehicles, is one of a number of research, development and demonstration projects funded by the UK Government's low carbon vehicles innovation initiative.
Magnomatics' PDD technology has the highest torque density – the torque-carrying capability of a mechanical component – of any known electrical machine.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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