Progress beyond the state of the art is based around the following outcomes:
Multiple functionalities Compared with the state-of-the-art conventional brushed 28V dc generator, the developed mechatronic system within this project is brushless and with more functions including generator, motor, power transmission, diagnosis and signal communication.
Advanced electrical machine design Flexible multi-domain sizing tool for novel electrical machine types and topologies are used for trade-offs between weight, volume, efficiency and reliability. The tool can be conveniently interfaced with overall system models to ensure optimization at system level
Development of high-power density and fault tolerant electrical machines Permanent-magnet, induction, switched reluctance or flux reluctance machine have been considered. Different topologies (magnetic systems, novel materials) will be used for improved mechanical integrity, torque density, thermal management and fault tolerance.
High efficient and compact power electronic converters Optimised electronic converter design have been studied during ACHIEVE to ensure integrated design and increased power density. Emerging switching devices for power conversion (such as SiC and GaN) and advanced packaging technologies for high temperature devices have been considered during ACHIEVE to ensure reliability requirements.
Advanced thermal management A range of thermal management technologies have been considered including air cooling, oil spray cooling for the machine rotor, liquid cooling suing ducts in the machine stator and power electronics cooling using cooling plate with appropriate liquid. Advanced materials have also been used to improve conduction heat transfer and reduce weight. Optimised design of the cooling passage allowed maximum heat transfer.
Optimised integrated system Through integrated simulation between Finite-Element Machine models and controlled electronic converters, the system developed during ACHIEVE enables optimised system design and achieved maximum power density, minimum weight and volume of the developed mechatronic system.
Dynamic models The development of the ACHIEVE mechatronic system has been supported by intensive modelling effort using multi-level modelling techniques. As part of the project, a set of new models with different complexity/ accuracy level are delivered.
The ACHIEVE project has achieved what is expected in terms of functionality, performance and power density. It paves a way to a more-electric/hybrid-electric engine. The ACHIEVE project will be a milestone and key building brick for a hybrid-electric engine as quoted by the CleanSky’s Tech TP engine demonstrator project coordinator as quoted from the program manager Sebastien Detry:Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and 6 in the first half of 2020, and by the end of the year we expect to be able to add a mechatronic system to this demonstrator, called ACHIEVE (one of the Clean Sky technological bricks run by University of Nottingham). It is one of our sub-projects that enables us to have a more hybrid-electrical engine based on this Tech TP.”
