The Electromechanical Energy laboratory collaborates closely with the Electromechanical research group.
Current research interests
- fundamental and applied research into novel forms of electric machines and other electromechanical energy conversion devices. Applications include high speed PM alternators for micro gas turbine combined heat and power systems, submersible downhole PM motors designed to cope with the harsh environment of oil wells, PM magnet machines from rim driven thrusters and marine turbine generators, high torque VRPM (transverse flux) machines for direct drive electric vehicle applications and high energy density axial gap PM DC motors for electric vehicles.
- sensorless control of PM brushless dc motors
- control of power electronic converters for utility connection of small generators (wind, PV, marine, micro CHP) and microgrid applications
- electric contact phenomena and new electric contact materials
- electric arc phenomena in switches and circuit breakers
- MEMs
- reliability of PZT materials
- performance of high current electrical interconnects and connector
Research exploitation
Most of the research carried out in the laboratory is at least part funded by industrial partners, these results are often exploited commercially and have resulted in several products including:
- rim driven thrusters and marine turbine generators (with TSL Technology)
- grid connected inverters (with Bowman Power Systems)
- sensorless drives for PM brushless motors (with TSL Technology)
- high speed PM alternators (with TSL Technology)
Expertise and facilities
The University of Southampton has a long established history of research in the area of electromechanical energy conversion, power electronics and electric switching phenomena. State-of-the-art facilities are available for researchers including:
- multi-physics finite element analysis software such as Ansoft Maxwell EM software, ANSYS, Vector Field Opera and Fluent
- advanced system and circuit simulation software including Matlab/Simulink and PSpice
- SPEED software for the design of electric machines
- specialist software for the calculation of rotor losses in PM machines, thermal analysis of electric machines and design optimisation of electric machines
- experimental facilities for testing electric machines and electric contacts
- a unique arc imaging system for monitoring arc movement in circuit breakers and similar devices
Research funding
Research funding has been provided by, among others, EPSRC, EU, DTI, TSL Technology, Subsea 7, Lynch Motor Company, Ohmex, Bowman Power Systems, XLT, P & G Drive Technology and Servocell PLC.
Consultancy
The laboratory regularly provides consultancy work in the areas of electric machine design, EM finite element analysis, system design and simulation and electric contacts and switches. We have expertise concerning the science and technology of electrical connectors for both power and signal applications. We work closely with the Research Institute for Industry (RIfI) and Southampton Consulting Services.
Staff
- Dr S M Sharkh
- Dr J Swingler
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