Novel materials produce small motors with 90% efficiencies

Novel materials produce small motors with 90% efficiencies (article by Drives and Controls Magazine) Australian researchers have used novel magnetic materials to design and build small motors with energy efficiencies of up to 90%, compared to 60-70% for conventional designs. The new motors are also smaller in size for a given power output. The researchers, from the University of Adelaide, are working with an industrial partner, Intelligent Electric Motor Solutions (IEMS). They have used emerging magnetic material – soft magnetic composite (SMC) – combined with novel production techniques, to form stators suitable for use in motors or generators. The SMC material consists of iron powder that can be pressed easily into any required shape. It is said to simplify manufacturing and to offer improved design flexibility. The technology can be scaled easily to higher output powers. “Currently all commercial motors are made by pressing very thin metal sheets of silicon iron together and then stamping out the shape of the stator from the metal,” explains the lead researcher, Associate Professor Nesimi Ertugrul from the University’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. “This process is wasteful of the metal sheeting, and also limits the best use of available space for the copper wire needed in motors. “We’ve produced new stators using SMC with no need for machining, no scrap metal and improved space utilisation for copper wire for greater power output,” he adds. The researchers have developed and patented prototype small motors, using SMC technologies. They say that these machines are achieving energy efficiencies of up to 90%. The first project resulted in a 2kW motor based on soft magnetic composites. IEMS designed and specified the SMC elements, while the University built a computer-controlled four-quadrant dynamometer testbed using an inline torque transducer. The SMC-based motors operate at low speeds with high power outputs. Their production costs are expected to be low, and they are aimed at general-purpose applications such as swimming pool pumps. The research has been funded through two grants from the Australian Research Council. The researchers are now looking for further investment partners to commercialise the technology. The University researchers are also working with IEMS to develop a low-cost micro wind turbine generator based on the SMC materials. They say that this machine will have a high power density and low cogging torque. See more at: Drives and Controls Magazine