PhD Electrical Engineering: An Investigation into the Effects of Mounting Multiple SR Motors on the Overall Dynamics of Vehicle Transmissions

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

January 2019 for 3 years.

Overview:

The proposed PhD is expected to deliver A) detailed models of the existing technology which will be used to understand the potential for product enhancement and B) a toolkit which will allow AEM to understand the implications of using the AEM Ltd switch reluctance motor, (HDSRM), in a wide cross section of multi-motor configurations across a broad spectrum of drive applications to target market sectors.

The detailed simulation models created will focus future research needs to enhance the motor capability. This will deliver an evidence base which can be utilised to encourage target customers to adopt HDSRM as their preferred technology solution.

Utilising the planned toolkit to quickly analyse alternative system geometries and configurations; will also allow AEM to maximise the performance characteristics and application envelope for the current motor/transmission design. This will establish the potential for modular multi-motor systems to be as flexible as possible.

Beyond HDSRM, the toolkit will also allow AEM to act as a systems development partner to end users, aiming to integrate electric drives into existing transmission platforms or vehicle architectures.

AEM has already received several requests to integrate HDSRM into multi-system powertrain solutions including:
•A marine application requiring multi motor systems
•A multi-motor static energy storage system linked to kinetic flywheel technology
•A lower voltage (48v) construction equipment powertrain

At present the only way to estimate performance and system robustness is to complete expensive, time consuming, physical rig tests prior to on-vehicle testing. As the number of applications and customers increases this will not be a viable approach, making the toolkit an essential requirement for future growth.

Sponsor:

This project is jointly funded by European Regional Development Fund and Advanced Electric Machines.

Name of supervisor(s):

Dr James Widmer, Advanced Electric Machines Ltd and Dr Andy Steven (https://bit.ly/2Bl14ID), Newcastle University (https://bit.ly/2qXyR4S).

Eligibility Criteria:

The studentship is available to UK/EU citizens with a first-class or 2.1 degree, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that level. Ideally, students should have a BSc or MSc degree in engineering, computer science or a suitable quantitative field.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://bit.ly/2QbSTqk).

All relevant fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:
•insert the programme code 8060F in the programme of study section
•select ‘PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering (full time) - Electrical & Electronic Engineering’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code ENG034 in the studentship/partnership reference field
•attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code ENG034 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
•attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.