Multiphase permanent magnet generators for diode rectifiers ('Multiphase Generator')

Reference Number: 1734

Background

Renewable energy and micro-power generation are multi-billion dollar, high-growth markets driven by the global need to meet the Kyoto protocol CO2 emission targets, spiralling basic fuel costs, changes to UK planning regulations and uptake of renewable energy technologies through installation grants for homeowners, SME’s and community schemes.
Traditionally, electrical energy has been generated by three-phase generators. Three phase generators are no longer always the best option and multi-phase generators can offer improved performance in a number of applications. The development of both power electronics and microprocessor control makes this possible and allows designers to harness the advantages of multi-phase concepts.

Technology

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing a new permanent-magnet, multiphase electrical generator / motor. These multi-phase machines operate with five phases instead of three, and employ permanent magnet excitation, which removes the need to set up and control the magnetic field in the machine. They also have partially pitched windings, allowing shaping of the voltage waveforms. The combination of these features provides significant improvement in performance, and optimised designs to make it suitable for use with diode rectifier circuits which predominate in small and medium scale generation. This is particularly suited to small and medium scale wind turbines. There are two prototypes under development, one for low-speed wind turbine market and one for high speed markets including aerospace , micro-CHP, UAV’s.

Key Benefits

• Increased availability and reliability
• Greatly improved fault tolerance (more phases / windings increases resilience)
• Lower levels of vibration (a direct result of reduced torque pulsations)
• Smaller, lighter, therefore cheaper systems (because of factors such as reduced electrical capacitance requirements)
• Extended system lifetime
• Suitable for OEM or retrofit application
• Uses exisitng manufacturing techniques

Markets and Applications

• Renewable energy - Wind and Marine Power Generation
• Aerospace
• UAV’s
• Oil & gas
• Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Licensing and Development

The technology is protected by a patent application filed by the University of Strathclyde. Contact is welcomed from organisations and investors interested in developing this technology.

For further information, please contact Research & Knowledge Exchange Services:
e: rkes@strath.ac.uk t: 0141 548 3707 f: 0141 552 4409

This project has received assistance from the Proof of Concept Fund managed by Scottish Enterprise. The Proof of Concept Fund supports the pre-commercialisation of leading-edge technologies emerging from Scotland's universities, research institutes and NHS Trusts.