Hybrid, Ultra-High-Speed, High Efficiency, Power Dense, Electronically Controlled Energy Conversion Unit for Ship Systems, Unmanned Vehicles, and Robo

The Navy seeks to develop new, innovative motor/generator technologies that can effectively operate at speeds up to 1,000 kRPM at power densities of 40 kW/kg (excluding heat exchanger) with an overall system efficiency of 95% or better. Such a motor/generator will have a wide range of applications, i.e. it can be used as the core building block of a very lightweight electrical energy storage system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or to maintain power quality in micro-grids that experience high pulse loads such as airframes and Navy ships. We have identified that it is feasible in principle to build a 500 kW motor/generator operating above 750 kRPM using emerging technologies and materials. In our preliminary analysis in Phase I we have identified several technologies and projected their respective performance. Technical risk factors and technical unknowns have been identified along with potential solutions. During Phase II of this project we will build a small scale feasibility model to demonstrate and test the bearing and the inverter performance and then we will build a full scale demonstration model. The research will be performed jointly with the University of Wisconsin and the University of Virginia.