Projects / Programmes
Premium efficiency class electrical motors
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.12.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Electric devices |
Integrated propulsion systems |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T190 |
Technological sciences |
Electrical engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
electric motors, efficiency, optimization, modeling
Researchers (7)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
In a view of the forthcoming European directive on eco-design of vacuum cleaners is the basic purpose of the project proposal to develop energy highly efficient and dimensionally optimized electric motor for vacuum cleaner suction units. The development of the product will allow the project partners from Holding Domel to occupy one of the leading positions in premium (A+, A++, A+++) energy efficient electric motors (electronically commutated permanent magnet motors) producers in the world. While the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UL, as partner will collect new knowledge from the field of research and development of electric motors and offer an excellent opportunity to the students and researchers to gain valuable knowledge and experience while working in the team of experts from industry, academy and science.
The development and implementation of new methodology will be based on precise description of physical phenomena through models underling the operation of electric motors and validated by experimental results. The development of the models will be based on the detailed analysis and coupling of electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical phenomena, which are of crucial importance for better understanding of electric motor. Different complexity levels of electric motor design and development will be analytically and numerically approached.
Characterization of physical impacts requires multistage coupled models in 2D as well as analyse in 3D environment based on the finite element method using time stationary and also transient calculation methods. In order to study the area of possible solutions, with the aim of achieving the optimal desired performances, we will employ classical, stochastic and statistically based optimization methods. A new innovative measuring set-up and procedure to determine the properties of developed motors will be integrated into the optimization loop process. This will significantly contribute to the accelerated diagnostics and improvement of the numerical models and their output results.
Based on the obtained solutions for the set of high-speed (speed up to 60000 rev/min,) low-power »premium« energy class electrical motors the vacuum cleaner suction units will attain higher performances compared to the conventional units. This means that the current efficiency of the electric motor will be improved/increased from 73% to the 88% at the reduced input power to 300 W (A +++), which will in turn result in further increase in the efficiency of suction units from 47% to 55%. The originality of the new family of electric motors will be also manifested in the use of new materials, in a lower amount of built-in material, in lower energy consumption during its production, and in lower acoustic and electromagnetic environmental burden.
The main problem that has to be addressed when constructing the high performance electric motors is the reduction the parasitic effects which become more pronounced when the rotation speed is increased and do not have significant negative effects at the conventional operation conditions (i.e. operation conditions at twenty times lower speeds). Namely, the parasitic effects are decreasing the quality of the output properties of the motor while not contributing to the efficient energy conversion. The conventional methodology for design of the high speed electric motors does not take into account the parasitic effects which may result in overestimation of the performance of developed electric motors. The detailed description of parasitic effects requires development and implementation of new coupled physical models connected into the optimisation loops and the detailed analysis in three dimensions.
The introduction of new methodology of optimisation and models couplings into the design process of electric motors is a prerequisite for development of a suitable configuration required for the desired efficiency of »premium« energy class electrical motors.
Significance for science
The results of the proposed research project in the field of electrical motors are going to be specially designed simulation models, coupled models from different phenomenological domains, integration of models with optimization methods, the use of new materials and new methods of measurement coupled with optimization loops. The results will be included in the industrial "know-how" and some of them also published in reputable international journals in the field of electrical engineering, measurement technology and mechatronics. New technical solutions will be also protected in the form of patents.
The link of phenomenological different areas of electrical motors (electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, vibro-acoustic ...) in the comprehensive methodology will lead to the creation of new electric motors with less consumption of materials, lower CO2 fingerprint and with improved properties (efficiency, power density …). The analyze of electrical motors using integrated approach will show today's not yet clarified happenings in the electrical motors, such as electromagnetically excited structural vibrations in rotational electrical motors. In the following we will, in conjunction with optimization methods, develop mathematical tools to address the coupled (electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical) conditioned problems.
By using numerical methods we will develop mathematical tools to determine and describe the electro-magnetic properties of soft-magnetic materials in different excitation conditions. The results of proposed development will be introduced to new experimental and measurement methods, both for the performance testing of developed electrical motors as well as the connection of new innovative measurement procedure in-to the loop with the optimization process.
The expected potential impact of the proposed joint project is the unique opportunity for Slovenian company Domel to be the first company in the world presenting energy efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly electric motors (i.e. energy efficiency class A+, A++, A +++). The project results will further will give the technical basis for a patent application. This will allow the company Domel to rank among the leading manufacturers of premium energy class electric motors for use in the vacuum cleaner suction unit. The expected direct impact of the proposed project results for the project coordinator the Laboratory for electrical machines (Faculty of electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana) is collection of new knowledge and expertise in the scientific field of electric motors development, introduction of newly developed innovative scientific methods into pedagogical process, publication of results in top scientific journals, contribution to the excellent reputation of the University of Ljubljana within the international academic milieu and strengthening successful collaboration between the Slovenian industry and academy.
Significance for the country
The close cooperation on the proposed project with two export-oriented Slovenian companies will be reflected in the quality of developed highly efficient electrical motors. Based on project results these two companies will took one of the worlds leading roles in the production of suction units for vacuum cleaners. They will be also prepared to implement the new directives (in preparation) of the European Union in the field of "premium" energy class (A+, A++,A +++) electrical motors installed in a vacuum cleaners. This will enable undisturbed production and sales of their products in the future. Otherwise, the companies will be stalled in development and they will loose the possibility to penetrate to worldwide market as manufacturers of electrical motors for suction units of the future.
The new morors will also allow the preservation of jobs, because electrical motors with lower efficiency and too high input electrical power will not be allowed to place them to the market.
Successful cooperation within the project partners will will have the excellent opportunity for students and researchers to acquire valuable knowledge and experience while working in the team of experts from industry and scientists, which in turn offers the opportunity for their employment in the leading Slovenian companies. All these justify the funds invested to complete the proposed project.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
