The scope of the topic is to develop novel mechanical drive disconnect (MDD) solutions for an electric machine. The solution will focus on rapid response to faults within harsh environments. The project will be aimed at their development and integration into new technologies that will be developed and demonstrated in WP 1.6 of LPA IADP.

The Denis Ferranti group addresses this scope making use of its technical strengths in design, manufacture and testing set against a firm financial footing and unique intellectual property in relation to the topic (gearboxes, clutches, induction machines, permanent magnet). In particular, we have a patent application pertaining to a Mechanical Drive Disconnect and a patent pertaining to fire mitigations (fault tolerant architectures, mitigations to single point failures and thermal fuses) which may enable a more efficient realisation of the Rolls-Royce “mechanical disconnect” patent.