LIFT - Lightweight Innovative Generator for Future Air Transportation
Overview
Background & policy context:
LIFT will deliver a beyond state-of-the-art solution for lightweight non-active components for a megawatt range electrical machine proposed for Clean Sky 2 Large Passenger Aircraft IADP work package 1.6.1 as defined in the Topic Description JTI-CS2-2017-CfP07-01-4.
As stated in the Topic Description, the non-active parts of electrical machines contribute to 30-40% of the weight of the machine. LIFT proposes a number of solutions to reduce the mass and the weight of these non-active parts ranging from using composites or metal foams to corrugated structures that are all within the expertise of the University of Nottingham. In total, our preliminary workings illustrate that it is possible to deliver a mass and weight saving of at least 50% using a combination of technologies without significantly diminishing performance.
Objectives:
As a result of the research and innovation activities within the project, UNOTT foresees the generation of new knowledge in the following areas:
- An innovative MW-class generator with a record power density in excess of 25kW/kg will be developed
- Innovative thermal management systems will be developed exploiting the voids within lightweight materials
- A new family of lower-noise e-machines will be incepted, taking advantage of the voids within lightweight materials
- Development of novel mechanical models and advanced manufacturing methods for cylindrical lattice materials as required for e-machine designs, backed up by experimental testing
- The power density boundaries and limitations charts for future aerospace PM machines will be established for different speeds
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