We seek a system to allow us to test electrical machines with a minimum power-rating of 20 kW and ideally higher powers. Our researchers design, develop and test small electrical machines (at full scale), as well as downscaled prototypes of electrical machines for large offshore renewable energy applications.

We seek a system to allow us to test electrical machines with a minimum power-rating of 20 kW and ideally higher powers. Our researchers design, develop and test small electrical machines (at full scale), as well as downscaled prototypes of electrical machines for large offshore renewable energy applications. To date, we have used an in-house drivetrain test rig, rated at 20kW and with variable speed capability up to 100rpm. This effectively means that we can control torque or rotational speed and the effective electrical load on the electrical machine under test. In our current and future work, we are interested in applying the non-torque loads that might be present in full scale environments to the electrical machines under test. In particular we would like to understand how air-gaps of the electrical machine under test will vary when subjected to those non-torque loads, and hence impact on electrical performance and mechanical integrity. Ideally this system would allow a complete electrical machine to be tested, without separation of and independent mounting of the rotor and stator of the electrical machine under test. The minimum power-rating we desire for the new system is 20 kW, and the minimum speed is 100 rpm, but we are interested in solutions that provide higher power and speed ranges beyond these values. System foot print: 5 m by 2 m Typical electrical machine under-test: 1m outer diameter and 0.4m in axial length Maximum height (when electrical machine under test is mounted): 2 m Power electrical machine under test: 20kW Rotational speed electrical machine under test: 100rpm Vertical force: 50kN Horizontal force: 50kN Moment about vertical: 25 kNm Moment about horizontal: 25 kNm