Overview:

This module provides students with detailed knowledge of the operation of electrical machines, an understanding of their design methodologies and experience of using analytical methods in performance analysis. Students will gain an appreciation of the wide and diverse role in which electrical machines and power electronic systems are used; an understanding of design methods for electro-mechanical system design; and an understanding of the mathematical algorithms upon which such tools computer simulation methods are based.

The module covers single-phase, multi-phase, DC and super-conducting machines and will include electro-magnetic and permanent magnet, field windings and reluctance designs. The power electronic drives section of the module covers variable speed drives and power conversion equipment.

The module strives to keep abreast of the state of the art and provide students with the tools to understand these and appreciate advances in technology and control that are influencing future designs. Students are exposed to the benefits of various electrical machine arrangements electric drive systems as being used in transport which is used as part of their group project work in other modules, or in ships the recent growth in electrical propulsion.

Topics covered:

Topics covered in this module include:

Electrical Machines

Fundamentals
 Types of electrical machines and their uses
 Analysis and design methods
 Applications
Power Electronic Drives

Circuit elements
 Circuits
 Control and performance
 Applications
Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students will be able to:

Appreciate the range of electrical machines and power electronic systems and understand why different designs are being used in different applications.
 Appreciate power electronic devices used in the control of different motors and generators and understand how these devices are used together to make a range of different drive systems.
 Analyse constant and variable speed electrical drive systems so as to calculate key parameters such as torque, speed, efficiency, and power under steady-state and transient conditions.
 Use computer based simulation tools to analyse electrical machine and power electronic system behaviour with an understanding of the mathematical algorithms upon which such tools are based.
 Understand the ‘state of the art’ in electrical machines and power electronic systems and appreciate advanced materials and topologies that are influencing future designs.