[brian eiland]

Wonder if any of this technology will find its way into D-E?

A practical die-cast copper rotor for electric motors has been the “holy grail” for motor manufacturers for many years. Last year, Siemens AG, Munich, Germany, optimized the revolutionary rotor design. Recently, the company introduced three new product lines to the North American market through its U.S. operating company, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. The company claims its unique die-cast copper rotor design is one of the key elements that enables its Ultra Efficient motors to exceed NEMA Premium® standards.

The new copper rotor technology is the result of several years of research and development by the Copper Development Association (USA) and the International Copper Association, both headquartered in New York City. Dr. John Cowie, CDA project manager of the research program, offered congratulations to Siemens on successfully bringing the new technology to the U.S. market. He notes that Siemens has been an important partner in determining the economic feasibility and profitability of commercializing the copper die-casting technology. “Siemens has raised the bar on electrical motor efficiency, and we look forward to more manufacturers adopting the technology. The use of die-cast copper rotors reduces energy requirements, allows motors to run cooler, extends motor life, and reduces overall weight and/or size.”

In addition to Siemens, Germany’s SEW Eurodrive currently offers their DTE and DVE series of high-efficiency motors with copper rotors. FAVI S.A., Hallencourt, France, is producing die-cast copper rotors for use by other motor manufacturers, including ITT/Grundfos in Europe. They are also working with Electrolux and Whirlpool Europe on appliance motors and with Embraco in Brazil on compressor applications. Cowie says at least one U.S.-based OEM and several motor manufacturers are poised to enter the North American market, too

Siemens’ three new product lines include general purpose die-cast aluminum, general purpose cast iron, and severe-duty cast-iron frame motors for use in a wide variety of industrial applications, including a definite purpose version, exceeding the demanding requirements of IEEE Standard 841.

Siemens achieved superior efficiency in its new motors by combining the inherently low resistive (I²R) losses of high-conductivity copper squirrel cages with optimized rotor and stator designs. Other improvements include a redesigned cooling system, antifriction bearings, polyurea-based grease, dynamically balanced rotors, and precision-machined mating surfaces for reduced vibration. Specially designed insulation enables the motors to meet NEMA standard MG1-2003 for variable speed (inverter duty) operation. John Caroff, Siemens marketing manager for low-voltage motors, says these Siemens innovations will provide significant energy and cost savings to the U.S. industrial sector where motor-driven equipment accounts for 64% of the country’s electricity consumption.

According to Siemens, the new lines of motors are available up to 20 hp. Over the coming months, the aluminum-frame line will be expanded to 30 hp, and the cast-iron frame line to 400 hp.

[n4nln]

suggest you also look at Glacier Bay's OSSA Powerlite system, too.
www.ossapowerlite.com

not just propulsion, but certainly including that.
very interesting technology

-mo

[brian eiland]

Here's an interesting new innovation from Steyr motors, an onboard AC generator located inside the engine's bellhousing. Another technology arising from the new 'permanent magnet' technology applications.

http://www.steyr-motors.com/products/products.htm

[brian eiland]

Recently posted video. Interestinly its an AC motor rather than DC....well that is the technology in our trains.

http://www.rasertech.com/media/movie...fev_jan09.html

[walkinginshadow]

What I can see it is DC train..........
But I can have wrong

[brian eiland]

If you watch the video, it says (at about 1.20 minutes) its "200 KW AC induction motor"

[brian eiland]

'The rise in popularity in hybrid cars has inspired ICOMIA to invest in a marine equivalent.' .

Thanks to the rise in hybrid road vehicles, International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is dedicating resources to adapting the same technologies to boating applications.

But since there are no fully optimised systems in the marketplace, technical writer Nigel Calder teamed up with marine engineer and ICOMIA research adviser Ken Wittamore and recruited a powerful team of experts to perfect marine hybrid propulsion systems.

With ICOMIA’s support, the pair have been provisionally offered European Union’s (EU) Hybrid Marine (HYMAR) project; a €2.2m grant from the Framework 7 research budget.

The HYMAR team includes EnerSys, manufacturers of the Odyssey TPPL battery, for expertise on energy packs; Victron Energy for power electronics and software development; Dave Tether of E-Motion Special Projects for extensive experience in marine hybrid system implementation; Bosch Engineering GmbH to help perfect the central system controller; Steyr Motors, for cutting-edge diesel engine and electric machine technology; Bruntons Propellers and INSEAN, an Italian research institute, for a world-class propeller development capability; and Malo Yachts for the test boat and related services. Steyr Motors is also the builder of a parallel hybrid that has won several awards.

The HYMAR project will use the NMEA 2000 industry standard communications protocol, together with highly reliable automotive controllers, to form the backbone of the new, open system. This will ensure that hybrid systems can be built from any suitable equipment that uses NMEA 2000, expanding the market and bringing the benefits of hybrid technology to the widest possible number of users.

Critical control logic and software for the controller will be developed collaboratively and will be the single most important outcome of the project. Additional collaborative arrangements will result in ancillary components, such as cost-effective high-powered distribution panels with the necessary CE and other certifications.

HYMAR will lead the process for writing a new ISO and ABYC standard for electric propulsion systems and high voltage DC marine electrics, which will ensure that the wider marine industry will benefit from this research project.
‘We started fairly modestly but the prospect of significant EU funding has enabled us to attract the very best companies in the market,’ said Mr Wittamore. ‘Our consortium includes world class players with incredible engineering skills and experience. The EU funding is leveraging resources beyond our most optimistic expectations.’

‘I am becoming increasingly confident that in two to three years time we will have the technology for a broad array of hybrid systems and associated peripheral devices suitable for power, sail and small commercial boats from 30ft to 100ft,’ said Mr Calder. ‘These systems will go well beyond anything currently available in terms of sophistication, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use.’