Magnetic gears attract MoD interest

Technology from Sheffield in England could be powering the next generation of warships following city firm Magnomatics success in winning a six-figure contract with the Ministry of Defence.

The Sheffield University spin-out specialises in developing revolutionary motors and transmissions, which use magnetic gears that do not physically mesh and are quieter, more efficient, more reliable and require less maintenance than conventional mechanical alternatives.

Magnomatics has been asked by the MoD to develop a magnetically geared motor, based on its patented Pseudo Direct Drive (PDD) technology, which could be used to power frigates and submarines. The Sheffield Bioincubator-based business has developed a number of desktop-sized prototypes and the MoD contract gives it the chance to demonstrate that its technology can be scaled up to cope with power loads of up to 15 megawatts.

Magnomatics’ managing director, Chris Kirby, says there are potential applications for the firm’s technology in aerospace, automotive, mining, renewable energy and industrial applications, as well as at sea, where marine designers are increasingly seeing benefits in using electric motors.

“Our technology is very much smaller than other motors, so it is possible to be more flexible about where you position the motors.” says Kirby. Magnomatics believes a naval PDD motor would be about half the size of conventional propulsion motors.

Its greater efficiency would increase the vessel’s range, reduce its operating costs and decrease the need for cooling, which would result in a simpler engine room layout.

Magnomatics’ PDD technology is claimed to have the highest torque density ? the torque-carrying capability of a mechanical component ? of any known electrical machine.