Connor de Trafford
Theme
Propulsion ElectrificationProject
Design of high-performance electric motors for transport electrificationSupervisor(s)
Dr Xiaoze Pei, Dr Vincent ZengBio
Connor is a PhD student focusing on high performance electric motors. He graduated from the University of Bath with a Masters in Integrated Design Engineering. During his final year project, he strove to combine his mechanical, electrical and human centred design experience by designing a haptic feedback gear shifter for a driving simulator which incorporated a hybrid linear reluctance motor. He came away with an admiration for electric machine design, which led him to join SEM ltd, a company in the electric motor and machine tool industry. 2 Years later, he has returned to the University of Bath driven by a desire to grow his knowledge of electric machine design and contribute to the battle against climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Fun Facts
- I am left-handed
- I love video games and I learnt to make them as a hobby
- I have seen the Northern Lights
- I have a metal casting furnace which I use to sand cast bits for projects
Design of high-performance electric motors for transport electrification
Like traditional combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cell systems require a high volume of compressed air for its energy generating reaction. However fuel cells systems cannot utilise exhaust gasses and must therefore be fitted with an electric motor responsible for driving the air compression. This application is best suited to a motor capable of very high speeds, over 30,000 rpm.
Designing motors for these speeds requires unique challenges to be overcome, the high speed produces a lot of force on the moving parts, special materials are needed to provide additional strength. the high frequency has profound effects on the efficiency of the motor, effects that must be mitigated in unique ways. Friction with the bearings and with the air become a larger problem.
In Connor's research he aim's to develop a deep understanding of the design requirements for a high speed motor, then design build and test a high speed motor for the application of an air compressor.