Cobham Technical Services has extended the multiphysics capabilities of the well-known Opera-3D finite element software for electromagnetic design with a new solver that can be used to analyse natural vibration modes. The tool is expected to prove particularly useful for electrical machine developers, who can employ it to investigate and minimise forces that might cause oscillations close to the natural frequencies of the equipment and thereby avoid excessive vibration or collisions between rotating and stationary parts.
News
Cobham Technical Services and Boulder Wind Power collaborate to accelerate development of revolutionary wind turbine technology
Radical new design aims to deliver a 20% reduction in the cost of wind generated electricity
Cobham Technical Services is helping Colorado-based Boulder Wind Power (BWP) accelerate development of a radical new permanent magnet generator through use of advanced electromagnetic design software. Based on a permanent magnet, direct drive design, BWP’s generator uses a unique axial flux, air-core architecture that increases efficiency and reliability, and will ultimately reduce the cost of wind generated electricity to compete at parity with fossil fuels.
On-Demand Presentation Demystifies use of FEA for Motor and Generator Design
Available in English and French
A new web-based technical presentation from Cobham Technical Services helps designers of electric motors and generators use finite element analysis (FEA) techniques to accelerate product development and improve design accuracy. The presentation will also be of interest to electromagnetic and electromechanical analysts, as well as engineers who are currently using analytical design packages for rotating machines. First shown live to a pre-registered audience as a webinar, the 47-minute audio/visual presentation is now available – in English and French – for on-demand playback via Cobham’s dedicated motor design software website: http://www.motor-design-software.com.
Continue reading “On-Demand Presentation Demystifies use of FEA for Motor and Generator Design” »
Research programme targets next-generation electric motors for luxury automobiles
Next-generation electric motors for low carbon emission vehicles are the target of a new collaborative research programme to be led by Cobham Technical Services. The project, ‘Rapid Design and Development of a Switched Reluctance Traction Motor’, will also involve partners Jaguar Land-Rover and engineering consultancy Ricardo UK, and is co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board.
As part of its work in the project, Cobham will develop multi-physics software and capture the other partners’ methodology in order to design, simulate and analyse the performance of high efficiency, lightweight electric traction motors that eliminate the use of expensive magnetic materials. Using these new software tools JLR and Ricardo will design and manufacture a prototype switched reluctance motor that addresses the requirements of luxury hybrid vehicles.
Continue reading “Research programme targets next-generation electric motors for luxury automobiles” »
Advanced simulator speeds implementation of direct-drive electric motors in new automotive, marine and powergen applications
An innovative electromagnetic simulation tool is speeding the commercialization of a breakthrough direct-drive technology for electric vehicles by Magnomatics. The Opera simulator has been used by Magnomatics – a company that was set up to develop new forms of magnetic power transmission – to design a novel direct drive system that integrates a permanent magnet motor with non-contact magnetic gearing.
Called the Pseudo Direct Drive, this new form of traction motor offers such an exceptional torque density that it can even be packaged within a vehicle’s wheel. The technology has already been demonstrated on a 22-inch city-bus wheel where it generated a continuous rated torque of 4000 Nm and speeds of up to 750 RPM – which equates to a top speed of around 80 km/hour. Magnomatics is now engaged in several other Pseudo Direct Drive design projects in areas including marine propulsion, defence vehicles and direct-drive electricity generators for wind turbines.
Motor design Software site introduces automated design approach
Cobham Technical Services has launched a new website to help engineers understand the contribution that finite element analysis (FEA) software can make to motor design cycle efficiency and design optimization.
Continue reading “Motor design Software site introduces automated design approach” »
Innovative electromagnetic design tool provides short route to motor perfection
Optimal design solutions to rotating electrical machine requirements can now be created in hours, by non specialists, using a new version of design automation software from Cobham Technical Services.
Cobham’s Machines Environment introduced a new level of user friendliness when it was launched by providing a design entry system that allows precision finite-element analysis (FEA) models of motors and generators to be created and solved in minutes. The two-dimensional (2D) version of the software has now been integrated with Cobham’s unique optimization tool which automatically finds the optimal solution within a design space – even for multiple or competing design objectives.
Continue reading “Innovative electromagnetic design tool provides short route to motor perfection” »
Multiphysics Simulation Tool Accelerates Electromagnetic Design Projects
A powerful new version of the Opera electromagnetics simulator for design engineers has been released by Cobham Technical Services. The latest software adds three-dimensional mechanical stress analysis, extending the tool’s multiphysics capability to provide a single-step solution to complex design problems. By capturing mechanical deformation in conjunction with electromagnetic and thermal modelling, the integrated software can greatly reduce design complexity and timescales.
Continue reading “Multiphysics Simulation Tool Accelerates Electromagnetic Design Projects” »
Cobham Technical Services Supplies Electromagnetic Design Software to Siemens Wind Power, To Help Optimise Generator Designs
* ability to run 1000s of optimisation searches helps Siemens make breakthroughs such as permanent magnet generators.
Cobham Technical Services has been awarded a contract for its powerful Opera electromagnetic design tool by Siemens Wind Power, a leading supplier of wind turbines for onshore, offshore and coastal sites.
Cobham Technical Services appoints Nigel Atkinson as Sales Manager for specialist electromagnetic design software business
Cobham Technical Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Nigel Atkinson as Sales Manager for its Vector Fields Software product lines. He will be based at Cobham’s Kidlington site in the UK, and responsible for the worldwide sales of Cobham’s electromagnetic design software outside of the Americas. The product range includes the company’s renowned electromagnetic design, simulation and optimisation software, Opera for the simulation of a wide range of electromagnetic applications including electric machines, magnets, and charged particle beams, plus the Concerto package for antenna, RF and microwave design.