Search Results

With the rise of more-electric and hybrid aircraft there is a drive to increase the power density of electrical machines from around 8kW/kg to >20kW/kg. Better magnetic materials or electrical conductors are unlikely to deliver this step change, so to achieve this increase in power density the existing materials must be pushed harder and the associated heat generation (losses) must be managed. In many cases this will make it necessary to liquid cool electrical machines, the coolant will also need to be a dielectric (electrical insulator) and may also be needed to act as a lubricant. The selection of an appropriate dielectric fluid for an aerospace electrical system should be made with supporting data. Some of the data will be available from the supplier but may need independent verification. Other data will depend on the operational environment and duties of the fluid.

This draft AIR highlights the current state of the art in materials for electrical machine windings and related test standards. This is intended as a discussion document to highlight gaps in the current standards and the requirements for future aerospace test methods for electrical insulation materials operating at altitude & at high frequencies.

An overview of the degradation mechanisms in permanent and soft magnetic materials and the implications for hybrid & more-electric aerospace applications