Research Program Targets Electric Motors for Luxury Autos

By DE Editors

Next-generation electric motors for low carbon emission vehicles are the target of a new collaborative research program 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 (JLR) 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 analyze 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, according to Cobham.

The project is one of 16 collaborative R&D programs to win funding from the UK government-backed Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which have agreed to invest £10 million aimed at achieving significant cuts in CO2 emissions for vehicle-centric technologies. The total value of this particular motor project is £1.5 million, with half the amount funded by the Technology Strategy Board/BIS, and the rest by the project partners.

The project has a three-year timetable.

For more information, visit Cobham Technical Services.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.