Compact High Efficiency Flow Conditioning in Coupled Electrical Power Systems

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Details of Project Plan including key milestones 1.) Instigate a literature review into compact systems for the control of air flow.2.) Compare and analyse different possible topologies that will impact upon the size and efficiency of the system.3.) Design a simulation to be used to model the chosen compact air control system for different loads.4.) Use the tool to derive and optimised design based on a supplied product specification and5.) Build and test a prototype design based on the optimised topology from the design tool, comparing the results to those from the simulation.6.) Perform a second optimisation and prototyping, based on feedback from the first test phase, new research and updated product specification requirements.7.) Draft and submit thesis based upon the information discovered and generated throughout the project.Summary of proposed project This project will investigate new and innovative topologies for the design of compact air flow control systems. Conventional compact air flow control systems are currently bulky, relatively inefficient and have short lifetimes based on fatigue. The fatigue can be driven by both cyclical mechanical and thermal loads during useAnother limitation of current topologies is the loss of pressure caused by heat exchanger, flow conditioning features and duct walls. In a heat exchanger a large surface area is required to maximise the rate of heat however this large surface area leads to a drop in the pressure of the hot air due to drag forces on the air surrounding the heater surface significantly reducing the energy in the system. Similarly, flow conditioning elements are preferred to be relatively large and gradual, to prevent lossy, turbulent flows to be generated, this size then leads to increased duct wall friction similar to the heat exchanger. Both these constraints run counter to the desire to build compact, lightweight products that propel air in an efficient way and require careful operation to minimise in terms of size and efficiency.This project will focus on three main areas:1.) Researching different possible materials and assemblies that can be used to improve the lifetime of the device through reducedfatigue wear.