Non-Subscriber Extract
Converteam develops advanced ship propulsion motor
By Richard Scott
17 September 2009
Cutaway diagram of Converteam's low-signature ship propulsion motor. (Converteam)
A new compact low-signature ship propulsion motor developed by the power conversion group Converteam UK is planned to run a full power demonstration during factory tests in early 2010.
Known as the Advanced Propulsion Motor (APM), the new motor has been designed to meet future surface ship and submarine programmes, including the C1 variant of the UK's Future Surface Combatant project.
Converteam was in April 2008 awarded a GBP7.3 million (USD12 million) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Future Business Group to design and build a tandem 15 MW APM prototype. This full-size ship-fit machine is due to perform back-to-back testing and demonstration in the first quarter of next year ahead of delivery to the MoD in April 2010.
The 20 MW Advanced Induction Motor (AIM) system previously developed by Converteam is a core component of the Integrated Electric Propulsion system fitted to the UK Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyers, and is also under contract for the Integrated Full Electric Propulsion architecture that will equip the two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. However, the weight and volume associated with the AIM preclude its use on submarines and smaller surface warships where space is at a premium.