This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1653397467316000&usg=AOvVaw0G5jQejXk2Tg3OFbKHdPIJ" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/d40f7b1d-3887-4e14-9029-8d1afa604b8b?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-gtm-yt-inspected-11="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>The full article will continue below.<hr>This article is a part of our <a href="http://www.wevolver.com/student-program" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program</a>. The program aims to recognize and reward innovation from engineering students and researchers across the globe.Community voting is now live. Vote for your favorite submission by visiting: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/utep-community-vote/" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program Community Vote</a>.<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">What&rsquo;s the problem?&nbsp;</h2>Wind energy has been exploding in recent years with turbines getting larger, cheaper, and further offshore than ever before. So you may be asking yourself, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the problem?!&rdquo;.This trend of increasing the size of turbines has been an effective strategy for reducing cost, &nbsp;largely because it reduces the number of installations required for a given wind farm power. &nbsp;But, there&rsquo;s an economic and technical limit - and we&rsquo;re beginning to reach it.&nbsp;Moreover, the logistical difficulties of moving these huge components are getting ever more complex and indeed some onshore sites simply can&rsquo;t be reached with modern large turbines. In the world of offshore wind, the development of vessels large enough to install these behemoths is struggling to keep pace too, with newer larger vessels being designed almost continuously. &nbsp;We&rsquo;re even seeing larger cranes being installed at ports simply to be big enough to install the massive cranes on these new vessels!&nbsp;<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61e1aac5ced5d7733dd8e7e2/1644853181470-6ZIJE4K1UZ7Q3S35QM0I/unsplash-image-swT8zHagNBU.jpg?format=1000w" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="transporting-a-wind-mill">With such huge components, it&rsquo;s no surprise then, that there are only limited facilities in the world that can manufacture them. This fact, combined with the global drivers for a huge expansion in installed wind capacity, creates bottlenecks in the supply chain and results in huge wind turbine jackets (offshore subsea supports) being shipped halfway around the world.&nbsp;Maintaining the turbines is an expensive business too at this scale. For large offshore wind turbines, jack-up vessels (very large ships with legs that they can use to raise themselves out of the water) are required, and can cost upwards of &pound;500k/day to rent!Finally, the component materials have also been changing over the last few decades. For example, blades that used to be steel in the early days of wind energy, are now glass-reinforced fibre composites and not very easy (if not impossible) to recycle. To put this in perspective, at the end of a single wind farm&#39;s life, there could be hundreds of 80-100m long blades that can&rsquo;t be recycled and end up in landfills.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Our solution&nbsp;</h2>Our solution to the above problems is the multi-rotor wind turbine (MRWT). Essentially, a MRWT is an array of many smaller rotors on a single support structure, rather than one large rotor like the conventional wind turbines we see today.&nbsp;This approach takes advantage of fundamental scaling laws (the square-cube law) and allows us to circumvent some of the problems of larger single-rotor turbines while actually increasing performance and (we think) looking pretty cool at the same time.&nbsp;To understand the scaling law, we find the best example is to consider something like a Rubik&rsquo;s cube. If you want to scale up a small cube to three times the width, you might end up with something looking like the left-hand side of the below image.&nbsp;Component cost is linked to the volume of the cube, so the larger one now costs 33 = 27 times as much as the small cube. Energy capture is linked to the front-face area (the rotor area), which is now 32 = 9 times greater. However, if you simply stack lots of smaller cubes together, you can get the same increase in energy capture, but for only ⅓ of the cost increase. Clearly, there&rsquo;s more to it than that, &nbsp;but you get the idea.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUxNTgxMTE5MDI2LTE2NTE1ODExMTkwMjYucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="rubiks-cube">In addition to the reduced capital cost, there are several other benefits to this approach. Firstly, operations and maintenance (O&amp;M) costs are greatly reduced due to inherent redundancy, built-in lifting equipment (to avoid big heavy-lift vessels), and much quicker time-to-repair (or a simple replacement of a module).&nbsp;Secondly, the MRWT can achieve increased energy capture relative to a conventional turbine. This is the result of three well known aerodynamic effects:&nbsp;<ol><li dir="ltr">The blockage effect</li><li dir="ltr">Reduced spatial averaging</li><li dir="ltr">Reduced temporal averaging</li></ol>Thirdly, the myriad of rotors offers exciting opportunities in the world of wind turbine control, including innovative yawing strategies and wake manipulation. &nbsp;Finally, at the wind turbines&rsquo; end of life, because our blades are significantly smaller than conventional wind, we can use recyclable materials such as thermoplastics, helping to build a green and circular economy.&nbsp;The MRWT has been subject to many academic studies over the last 40 years or so, but we believe the next steps in technology development must take place in the wider industry.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Meet the team&nbsp;</h2>We are a team of three PhD students, currently writing up our theses in complementary areas of wind energy technology (pictured, right, on our a recent trip to the Myers Hill test site near Glasgow, &nbsp;UK). To take MRWTs to the next level, we joined the &nbsp;Conception X start-up accelerator programme in &nbsp;2021 and learned exactly what it takes to move from academia into commercialising deep-tech ideas. We registered our start-up company, Myriad Wind &nbsp;Energy Systems, in August 2021 and went on to win the Conception X DemoDay Prize in November out of a cohort of around 70 start-ups.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUyOTY2NDY2NTA0LUxvZ28ucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="myriad-wind-energy-systems" style="width: 612px;"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUxNTgxMzg3MjE4LTE2NTE1ODEzODcyMTgucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 550px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="myriad-wind-energy-systems-team">&nbsp;We&rsquo;re still early on in our start-up journey, but have come a long way from our first cardboard models (video below)! We&rsquo;re currently looking to raise an initial round of funding through government grants and private investment and hope to have a working demonstrator project in the next couple of years.&nbsp;<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/48gS_2F9Vu0?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-11="true" id="651515067"></iframe> We believe the time could not be better for MRWTs and we&rsquo;re passionate about reducing the price, impact, and complexities of wind energy in this crucial couple of decades for renewables.<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">About the University Technology Exposure Program 2022</h2>Wevolver, in partnership with <a href="https://mouser.com/" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a> and <a href="https://www.ansys.com/" target="_blank">Ansys</a>, is excited to announce the launch of the University Technology Exposure Program 2022. The program aims to recognize and reward innovation from engineering students and researchers across the globe. Learn more about the program <a href="http://www.wevolver.com/student-program" target="_blank">here</a>.<img alt="university-technology-exposure-program-mouser-ansys" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUxNjY5MjU2MjgyLTE2NTE2NjkyNTYyODIucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><hr>

Rethinking the wind turbine: Students from Scotland are developing next-generation, intelligent, modular wind turbines. 

The future of wind energy is modular

This is the third article in a <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/connectivity-and-sensing-technologies-proven-in-the-harshest-environments" target="_blank">6-part series</a> featuring topics on Connectivity and Sensing in Harsh Environments. The series will showcase how highly engineered connectivity, and sensing solutions enable advancements in manufacturing, transportation, construction, healthcare, energy generation, and consumer products. This series is sponsored by Mouser Electronics. Through the sponsorship, Mouser Electronics shares its passion for technologies that enable smarter and connected applications.The marine industry has moved from the &lsquo;Sail Age&rsquo; through the &lsquo;Steam Age&rsquo; to the &lsquo;Electricity Age&rsquo; now. With the rapid developments in the shipbuilding and offshore industry, we can now reflect on some key trends that have emerged in power systems. [1]<ol><li dir="ltr">Rapid electrification has resulted in electricity becoming the main source of power for the industry.</li><li dir="ltr">High-voltage and high-power systems are becoming a necessity for operations.</li><li dir="ltr">The scale at which projects are implemented is getting bigger.</li></ol>This article presents three case studies wherein highly engineered electrical connectors, and terminations by TE, a company specializing in connectivity technologies, enabled the construction and operations of offshore installations in harsh environments.<h2 dir="ltr">Case 1: Robust and Reliable Switchgear Connectors For Offshore Wind Farms</h2>Over 10% of global electricity is generated by wind energy. [2] Windmills are harnessing an enormous amount of energy already. &nbsp;But in reality, this is just a tiny fraction of their true potential. Wind, as we know it, is a phenomenon that sweeps the entire earth, including all the landmasses and oceans. Constructing wind farms in the oceans can help us tap into the true potential of wind energy. Such projects are referred to as offshore wind farms and have emerged as interesting alternatives to the onshore wind farms. But being positioned in the middle of an ocean, the development of such projects becomes an engineering challenge.Three leading renewable energy companies initiated the construction of one of the world&acute;s largest offshore wind farms. With an area of approximately 100 km&sup2;, the wind farm would supply power for nearly half a million homes a year and significantly decrease the CO₂ emissions in the region.&nbsp;[3]<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjQ2MjA2OTA1Njc1LWltYWdlNC5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Fig. 1: Offshore wind farms have to endure harsh climatic conditions present in the ocean&nbsp;For this project, the engineers in charge of the energy supply structure requested screened separable connectors that would enable them to connect large cross-section cables in their unique and very compact switchgear. Because of the challenging environmental conditions of the offshore wind farm, they required connectors that could withstand extreme temperatures in an environment characterized by its high humidity and salinity.<h2 dir="ltr">Case 2: Improving Power Density and Efficiency in Offshore Manufacturing Industry&nbsp;</h2>As a leader in the construction of marine and offshore equipment, South Korea is home to some of the world&#39;s largest manufacturers of bulk carriers, tankers, rigs, and platforms. The country&#39;s marine designers and engineers face tough operating environments. Depleting oil reserves makes it necessary to drill even deeper and wider. [4]This has led to a dramatic increase in demand for power. &nbsp;To cater to this surge in power requirements, higher-density installations with an ability to operate in tough operating environments are required.&nbsp;The solution was to introduce a low-profile, short, and high-performance Medium Voltage (MV) termination to ensure ease and simplicity of installation and resistance to humid environments.To deliver increased power density, new designs of cable accessories that facilitate simpler, faster, and more reliable installations were required. An example of this is the low-profile MV termination that allows several cables to be successfully terminated into a small space.To ensure an even smaller, more compact, and robust solution that outperforms the competition, design engineers had to incorporate a radically new stress control system. and a total seal to the cable insulation, sheath, and lug barrel.<h2 dir="ltr">Case 3: Harsh Environmental Resistant Connectors and Cable Joints for Shipbuilding</h2>The North Sea presents some of the harshest operating conditions for marine installations and products. The average temperature in the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean during the summer months is 17 &deg;C while in winter, a season of frequent gales and storms, the normal temperature is 6 &deg;C while salinity averages 34 g to 35 g of salt per liter of water. The North Sea is also prone to storm surges, an offshore rise of water associated with a low-pressure weather system caused primarily by high winds pushing the ocean&rsquo;s surface. [5]<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjQ2MzMzOTIzMjAyLXdpbGxpYW0td2lsbGlhbS1ObmRLdDJrRjFMNC11bnNwbGFzaC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Fig. 2: Connectors used in shipyards should be resilient to several environmental hazards including fire.The early days of exploration and recovery of North Sea offshore oil in the 1970s called for exceptionally enduring products that would meet the exacting requirements of the companies operating in this harsh environment. A British oil and gas company was looking for high-performance Low Voltage (LV) and MV joints and terminations for their innovatively constructed platforms.The challenge was to design, test, and manufacture several fire-resistant cable joints in a limited time that could be quickly and easily installed.<h2 dir="ltr">Engineering components of marine power systems for reliability&nbsp;</h2>The increased complexity of offshore landscapes has led to an increase in power demands and a range of other technological challenges for the marine industry. Reliability is critical in the supply and distribution of power in offshore environments.&nbsp;Faults in electrical systems have a direct effect on the operation, control, monitoring, efficiency, and safety of the entire unit. This is why uttermost care is required when picking the components for the development of the project. The power system components need to be resilient to salinity, humidity, and a wide range of temperatures that the marine environment offers.&nbsp;Power connections and components must also have effective moisture sealing, electrical insulation, and electrical/mechanical protection. This calls for high-performance products and materials that are proven to withstand the harshest operating environments.<h2 dir="ltr">TE&rsquo;s switchgear connectors, terminations, and other connectivity solutions for harsh offshore environments</h2>TE offers complete switchgear solutions to empower offshore establishments like wind farms, manufacturing facilities, shipbuilding units, and more. &nbsp;TE&rsquo;s broad-screened separable connectors portfolio makes the projects less challenging.<h3 dir="ltr">LV and MV Terminations</h3>Sealing of all interfaces is considered essential for the marine/offshore environment. MV terminations are widely used for connecting cables to equipment such as motors, generators, switchgear, and transformers together. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjQ2MjA3MjExNTIyLTYuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="MV-terminations-te-mouser">Fig. 3: MV terminations by TE. Source: TE ConnectivityFig. 3: MV terminations by TE. Source: TE ConnectivityThe terminations by TE have multiple advantages including:&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Short length</li><li dir="ltr">Small profile (sheds not required on wire cores)</li><li dir="ltr">Easily installed in confined spaces, and even on cables that are not straight</li><li dir="ltr">Total sealing of termination to cable and lug substrate</li><li dir="ltr">Heat-shrink installation technology that ensures no moisture is captured or retained under the termination, even when installed in very wet or present in humid environments</li><li dir="ltr">High robustness and toughness of materials used</li><li dir="ltr">Precise electrical performance</li><li dir="ltr">No shelf life limitations</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Screened Separable Connectors</h3>TE&rsquo;s Screened Separable Connectors feature a compact design to fit in tight installation spaces, are fully shielded, submersible, and available with optional test points. Over 6 million separable connectors are in use worldwide.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjQ2MjA3MjMzNjg1LTcuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Screened-Separable-Power-Connectors-TE-Mouser">Screened Separable Power Connectors by TE. Source: TE ConnectivityTE&acute;s Screened Separable Connectors adapt easily to a variety of different cable types and sizes. Their compact design and the flexibility of silicone components facilitate the installation of the connectors, saving time and reducing errors.TE&rsquo;s power connectors undergo rigorous performance testing to meet stringent safety standards. The brand pioneered terminations and connectivity solutions in the 1940s. TE connectivity solutions from the 1970s are still in operation more than 40 years after they were installed.<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>Marine and offshore environments are among the toughest testing grounds for cable accessories, because of the harsh conditions they offer. In any marine or offshore operating environment, the reliability of the products is crucial. In addition to selecting the cable accessory with the correct voltage, size, and construction, it is also vital to choose products that are proven to perform and deliver the expected full-service life.This article was initially published by Mouser and Amphenol in an <a href="https://www.mouser.com/news/te-proven-in-the-harshest-environments-ebook/te-proven-in-the-harshest-environments-ebook.html" target="_blank">e-magazine</a>. It has been substantially edited by the Wevolver team and Electrical Engineer <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/ravi.rao" target="_blank">Ravi Y Rao</a>. It&#39;s the third article of a 6-part series examining connectivity and sensing technologies for harsh environments. Future articles will introduce readers to some more interesting applications of the technologies in various industries.<ul id="isPasted"><li dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The introductory article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/connectivity-and-sensing-technologies-proven-in-the-harshest-environments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">provided an overview of the different harsh environments that electronic circuits and systems are put through.</a></li><li dir="ltr">The first article showcased&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/enabling-the-next-generation-of-connected-applications-in-harsh-environments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how improvements in connectors, terminals, splices, relays, and heat shrink tubing enable connected applications</a></li><li dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/emerging-trends-and-design-considerations-for-automotive-connectivity-systems-in-harsh-environments" target="_blank">second article</a> was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/emerging-trends-and-design-considerations-for-automotive-connectivity-systems-in-harsh-environments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">focused on some key trends and design considerations for automotive connectivity systems.</a></li><li dir="ltr">The third article presented t<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/switchgear-connectors-and-terminals-for-harsh-offshore-installations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hree case studies on how connectors and terminals enable massive power handling in offshore installations.&nbsp;</a></li><li dir="ltr">The fourth article shifted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/rugged-connectors-meet-the-connectivity-demands-of-transportation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the focus back to the transport industry to explain the necessity of reliable connectors that withstand harsh environments.</a></li><li dir="ltr">The fifth article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/modeling-sensing-technologies-for-harsh-environments" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">was about the theory of sensor design for harsh environments.</a></li><li>The final article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/heat-shrink-cable-accessories-for-harsh-environments-principles-design-manufacturing-and-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">examined the principles, design, manufacturing, and applications of heat shrink cable accessories in depth.</a></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">About the sponsor: Mouser Electronics</h2><a href="https://eu.mouser.com/" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a> is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 1,100 manufacturer brands. They specialize in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Their extensive product offering includes semiconductors, interconnects, passives, and electromechanical components.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjQ2MjA3MTg5NDc4LUJyb3VnaHQgdG8geW91IGJ5ICgyKS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Mouser-logo"><h2 dir="ltr">References</h2>[1] R. Zheng, John Duhig, &lsquo;TE&rsquo;s connectivity solution for MV power connections in harsh offshore environments, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/Shipbuilding/energy-shipbuilding-wp-MV-en.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/Shipbuilding/energy-shipbuilding-wp-MV-en.pdf</a>[2] Wind Market Reports: 2021 Edition, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Dept. of Energy, [Online], Available from:&nbsp;https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/wind-market-reports-2021-edition[3] A case study on Switchgear connectors in harsh environments, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/RSTI/energy-RSTI-case_study.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/RSTI/energy-RSTI-case_study.pdf</a>[4] A case study on Improving Power Density and Efficiency in South Korea, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a href="https://www.te.com/usa-en/industries/oil-gas-marine/insights/shipbuilding-and-offshore-case-study-korea.html" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/usa-en/industries/oil-gas-marine/insights/shipbuilding-and-offshore-case-study-korea.html</a>[5] A case study on Harsh Environmental Resistant Cable Joints for Shipbuilding and Offshore, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a href="https://www.te.com/usa-en/industries/oil-gas-marine/insights/shipbuilding-and-offshore-case-study-britain.html" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/usa-en/industries/oil-gas-marine/insights/shipbuilding-and-offshore-case-study-britain.html</a>[6] Advanced Separable Connector Technology, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/private/Energy/energy-cable%20accessories-ssht-epp%202922-separable%20connectors-en.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/private/Energy/energy-cable%20accessories-ssht-epp%202922-separable%20connectors-en.pdf</a>[7] Raychem screened separable connectors for switchgear and transformers in medium voltage distribution networks, TE Connectivity, [Online], Available from: <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/RSTI/energy-switchgear-br-epp2566-en.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/energy/global/productdocuments/RSTI/energy-switchgear-br-epp2566-en.pdf</a>

Article #3 of Connectivity and Sensing in Harsh Environments Series: Rugged switchgear connectors and terminations enable the handling of electrical energy safely and efficiently in the harsh environments of marine applications. 

Switchgear Connectors and Terminals for Harsh Offshore Installations

Electric cars, drones, and autonomous robots all share something in common with a smartphone: They have a tendency to run out of charge at the most annoying of times. Plugging them in isn’t always convenient, which is why there’s so much interest in wireless charging technologies — but when you’ve got a device, like a robot, roaming around a large area, things get tricky.A trio of researchers from Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering have come up with a potential solution, creating a prototype large-area free-positioning wireless power transfer system targeting moving receivers — and, potentially, one day even scaling up to allowing electric cars to receive a charge as they drive along a road.<h1>“Counter-intuitive”</h1>In their paper, first author Shamsul Arefeen Al Mahmud and colleagues detail what they describe as “an alternative, counter-intuitive” approach to the problem tackled by their contemporaries in the field — creating a system where the two power transmission coils nearest the receiver are fed out-of-phase, forming a loop whereby the magnetic flux created goes from one coil to the other.“The out-of-phase configuration of currents in each coil pair strongly enhances the flux flow through the receiver,” the team explains, “since the two transmitters and the receiver form an effective loop conductor for magnetic flux.”<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1645814884315-wireless4.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A diagram showing a set of six wireless charging coils, where pairs are run out-of-phase; above it are waveform diagrams.">By running its coils out-of-phase, this wireless charging system provides high efficiency and a robust connection. Transmitting the power with high efficiency is fantastic for devices which don’t move around, but the team’s proposed system goes a step further by implementing a scalable and relatively simple system for tracking the movement of a receiver to activate and deactivate coils as required — meaning an entire room, or road, could be fitted with transmitting coils which only activate when and where required.The tracking system works using only measurements taken on the transmission side, requiring no modification to or additional hardware on the receiving device. Measurements are taken from the compensation inductors on inactive coils, allowing the system to determine if a receiver is in the area — and without, its creators claim, any risk of false activation from metal objects or other foreign matter.<h1>Active, listening, and alert</h1>The proposed system splits coils into three modes: Active, which are sending power to the receiving device; listening, which are inactive in terms of power transfer but monitoring for a receiver; and alert, which expect a receiver to come into transmission range in the immediate future.Initially, all coils start up in listening mode. The control system then begins checking for a receiver by activating a subset of coils in a predetermined pattern while leaving the others off. If a receiver is detected, by measured inductance being higher than a configured turn-on threshold, the closest coils activate.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1645814901013-wireless3.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A flow chart showing the decisions the wireless power transfer system makes when switching coils between listening, active, and alert modes.">Coils are switched between the three modes — active, listening, and alert — using readings purely from the transmitting side. To handle moving receivers, the team’s control system places the coils adjacent to the active area into the third mode, alert. These coils continuously compare their inactive input current with the active coil’s input current, waiting for a threshold to be exceeded before taking over transmission — allowing receiving devices to travel from coil to coil without loss of power.<h1>Experimental success</h1>Tested in the lab with a prototype designed to mimic a charging system for a mobile robot, the team’s approach showcased its potential: Efficiency between DC power source and DC load resistance was measured at 91 per cent with only a one percent variation for receiver position, dropping to just 90 per cent — with a noted slight drop of received power — as the receiver rotated.While moving the receiving device along deliberately-asymmetrical paths, the charging system maintained its performance: The researchers recorded an efficiency of over 90 per cent and output power between 60W and 85W for the first two of three test paths, with efficiency dropping to around 87 per cent with a 40W output power only in what is described as "an extreme misalignment situation” involving travel at the very edge of the charging area.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1645814910675-wireless2.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Schematic diagrams for inactive, positive, and negative transmitting coils, plus a single receiving coil.">Proven in prototype, the system could potentially scale all the way up to actively-charging road surfaces for electric vehicles. The lowest measured efficiency, meanwhile, was found when using a low load resistance, where efficiency dipped to 85 per cent — attributed by the team to losses in the receiver coil and rectifier and to a slight de-tuning of the receive coil.“It is clear that the proposed WPT system demonstrate[s] fairly high-efficiency at [a] full range of different misalignment conditions,” the team concludes — while noting that commercialization of the approach, although equally suited to both high- and low-power applications, would require the design and application of a shielding system, not included in the experiments, “similar to any other WPT system.”The team’s work has been accepted for publication in the journal IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and is available as an early access article <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9693346" target="_blank">on IEEE Xplore</a> under open-access terms.<h1>Reference</h1>Shamsul Arefeen Al Mahmud, Ishtiaque Panhwar, and Prasad Jayathurathnage: <cite>Large-Area Free-Positioning Wireless Power Transfer to Movable Receivers, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics</cite>. DOI <a href="https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2022.3144591" target="_blank">10.1109/TIE.2022.3144591</a>.

Seen here in prototype form, this wireless power system can track where a receiver to activate and deactivate particular coils.

Demonstrated at a small scale in the lab, this free-positioning wireless power transfer system offers a highly robust connection to moving receivers over a wide area using a "counter-intuitive" approach.

Movement-tracking wireless power transfer system could let electric vehicles charge as they drive

This is the final article in a <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-to-select-the-right-reinforced-transformer-for-high-voltage-energy-storage-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5-part series</a> exploring power conversion. The series will provide insight into how the rapid electrification of vehicles and the switch to renewable energy is driving the demand for safe and reliable power conversion and electronic components.&nbsp;The articles were originally published in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mouser.com/news/bourns-power-ebook/mobile/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">e-magazine</a>, and have been substantially edited by Wevolver to update them and make them available on the Wevolver platform. This series is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mouser.electronics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mouser.electronics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>, an online distributor of electronic components. Through their sponsorship,&nbsp;Mouser Electronics&nbsp;supports engineers in designing sustainable and efficient applications for a greener future.&nbsp;<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-4-0">Introduction</h2>An electronic device that changes direct current (DC) from one voltage to another is a DC-DC converter. Typical uses range from low-voltage cell phone and laptop batteries to high-voltage circuits and power metering. As voltage increases, though, maintaining safety becomes more challenging in DC-DC converters.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-5-0">Isolation</h2>DC-DC converters employ isolation to ensure safety for operators. This approach reduces the risk of electric shock, avoids ground loops due to different potential levels, and prevents voltage transients from input to output. Engineers can achieve isolation through isolation <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-to-select-the-right-reinforced-transformer-for-high-voltage-energy-storage-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">transformers</a>, which contain high-resistance insulation between the primary and secondary circuits to withstand the voltage between the windings. There are varying degrees of isolation, selected based on the severity of the application:<ul><li>Functional–isolated output, but no protection from electric shock.</li><li>Basic–contains a physical barrier, offering shock protection if the barrier is intact.</li><li>Supplementary–adds a redundant barrier to basic isolation for added safety.</li><li>Reinforced–highest-safety choice; input and output windings are separated by a large distance or two physical barriers (like supplementary).</li></ul><h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-6-0">Push-Pull</h2>Push-pull is a type of DC converter that uses a transformer-coupled with two transistors to convert DC voltage. Current is applied to the primary transformer circuit as the transistors are alternated between on and off states. This design draws current during both halves of the switching cycle, smoothing the input current supply. As a result, push-pull converters provide a steadier input current, create less noise on the input line, and enjoy higher efficiencies in higher-power applications than alternative styles.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-7-0">Market Data</h2>Isolated DC-DC converters are used in high-voltage circuits, power metering, healthcare technology, battery management systems, onboard charging, and CAN receivers. With such a wide span of applications, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/dc-dc-converter-market-size-usd-17-85-billion-by-2027-at-cagr-of-11-10-valuates-reports-835613198.html" target="_blank">market researchers expect</a> the isolated DC-DC converter market to reach $2.7 billion (USD) by 2024.Given the importance of physical barriers for isolated DC-DC converters, achieving high-isolation performance in a low-profile, compact design offers design engineers an opportunity to develop an innovative solution. This paper provides an overview of the Bourns® HCT Series AEC-Q200 Compliant Power Transformer, a high-clearance and creepage isolation power transformer that incorporates the latest safety features for DC-DC conversion.Product SolutionsThe <a href="https://www.mouser.com/new/bourns/bourns-hct-transformers/" target="_blank">HCT series</a> offers features well-suited for isolated DC-DC conversion applications such as automotive, industrial, communications, and consumer. They have a 6.5mm profile with more than 8mm clearance and creepage, along with reinforced insulation for working voltages up to 800VAC. The transformers are compliant with AEC-Q200, RoHS, and three IEC standards.This transformer solution for isolated DC-DC conversion comes in a fully <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="http://www.aecouncil.com/Documents/AEC_Q200_Rev_D_Base_Document.pdf" target="_blank">AEC-Q200</a> <a href="#_msocom_1" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_1" target="_blank">[jm1]</a> compliant part, manufactured in an IATF 16949-certified factory. It offers multiple turn ratios (1:1 to 1:2.7), and design engineers can customize the high-voltage isolation performance to specific application requirements, along with additional customization options. HCT transformers are also fully validated and approved by Texas Instruments.The HCT series components run at between -40°C and +125°C operating temperatures, and they provide up to 350mA output. The transformers also accept 3.3V-3.5V inputs and provide 3.3V-15V outputs.Engineers designed the HCT series transformers specifically for Texas Instruments transformer driver chipsets. Below is a summary of TI SN6501 and SN6505, two chipsets that work well with the HCT components.The <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/sn6501.pdf" target="_blank">SN6501 transformer driver</a> is designed for economical, compact, isolated DC-DC converters that use push-pull topology. The driver is used in applications such as CAN, process control, industrial automation, and low- to medium-risk medical equipment. Used for input and output voltages ranging from 3-5.5V, design engineers recommend implementing a low dropout regulator (LDO) to stabilize the current supply without dependence on load. Including an LDO maximizes efficiency while providing a stable power supply.Like the SN6501, the <a data-lf-fd-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" href="https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/sn6505b.pdf" target="_blank">SN6505 transformer driver</a> is a push-pull transformer driver, designed for compact, isolated power supplies. Applications of this driver include process control, radio supplies, medical and precision instruments, low-noise filament supplies, and low-noise isolated USB supplies. The SN6505 is low-noise and low-electromagnetic interference (EMI) in addition to push-pull capable and drives low-profile, center-tapped transformer 2.25-5.5V power supplies. Design engineers recommend LDOs with this driver as well, to maximize efficiency while providing stable source current.Standards ComplianceAs safety is the primary function of an isolation transformer, quality engineers highly value compliance with industry standards. Bourns® HCT series transformers meet the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. /International Electrotechnical Commission (UL/IEC) 62368-1 Hazard-Based Safety Standard. The intent of the standard, which takes effect in December 2020, is to provide design engineers added flexibility to incorporate new technology into their product designs.Complying to UL is a critical gate that establishes credibility with the customer base. UL is often used as the Gold Standard for electronic device compliance and covers a broad scope of highly technical industries, such as computing and networking, consumer electronics, telecommunications, monitors and televisions, and office supplies.An overview description of some of the critical tests of the new UL standard is below:<ul><li>Cap discharge–at 240V, the discharge voltage is measured at 2 seconds after disconnecting between line and neutral, line and ground, and neutral and ground. Pass criteria are ES1 and ES2 for normal conditions</li><li>Touch temperature–measured at room ambient, touch temperature is measured at and outside the specification to determine the robustness of touch temperature performance</li><li>Electrical strength–resistance to test voltage as defined within the standard</li><li>Coin cell battery–for battery replacement, the test ensures the coin battery has appropriate safeguards against reverse charging</li><li>Creepage distance–measures the smallest distance the charge must travel to the transformer</li><li>Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)–includes maximum continuous AC voltage exposure and needle flame test in addition to the prior standard IEC 61051-1 tests</li><li>Handle securement–applies load to the transport handles at levels determined by the mechanical energy source (MS 1, 2, or 3)</li><li>Thermal cutoff–in addition to meeting requirements in IEC 60730-1, the component withstands several thermal cycles between 30 and 3000, which is governed by equipment type and presence of automatic reset</li></ul>Competitive BenchmarkWhile being measured against an industry standard, the HCT series outperforms two anonymous competitive benchmark components in several categories:<ul><li>High Potential Capability (tested): HCT series transformers withstood up to 7.5kV, while the competitors rated at parity and 6kV</li><li>DC Resistance (DCR): advantage over both competitors, providing a higher degree of isolation to enable increased safety</li><li>Thermal Derating: advantage over both competitors, dissipating more power (without enduring damage) at a given case temperature</li><li>Working Voltage for Reinforced Isolation: the HCT transformers operate at 800VAC, while the competitive products operated between 250-400VAC</li><li>Available Turn Ratios: more than either competitor (11 for HCT, 7 and 9 respectively for competitive parts)</li><li>Creepage Distance: a critical metric for an isolation transformer, the HCT component contains greater than 8mm creepage distance, while the competitive transformers were at parity or 7mm</li></ul>Innovative Creepage Path DesignThe HCT series contains an innovative body design that enables a high minimum creepage path between the terminal and the electronics. The lid contains protrusions that extend into the body, providing an elongated, tortuous path for the current to travel. This design increases creepage while maintaining a compact package footprint by adding internal surface area that increases the distance of the current flow path as shown in the figure below.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE2NTgxNDUzMDQ1LWNyZWVwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-8-0">Conclusion</h2>The Bourns® HCT series transformers were designed with reinforced isolation, increasing creepage distance. This series can be used with several of Texas Instruments automotive application chipsets. An innovative body design contains integrated routing paths for the current, creating a compact package that maximizes creepage and overall isolation performance for safe DC-DC conversion. The components have a low-profile form factor, making them ideal for UL/IEC 62368-1 compliance. For push-pull DC-DC converters with reinforced isolation, the Bourns HCT series offers the best-in-class solution for technical performance while maintaining a small packaging size.This article was originally written by Mouser and Bourns in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mouser.com/news/bourns-power-ebook/mobile/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">e-magazine&nbsp;</a>and substantially edited by the Wevolver team.&nbsp;It's the final article of a 5-part series exploring power conversion.&nbsp;Article 1 explored <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-to-select-the-right-reinforced-transformer-for-high-voltage-energy-storage-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how designers can make design decisions when working with high-voltage energy storage systems. &nbsp;</a>Article 2 <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/rechargeable-batteries-for-greener-solutions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discussed the potential of rechargeable batteries.&nbsp;</a>Article 3 <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/selecting-battery-management-systems-transformers-for-isolated-communications-in-high-voltage-energy-storage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">examined the method for selecting transformers for Battery Management Systems (BMS).&nbsp;</a>Article 4 <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/accurate-measurements-using-shunt-resistors-and-current-sense-modules-in-high-energy-storage-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explained the necessity of shunt resistors to deliver accurate Battery Management Systems.&nbsp;</a>Article 5 <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/innovative-transformer-solution-addresses-traditional-challenges" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">provided an overview of innovative transformer solutions for power conversion.</a><hr><h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-9-0">About the sponsor: Mouser</h2><a href="https://eu.mouser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://eu.mouser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://eu.mouser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a> is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 800 industry-leading manufacturers. They specialize in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Their extensive product offering includes semiconductors, interconnects, passives, and electromechanical components.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE4NTY0NjU1NjE2LU1vdXNlciBiYW5uZXIgYXJ0aWNsZS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

Article 5 of the Power Conversion Series. An innovative transformer solution addresses many of the traditional challenges previous products had to solve.

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