2^nd TACOM Robotics Quarterly Workshop

"Power Generation and Propulsion for Robotics systems"

Monday, Jan 7,  2008

Title	Presenter
Power and Propulsion Architectures for Unmanned Systems	Dr. Mark Ehsani Texas A&M University	view abstract	download presentation
Evaluation of High-Performance PM Machines for Demanding Unmanned Vehicle Applications	Dr. Thomas Jahns, University of Wisconsin	view abstract	download presentation
Power Use, Inventory & Logistical Management Evaluation of Robotics Platform	Dr. Robert Fletcher, Lawrence Tech. University	view abstract	download presentation

Power and Propulsion Architectures For Autonomous Vehicles

Dr. Mark Ehsani, Texas A&M University

Autonomous vehicles are useful at all sizes, ranges, power levels, stealth, and levels of survivability, for various military missions.  The key issue is remote and local controllability of the power and propulsion system by an operator or by computer based intelligence.  In addition, the power and propulsion system architecture should be inherently suitable for the intended mission of the vehicle.  This will result in optimum designs, in terms of density, efficiency, and capability.

In this presentation, conventional and advanced vehicle power and propulsion system architectures will be described and evaluated.  Issues, such as, survivability in critical missions, silent watch, and signature minimization will be addressed.  The talk will conclude with discussions with the audience and possible case studies.  The intended outcome is to make the audience familiar with the problems and solutions that are associated with vehicle autonomy and control.  This is the gateway to the more detailed R&D.

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Evaluation of High-Performance Permanent Magnet Machines for Use in Demanding Unmanned Vehicle Applications

Dr. Thomas M. Jahns, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This workshop session will explore the technology underlying the rapidly growing success of permanent magnet synchronous machines in a wide variety of high-performance electric propulsion and generator applications with power ratings extending beyond 10 MW.  In addition to addressing design issues influencing key performance metrics such as power density and efficiency, this session will also discuss some of the special design challenges posed by PM machines in areas such as high-temperature operation and fault management.  The session will close with a discussion of future trends relevant to the application of PM machines in large unmanned vehicles.  These trends include the wider adoption of direct-drive hub motors (e.g. FCS Mule) and higher levels of integration combining the PM machine and its power electronics controller into the same physical structure.

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Power Use, Inventory and Logistical Management Evaluation of Robotics Platform

Dr. Robert W. Fletcher, Lawrence Technological University

Many of the robotic systems utilized in military applications require battery power sources.  The first component of this session is to categorize and establish a database of batteries used in Army robotic applications with the intent to simplify or standardize the battery sizes used in those applications.  The ultimate goal  is to define an appropriate list of standardized batteries that minimizes the overall battery inventory, simplifies the logistical management of batteries, and their accompanying recharging systems, with the primary objective of maximizing the number of applications for any given inventoried battery.

A second component of this session is to consider a specific robotic power application to test, evaluate, study and optimize the viability and limitations of using a fuel cell as a primary power source in an unmanned intelligent ground vehicle robot.   This builds on the work done at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in its Fuel Cell Testing Project and fuel cell powered unmanned intelligent ground vehicles (FCP-UIGV).  The vehicle, called the H₂Bot, placed 3^rd in the 2006 IGVC and after upgrades placed 1^st in the 2007 IGVC.  The LTU H₂Bot is powered by a 1.2 kW hydrogen-powered PEM fuel cell.  The FCP-UIGVs may have extended mission life, decreased weight, and application in enclosed areas. 

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