Magnetic Gears and Couplings

The strength of this submission lies in the breadth and depth of knowledge provided by the members of the consortium. It includes Magnet Applications, one of the remaining magnet and assembly manufacturers in the US, - Magnomatics, whose core business is developing applications based on magnetic gearing and coupling technologies, and Northrop Grumman, who have an immense capability and experience in delivering complex systems to the defense community. The project will examine and compare all the major competing technologies that are currently available, compare them against a matrix or performance, reliability and viability parameters, and develop prototype designs based on the most suitable options. These will cover both magnetic gearing units, and magnet couplings, ranging in performance from flight surface actuators to units capable of ship propulsion, which will create major challenges in area of available materials, requiring state-of-the art products. With Magnet Applications'experience and worldwide contacts in magnetic materials, we will plan for later development of magnetic products to achieve the best combination of performance, efficiency and reliability. The consortium will also provide a demonstrator of magnetic gearing / coupling technology at Northrop Grumman, Philadelphia facility, at the end of the project, for further examination by interested parties.