High Power Density Integrated Electric Drive Propulsor

A novel highly integrated electrically driven propulsor concept has been developed to increase effectiveness and payload fraction while significantly reducing cost of future Navy and commercial undersea and surface vehicles. High power density is achieved with a rim driven architecture utilizing an advanced motor design and close integration with drive electronics and control. The advantages of this highly integrated package will benefit a variety vessel propulsion configuration such as distributed pump jet and podded propulsion systems. Commercial and military surface transport and supply ships, undersea surveillance and survey vehicles will benefit as well as Navy submarine and surface combat vessel. This broad applicability will result in a substantial commercial market lowering future production costs. In Phase II a complete propulsor system will be fabricated and performance demonstrated with both dry dynamometer and in water characterization. Electric Boat Corporation will collaborate with SatCon on the design of the balance of the propulsor components and the system design effort. Full-scale development will follow during phase III.