Integrity of novel high-performance nanostructured insulation for high torque density propulsions

The All Electric Ship platform requires higher torque density and payload efficiency for marine propulsion and power generation. Nanostructured material for the ground wall insulation of high torque density propulsion has been successfully developed by dispersing 2D platelet clay in epoxy resin to achieve highly enhanced electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The integrity of the nanostructured material was validated over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies as well as under high electrical stress. Our studies show that the nanostructured insulation will impart 2X combined improvement in electrical and thermal performance over the state-of-the-art micaceous insulation. Machine uprating studies based on a 3.3 MW propulsion motor suggest an enhancement of torque density of ~15%. In this paper, the aging and voltage endurance characteristics of the nanostructured insulation was extensively investigated. Excellent discharge resistance, as a result of suppressing discharge intensity, of the nanostructured material promises an entirely contained nanostructured insulation system and game-changing insulation integrity.