IEMDC--IN-LINE ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN COMPRESSOR

Considerable effort was put forth on the mechanical design of the compressor section of the IEMDC. These efforts focused on the main compressor case design and included an evaluation of the motor-compressor interface. The initial mechanical evaluation of the compressor motor interface indicates that the integration of an electric motor and compressor can be made successfully. All mechanical design efforts resulted in considerable progress being made towards the completion of the mechanical design of the compressor section and towards the design of the IEMDC unit. During the fourth quarter, one of the primary objectives was to select the magnetic bearing supplier and to begin finalizing the design of various motor components. Consequently, the design proposals from the three magnetic bearing suppliers were evaluated and Kingsbury magnetic Bearings (KMB) was selected for the design of the magnetic bearing system. A purchase order was issued to KMB and design kick-off meeting was held at EMD on December 11, 2003 with the KMB/S2M/DR teams, to discuss the project requirements. A joint DR/EMD/Robicon IEMDC Compressor-Motor-VFD Drive technical status update presentation was prepared, and was presented at the GMRC meeting on October 5, 2003 at Salt Lake City, UT. Considerable effort was expended in evaluating the fatigue life of the motor rotor via FEA modeling. The purpose of this analysis was two fold: (1) to establish the motor start-stop cycle life and (2) to evaluate the applicability of lower cost connection ring copper alloys. The FEA modal frequency analysis of relatively softer motor mount concepts instead of the hard mounts was continued. The intent of the design effort is to develop an optimum motor support. The results are not yet conclusive. Therefore further analysis is planned in the next quarter. The EMD design team worked with the KMB design team to develop design concepts for the magnetic bearing housings. Significant progress was made in interfacing the motor with the magnetic bearings