CEM has investigated the use of an electromagnetic pulsed transducer to produce a tunable source wave for both undersea mapping and land-based seismic survey. This system avoids the undesirable necessity of handling explosives in the cases where they have been used as a source. The main advantage, however, is the capability to excite formations with selected frequencies using an electromagnetic pulse transducer instead of broad spectrum alternatives.
Direct-drive, high-speed motors and generators…
The generator in development for the Advanced Locomotive Propulsion System (ALPS) is designed to produce 2.5-MW electrical power from a turbine shaft speed of 12,000 to 15,000 RPM. It employs a brushless exciter and high-strength rotor materials and mechanical design. The output power for its application is rectified and inverter distributed in the Locomotive vehicle. The induction motor in development for the ALPS project is designed to deliver 2-MW continuous with a base speed of 12,000 RPM (15,000 RPM, maximum). It utilizes new joining techniques for rotor bar and end plate connections, and sophisticated bearing designs for vertical operation orientation.
Low-speed, high-torque & force generating machines…
CEM has work to develop the lower speed, high-torque motor applications for direct drive of loads requiring torsional forces applied in confined space. Oil and gas drilling systems can this type technology for direct manipulation of drill pipe and fluids without mechanical gearbox conversions.
View of top drive gearbox with side-mounted motor
High-reliability distribution for electric ships and small grid islands…
Under contract to the US Navy, CEM is examining innovative solutions for highly redundant and reconfiguring power grid systems for electric warships. The results of these studies are expected to bear fruit towards more reliable microgrids and island power systems, such as are necessarily involved in oil platforms and drilling systems.
Shipboard power flow matrix
Photo credit: ASTRA Compania Argentina de Petroleo SA
Where there is high cycle duty with a high ratio of peak-to-average power, there is strong potential to make systems smaller, lighter weight, and more efficient overall. For the oil industry this translates into higher portability, more rapid deployment, and quicker completion of wells. The ALPS flywheel is a high density energy storage system to supply transportable power leveling in the rail industry. The 2-MW (3-MW peak) power rating and 100 KWH of usable energy storage are of a size useful to the drilling environment as well as any small utility.
100-kWH high-speed flywheel in lab test
Pipeline welding: CEM has long experience in the application of rotary-stored energy to electrically pulse weld pipe. In Homopolar Pulsed Welding (HPW) a short pulse (0.25 to 0.5 sec.) of high current is passed through the pipe interface. The current, and thus interface heat, is controllable to bring the parent metal to a plastic and fusion state. This produced a superior weld which can be diagnosed from weld electrical parameters, producing improvements in the whole procedure from preparation to weld operation to weld certification. The proposed application for oil & gas is both in cross-country pipeline creation and offshore J-lay operations. The technology is mature and available for licensing in a production prototype.
