'World's first' forum for linear power systems technology

The event is being hosted by the university’s Centre for Automotive Engineering (CAE) which is housed in the world-leading Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories (SHRL) and has, over the past 20 years, built an international reputation for its innovative research. Co-sponsored by Libertine FPE and Nidec SR Drives, a UK division of Nidec Corporation, Linear Power 2015 has attracted major international speakers including representatives from Sandia National Labs in the US and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), both of whom are working on potential power units for HEVs.

Linear Power 2015 will bring together leading edge academic researchers and market-led industrial technology developers, showcasing the latest innovations in this fast-moving field. The event will help to accelerate research, development and the deployment of novel linear power systems for power generation, heat recovery, cryogenics and many other applications, including low emission vehicles.

“Having specialist research organisations like Sandia Labs and DLR join the conference’s speaker list reflects the growing interest in both this innovative technology and the event itself,” said Sam Cockerill, FPE CEO, Libertine. “Linear Power 2015 is the first of its kind and Libertine is very excited to be a part of it. Not only will we be showcasing our own technology but we expect to gain a great deal from the experiences of others working with linear power systems.”

Linear power technologies include linear electrical machines, linear free piston expanders and compressor systems, linear valves and bearings and linear motion control systems. The rapid pace of development in these areas is overcoming the obstacles that have held back progress for several decades, which makes the timing of Linear Power 2015 even more appropriate.

“At Nidec SR Drives we are applying our world-leading switched reluctance technology to develop a new class of linear electrical machine. This forum allows companies like us to share our findings and help further develop the field of linear power systems," said Steve Cummins, Business Development manager, Nidec SR Drives. “It’s an exciting time for the field and Linear Power 2015 is helping to highlight the growing interest in the technology that we are seeing from an array of different industries.”

Delegates and visitors to the event will have the opportunity to observe the University of Brighton’s own linear power system undergoing laboratory trials. Incorporating linear free piston gas expander technology from Libertine FPE, the project is part-funded by the UK government through Innovate UK and is scheduled to complete its test programme by the end of this year.