The new, electronically commutated EC-4pole 32 HD with planetary gearhead motor by maxon precision motors has all the features of its predecessor, the Heavy Duty Motor EC 22 HD, but with a larger and more powerful size. It is designed for extremely rough operating conditions, particularly applications in deep drilling.
Deep drilling technology makes it possible to recover oil and gas from depths of more than 2,500 m. By combining deep drilling with directional drilling, or dynamic positioning of the bore in the earth, previously unreachable oil reserves are being opened up, with drilling depths of approximately 5000 m and drill lengths of up to 11,000 m. The temperatures and pressures at these depths, combined with the strong vibrations that occur during the drilling work, present unique challenges for the use of electronic drives.
The different versions of the EC-4pole 32 HD are designed for operation in air or flooded in hydraulic oil. The power rating depends on the surrounding medium and is 220 W in air and, due to the much higher heat flow, 480 W in oil. They are designed for ambient temperatures of more than 200° C and atmospheric pressures of up to 1,700 bar. The 32 mm diameter motors must also be able to withstand vibrations of up to Grms=25 as well as impacts of up to 1000 G. As an example, a Formula 1 vehicle is exposed to approximately 2 G and fighter jets are exposed to approximately 13 G. The motors feature high efficiency—up to 89% in air, more than 80% in oil—making them ideal for use in battery-operated applications. With their detent-free running properties, they have excellent control characteristics and are suitable for high-precision positioning tasks in outer space, even at low speeds.
The EC-4pole 32 HD is ideal for use in environments with extreme temperatures, subject to high vibration, or under ultra-high vacuum. This means the motors can also be used in aerospace applications, for instance in gas turbine starters, for the generators of jet engines, for regulating combustion engines, or for exploration robots. For the use of the motor in conjunction with a gearhead, maxon offers the GP 32 HD, a powerful and robust planetary gearhead.
Filed Under: Motion Control Tips
