Topic: Motors & Drives

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Motors and Drives Grow Up and Graduate
Motors and Drives Have Been Moving Up to Variable-Speed Control for Better Accuracy, but Now They're Also Increasing Power Density and Efficiency and Even Coordinating More Closely With PLCs and Intelligent Systems

Baldor Solution Drives Cooling Tower Performance
In with Efficiency and Reliability; Out with Noise and Troublesome Gearboxes

Drives and Motor Controls
The Editors of Control Search the World Wide Web to Bring You the Latest on Drives and Motors Controls

Flexibility Driving the Future of Automation
Flexible Production, Cloud Computing Pave the Way to Future for Rockwell Automation and Users

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White Papers: In Depth Research

General Purpose Permanent Magnet Motor Drive without Speed and Position Sensor
Author: Jun Kang, Yaskawa Electric America
Posted: 05/17/2010
1. Power consumption by electric motors
Worldwide, about two-thirds of the electricity is consumed by motors used in powers industrial facilities. According to DOE report, the motor systems are responsible for 63% of all electricity consumed by U.S. industry and electric bill represents more than 97% of total motor operating costs.

Rapidly increasing energy cost and strong global interest in reducing carbon dioxide emissions are encouraging industry to pay more attention to high-efficiency motors.

Permanent Magnet (PM) motors have higher efficiency than induction motors because there are no I2R losses of the rotor. But widespread use of the PM motors has been discouraged by price and requirement of a speed encoder.

Recent release of low-cost high-performance CPUs and establishment of the speed sensorless control theory (hereinafter referred to as an open-loop vector control method) enables the advent of a general-purpose open-loop control PM drive. In this white paper, the open-loop PM motor control technology is introduced and its characteristics and major application fields are described.

Present State and a Futuristic Vision of Motor Drive Technology
Author: Mahesh M. Swamy and Tsuneo Kume, Yaskawa Electric America
Posted: 05/17/2010
One of the main driving force behind the industrial revolution was the invention of the electric motor more than a century ago. Its widespread use for all kinds of mechanical motion has made life simple and has ultimately aided the advancement of human kind. The advent of the inverter that facilitated speed and torque control of AC motors has propelled the use of electric motor to new realms that was inconceivable just a mere 30 years ago. Advances in power semiconductors along with digital controls have enabled realization of motor drives that are robust and can control position and speed to a high degree of precision. Use of AC motor drives has also resulted in energy savings and improved system efficiency.

Yaskawa Electric Corporation has been at the forefront of technology, creating reliable drives that consistently push the envelope of engineering achievement. This paper reviews Yaskawa's role in the development and application of the inverter technology to AC motor drives and introduces some futuristic vision for the motor drive technology. The development of more efficient, more powerful electric motor drives to power the demands of the future is important for achieving energy savings, environmentally harmonious drives that do not pollute the electrical power system, and improving productivity. Yaskawa wants to be an integral part of this future and hopes to contribute significantly to achieve this.

Advances in Low Voltage Motor Control Center (MCC) Technology Help Reduce Arc-Flash Hazards and Minimize Risks
Author: Rockwell Automation
Posted: 04/07/2010
Selecting the right MCC equipment leads to improved plant safety, helping protect people and capital investments.

Measures to increase equipment and personnel safety in manufacturing are reflected in new approaches and technologies designed to help minimize the risk of workplace dangers. One rapidly growing area of focus is reducing the potentially serious hazards associated with arc-flash events. This white paper examines the causes of arc flash, discusses the standards guiding arc-flash safety and details the role arc-resistant motor control centers (MCCs) play in helping contain arc energy. It also highlights the key features of an effective arc-resistant MCC design.

Managing safety hazards and reducing risks are top priorities for manufacturers across all sectors of industry. With a multitude of potential dangers and new ones continuously emerging, companies must be diligent in their ongoing efforts while considering new approaches and technologies to improve plant safety. One rapidly growing area of focus is implementing techniques and practices designed to reduce hazards and minimize risk for workers who must enter an area with an electrical arc-flash potential.

Shaft Grounding — Fulfilling the Promise of Variable Frequency Drives
Author: Adam Willwerth, Electro Static Technology
Posted: 04/17/2009
With the rising cost of energy, the use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) is growing at an increasing rate. By optimizing the frequency of a three-phase alternating-current (AC) induction motor’s voltage supply, a VFD controls the motor’s speed and torque while providing energy savings. And, these energy savings can be quite substantial —— 20% or more —— making VFDs a “green” solution as well as a wise money-saving investment.

However, in order to be truly “green,” a technology must be sustainable as well as energy efficient.

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