1 May 2012
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Deep drilling technology allows previously unreachable oil reserves to be opened up, with drilling depths of 5000 metres and drill lengths of up to 11 000 metres.
However, the requirements on the materials used are very high. The temperatures and pressures at these depths, combined with the strong vibrations that occur during the drilling procedure, present unique challenges to the use of electronic drives. Robust materials that remain 100% reliable at temperatures of up to 200°C are required. maxon motor’s EC22 HD heavy duty motor fulfils all requirements for these extreme conditions.
The electronically commutated motor, which has been designed for the exceptionally high requirements of deep drilling, can withstand harsh conditions in which other motors would fail. The turbine in the drilling tool is driven by mud flow. Through the use of a magnetic coupling, motors become generators and supply the electrical energy for various drive functions, so no batteries are needed. With the aid of the EC22 HD, the position of the drill head can be measured and aligned dynamically during the drilling process by means of accelerometers and inclination sensors. maxon’s MWD technology converts the data to pulses that are sent to the drill platform. This system is driven by electromagnets or HD motors. Diverse deep drilling tools also use hydraulic valves or flaps that are operated by electromechanical drives.
Many applications, especially in the field of deep drilling, require a robust gearhead that accurately fulfils the requirements. Most underground applications require very high torques, sometimes for only very short durations (valve control, moving flaps). A special property of the gearhead is the integrated drill holes that are necessary for an unhindered oil flow, because the gearhead, just like the motor, can be operated in oil. The different versions of the EC 22 are optimised either for operation in air or in oil.
The motors are constructed without adhesives and do not have a mechanical commutation system. This enables them to withstand extreme temperatures and also ensures constant performance under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The power rating depends on the surrounding medium and amounts to 80 W in air and, due to the much larger heat dissipation, 240 W in oil. The motors have been designed for ambient temperatures of more than 200°C and atmospheric pressures of up to 1700 bar. If the motors are cooled with oil, they can even withstand temperatures up to 240°C. Other requirements on the motors, which have a diameter of 22 mm, are resistance against vibrations of up to 25 Grms, as well as against impacts of up to 100 times the gravitational acceleration of the earth. In comparison, Formula 1 race cars reach 2 G and fighter jets up to 13 G. A human can withstand about 10 G.
In addition to its very high resistance to the extreme ambient conditions at great depths, the maxon HD motors also have a very high efficiency, with up to 88% being reached in air and more than 70% in oil.
Beckhoff’s XPlanar boosts productivity in medical device assembly Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The intelligent transport system, XPlanar from Beckhoff provided the basis for an innovative system concept allowing the specialists at Automation NTH to reduce the space requirement of an assembly machine for medical diagnostic devices by a factor of 10.
Read more...Smart features increase crane safety
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The newly launched Konecranes S series hoist offers a large bouquet of smart features which not only increase lifting device safety but also deliver a higher level of operator protection.
Read more...Redefining industrial lifting
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The Konecranes S-series hoist redefines industrial lifting through its integration of a ground-breaking synthetic rope with smart features, a lifting capacity of 20 tons, and the ability to adapt to diverse girder configurations.
Read more...Seven years of uninterrupted service
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
A set of hydraulically operated Corflex pinch valves, installed in 2018 at a major North African gold mine, has delivered in one of the continent’s most demanding slurry-handling applications.
Read more...New generation soft starter ranges Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric has launched its new generation Altivar ATS430 and ATS490 soft starter ranges in Anglophone Africa, the latest innovations in motor control technology.
Read more...Reinventing the wheel
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Once a curiosity in the early automotive age, in-wheel motors are now re-emerging with real promise. From electric cars to commercial vehicles and even aircraft, they are on the verge of transforming transportation engineering.
Read more...NORD modular drives for frequently changing motor speeds Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
BMG has made a substantial investment over the years to ensure assembly, stockholdings and technical support for the Nord range are in line with stringent international quality, safety and environmental standards.
Read more...PC-based control for sustainable fertiliser production on an industrial scale Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
On a farm in the USA, valuable ammonia is extracted from slurry and processed into ammonium sulphate. NSI Byosis has transformed this complex process into a flexible modular system. This modular approach requires an automation solution with flexible scalability in both hardware and software, which this Dutch company has found in PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Redefining motion control with Festo’s vision for seamless and intelligent automation Festo
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The quest for precision, flexibility and efficiency continues to shape the future of industrial automation, and Festo, as a long-standing leader in automation technology, stands firmly at the forefront of this movement, driving innovation and setting the benchmark for excellence.
Read more...The opportunity and impact of MEPS electric motor regulations WEG Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
South African companies are gearing up for the new Minimum Energy Performance Standards, part of a global trend towards energy-efficient electric motors.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version