Drives and Controls January 2023

TECHNOLOGY n 17 www.drivesncontrols.com January 2023 A CALIFORNIAN COMPANY has spent more than two years developing and testing an electric motor that, it claims, is achieving results “that have never been seen before in the electric motor/generator industry”. 360 Power Group says that that its machine – which can also be used as a generator – delivers an electrical efficiency of 98.4% at 1,800 rpm. The motor uses three magnets in the rotor to create radial- axial-radial magnetic fields across three precisely controlled air gaps rather than two. Instead of a conventional field coil, it uses modular coils that need a third less copper than usual, as well as reducing the motor’s size and weight by similar proportions. The three-field design operates efficiently without saturation or losing flux. It is said to result in high power densities, efficiencies and torque levels at low speeds. The motor is scalable for rated outputs from 1kW to 500kW and produces full torque throughout its operating range. The design allows continuously variable-speed electronic transmission, switching the three phases of the multiple coils on and off on the fly. It eliminates the need for mechanical transmission, thus saving space, weight and costs. The low-speed (below 2,500 rpm) operation reduces vibration, noise, heat and maintenance costs compared to high- rpm motors. Instead of conventional field windings, the motor’s windings are separated into multiple removable coil/ferromagnetic core modules. If one coil fails, the motor will run at a slightly reduced efficiency until the module can be replaced. The modular coil design is said to contribute to high thermal efficiency, whether the motor is passively air-cooled or actively liquid-cooled, contributing to longer machine lives. The modular design also cuts manufacturing and maintenance costs. If used to power an EV, 360 Power Group says the motor will boost its range by 33% using the same-size battery. It can operate in a traditional drivetrain or in wheel hubs. If used as generator, fuel consumption can be cut by a third, the company adds. “This represents a radical innovation in electric motor technology,” says 360 Power Group's chief design engineer, Michael Salerno. “This technology operates as both a motor and a generator, making synergistic power engineering heretofore impossible, achievable. As a generator, he adds, “the applications become huge because of the power density, small size, and weight compared to conventional technology. Rooftop-mounted wind turbines are now feasible. Even large megawatt-sized generators will be much smaller, with no transmission, and simpler to maintain. The applications of this breakthrough technology are limitless.” The motor’s characteristics will also make aviation applications feasible because of its high power-to-weight ratio. 360 Power Group, which has more than 100 US and global patents protecting its technology – and at least 40 more pending – says it is talking to several potential manufacturers. A demonstration of the motor can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/759666634/a147ed7230 www.360powergroup.com “This technology operates as both a motor and a generator, making synergistic power engineering heretofore impossible, achievable” THETAIWANESE COBOT (collaborative robot) developer Techman Robot has announced a new series that integrates a robot armwith an AI engine and smart vision system. Techman claims that the newTM AI cobot is the only intelligent robotic armwith a comprehensive AI software suite. Its AI capabilities include training, 3D vision, image management and AOI edge functions, allowing users to train and tailor systems to suit their applications. Techman Robot president, Shi-chi Ho believes the company“has redefined the future of industry robotics”with the AI Cobot. It“represents a perfect combination of brain, hands and eyes,”he adds. “With our all-in-one integrated system and supporting software suite, we lead the industry with ease of integration, accelerating productivity while reinforcing quality, and opening new opportunities,”Ho argues. By performing visual processing in the robot arm, the cobots can perform fast, precise pick-and-place, palletising, welding, assembly, inspection and food preparation applications, among others. The AI vision capabilities can accelerate these tasks. Techman has a strategic alliance with Omron which sells versions of the Techman cobots under its own name. • Techman Robot recently demonstrated an AI cobot capable of handling 25Kkg payloads, which it claims is an industry first. This model will be available at a future date. www.tm-robot.com/en Cobots with onboard AI and vision ‘redefine the future of robotics’ ‘Breakthrough’ motor delivers 98.4% efficiency at 1,800 rpm A 15kW version of 360 Power Group’s motor-generator (left) on test bench with a similarly rated conventional motor (right).