Brushless DC Motors

Sohaib Hasan
Motor Basics
What is a motor
Converts electrical energy into kinetic energy

Where did it come from
Identification of rotating magnetic field principle
by Nicola Tesla in 1882
Introduction of Electric Motor by Nicola Tesla in
December 1889 (U.S. Patent 0416194)


Parts of a Motor
1. End Bell Fastners
2. Shaft Key & Keyways
3. Bearing & Brushings
4. End Ball Flanges
5. Identification Plates
6. Wire Warnish
7. Commutators
8. Brush Holders
9. Laminations
10. Conduit Connection Box
11. Magnets (Ferrites)
Brushless Motor Components
Brush Type Motor Components
Images courtesy of Hernon Adhesives & Sealents
(http://www.hernonmfg.com/electricmotor.htm)
Parts of a Motor
Images courtesy of How Stuff Works
(http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor3.htm)
How It Works

When electric current passes
through a coil in a magnetic
field, the magnetic force
produces a torque which
turns the motor.

Force in Motor:
F=ILB
F = Force
B = Magnetic Field
L = Length of Conductor
I = Current in Conductor

Torque in Motor:
T = IBA sin
A = LW
L = Length of Winding
W = Width of Winding

Images courtesy of Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor)
Motor Types
AC Hybrid
Electric
Motor
DC
Induction Synchronous Compound
Permanent
Magnet
Series Shunt
Brushless
DC
Variable
Frequency
Steppers
Synchronous
Phase Locked
Loop
Polyphase Single Phase
Wound
Rotor
Squirrel Cage Shaded Pole Capacitor
Capacitor Start
Permanent Split
Capacitor
Two Capacitor
Single /
Polyphase
Wound Field
Permanent Magnet
Reluctance
Hysteresis
Multiple Speed
Pole Switching
AC-DC Split Field
Moving Coil
Basket Weave
DC Torquer
Conventional
Construction
Inverter
Driven
Electronic
Communication
Synchronous Induction
Wound Rotor
Permanent Magnet
Stator Control
Rotor Control
Reluctance
Permanent
Magnet
Small Angle
Reluctance
Permanent
Magnet
Brushless DC Motor
No Commutators

Position of Coils with respect to the magnetic
field is sensed electronically.

Current is commutated through electronic
switches to appropriate phases.
How it Works
Halls Sensors sense the
position of the coils

The Decoder Circuit turns
appropriate switches on
and off

The voltage through the
specific coils turns the motor

Images courtesy of Servo Magnetics
(http://www.servomag.com/flash/2-pole/2pole-bldc-motor.html)
Advantages
Increased Reliablilty & Efficiency

Longer Life

Elimination of Sparks from Commutator

Reduced Friction

Faster Rate of Voltage & Current

Precision Voltage & Current Applied to Field Coils
Applications
Low Power
Consumer Electronics
Medical Field

High Power
Industrial Machinery
Vehicles
Airplanes
Disadvantages
Requires Complex Drive Circuitry

Requires additional Sensors

Higher Cost

Some designs require manual labor
(Hand wound Stator Coils)
Useful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor3.htm

http://www.hernonmfg.com/electricmotor.htm

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html

http://www.servomag.com/flash/2-pole/2pole-bldc-motor.html

http://www.engineersedge.com/motors/brushless_dc_motor.htm

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId
=02nQXGrrlPY7r803B5