This paper, courtesy of Flowserve Limitorque, aims to investigate the most recent advancements in these motors, consider alternatives, and discuss how to make an informed decision about when and where to use BLDC motor technologies.
Brushless DC motors are synchronous motors powered by a direct current source via an electric controller rather than the brush/commutator mechanism used in brushed DC motors. The electric controller, an integrated inverter/switching power supply, generates an alternating current signal that drives the rotor. Electronically commutated motors, ECMs, or EC motors are other names for them.
Brushless DC electric (BLDC) motors have been around for nearly 50 years, but their use for intelligent actuation is relatively new. Their adaptation is critical to the improvement of process control and plant safety systems.
