HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs A Groundbreaking Motor Technology
Ben with Infinitum Electric comes on to tell us more about his super-innovative, groundbreaking PCB (printed circuit board) motor technology that we saw at AHR 2020.
The Infinitum motor is a relatively simple permanent magnet motor that can also work as a generator. Infinitum got its start with generators, and the groundbreaking new motor technology works quite similarly to generators. These motors can also work with variable frequency drive technology.
In this groundbreaking motor, the traditional stator has all of the iron and copper taken out, and copper is etched into the circuit board. When you take the iron out of the equation, you eliminate core losses and get a much more efficient stator. Instead, electromagnetic waves travel through the air via flux transfer over the air gap, which rotates the motor. The machine has low inductance overall.
Energy efficiency is the core of Infinitum's philosophy. The original idea for Infinitum's motor came from optimizing performance in specific applications; Infinitum increased the efficiency while keeping the motors small and quiet. After that, the motor outgrew its application and opened the doors to innovation. There is great promise for Infinitum motors in the aerospace industry because they are lightweight, quiet, and highly efficient. However, Infinitum is also interested in short-term applications, including fans, pumps, and compressors in the HVAC/R industry.
Ben and Bryan also discuss:
- Generator vs. motor technology
- VFD system integration
- How to operate motors with low inductance
- Investors and why they choose to invest
- Development of major automotive and aerospace technology
- Serviceability of the motors
- Using printed circuit boards as stators
- Starting conversations with OEMs
Check out more about Infinitum and its new motor technologies at infinitumelectric.com.
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