vertical shaft motor

Types of Vertical Shaft Motors

The vertical shaft motor is also called a right angle motor. It is an electric motor with a power output shaft/rotor that comes out vertically. Vertical shaft motors have a typical speed of 1,750 RPM and a 56 frame size. Generally, it is used in application energy-efficient pumps, fans, blowers, and other fields and works. There are five common types of vertical shaft motors.

• Vertical Brushed DC Motors

  Brushed DC motors are electric motors that use brushes to apply power to the rotor. The design includes a rotor, stator, commutator, and brushes. The stator is the motor's outer portion, while the rotor is the inner bit that spins and has windings around it. The commutator conducts electricity to the windings through the brushes. Vertical brushed DC motors are simple and low-cost motor options for simple use.

• Vertical Brushless DC Motors

  Another type of vertical shaft motor is the BLDC motor. Brushed DC motors are simplistic in design and usually implement a variable resistor for speed control. However, BLDC motors have no brushes. The absence of brushes and the improved design of the stator and rotor makes the motor more efficient. The typical efficiency of BLDC motors is about 85-90%. The higher efficiency means less loss to heat. Furthermore, BLDC motors are smaller, lighter, and last longer than brushed motors. BLDC motors also offer better performance. They provide high torque, speed, and precise control. All these reasons make the BLDC motor suitable for demanding applications like electric cars, high-end fans, toys, and air drones.

• Stepper Motor

  A stepper motor is a rotary motor that breaks up full rotation into smaller parts called steps. The design allows the motor to move accurately to a specific position and with great accuracy. This positioning ability makes the stepper motor ideal for precise control applications like 3D printers, CNC machines, and camera components.

• Synchronous Motor

  A permanent magnet synchronous motor contains a rotor with permanent magnet and windings with an electromagnet that is the stator. The stator's rotating magnetic field pulls or pushes the rotor around. The design allows the synchronous motor to continuously rotate without losing torque even at a high speed. They also have high efficiency. It is no wonder manufacturers use them in conveyors, compressors, and robotics.

• Direct Drive Motor

  A direct drive motor eliminates the need for gears to create higher torque. It connects loads directly to the drive. The drive's high torque output spins heavy loads or loads that are large without needing to increase them through gears. Direct drive motors are efficient, powerful, and simple to make and use. Many rotating equipment pieces of hardware that have heavy loads use the direct drive motor. Examples are industrial machinery, wind turbine generators, and conveyor belts.

Specifications and maintenance of vertical shaft motors

Specifications

• Horsepower: Horsepower sizes vary from about 1/2 to 10 or more. Generally, larger horsepower motors cost more. A larger horsepower motor can use more electricity.
• Duty: The duty of a motor is the time it runs under load and the time it rests. A vertical pump shaft knows how long the motor works each day and knows the temperature. If it's warm, the motor can run.
• Cooling: Motors now have freon instead of carbon brushes to stay cool and work longer.
• RPM: Motors spin at different speeds depending on what they pump. Some pumps need high speeds, while others need low ones, so vertical motors generally have one of three standard speeds: 1,800 (60HZ), 3,600 (AnRPM), or 1,800 (1/2 60HZ).
• Enclosure: The enclosure of a motor protects it from dust and water getting in. There are different types of enclosures, such as totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) and totally enclosed non-ventilated (TENV) and the amount of open space inside, like ODP (open drip proof) and WPI (weather proof encapsulated).

Maintenance

Vertical electric motors require proper maintenance to keep working. Here are some maintenance tips for vertical electric motors:

• Clean the motor surface and around to prevent impurities from entering the ventilating fan from the surroundings. Dirt can impact the cooling of the motor, causing it to overheat and fail.
• A regular check-up of the motor's components, such as bearings, seals, and brushes, is essential to identify any signs of wear and tear early enough.
• Lubrication is also essential to ensure the smooth functioning of vertical electric motors. Use manufacturer-recommended lubricants and apply them in the right amounts and at the right intervals.
• Always ensure the motor is appropriately aligned with the driven equipment to prevent undue stress and strain on the motor's bearings and shaft.
• Keep the motor's operating temperature within the recommended limits. Overheating can cause severe damage to the motor.
• Regularly monitor the motor's power consumption and performance to detect any deviations from the normal range, which could indicate potential problems requiring immediate attention.
• Ensure the electrical connections to the motor are clean, tight, and free from corrosion to prevent voltage drops and overheating.
• Maintain proper ventilation around the motor to prevent overheating and ensure adequate heat dissipation.

Scenarios

The application in the industry is manifold. Some of the common industrial applications of a vertical electric motor are as follows.

• Wind Turbine: The vertical efficient motors are generally used to build the wind turbine shafts. Wind turbine shafts help convert the kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy, which is then channeled to power various systems and applications.
• Pumps: Many pumps use the vertical electric shaft motor. Some examples are well pumps, submersible pumps, and vertical turbine pumps. This motor design easily fits the pump housing. Moreover, the direct coupling encourages a higher efficiency.
• Fans and Blowers: The motor drives a variety of cooling towers and fan units. The moisture and dust level inside the cooling towers are very high. A vertical motor's simpler and more accessible design makes it easier to deal with these tough operating conditions.
• Augers: An auger is a motor-driven helical screw used to move granular or liquid material. It is also known as a worm, and many vertical electric motors drive it.
• Mixers: A vertical shaft motor mixer combines two or more substances to form a homogeneous mixture. Generally, vertical mixers are used to process thin to medium viscous products in industries such as food, chemical, plastic, and pharmaceutical, among many others.
• Conveyor Belts: A vertical conveyor belt motor is a type of belt-driven vertical lift that moves material at an incline, usually consisting of a belt with for surcharge on the top driven by a few pulleys.

How to choose vertical shaft motors

Some simple selection tips related to the energy-saving vertical shaft motors are as follows.

• Check the load torque and power supply voltage

  The load torque is the torque that the motor needs to overcome when driving the external load. It is essential to determine the motor's output power and select a motor that matches the load torque to avoid under or over-sizing. Another important parameter to consider when selecting a motor is the operating voltage, which must match the power supply system to prevent insulation breakdown.

• Understand the working environment

  The working environment is the surroundings in which a motor will operate, comprising temperature, humidity, altitude, and the existence of dust, corrosive gases, and other hazardous materials. Selecting a vertical shaft motor that matches its working environment is essential to ensuring long-lasting and reliable operation. For example, motors used at high altitudes may need to have a low-pressure design to prevent insulation breakdown. Similarly, the humidity and temperature of the working environment may require the motor to have a cooling system or be designed with a particular coating to prevent corrosion.

• Maintenance needs

  The maintenance demands of vertical shaft motors are an important consideration when choosing. Some motors may require frequent maintenance due to their design or operating environment, while others are designed for low-maintenance or maintenance-free use. For example, blind hole machining requires vertical motors with high precision and durability, whereas low-demand applications may need low-maintenance motors. Considering the maintenance needs of the motor can help companies save costs and resources in the long run by choosing a motor suitable for their application and maintenance capabilities.

Vertical shaft motor Q & A

Q1: How powerful is a vertical shaft motor?

A1: The power output from a vertical shaft motor comes in different levels, ranging from low power for simple applications to very high power for industrial use. Buyers will find 1-10 hp motors suitable for tasks like moving a small conveyor belt. Higher 20-50 hp models will work for bigger machines in factories. For the biggest jobs, there are 100 hp vertical motors or higher.

Q2: What voltage does a vertical shaft motor use?

A2: Most vertical shaft motors use standard voltage. AC motors usually run on 230V single phase. 3-phase is better for high power, and it uses higher voltage like 400V. DC motors can use 12V, 24V, or higher, depending on the design.

Q3: What are some common brands of vertical shaft motor?

A3: Many well-known brands make vertical shaft motors. Popular names in the industry include GE, Siemens, Yaskawa, and Fazira. Some brands focus on small motors, while others make big ones for factories.

Q4: What is the difference between vertical and horizontal motors?

A4: A vertical shaft motor has a rotor that sits up and down. It uses space-saving designs in many pump types. The horizontal shaft motor has a rotor that lies flat and produces more torque. The horizontal motor usually fits into high-power jobs like running an industrial conveyor belt.