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First Switched Reluctance Drive Locomotive Announced
Longview, Texas – The Toronto Transit Commission will soon be using the first locomotive ever powered by Switched Reluctance (SR) drive. This new locomotive will serve as a work car, and be used in tunnel and rail line maintenance along with towing operations. The Drive Systems Group of LeTourneau Inc., located in Longview TX, is supplying the SR motor, switchgear, generator, and controls. ARVA Industries, Inc., of Toronto, Canada, is managing the engineering and manufacturing of this locomotive.
This technologically advanced locomotive is designed for dual-direction operation, diesel-electric or third-rail power. The locomotive’s power train includes a 630 hp diesel engine, coupled with a LeTourneau 4B generator, two LeTourneau B40 SR motors, and DC/SR converters. SR drive was chosen for this locomotive based on its low maintenance requirements, reliable operation, and ability to deliver high torque at low speeds.
Control of the power system will be provided by LeTourneau’s ICAM™ industrial control system, which will integrate the SR drive with the locomotive controls in a networked locomotive drive system. The combination of SR drive and ICAM controls has been proven in a number of giant wheeled loaders manufactured by LeTourneau, Inc.
LeTourneau Inc. is a manufacturer of giant loaders and dozers for the mining industry. The company is also a leader in the design and fabrication of offshore drilling rigs. The company’s Drive Systems Group offers a broad range of AC and DC drives, motors, and controls and is the only manufacturer of large SR traction motors in North America.
SR technology is the only brushless DC traction drive proven in a wide range of demanding applications. For more information about this technology, contact Barry Morgan, SR Drive Area Manager at 903-237-7536.
LeTourneau, Inc. Drive Systems Group To Present Overview of SR Drive at SWAMM
Longview, Texas – LeTourneau, Inc.’s Barry Morgan, Area Manager of SR Products in Longview, TX will be presenting an overview of SR Drive at the quarterly Southwest Association of Master Mechanics meeting in Mesa, Arizona on May 4, 2006. The meeting, which will begin at 8:00 AM, will be held at Dobson Ranch Inn. The Master Mechanics meeting is designed to facilitate the collaboration of mining maintenance personnel regarding issues common in their business.
The overview will focus on the basics of the SR technology currently used in drives installed in LeTourneau’s rubber-tired loader and dozer models. The maintenance benefits of SR drives operating in demanding mining and industrial applications will be highlighted, as will their robust design, precise speed control, fast acceleration/ deceleration, and extended stall tolerance. These features, representing some of the many advantages of SR drives in mobile and industrial equipment applications, will be thoroughly covered within the context of the presentation.
Attendees will be able to view and operate a 2HP SR motor demonstration, which is controlled from 0 – 15,000 rpm by a 4–20 mA signal.
For more information on the presentation, contact Mike Cochran, Elko, NV Branch Manager, LeTourneau Sales and Service by e-mail: mcochran@letourneau-inc.com.
For more information on SR Drives, contact LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive System Group by phone: 903/237-7544, or by e-mail: dsg@letourneau-inc.com.
Letter to E-Drive Conference Attendees
March 3, 2006
We welcomed the opportunity to meet a number of new contacts at the E-Drive conference, possible partners as well as potential customers. It is exciting to be part of the many outstanding advancements being made in the realm of electric drive technology.
We were pleased to present our proven SR Drive System at the conference, and the response to it was very positive. Our message at the show was simple -- we are currently delivering SR drives of up to 400 hp, for both industrial and traction applications.
We also received a great deal of positive feedback from the attendees for our ruggedized ICAM control system. Combining ICAM with SR drive, we have the capability to coordinate multiple drive systems on the same control network
For your information, we have enclosed product literature for both SR drive and our ICAM controls. We would also encourage you to visit our Web site, www.letourneau-inc.com/dsg.
For additional product and application details:
- Contact Barry Morgan (for SR drive), 903/237-7536
- Contact David Rowley (for ICAM), 903/237-7009
Thank you for your interest in LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive Systems Group, and our SR drive and ICAM control systems.
Best Regards,
LeTourneau, Inc. Drive Systems Group
SR Drive Offers Alternative to Conventional AC and DC Systems
Longview, Texas – For traction and industrial applications, Switched Reluctance (SR) motors and drives, from LeTourneau, Inc. Drive Systems Group, deliver reliable performance beyond that of conventional AC and DC drives. Proven SR technology offers a number of important benefits, including the elimination of coils on any of the moving parts of the motor, increased gearing life, no requirement for commutator or brush maintenance, and the ability to deliver full-rated torque at low-speed operation.
The switched reluctance motor uses magnetic attraction to produce torque on the rotor of the motor. The SR rotor has no magnets or windings, but is a piece of shaped iron, offering an arrangement of diametrically opposite poles and inter-pole gaps. The stator is similar, but each of its diametrically opposite poles has a winding, similar to a field winding of a DC motor. When a stator pole winding is energized, the closest rotor pole is attracted into alignment with it.
Rotation occurs by sequentially energizing the stator phases. The rotor will follow this sequence, continuously trying to align with the currently energized stator poles. As alignment is almost achieved, that phase turns off and the next phase comes on. The switched reluctance motor controller employs IGBT switching technology to continuously, consecutively switch the phase currents on and off, so the rotor poles continually chase the current. Torque, a function of the current through the winding, is controlled by varying the on-time of each phase. The stator phases rotate in the opposite direction of the rotor, leading the rotor position when motoring, and lagging the rotor position when generating. The stator phases are always synchronous with the rotor, eliminating slip.
For more information, contact LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive Systems Group at 903/237-7544, dsg@letourneau-inc.com.
LeTourneau Drive Systems Group to Attend
Motor & Drive Systems 2006 Conference
Longview, Texas – LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive Systems Group will be attending a special two-day technical gathering, the Motor & Drive Systems 2006 Conference, which is focused on the latest advancements and economics in electric motor and drive technology. Topics discussed will include new motors and drives, system design and integration for optimum performance, new components and materials, advancements in electronics and control, testing systems and techniques. Sessions will also cover market and financial aspects such as demand, supply, and pricing outlook for motors, drives, materials, and components as they relate to total system economics. At this conference the Drive Systems Group will be highlighting its advanced Switched Reluctance (SR) Drive, a recent development in drive systems technology proven to offer significant advantages over DC and AC variable speed drives. As part of the exhibit the Drive Systems Group will be demonstrating a high-speed (up to 14,000 rpm), 2hp SR motor. The Drive Systems Group will also be providing information on its proprietary ICAM™ monitoring and control system, which is a cost effective and flexible alternative to conventional PLC systems. ICAM hardware will be displayed in the Drive Systems Group exhibit.
As part of the Motor & Drive Systems Conference proceedings, LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive Systems Group will be presenting a paper titled, “SR Drive Technology Overview.” The paper, to be delivered by Mr. Barry Morgan of the company, will cover such subjects of interest as an explanation of the basic technology behind SR drive, a discussion of its applications, and a review of the advantages associated with it.
The Motor and Drive Systems 2006 Conference is designed to serve OEM design engineers and product developers that integrate motors and drives into their products and equipment; developers and manufacturers of motors, drives and integrated systems; component, material and technology providers. This conference is an opportunity to network with peers, professionals and potential business partners involved in technology solutions serving a variety of applications. Learn about the latest strategies, technology advancements, performance improvements, market conditions, products, services and systems.
The conference will be held February 15-16, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Miami, in Miami, FL. Attendance is expected to be approximately 100-150 targeted drive professionals. The event will be organized to provide numerous opportunities for constructive and creative networking including networking breaks, peer discussion sessions, question and answer sessions with leading technology experts, reception, and exhibits.
For more information, contact LeTourneau, Inc.’s Drive Systems Group at 903/237-7544, dsg@letourneau-inc.com.
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