Exploring Servo Drive Cooling Options
Maintaining the optimum function of rugged servo systems is a critical concern for any technician, engineer, or operator. Effective operation must be assured during testing and real-world use across a wide range of technical parameters.
ESI is a leader in extreme performance servo drives, including dynamic cooling solutions for servo systems with a wide range of operational parameters. No matter which servo drive or cooling solution a client ultimately decides on, we are here to provide exceptional support and service at every stage.
Conductive (Chassis) Cooling
Conductive (chassis) cooling is among the most common heat dispersion strategies. Transferring heat from a servo drive system through the interface it is mounted on is a simple and reliable cooling strategy. The size and complexity of the heat sink required by any given drive system will be decided by the engineers designing the drive. In most cases, the motor’s continuous torque capability is the factor used to determine the heat sink’s size. However, there are two important principles that must always be kept in mind when selecting a conductive cooling element:
- Increasing the amount of heat dissipation allowed through conductive cooling can increase the motor’s load capacity and lifespan
- Decreasing the amount of heat dissipation can decrease the motor’s load capacity and lifespan, but may result in a smaller, lighter solution
Because the servo system’s capacity for operational output is directly related to the cooling potential of any given heat sink, we will work carefully with your engineering team to select the ideal conductive cooling element based on load and sizing goals.
Forced Air (Fan) Cooling
Another common manner of heat dissipation is forced air cooling. Typically, an electric fan drives air across the surface of the casing. When combined with a heat sink, this fan can decrease the amount of heat dissipated into the machine’s structure or other systems. This is an important and simple strategy employed when engineers wish to operate a motor at a higher load point.
Liquid Cooling
Although liquid cooling is less common in certain applications, it is an important manner of heat dissipation utilized by the industrial, scientific, military, and aerospace clients that ESI frequently serves. In these systems, liquid cooling agents such as ethylene glycol is circulated around or inside of the motor housing. While this solution is more complex than other cooling methods, its efficiency makes it particularly valuable in ultra-extreme applications.
Cooling Elements & Drives by ESI
We have developed, managed and documented systems for a wide range of specialized industrial and military applications. We work closely with our clients to provide support for whatever ESI system they are running.
Start Designing Your Servo Drive & Interface Systems Today
Every servo drive system developed by ESI is ruggedized, including the cooling aspects, making them ideal for use in defense, energy, and a wide range of other technical applications. We are dedicated to serving the precise needs of each client we serve through the provision of leading engineering solutions. ESI has a reputation for world-class customer satisfaction and support.
Our commitment to a higher level of service sets us apart from other suppliers. Let our team assist you with choosing the perfect drive and cooling element for your next extreme system.