Closing Remarks (Motors And Drives)

The use of electronic motor speed controls has grown tremendously since the early 1960s. The increased use can be attributed to technology improvements not seen in years prior to the 1060s. Motor speed control is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. The use of AC and DC drives, brushless DC drives, permanent magnet AC drives, and stepper drives, all play a part in today’ s industrial and HVAC marketplaces.
The use of electronic motor speed controls is expected to grow in non-traditional applications. Applications like automotive subsystems, household appliances, electric vehicles, people movers and marine propulsion units can all benefit from the technology drives offer.
As of this printing, AC drives (VFDs) comprise over 50% of the control method in use on standard induction AC motors. That trend will only increase in the years to come, due to increased focus on energy saving devices. The vast consumption of energy by fixed speed motors is an invitation for the installation of VFDs as part of an energy management program.
The trend in AC drives appears to include several factors that all users can benefit from. First of all, drives will continue to have increased intelligence. Drives of today and tomorrow are more than just a “motor turner.” They are a mini-PLC and personal computer, rolled into one unit. The ability to customize drive functions is becoming easier, due to windows based development tools. Custom application software and custom programming tools will continue to be a trend in AC drive development.
Another trend in AC drives, is the use of communication options. If communications is used, the drive can be less reliant on its own intelligence. External control devices provide the drive with the information, I/O and feedback that it needs to control process variables in a closed loop system.
The use of micro-drives will also increase in the future. These types of drives will present increased functionality and tout the ability to be flexible during process changes. Industry demands the ability to make changes quickly and efficiently. This is no exception when micro-drives are in use. Since standard consumer products will continue to demand energy savings and flexibility during use, user-oriented programming tools will be the norm, rather than the exception.
As more consumers purchase vector and torque controlled drives, the retail cost will continue to decrease. The manufacturer will realize cost-effective techniques and the consumer will reap the benefits of technology improvement at a reduced price. Who knows where electronic adjustable speed drives will be in the future. The future is only limited by the imagination of results-oriented consumers.