BEI Kimco Magnetics has introduced a new, rugged brushless DC (BLDC) motor that was developed specifically to withstand the harshest conditions found in the Oil Exploration Industry. The robust design also makes it suitable for other applications found in severe environments where failure is not an option. As the extraction of oil reaches greater depths, drilling equipment must continue to operate reliably in increasing temperatures and pressures, while also enduring extreme shock and vibration. In an industry where one hour of downtime can cost upwards of $100,000, having durable products that have been tested and proven to last is crucial. In some cases, replacing a motor in drilling applications can take up to 10 hours or more. BEI Kimco Magnetics understands this need and has designed a motor that can stand up to the challenge, and has the testing results to prove it.
The new 1.5″ diameter DII15-60-200A High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) brushless DC motor provides a suitable solution for severe down-hole applications such as mud pulser valves, caliper deployment and sensor positioning. The motor has been successfully tested to operate under continuous duty in temperatures up to 205°C and pressures up to 30,000 psi.
As Walter Smith, Applications Engineer/Project Manager said, “BEI Kimco Magnetics is among the few companies that have subjected their design to an extensive environmental test protocol at 30K PSI. This qualification test data proves motor performance in these deep drilling conditions where temperature, pressure, shock and vibration extremes combine to create a destructive environment for equipment operation.”
To achieve the durability of this new motor, BEI Kimco Magnetics took a design with nearly two decades of success in the field and pushed the performance envelope into the HPHT realm. The resulting motor features integral Hall commutation and uses Rare Earth Magnets to support high operating efficiencies and corrosion resistance. Designed to withstand shock to 1000g’s and vibration to 25g’s, the new BLDC motor is built to endure the most extreme environmental conditions. To fit a variety of installations, the DII15-60-200A can be customized for gearbox or other feedback device options. In addition, winding variations are offered to meet a wide range of controller voltages and currents.
“Today oil and gas operators have been forced to simply endure high motor failure rates, ultimately resulting in hours of downtime and hundreds of thousands of dollars lost,” said Smith. “BEI Kimco Magnetics’ new motor offers a solution that successfully prevents the downtime and cost associated with these failures.”
