Posted to News on 19th Dec 2011, 11:26
Piston air motors improve efficiency and reliability
Huco Dynatork is supplying stainless steel piston-type air motors to Blue Manta International for applications in harsh environments, offering improved operating efficiency and reliability compared with vane-type motors.
A bad experience with the reliability of a vane-type air motor prompted Blue Manta International to look for a better alternative. Air motors are excellent for operation in ATEX environments but the existing model was proving inefficient in extreme conditions; furthermore, the motor was difficult to access for repair and maintenance. Both problems were resolved when the oil and gas well services company switched to a Huco Dynatork piston air motor.
Air motors are used by Blue Manta to tension cable as it is lowered into the well, which might be offshore or in the desert. In both environments the efficiency of the vane motor was compromised by the extreme conditions. Its design makes it very difficult to seal, so salt water and sand can work their way inside to cause damage, and air is lost to the atmosphere rather than being converted into useful work.
Huco Dynatork says its piston air motors are immune to such problems. The operating principle of the product is simple: air up to 100psi is supplied to each of three pistons in turn via an integral rotary valve. The free-floating pistons transmit torque on start-up, and this torque can be adjusted using a pressure regulator. The results is high torque at variable low speed.
80 per cent less air consumption
As the motor traps the compressed air within the cylinder, maximum energy conversion is assured. The design is also easily sealable so not only does it consume up to 80 per cent less air than its vane counterpart, it is also far more reliable in hostile environments.
Another important design feature of the latest generation of Huco Dynatork piston motors is their internal pneumatic porting. Competitors' products typically have porting external to the housing and this makes the units more sensitive to temperature extremes and prone to damage.
The model of Huco Dynatork piston motor that Blue Manta chose is manufactured in stainless steel and supplied with a helical gearbox. For 80 to 90 per cent of its utilisation, the unit serves as a back stop when the reel is in a holding position. Unlike a DC motor in a similar application, the piston air motor will not burn out or cause overload. And thanks to its sealed body it is proving highly reliable and cost-efficient in the field.
Follow the link for more information about Huco Dynatork air motors.
