A

AC Motor

‍An electric motor powered by alternating current (AC), commonly used in industrial and commercial applications for its efficiency and reliability.

Air gap

The air gap in an electric motor is the small space between the stator and rotor. The size of the air gap affects the motor’s magnetic flux, efficiency, and torque production. A smaller air gap generally improves performance but requires precise manufacturing to avoid mechanical contact.

Armature‍

The component of an electric motor that carries current and interacts with the magnetic field to generate motion.

Axial Flux Motor‍

A type of electric motor where the magnetic field runs parallel to the axis of rotation, offering higher torque density compared to radial flux motors.

B

Back EMF (Electromotive Force)‍

The voltage generated by a motor as it rotates, opposing the applied voltage and influencing efficiency and control.

Ball Bearing

‍ A type of bearing used in electric motors to reduce friction between moving parts, improving performance and lifespan.

Brushless DC Motor (BLDC)‍

A highly efficient motor that uses electronic commutation instead of brushes, reducing wear and increasing reliability.

C

Closed/open loop control

Closed-Loop Control: Uses feedback from sensors to adjust the motor’s operation continuously, ensuring it meets the desired performance criteria (e.g., maintaining speed or position). Open-Loop Control: Operates without feedback, relying solely on input commands. It’s simpler and cheaper but less accurate, as it does not correct for disturbances or changes in load.

Commutation

The process of switching current in the motor windings to maintain rotational motion. In brushless motors, this is handled electronically.

Cooling Load

The amount of heat that must be dissipated from the motor’s system to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Managing the cooling load is critical for ensuring motor efficiency and longevity, especially in high-power or high-performance applications.

Copper Losses‍

Power losses in the form of heat due to the electrical resistance of the copper windings in a motor.

Core Losses‍

Energy losses that occur in the magnetic core of an electric motor due to hysteresis and eddy currents.

Coreless Motor

A type of electric motor that lacks an iron core in its rotor, reducing weight and increasing efficiency,

D

Direct Drive Motor

A motor that eliminates the need for mechanical transmission components, providing increased efficiency and reduced maintenance.

Duty Cycle

The percentage of time a motor operates within a given period, influencing thermal performance and lifespan.

E

Efficiency

The ratio of mechanical output power to electrical input power, expressed as a percentage. Higher efficiency reduces energy consumption and heat generation.

Encoder‍

A sensor used to provide feedback on motor position, speed, and direction, essential for precision control.

F

FiberPrinting™

Alva's patented industrial winding method that enables the continuous production of stator mats for ironless and slotless rotary and linear motors. This innovative process maximizes the copper fill factor, achieving up to 60%, and allows for precise customization of size and stator configuration. The result is an optimal combination of torque density and precision across various sizes and form factors

Frameless Motor

A motor designed without a housing, allowing for direct integration into a system, optimizing space and performance.

Frequency

The number of AC voltage cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz), affecting motor speed in AC motors.

H

Halbach Array ‍

A specific arrangement of permanent magnets that strengthens the magnetic field on one side while canceling it on the other, used in Alva's rotor designs to improve efficiency and performance.

Hall Effect Sensor‍

A device used in brushless motors to detect rotor position and assist in electronic commutation.

Heat Sink ‍

A passive thermal management component used to dissipate heat away from critical motor components, such as the stator or controller. Heat sinks are critical for preventing overheating, improving motor lifespan, and maintaining efficiency.

Hysteresis Loss

Energy lost in the form of heat due to repeated magnetization and demagnetization of a motor’s core material.

I

Inductance

The property of a motor winding that resists changes in current flow, measured in henries (H). Higher inductance smooths current variations but can limit high-speed performance.

Induction Motor ‍

Electric motors that operate based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, where the magnetic field induces current in the rotor. Induction motors are widely used in various industrial and commercial applications due to their robustness, simplicity, and reliability.

Ironless Stator

A stator design without iron cores, reducing weight and energy losses, leading to higher efficiency and performance in electric motors.

Ironless Generators ‍

Generators designed without iron cores, resulting in maximum energy yield across all RPM ranges.

L

Line-to-Line Resistance

The electrical resistance between two phases (windings) of a three-phase motor. This resistance impacts efficiency by causing power losses in the form of heat. A lower line-to-line resistance generally results in better motor performance and less energy loss.

Litz Wire ‍

A type of wire made of many thin, insulated strands twisted together. It’s used to reduce eddy current losses in motor windings, improving efficiency, particularly at high frequencies, making it ideal for motors operating at higher speeds.

M

Magnet Wire

Insulated copper or aluminum wire used in motor windings to carry electrical current.

Motor Controller‍

An electronic device that regulates the performance of an electric motor, managing speed, torque, and efficiency.

Motor Constant (Km)

A parameter indicating the efficiency of a motor in converting electrical power to mechanical power.

O

Overheating

The condition where the motor operates at temperatures higher than its safe limit, often due to excessive current, poor cooling, or prolonged high-load operation. Overheating can result in reduced motor life, damage to insulation, and eventual failure.

P

Peak Current

The maximum amount of current a motor can handle for a short period without causing damage or overheating. Peak current is typically higher than continuous current and is essential for short-term performance bursts.

Peak Torque

The maximum torque that an electric motor can generate for a short duration without causing damage. Peak torque is essential for applications requiring bursts of power, such as startup or acceleration phases. It is typically higher than continuous torque but can only be sustained for brief periods to prevent overheating or motor damage.

Permanent Magnet Motor

A motor that uses permanent magnets to generate the magnetic field, improving efficiency and power density.

Power Density

The ratio of power output to motor size or weight, a key factor in high -performance applications.

Product Selector

A tool from Alva Industries that helps you find the ideal motor solution based on your specific requirements. By selecting key parameters, such as application type, motor size, and performance criteria, you can easily navigate through Alva’s product offerings to find the perfect match for your needs. This user-friendly tool streamlines the process of selecting the best motor for your application.

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)

A technique used to control the power delivered to a motor by varying the width of the voltage pulses. Control: By adjusting the duty cycle (the proportion of on-time to off-time), PWM allows precise control of motor speed and torque. Application: Widely used in motor drives, power converters, and dimming controls.

R

Radial Flux Motor

A motor design where the magnetic field flows perpendicular to the axis of rotation, commonly used in traditional motor designs.

Rotor

The rotating part of an electric motor that interacts with the stator to produce motion.

S

Saturation

Refers to the condition where the magnetic material (typically the core of the motor) reaches its maximum magnetization and can no longer increase its magnetic field. Saturation limits the efficiency and performance of the motor.

Series Turns

The number of turns of wire in the stator windings connected in series, which influences the motor’s electrical resistance and inductance. Increasing the number of turns typically increases the motor’s torque output but may also affect efficiency and size.

Servo Motor‍

A precision motor used for controlled motion applications, often found in robotics and automation.

SlimTorq™

Alva's compact, high-torque frameless motor designed for precision applications. It features a slim profile, high torque density, zero cogging, and no saturation. The motor's large through-hole simplifies integration into tight spaces, while Alva's FiberPrinting™ technology enhances efficiency and torque.

Slotless Motor ‍

A motor design that eliminates slots in the stator, reducing cogging torque and providing smoother operation, as implemented in Alva's high-precision applications.

Stator ‍

The stationary component of an electric motor that generates the magnetic field to drive the rotor.

Spatial Harmonic Torque Ripple

A type of torque ripple that occurs due to the uneven distribution of magnetic fields in the motor’s stator, leading to fluctuating torque during rotation. These spatial harmonics can cause vibration and noise, and are typically minimized by optimizing motor design and using advanced techniques like skewing the stator or rotor.

T

Torque

The rotational force produced by a motor, measured in Newton -meters (Nm), critical for determining motor performance.

Torque Density

The ratio of torque output to motor size or weight. Higher torque density allows for compact, high-performance motors, making it a key factor in applications where space and weight are limited.

Torque Linearity

Refers to the consistency of a motor's torque output relative to the input current. A linear torque response indicates that the motor's performance is predictable and stable, which is desirable for applications requiring precise control.

Torque Ripple

The small, periodic fluctuations in torque output as the motor rotates. These fluctuations can cause vibrations, noise, and inefficiencies in the motor’s operation. Minimizing torque ripple is a key consideration in high-performance applications, especially in precision systems.

Torque-Speed Curve

A graphical representation that shows the relationship between the torque and speed of a motor. It typically shows a decrease in torque as speed increases and is essential for understanding how a motor will behave under varying load conditions.

Thermal Management

Strategies used to control heat generation in electric motors, ensuring reliability and longevity.

Torque Constant (Kt)‍

The torque constant of a motor (Kt) represents the ratio of torque produced to the current supplied to the windings. It is typically expressed in Newton-meters per Ampere (Nm/A) and indicates how effectively a motor converts electrical current into torque. A higher Kt value means greater torque output per unit of current.

V

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)‍

An electronic device that controls AC motor speed and torque by varying input frequency and voltage.

Voltage Rating

The maximum voltage an electric motor can safely operate at without risk of damage.

Voltage constant ‍

The voltage constant KeK_eKe of a motor is the ratio of the back electromotive force (EMF) to the angular velocity of the motor. It is typically expressed in Volts per radian per second (V/(rad/s)) or Volts per RPM (V/RPM). KeK_eKe indicates how much voltage is induced in the motor's windings per unit of speed.

W

Wire Size Table ‍

A reference table that lists the recommended wire sizes for motor windings based on current ratings, voltage, and application requirements. It helps ensure that the motor can handle the required electrical load without excessive heat generation or power loss.

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