Defense & SatCom

Stabilized platforms for

‍heavy payloads

Fast & accurate data acquisition & communication have never been more crucial for today's defense organizations. Sensors, radars, & antennas require outstanding beam-pointing precision, even in the most dynamic circumstances, to ensure a stable transmission of information.

Alva’s FiberPrinted™ motors offer the outstanding precision & high peak torque output of slotless motors, combined with the compactness of slotted motors. This unique combination of attributes makes them the optimal electric motor type for stabilized platforms that demand market-leading performance & precision.

Reaction wheels

Reaction wheels are integral components in ensuring uninterrupted communication worldwide. They are momentum wheels primarily used for spacecraft attitude control, ensuring that satellites remain pointed in the correct direction.

To achieve the precise control necessary for satellites, reaction wheels require precise control of acceleration & speed, a task at which ironless motors excel. A unique attribute of reaction wheels is their constant spinning to maintain adequate rotational inertia. Given that convection cooling is not an option in space, minimizing speed-dependent losses is paramount to prevent overheating.

Reaction wheels demand motors with fast step-response, low cogging, & low speed-dependent losses, which are the main attributes of ironless motors. The advantage of Alva’s FiberPrinted™ ironless stators lies in their considerably lighter weight compared to other ironless stators, a crucial factor for space applications.

The demand for fast & stable internet connections is continually increasing, leading to the expansion of satellite-based internet networks. These networks rely on high-speed broadband laser modules for communication between satellites & ground stations. The laser beam must travel great distances with millimeter precision to establish a stable & fast connection.

To achieve the necessary precision, motors with linear behavior & without cogging are essential. Additionally, these motors need to be lightweight due to the high cost of launching payloads into space & have low power usage to accommodate the challenging cooling conditions in space. The inherent attributes of Alva’s slotless motors make them the optimal choice for this application.

High-speed APUs

Many ground & aerial vehicles rely on a secondary source of energy to ensure reliable operation in all circumstances. This secondary source of energy often comes in the form of a combustion-powered Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). APUs need to be light, compact, & highly efficient, which is why high-speed piston engines & gas turbines are commonly used.

To achieve the objectives of APUs, combustion engines need to be paired with lightweight & compact generators that inherently have low speed-dependent losses due to their high rotational speeds. These are three of the main attributes of Alva’s FiberPrinted™ slotless motors.

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