Brushless speed controllers, an inside look.
04-21-2023, 06:18 PM
#1
homo ludens modelisticus
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: near Nijmegen, Nederland
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Brushless speed controllers, an inside look.
Originally Posted by Lucien Miller
Brushless Electronic Speed Controllers or ESC are probably the most misunderstood and overlooked component in an RC Electric Power System. These little marvels of modern electronics handle huge amounts of power and current, while switching power on and off at a rate of thousands of times per second, all to make a brushless motor spin a prop to power our model aircraft. In this informational article we will look at the basic function of Brushless Speed Controllers, talk about some of the features they have, and dispel some of the myths and misinformation surrounding them. ...
see
www.innov8tivedesigns.com/downloads/Brushless-Speed-Controllers.pdf
Another article by Lucien
Motor part numbers: what do they mean? An explanation.
Thanks Ken Myers of www.theampeer.org
specifically this article from his newsletter
www.theampeer.org/ampeer/ampmay23/ampmay23.htm#MILLER
Last edited by ron_van_sommeren; 04-28-2023 at 06:11 PM.
04-21-2023, 09:37 PM
#2
Past President of PSSF
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Location: Lacey WA, 1 mile E of Mushroom Corner
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Thanks, Ron,
I understand an ESC very well, my electronics training serves me well there.
However when I have tried to explain what an ESC does, some people have told me I am crazy, it can't possibly do things that fast.
Same guy is holding a phone with a processor going much faster.
I am tempted to buy one of those small battery powered oscilloscopes to show my point at the field.
I understand an ESC very well, my electronics training serves me well there.
However when I have tried to explain what an ESC does, some people have told me I am crazy, it can't possibly do things that fast.
Same guy is holding a phone with a processor going much faster.
I am tempted to buy one of those small battery powered oscilloscopes to show my point at the field.
04-22-2023, 02:23 PM
#3
homo ludens modelisticus
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: near Nijmegen, Nederland
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Dave, I still find it amazing that APD controllers can drive 2-magnetpole motors up to 1.0megaRPM.
O.t.o.h. ESC is a simple thing, a very fast commutator. Not mechanical as in a brushed motor, but electronical.
I've always found these drawings useful when explaining the workings of a brushless controller.
O.t.o.h. ESC is a simple thing, a very fast commutator. Not mechanical as in a brushed motor, but electronical.
I've always found these drawings useful when explaining the workings of a brushless controller.
Last edited by ron_van_sommeren; 04-22-2023 at 04:07 PM.
04-22-2023, 02:30 PM
#4
homo ludens modelisticus
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Another useful drawing.
H = high side switches/powerFETs, connected to plus-rail.
L = low side switches/powerFETs, of different type, connected to ground-rail.
The motor has its three phases connected in star.
The diodes are snubber diodes, not needed for explanation of operation.
H = high side switches/powerFETs, connected to plus-rail.
L = low side switches/powerFETs, of different type, connected to ground-rail.
The motor has its three phases connected in star.
The diodes are snubber diodes, not needed for explanation of operation.
Last edited by ron_van_sommeren; 04-23-2023 at 09:49 PM.
04-22-2023, 07:23 PM
#5
Past President of PSSF
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lacey WA, 1 mile E of Mushroom Corner
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In electronics class (damn! over 50 years ago) I built an ESC control for a brushed motor. It was as big as a man's fist, and could handle an amazing 2amps at 12vdc 24 watts! and the thing was heavy.
I put it in an electric boat I had built with a Pitman Boatmaster 12v motor.
The thing was not a high-frequency device, in fact, it was in the audio range.
The motor made such a loud howl that it was hard to believe. You could hear it further than you could see it.
Today a Castel Creations Pixie 7 would work perfectly.
I enjoy your expertise in brushless motors and ESCs Thank you
I put it in an electric boat I had built with a Pitman Boatmaster 12v motor.
The thing was not a high-frequency device, in fact, it was in the audio range.
The motor made such a loud howl that it was hard to believe. You could hear it further than you could see it.
Today a Castel Creations Pixie 7 would work perfectly.
I enjoy your expertise in brushless motors and ESCs Thank you
04-23-2023, 04:34 PM
#6
homo ludens modelisticus
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: near Nijmegen, Nederland
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Two simple useful animations.
2-magnetpole inrunner
14-magnetpole outrunner
Half of the teeth wound, LRK-winding diagram.
2-magnetpole inrunner
14-magnetpole outrunner
Half of the teeth wound, LRK-winding diagram.
Last edited by ron_van_sommeren; 04-28-2023 at 03:26 PM.
04-25-2023, 06:08 AM
#7
homo ludens modelisticus
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Three magnetic flux simulations.
12magnetpole outrunner.
The magnetic field rotaties 6 times faster than bell&shaft.
14-magnetpole outrunner.
The magnetic field rotates 7 times faster than the bell&shaft.
14-magnetpole outrunner.
12magnetpole outrunner.
The magnetic field rotaties 6 times faster than bell&shaft.
14-magnetpole outrunner.
The magnetic field rotates 7 times faster than the bell&shaft.
14-magnetpole outrunner.
Last edited by ron_van_sommeren; 04-27-2023 at 02:52 AM.
