POWER LINE: powerful and ATEX-compliant air motors

You need a motor to be light and small but with high torque! With the POWER LINE vane air motors the name says it all! The powerful air motors are distinguished by their unparalleled low performance weight. The required high torque is reached immediately after start-up. It is a motor, which not only shines in terms of economy: as well as the attractive price and fast delivery times, the POWER LINE motor is now available in the same size but with even more power. The foot and flange motors with robust cast-iron housing have a power range of 1.6 to 18 kW.

 

Expansion of the product range with ATEX certification

The product spectrum already consists of a number of standard motors. Now the POWER LINE program has been extended and the ATEX certified air motors have been added: the sizes from 1.6 to 6 kW are accredited in accordance with directive 2014/34/EU from 26th February 2014 for use according to EX II 2 GD c IIC T3 (200°C).

ATEX certification is a European standard that ensures that devices and protective systems can be operated safely in potentially explosive atmospheres. ATEX stands for “Atmosphères Explosibles”. It is based on two European directives:

• Directive 2014/34/EU (formerly 94/9/EC) specifies the requirements that products must meet in order to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It ensures that such devices and systems are not a source of ignition and meet the highest safety standards.

• Directive 1999/92/EC is aimed at employers and regulates the minimum requirements for the protection of workers in potentially explosive atmospheres in order to ensure safe working conditions.

ATEX air motors: Safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres

In accordance with 2014/34/EU, machines in category 2 are designated for use in areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere consisting of gases, steam, smoke or a dust-air mixture is occasionally likely to arise. The machine-based explosion prevention measures in this category guarantee the required extent of safety even if there are frequent device errors or error statuses.

• Air motors are already in themselves ideally designed for this type of application. The functional principle of an air vane motor is simple:
• The compressed air generated by the compressor begins motor rotation.
• The rotor begins to revolve in the eccentric cylinder.
• In its slots there are vanes which are pushed against the outside of the cylinder wall by centrifugal force.
• Working chambers are generated for the expanding compressed air.
• The expansion means that the compromised air changes the pressure energy into kinetic energy – resulting in the rotational movement.
• The expanded air cools down and it becomes really cold around the motor.

Therefore, the risk of gasses becoming ignited by high temperatures is significantly reduced by using an air motor. All new ATEX air motors can be recognised by their type key: the conformity of the 68X-001F09/IEC71 is clearly indicated by the “X” in the type description.

 

Optimization of POWER LINE air motors

Increasing the performance of air motors

As well as the ATEX certification, DEPRAG engineers have also further optimised the existing POWER LINE motors, this means: the same motor size is now even more efficient! The previous power range of all motors has been increased from 2.6 kW to 3.2 kW or from 3.6 kW to 5.0 kW and 6.0 kW.

Standardized interfaces for gearbox connection

Due to the high speeds of vane motors, gears are frequently required for speed regulation. With DEPRAG, machine builders are saved from the extensive design work and interface adjustment between gear and motor. The drives are equipped with a standardised IEC-flange connection such as that used for electric motors and standard gears. The IEC-flange enables the connection of varying ATEX conform standard gears. This may include planetary gears, spur gears, worm gears, bevel gears or other gear types.

Flexibility thanks to reversible drives

In addition, all drives in the catalogue are also reversible i.e. the motors work in both rotational directions. The air motors can be controlled using an external directional control valve. Alternatively, there are also air motors in the program which can be manually controlled with a lever.

Integrated braking device for more safety

POWER LINE vane motors with power of 1.6 to 5 kW are also available with integrated brake. The holding brake is controlled via a separate control line. If the pressure in the brake line falls, then the holding brake is automatically activated. If the operating pressure in the control air connection for the motor brake is higher than 5 bar, then the motor spindle will turn freely.

 

Planning and design for maximum energy efficiency in air motors

It is important for the DEPRAG engineers that the motor is deployed in an energy-efficient way. The air motors are characterised by their speed adaptation feature, which adjusts automatically according to load variations. When load is removed the air motors run at idle speed. If low load is conflicted, when there is low torque on the motor spindle, the working speed approaches the idle speed. The working speed is reduced as soon as the torque increases. At 50 percent of the idle speed the air motor achieves its maximum power. "This is also the optimal working range of the air motor. In the range of 40-50% of the idle speed the air motor works particularly energy-efficiently. This is a criterion which we consider carefully during motor design", explains the DEPRAG Product Manager for air motors Dagmar Dübbelde.

It is also important that the correct dimensions of the air motor are ascertained during the planning stage. There are theoretical characteristic curves available for all DEPRAG air motors. The specialists at DEPRAG support their clients in the planning of the right motor for the customer’s individual application case.

 

 

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