Stepper motors for thrusters?
Posted: Oct 14th, 2013, 5:12 am
Hi,
Most people use either modified bilge pumps or some kind of brushless motors for their thrusters these days.
Generally, this means relatively high rpm and small props. This works, but I am thinking maybe it would be better to have some bigger props running at a lower rpm.
So what do people think of using some sort of stepper, enclosed and oil filled and pressure compensated in some sort of housing and a 150mm +- prop either on a sealed shaft of with mag coupling. Magnetic coupling will be a challenge though because of the relatively high torque transfer from the stepper to the "big" prop. I think something along the lines of a Nema 17 size stepper. They are very cheap and widely available. Max rpm of these are 3000rpm
I believe this will provide much higher torque and much reduced power requirement.
What do you think? Have anyone tried something like this already?
Hope to get some input on this and would like to try it.
Most people use either modified bilge pumps or some kind of brushless motors for their thrusters these days.
Generally, this means relatively high rpm and small props. This works, but I am thinking maybe it would be better to have some bigger props running at a lower rpm.
So what do people think of using some sort of stepper, enclosed and oil filled and pressure compensated in some sort of housing and a 150mm +- prop either on a sealed shaft of with mag coupling. Magnetic coupling will be a challenge though because of the relatively high torque transfer from the stepper to the "big" prop. I think something along the lines of a Nema 17 size stepper. They are very cheap and widely available. Max rpm of these are 3000rpm
I believe this will provide much higher torque and much reduced power requirement.
What do you think? Have anyone tried something like this already?
Hope to get some input on this and would like to try it.