High-temp motor for down hole measurement while drilling

BEI Kimco Magnetics' 3.0-in. diameter x 8.5-in. length motor performs at up to 220 ºC.

By Renee Robbins February 11, 2010

BEI Kimco Magnetics, a company of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST) Inc., recently met the challenging high-performance motor requirements for a down hole measurement while drilling (MWD) application. Key to the down hole tool string design was a motor capable of operation at elevated winding temperatures of up to 220 °C and pressures approaching 30,000 PSI. The motor is used to position a sensor that would take measurements of the materials encountered during oil exploration operations.

"Performing drilling and logging operations at ever increasing depths is extremely expensive and our customers cannot tolerate failure of any of the components within the tool string," says Walter Smith, BEI Kimco’s senior applications engineer/project manager for motors. "If the motor failed to position the sensor properly, the accuracy of the measurement would be compromised and the tool would have to be pulled up. Time is money, so reliability at these severe temperatures was paramount to the motor’s design."

To meet the manufacturer’s requirements, BEI Kimco developed a high performance, 3.0-in. diameter x 8.5-in. length motor with a custom housing and dual shafts for gearbox and resolver mounting. High-energy samarium-cobalt magnets were used to provide high operating efficiencies and superior corrosion resistance. The motor was also designed for operation while filled with oil to compensate for the high pressures. These features combined to provide a highly robust solution.

BEI Kimco Magnetics , Vista, CA, specializes in rotary and linear motion control products. Its motors and actuators with extended temperature operation range capabilities have been used successfully in mission-critical applications for many high-end industrial and military applications. Custom Sensors & Technologies , Moorpark, provides sensors, controls, and actuation products for the Transportation, Industrial and Aerospace & Defense markets.
– Edited by Renee Robbins, senior editor
Control Engineering News Desk

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