ABB Drives Reduce Energy Used By Fridges

ABB Group's Variable Speed Drives have won an award for cutting energy usage and extending the life of refrigerators. The Food and Drink Innovation Network Clegg Food Projects Award for New Process and Environmental Awareness was presented to ABB at a gala dinner at the National Space Centre, Leicester. More than 60 per cent of industrial electrical energy is used to power electric motors, the majority of which are used on fans, pumps and compressors.

These devices are used in refrigeration equipment. The motors driving these applications usually run at a constant speed, even though the load is varying. Using variable speed drives (VSDs), the speed of the motor can be slowed down, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed. A VSD can be retrofitted to most existing systems.

The mechanical controls are simply locked fully open and the VSD directly controls the speed of the electric motor. Since cold storages and fridge plants typically run for 24 hours, most refrigeration drive applications are potential VSD candidates. Any refrigeration system with a wide variation in operating hours or with a heat load that is less than the peak load can benefit from a VSD. ABB applied existing technology to the food industry by developing bolt on variable speed drive motors for refrigerators.

These keep units running at regular speeds and prevent peaks of energy use when something is put inside a fridge, reducing energy use and costs and cutting carbon footprints. This increases the life of the equipment. Instead of continually running at full speed, the lower speed reduces stresses, increases the equipment life and extends service intervals, cutting maintenance costs.

Kamo Seiko Appoints UK Distributor

A range of zero-backlash speed reducers is now available to the UK market, as a result of the recent appointment of Precision Motion (Cofil) as agent for the Japanese manufacturer Kamo Seiko. Available in both co-axial and right-angle configurations, these speed reducers utilise precision ground steel balls as the transmission medium.

According to the company, the speed reducers offer zero-backlash; rolling contact, therefore reduced noise; high efficiency; high torque capacity; and excellent accuracy. There is a choice of several input/output options to suit all applications, including a version to allow direct fitting of NEMA 11 to 34 frame motors.

In addition, the housing is designed to facilitate the addition of custom-made flanges for special applications. Reduction ratios are available from 5:1 to 1600:1, with rated output torque capacity ranging from 1.6Nm to 98Nm. Precision Motion will also be responsible for sales and technical support for Kamo's range of miniature cam and cam/pneumatic hybrid indexing mechanisms, for small fixed stroke positioning applications.

Pepperl & Fuchs Offers Compact Ident Interface

Pepperl & Fuchs has released the Ident control compact interface unit, which supports RFID readers with 125kHz, 250kHz, 13.56MHz, 868MHz and 2.45GHz frequencies. Two versions are available to support one or two readers. The interface options include Ethernet, Profibus, RS232 and RS485.

The metal IP67 housing measures 137 x 62 x 41mm, stabilising it against electromagnetic influence. It can be mounted in any orientation to suit the application. Two LEDs provide commissioning and maintenance information for the read/write heads and two LEDs for bus communication and diagnosis. Further commissioning and testing is performed with the free RFID-Control software. Connection to the unit utilises M12 connector plugs for the bus, power and read/write heads.

AST Releases The AST46HA Explosion-Proof Sensor

American Sensor Technologies' (AST) AST46HA is a media-isolated explosion-proof sensor with digital compensation and single-seal approval. It is made of stainless steel and is approved to CSA30 (UL1203/FM3615) Class 1, Division 1 and Zone 1 Group IIB Explosion Proof, groups C and D. The AST46HA is suitable for extreme temperature applications, including arctic environments and off-shore platforms.

It applies digital compensation and utilises Krystal Bond technology. It utilises a one-piece stainless steel non-oil-filled sensor design, which offers continuous operation at temperatures that cause other sensors to fail. The AST46HA is suitable for applications where linearity and repeatability are critical. The AST46HA is versatile and suitable in a variety of applications.

These applications include: oil and gas pipelines, well optimisation, drilling platforms, CNG/LNG fill stations, paint booths and remote transmitter units (RTU). The AST46HA operates at a wide ambient temperature range -40 to +85C, offers a compensated temperature range of -30 to +55C and a media temperature range of -40 to +125C. All AST46HA units come standard with +/-0.1 per cent BFSL accuracy, EMI/RFI protection of 100V/meter and a variety of output options including 4-20mA, 1-5V and 0.5-4.5V ratiometric.

Accu-Coder Model 25T Thru-Bore Incremental Encoders

Introducing the next generation of high performance encoders - Accu-Coder (Encoder Products Company) Model 25T. As contemporary as its appearance, the Model 25T features the largest thru-bore available in a 2.5” encoder, mounting directly on shafts as large as 1.125" (28 mm). With resolutions of up to 10,000 CPR, and Frequencies of up to 1MHz this industrial strength encoder is perfect for fast revving motors.

The 25T features the next generation of EPC's proprietary Opto-ASIC sensor which provides superior accuracy and precision counts. The injection molded housing, made from EPC's custom blend of nylon composites, is grooved with "cooling fins" and can take the extreme heat of the motion control industry. With sealing available of up to IP66 and many new rugged flexible mounting options, the Model 25T can perform in demanding industrial environments.

This revolutionary new 2.5” encoder truly is unlike any other and ideal for replacing HS20, HS25, and HS35 style encoders.

Meltric Publishes 2009 Product Catalog

Meltric Corporation has announced the availability of its 2009 product catalogue featuring Decontactor Series switch rated plugs, receptacles and connectors. This 224-page catalogue also provides information about Meltric's other plug and receptacle product offerings including hazardous duty rated devices, PF high ampacity devices (up to 600A), and a wide variety of multi-pin devices (up to 37 contacts).

Decontactor Series switch rated plugs and receptacles allow technicians to change-out motors, welders and other electrical equipment. They are an NEC approved 'line of sight' disconnect and are UL approved for both 'branch circuit' and 'motor circuit' disconnect switching up to 200A or 60 HP. Decontactors are also UL rated to make and withstand short circuits up to 100kA. A Decontactors integral switching capability ensures that the contacts are always de-energised before the plug can be withdrawn from the receptacle.

Once the plug is removed, the receptacle's safety shutter further ensures worker safety by preventing unintentional access to live parts to all but the correct mating plug. Since Decontactors maintain an NFPA 70E defined hazard/risk category of zero during equipment connection and disconnection, users do not have to wear PPE nor follow other NFPA 70E specified safety procedures that are typically necessary for electrical safety during electrical equipment change-outs.

Parker Introduces Parfit Hydraulic Filter Elements

The Filtration Division of Parker Hannifin has introduced a range of hydraulic filter elements designed to eliminate the problems of equipment downtime and failure caused by fluid contamination. The Parfit elements are interchangeable with products from all other suppliers, giving end users the option of sourcing all filter elements from a single manufacturer.

This approach can reduce stock levels and, as the Parfit elements are manufactured to high standards, can extend operating life. Suitable for use in a wide range of applications including industrial and mobile plant, test rigs, aircraft ground support equipment, steel and paper mills, the Parfit elements have been developed to allow both system designers and end users to meet current and future environmental regulations.

In particular, the Parfit filter system uses a standard metal housing and replaceable element, which can be changed during routine maintenance, leaving the housing in place, and reducing both waste disposal and element replacement costs.

In addition, Parfit filter elements can be used as a direct replacement for competing products and are manufactured to stringent quality standards.

Every unit is produced to extremely tight tolerances with features including corrosion resistant end caps and fully bonded construction for maximum strength. The new Parfit elements conform to international ISO standards, governing collapse and burst resistance, fabrication integrity, material compatibility and flow fatigue characteristics, as well as to the internationally recognised multipass test.