Introduction to Intelligent Electric Drives
Modern technologies continue to evolve, and in recent years, intelligent systems for controlling electric drives in industrial pipeline fittings have become increasingly common. What are intelligent electric drives, and how do they differ from traditional electromechanical drives?
Intelligent Systems: Advantages and Disadvantages
Intelligent systems consist of several elements: electronic units, software that ensures their operation, and cables that connect the drive to the electronic equipment.
Design Differences Between Electric Drives
Let's examine the main design differences between old and modern types of electric drives:
| Name of Drive Component | Traditional Electromechanical | Intelligent |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Motor | Present | Present |
| Manual Duplicator (pulley with a handle) used for manual control of the valve during setup and in the absence of electricity | Present | Present |
| Electric Motor Control Device | Magnetic starters that connect the motor to the network | Electronic frequency converter or voltage regulator (external or built into the drive) |
| Device for Position Control of the Locking Mechanism | Usually 4 limit switches that control 2 extreme and 2 intermediate positions | Non-contact method using magnetic (encoder) or optical position sensor that continuously provides a digital signal |
| Device for Limiting Effort on the Locking Mechanism | Friction or cam clutches that switch the limit switches | Measuring the magnitude of effort using strain gauge sensors, determining this magnitude based on current and voltage consumption of the motor |
Advantages of Intelligent Electric Drives
The positive aspects of intelligent electric drives include:
- Absence of drawbacks of traditional units, such as oxidation of limit switches, generation of interference from contacts, rapid wear of gearboxes and electric motors;
- Non-contact adjustment of the position of the locking body and effort limitation;
- Smoother control of the electric motor's operation;
- Presence of a controller with the ability to program the drive's operation cycle and connect various external devices using Profibus and Modbus protocols for data exchange;
- Ability to adjust the drive without opening the housing, using the controller and position sensor of the locking mechanism.
Disadvantages of Intelligent Electric Drives
Disadvantages include:
- Generation of electromagnetic interference into the external environment;
- Increased requirements for the quality of the power supply to the intelligent drive;
- Susceptibility to interference from the external environment.
Important: Before starting the operation of this equipment, it is necessary to check the state of the power grid, select an interface for communication between the drive and the control system. It is recommended to use a serial RS-485, which transmits more information per unit of time than parallel and is more resistant to interference.
Also, in the presence of a built-in voltage regulator or frequency converter, it is advisable to supply power to the drive through an isolation transformer or use filters in distribution systems.