What are the criteria for choosing a DC electric motor for a helicopter winch?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting a suitable DC electric motor for a helicopter winch, focusing on specifications such as size, power requirements, and motor type. Participants explore the implications of these specifications on the design and functionality of the winch system.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant specifies the need for a DC electric motor that fits within a cylinder of radius 165 mm and height 200 cm, emphasizing the requirement for a Permanent Magnet (PM) motor that can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
  • Another participant questions the power and torque requirements, asking what the winch needs to lift and why a permanent magnet motor is preferred.
  • A participant provides the lifting requirement of 1300 kilograms and mentions the drum diameter of 330 millimeters, suggesting that a PM motor is chosen for its dynamic properties.
  • There is a calculation presented regarding torque and power requirements, estimating about 1550 ft-lbs of torque and suggesting a motor in the range of 20-25 hp, with a recommendation for using planetary gears.
  • Participants share links to motor catalogs and manufacturers, indicating challenges in finding detailed online resources for DC motors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the specifications needed for the motor, but there is no consensus on the exact power requirements or the best approach to selecting the motor, as different viewpoints on motor types and configurations are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the exact power and torque calculations, and there are unresolved questions about the choice of motor type and the implications of the design specifications.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in mechanical engineering, particularly those focused on winch design, motor selection, and related applications in aerospace or heavy lifting systems.

ENgez
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Hello,
I am designing a helicopter winch (basically, a drum to spool and retrieve a cable), and need to select a DC electric motor from some catalog.

This motor needs to fit inside an cylinder of radius 165 mm and height of 200 cm or less. it has to be a Permanent Magnet (PM) engine. and needs to be able to spin CW and CCW.

As the winch drum spins at 60 RPM, preferably i would like a motor which could get me close (although those i found give about 2000 RPM at minimum), making the transmission simpler to design.

I come from a mechanical engineering background, so my knowledge about where to look up these engines is limited and so are my results in finding good catalogs. any help would be greatly appreciated.

thank you.
 
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This motor needs to fit inside an cylinder of radius 165 mm and height of 200 cm or less. it has to be a Permanent Magnet (PM) engine. and needs to be able to spin CW and CCW.

that's big, ~13 inch diameter by 61/2 feet long?

you haven't said what kind of power or torque you need. What does it lift?

And why permanent magnet?

http://lancet.mit.edu/motors/index.html

google search on this phrase
"dc motor catalog"
showed a long list of manufactureres
but you're right it's hard to find an online catalog with details.

changing search to this phrase narrowed it down a bit
"dc planetary gearmotor catalog"


these guys looked interesting
http://www.dumoremotors.com/planetary-gear-motors.html
 
Last edited:
it needs to lift 1300 kilograms. and the diameter of the drum is 330 milimeters. and from what i gathered permanemt magnet is the engine of choice for winches, due to good dynamic properties.
 
it needs to lift 1300 kilograms. and the diameter of the drum is 330 milimeters.

check if my arithmetic's right here?
that's going to be about 1550 ft-lbs of torque after your reduction gears?
i think you said drum runs at 60 rpm, which at that torque is = ~18 hp?

so you need a 20-25 hp motor about 6 inch diameter... sounds like a job for planetary gears.


really you're in mechanical design territory where i am not qualified to offer advice.
But maybe above will help you describe your need to a manufacturer's sales engineer??


http://www.industrialpumpandmotor.com/motor-drives/links.html

http://www.goodrich.com/Goodrich/Businesses/Sensors-and-Integrated-Systems/Products/Rescue-Hoists-and-Cargo-Winches

http://www.breeze-eastern.com/2010/index.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thanks for the help. I will look into it.
 

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