Tom Ramcigam (magicmarmot) wrote,
Tom Ramcigam
magicmarmot
One of the projects that I'm working on uses a linear motor that is capable of providing over 5000 lbs. of force with a two-inch stroke. It's very fast at doing it, like scary fast when it's operating at full capacity. In doing this, it creates a pretty strong localized magnetic field. It's pretty well shielded, but you don't wanna wear a watch when you're close by the thing.
They're currently testing a new cooling system for it. It uses six fans, the same kind of fans that you'd use to cool off your computer. And not the cheap ones either-- we're talking some pretty decently expensive, high-CFM fans here.

The reason for the new cooling system is that the original design apparently got the fans too close to the magnetic field, and the current induced in the fans by the magnetic field overwhelmed the motor windings, and burned them up.

At maximum continuous operation, the beast needs to dissipate 3000 watts of heat. That's the equivalent of leaving your oven on full blast with the door open.

Wacky stuff.
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