Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Whether for defense, industry or exploration, the demand of underwater systems, such as manned submersibles, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) is a market that is expected to grow to more than $10 billion by the 2030s, according to Emergen Research. These underwater platforms of all forms stand to leverage the benefits of ThinGap’s high efficiency motor kits. With critical functions such as robotic actuation and quiet, yet highly efficient propulsion, ThinGap’s motors continue to find a home in marine and subsea applications.
An emerging use for ThinGap’s brushless DC motors is marine propulsion. ThinGap motors are ideal for underwater direct drive thrusters because of a high torque-to-diameter ratio. ThinGap recently delivered a floodable motor assembly based off its LS Series to a defense customer for a UUV application. With no gearbox, there are no drivetrain losses, enabling lower assembly weight, increased torque, and greater reliability.
As a flooded motor, ThinGap’s stator has the added benefit of inherent cooling from the cold seawater. In addition, the thin profile of the slotless stator architecture provides less fluid resistance than more traditional actuators. Mechanically speaking, the ring architecture allows propulsion to be directly outside of the rotor (propeller), or inside (impeller). High motor efficiency, low-noise underwater thrusters are ideal for the fast growing ROV, UUV, and AUV market segments.
With more than two decades of experience in the design and production of slotless motor kits, ThinGap leverages its proven designs to deliver engineered solutions to support both commercial and defense applications underwater. With standard products ranging in size from 25 mm to 393 mm in outer diameter, ThinGap’s highly scalable motor technology can be modified to fit any environmental requirement.