Outrunner

An outrunner electric motor mounted in the nose of a radio controlled model plane

The term outrunner refers to a type of brushless motor primarily used in electrically propelled, radio-controlled model aircraft.

This type of motor spins its outer shell around its windings, much like motors found in ordinary CD-ROM computer drives. In fact, CD-ROM motors are frequently rewound into brushless outrunner motors for small park flyer aircraft. Parts to aid in converting CD-ROM motors to aircraft use are commercially available.

Outrunners spin much slower than their inrunner counterparts with their more traditional layout (though still considerably faster than ferrite motors) while producing far more torque. This makes an outrunner an excellent choice for directly driving electric aircraft propellers since they eliminate the extra weight, complexity, inefficiency and noise of a gearbox.

Outrunner motors have quickly become popular and are now available in many sizes. They have also become popular in personal, electric transportation applications such as electric bikes and scooters due to their compact size and favorable power-to-weight ratios.

Electromagnetic gearing

The stationary (stator) windings of an outrunner motor are excited by conventional DC brushless motor controllers. A direct current (switched on and off at high frequency for voltage modulation) is typically passed through three or more non-adjacent windings together, and the group so energized is alternated electronically based upon rotor position feedback. The number of permanent magnets in the rotor does not match the number of stator poles, however. The difference between the number of magnet poles and the number of stator poles provides an effect that can be understood as similar to planetary gearing. The number of magnet poles divided by 2 gives the ratio of magnetic field rotation speed to motor rotation speed. Consequently the advance of the electromagnetic impulse around the motor axis proceeds much faster than the rotor turns. With more magnet poles the maximum torque is increased, while the speed of rotor advance is decreased in proportion to the ratio of magnet poles to stator poles.

Common Stator pole/Magnetpole configurations:

9N,12P - very common to many small outrunners. This is also the most common CD-ROM motor configuration. Winding Pattern is ABCABCABC

9N, 6P - Common for helicopter motor, EDFs, and other high speed applications. The winding pattern is ABCABCABC

12N, 14P (DLRK) - Common for higher torque applications. Noted commonly for its smooth and quiet operation. Winding Pattern is AabBCcaABbcC (lowercase implies reverse in winding direction).

Other configurations:

9N, 8P - Magnetically imbalanced motor configuration occasionally found in high speed applications. This configuaration is best terminated as WYE to minimize vibration.

9N, 10P - Highly magnetically imbalanced motor that often makes for noisy running. This configuration is usually only built by do it yourself motor builders. This motor is best terminated WYE. Winding pattern is AaABbBCcC

12N, 16P - A not so common but still used style. It has been overshadowed by the 12N, 14P. Winding pattern is ABCABCABCABC

12N, 10P - Higher speed variant of the DLRK motor. Occasionally found in helicopter motors. Winding Pattern is AabBCcaABbcC (lowercase implies reverse in winding direction).

12N, 8P - Even higher speed than the 12N, 10P. Winding pattern is ABCABCABCABC

External links

• Brushless, outrunner-type electric motor schematics and info