Motors
From Combat Robot
Almost all combat robots use motors to run their drivetrains, weapons, etc. The majority of these have been electronically powered, and although the words Motor and Engine are synonymous, look on the related page for information on internal combustion engines.
PMDC
Main article: Permanent_magnet_DC_motors
A brushed permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor has a rotating 'armature' of wire coils, typically wound around iron pole cores. The armature is positioned in a field generated by stationary permanent magnets. Electrical power is transferred to and correctly switched between the armature windings as they rotate by stationary brushes pressing against a set of contacts on the armature (the 'commutator'). The brushes sliding across the commutator create friction, wear, and inefficiency.
A brushless PMDC motor has stationary wire coils and rotating permanent magnets. Since the coils are stationary, sliding brushes and commutator are not required -- however, the switching of electrical power to the correct coil windings must be handled by an 'intelligent' motor controller that senses the position of the rotating permanent magnet field.
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