Vertiq created Rotor Cover Add-Ons to attach to the top of the motor to improve air flow and protect the motor from certain solid ingress. There are multiple parts of Rotor Covers, each of which accomplishes a different task:

• Blower Fan: One version of the Rotor Cover is a blower fan. This attachment protects the top of the rotor from solids, making the top of the motor IP25. It also sucks air through the coils to more effectively cool the motor as it is spinning, increasing the continuous torque output of the motor. It is part of the “Performance” and “Pro” configurations.

• Spacer: When using the blower fan, it is necessary to include a spacer that fits in the center of the blower fan. This spacer acts as an adapter for the propeller screws. It is part of the “Performance” and “Pro” configurations.

• Mesh: Another version of the Rotor Cover is a mesh screen. The mesh has openings of 0.8mm, allowing users to increase the IP rating of the top of the motor to IP45. The blower fan and mesh are designed to be paired together, so you can increase the IP rating to IP45 while also keeping the motor extra cool. This combination is the “Pro” configuration of the Rotor Cover.

• Note that the “Default” module configuration does not come with a Rotor Cover.

Vertiq created the Coil Cover add-on to attach to the middle of the module. The Coil Cover is a 3D-printed add-on that ensures all pathways leading to the motor coils go through an opening of at most 0.95mm. The Coil Cover is made up of two symmetrical parts that are screwed together to surround the space beneath the coils, and it is part of the “Pro” configuration. This means the IP rating of the middle section of the motor is IP45. When paired with the Rotor Cover mesh, the entire motor becomes IP45. It should be noted that unlike the Blower Fan Rotor Cover add-on, the Coil Cover restricts airflow through the module, so users should expect a lower maximum continuous torque.

Note that the “Default” and “Performance” module configurations do not come with the Coil Cover.

The Stator Cover is a machined aluminum or 3D printable part that is highly customizable. In the “Default” and “Performance” configurations of the module, the Stator Cover shields the main ESC and is compatible with a Side-Eject Connector Board. This setup allows for users to easily test Vertiq’s products by soldering powering and communication wires directly to the module, but the Side-Eject Connector Board sticks out and electronics are exposed to the elements.

In most cases, to maximize the IP rating of the ESC compartment, a Stator Cover design must interface directly with the arm of the vehicle and accommodate an O-ring placed in a groove in the Stator Cover, creating a tight seal between the arm and module when they are screwed together. This is the IP-Sealable Stator Cover and is part of the “Pro” configuration. Typically, this requires a downward eject connector or flying leads, and fortunately, Vertiq has designed its modules to accommodate custom connectors. The O-ring seal will allow the ESC compartment to achieve a rating of IP65. So, when the module includes the Rotor Cover Blower Fan and Mesh, Coil Cover, and sealed Stator Cover, the entire module is IP45.

Vertiq designed its ESCs to be compatible with separate connector boards, allowing for different wire schemes and/or wire ejection direction.

The Side-Eject Connector Board has exposed solder pads sticking out the side of the module, and it is part of the “Default” and “Performance” module configurations. This makes the module highly flexible for the customer, as they can easily solder whatever wires they would like to it. While this is beneficial for quickly testing the module, it does not allow for liquid-tight sealing and in mass production, customers likely will not want to solder their own wires to the module. 

The Downward-Eject Connector Board is part of the “Pro” configuration, and it has a number of wires coming off it, allowing for power, various types of communication, and LED operation. Pre-wired modules ease the integration of the module into the platform, assuming the wires meet their specifications. The downward-eject direction of the wires also allows the wires to seamlessly enter the arm of the drone and make high IP ratings possible by sealing the Stator Cover with the O-ring.

• Stock LED Preliminary Datasheet

LEDs are typically placed at the end of the drone arm, so due to their proximity to the motor and ESC, Vertiq has made it possible to control the LEDs through the ESC. White LEDs are usually used for night operations and flights during civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset), visible for at least 3 statute miles, as per the FAA Part 107 Anti-Collision Light Requirements. They may also be used as landing lights or illumination for cameras. RGB LEDs offer full red-green-blue color control to indicate vehicle direction or state. Both sets of lights can automatically strobe as well. These functions are built into Vertiq’s stock LED board, but it is possible to incorporate other capabilities (like infrared LEDs) into custom boards. Find our LED support page here.

Please contact sales for custom builds to meet your aircraft’s exact needs.

While Vertiq has designed its own “stock” add-ons for the modules, the intent of the modular design is to enable drone manufacturers to request changes to optimize their module for their vehicle. All of the aforementioned add-ons can be modified and new add-ons can be created to meet the exact needs of an aircraft.