Electric Torque Machines (ETM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Graco Inc., has signed a technology license agreement with ABB to develop motor solutions for data center cooling towers and heat rejection systems. The agreement covers ETM’s patented Transverse Flux Motor (TFM) technology and expands an existing collaboration between the companies in industrial applications.
ETM’s TFM architecture is designed for high-torque, low-speed applications requiring efficient direct-drive operation. The technology can reduce mechanical complexity and the number of drivetrain components in cooling systems, potentially simplifying maintenance and supporting reliability requirements in data center environments.
Under the agreement, ABB and ETM will develop TFM-based products for cooling towers, heat rejection equipment, and related thermal management applications. The companies are targeting their first installations in data center environments by the end of 2029.
The collaboration will include product development, application engineering, customer qualification, and market development. ABB will contribute its market reach, distribution channels, and customer relationships, while ETM will provide its motor technology.
“Our work with ETM has shown the potential of direct-drive motor systems, and we are pleased to expand that work into cooling applications where performance and uptime matter,” said Jesse Henson, President, NEMA Motors, ABB.
