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Method and machine for high strength undiffused brushless operation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1174353

A brushless electric machine (30) having a stator (31) and a rotor (32) and a main air gap (34), the rotor (32) having pairs of rotor pole portions (22b, 22c, 32f, 32l) disposed at least partly around the axis of rotation (32p) and facing the main air gap (24b, 24c, 34), at least one stationary winding (20b, 20c, 33b) separated from the rotor (22b, 22c, 32) by a secondary air gap (23b, 23c, 35) so as to induce a rotor-side flux in the rotor (22b, 22c, 32) which controls a resultant flux in the main air gap (24b, 24c, 34). PM material (27b, 27c) is disposed in spaces between the rotor pole portions (22b, 22c, 32f, 32l) to inhibit the rotor-side flux from leaking from said pole portions (22b, 22c, 32f, 32l) prior to reaching the main air gap (24b, 24c, 34). By selecting the direction of current in the stationary winding (20b, 20c, 33b) both flux enhancement and flux weakening are provided for the main air gap (24b, 24c, 34). The stationary windings (31a, 33b) which are used for both primary and secondary excitation allow for easier adaptation to cooling systems as described. A method of non-diffused flux enhancement and flux weakening is also disclosed.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
Assignee:
UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Number(s):
6,573,634
Application Number:
09/872,048
OSTI ID:
1174353
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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