Abstract: A drive system which integrates an electric generator, one or more electric motors and an electronic control module is configured as a variable speed drive in either single, dual or four wheeled traction drive configurations for a vehicle. The generator is mechanically driven by the output shaft of an internal combustion engine to generate the electrical power for energizing the electric motors. A central computer in the electronic control module controls the output voltage of the generator and the speed and torque of each of the motors in the drive system. The speed input signal for the motors can be analog signals that come from sources such as a joystick, a potentiometer mounted on a steering wheel, control panel, foot pedal or remote location or digital signals from a digital device. Position/speed detectors on each motor and the generator send signals back to the central computer for closed-loop control of the generator and of the motors.

Abstract: A plane commutator includes a plurality of commutator segments made of carbon compound, a resinous boss member having a body portion supporting a base portion of the commutator segments and an outer peripheral portion supporting an outer periphery of the same and a plurality of metal base plates. Each metal base plate has a contact portion in contact with the base portion of the commutator segment, an axial portion extending along a peripheral portion of the boss member and a terminal portion. The axial portion of the metal base plates is disposed on an outer periphery of the plane commutator in parallel with the outer peripheral portions of the boss member to separate the outer peripheral portion from the body portion. The outer peripheral portion moves freely from the body portion as the metal base plates thermally expand.

Abstract: An interior permanent magnet synchronous motor capable of significantly restraining cogging torque and torque pulsation during feeding of electricity thereto. Each of the outer peripheral surface sections of a rotor core and a magnetic pole surface of each of magnetic poles of a stator core are arranged so as to have a gap defined therebetween and having a size &dgr;d which satisfies an expression &dgr;d=&dgr;d0/cos(p&thgr;d), wherein &dgr;d0 is a size of the gap which is determined along a virtual center line defined so as to extend through centers of two virtual lines extending from a center of a shaft through both ends of the outer peripheral surface section defined in a peripheral direction thereof and &thgr;d is an angle between the virtual central line and each of the virtual lines.

Abstract: An axial field electric machine having an improved efficiency includes a number of magnetic elements (e.g., as a rotor) as annular disks magnetized to provide multiple sector-shaped poles. Each sector has a polarity opposite that of an adjacent sector, and each sector is polarized through the thickness of the disk. The poles of each disk are aligned with opposite poles of each adjacent magnet. Metal members adjacent the outermost disks contain the flux. The axial field electric machine also includes one or more conductor elements (e.g., as a stator) which include a number of conductor phases that traverse the flux emanating between poles of axially adjacent magnetic elements.

Abstract: In a propulsion unit of a vehicle, a rotational displacement detection mechanism is covered or shielded from magnetic flux and radio wave noise which leak from the dynamotor to reduce noise occurring in a signal of the rotational displacement detection mechanism. A magnetic-proof member is disposed between the dynamotor and the rotational displacement detection mechanism in order to shield the mechanism from magnetic flux and/or the radio wave noise.