Abstract: A stator for a variable reluctance motor system is disclosed and the method of assembly thereof. The stator has a plurality of stator cores separated by nonferromagnetic material from each other. The assembly of the stator cores comprises stacking a plurality of lamina into a lamination stack, and then removing a portion of the lamination stack to expose the separated stator cores.

Abstract: System for braking either linear or rotary electric motor having no permanent magnets comprising at least one servo amplifier and an electronic circuit for generating a pulsed control signal for controlling the braking of the motor. The electronic circuit of the present invention may be responsive to any emergency such as loss of the line power, a motion controller failure, or actuation of a limit switch by a driven member. A method of braking is also disclosed.

Abstract: System for braking either linear or rotary electric motor having no permanent magnets comprising at least one servo amplifier and an electronic circuit for generating a pulsed control signal for controlling the braking of the motor. The electronic circuit of the present invention may be responsive to any emergency such as loss of the line power, a motion controller failure, or actuation of a limit switch by a driven member. A method of braking is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the force, or torque, delivered by a variable reluctance motor as the speed of the motor increases. The method comprises the steps of sensing the speed of the motor and varying the number of turns of the motor's phase coil based on the sensed speed. The apparatus includes a motor speed sensor for sensing the speed of the motor and an inductance switch for switching the number of turns of the phase coil from a first value to a second value based on the sensed speed. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductance compensation circuit to compensate for the change in load inductance when the number of turns of the phase coil is switched.

Abstract: The invention provides a motor core movable relative to a stator. The motor core and the stator core comprise base members and a plurality of adjacent tooth members with improved geometry. Each tooth member comprises a tooth surface and tooth sides. The tooth sides extend from the tooth surface toward the base member. At least one of the tooth sides comprises a tip portion and a base portion. The tip portion extends from the tooth surface to the base portion. The base portion extends from the tip portion to an adjoining base portion of a tooth side of an adjacent tooth member. The tip portion is curved.

Abstract: A variable reluctance motor includes a phase assembly (102, 801) having more than one phase unit (121, 122, 123, 821, 822, 823), each of said phase units comprising at least one module (131, 132, 831, 832), each said module comprising an electrically conductive coil (140, 840) wound around the module in one or more windings, each of said phase units being magnetically isolated from every other phase unit, each of said phase units defining a flux path. The motor further includes a ferromagnetic core (101, 810) within the flux path.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the force, or torque, delivered by a variable reluctance motor as the speed of the motor increases. The method comprises the steps of sensing the speed of the motor and varying the number of turns of the motor's phase coil based on the sensed speed. The apparatus includes a motor speed sensor for sensing the speed of the motor and an inductance switch for switching the number of turns of the phase coil from a first value to a second value based on the sensed speed. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductance compensation circuit to compensate for the change in load inductance when the number of turns of the phase coil is switched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing noise and vibration generated by a variable reluctance motor. The relative positions of paired opposing modules in each phase unit are adjusted relative to a stator, even after assembly of the motor, to reduce the noise and vibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing noise and vibration generated by a variable reluctance motor. The relative positions of paired opposing modules in each phase unit are adjusted relative to a stator, even after assembly of the motor, to reduce the noise and vibration.

Abstract: The invention provides a motor core movable relative to a stator. The motor core and the stator core comprise base members and a plurality of adjacent tooth members with improved geometry. Each tooth member comprises a tooth surface and tooth sides. The tooth sides extend from the tooth surface toward the base member. At least one of the tooth sides comprises a tip portion and a base portion. The tip portion extends from the tooth surface to the base portion. The base portion extends from the tip portion to an adjoining base portion of a tooth side of an adjacent tooth member. The tip portion is curved.

Abstract: A high power, low cost magnetically uncoupled variable reluctance motor that provides increased performance while reducing hysteresis losses, thereby reducing the amount of generated heat that needs to be drawn away from a phase assembly. The motor includes a linear or rotary variable reluctance motor that has at least one phase assembly including a plurality of phase units that are magnetically isolated from each other. At least one phase unit includes at least one module removably positioned between a pair of housing plates. By removably positioning the modules between the housing plates, the number of modules within the phase assembly can be adjusted so that the motor produces a desired power output. In one embodiment, each module has a substantially C-shape that includes a pair of legs, each positioned on one side of a main body portion. An electrically conductive coil is positioned about the main body portion and arranged in a substantially V-shape.

Abstract: A variable reluctance linear motor has a stator and an armature mounted so as to be movable along the length of the stator. Armature bearings are mounted to the armature via mechanical vibration dampers and contact the stator so that vibrations in the stator are transmitted to the bearings and dissipated in said vibration dampers. A sensor is mounted to the armature for obtaining position data for the armature with respect to the stator. A controller then calculates the phase currents for the motor phases based on the position data and a desired force value. The phase currents are calculated to maintain a minimum normal force between the armature and said stator, thereby further reducing vibrations. A conditional filter is applied when armature is within a predetermined distance from a desired location. The conditional filter, after a time delay, clamps the velocity feedback to a predetermined range and simultaneously reduces the velocity loop gain.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a motor control circuit including an amplifier with an inductance compensation circuit responsive to a motor, such as a switched reluctance motor, having inductance variations. The inductance compensation circuit includes at least two inductance compensation values and switching means for alternatingly coupling and decoupling at least one of the inductance compensation values from the inductance compensation circuit providing at least first and second inductance compensation for driving the motor in response to variations in the inductance of the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for braking either a linear or rotary electric motor having no permanent magnets comprising at least one position sensor for outputting an electrical characteristic representative of motor position and an electronic circuit for generating a pulsed control signal for controlling the braking of the motor. The electronic circuit of the present invention may be responsive to any emergency such as loss of line power, a motion controller failure, or actuation of a limit switch by a driven member.

Abstract: A controller for force compensation in a variable reluctance motor includes a sensor coupled to the variable reluctance motor for obtaining instantaneous motor position data and a controller coupled to the sensor for receiving the instantaneous motor position data and desired force command. The controller includes a circuit for comparing the instantaneous motor position data and the desired force command with a plurality of stored data points. Each stored data point represents a phase current value. The comparing circuit identifies a selected stored data point having position and desired force command values numerically closest to the instantaneous motor position data and the desired force command. The controller also includes a circuit for interpolating a desired phase current value based on the phase current value of the selected stored data points; a circuit for generating a current having the desired phase current values; and a circuit for outputting the current to the variable reluctance motor.