Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power. Further, in some embodiments, an axial flux machine may include a planar stator having a winding arranged to be positioned within the machine's active region, and may further include at least one switch configured to be selectively closed to establish an electrical connection between respective ends of the winding at a time that the winding is not coupled to an external power source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power.

Abstract: A planar stator includes conductive traces forming windings for poles, and at least first and second conductive vias extending between first and second conductive layers, the first and second conductive vias being positioned to be located radially on a first side of an annular conductive region of an axial flux machine. The conductive traces include a first conductive trace in the first conductive layer and a second conductive trace in the second conductive layer. The first conductive trace includes a first end turn positioned to be located radially on a second side of the annular active region, the second side being opposite the first side. The second conductive trace includes a second end turn positioned to be located radially on the first side of the annular active region. The first conductive trace extends along a first path that begins at the first conductive via, passes through the first end turn, and ends at the second conductive via.

Abstract: An assembly for use in an axial flux motor or generator includes a rotor plate and a magnet, the magnet having a surface that is orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the magnet. The rotor plate is adapted to engage a rotor shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation, and the magnet is attached to the rotor plate. The rotor plate and magnet are configured and arranged such that, if the rotor plate and the magnet are separated from all other magnetic field generating components, then a distance between a first plane that intercepts a first point on the surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal and a second plane that intercepts a second point on the surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal is substantially greater than zero.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: An assembly for use in an axial flux motor or generator includes a rotor plate and a magnet, the magnet having a surface that is orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the magnet. The rotor plate is adapted to engage a rotor shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation, and the magnet is attached to the rotor plate. The rotor plate and magnet are configured and arranged such that, if the rotor plate and the magnet are separated from all other magnetic field generating components, then a distance between a first plane that intercepts a first point on the surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal and a second plane that intercepts a second point on the surface and to which the axis of rotation is normal is substantially greater than zero.