Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a rotating DC power supply are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment includes a first and second DC bus rail, a first and second leg, and a discharge resistor. The first leg includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device coupled in series at a first midpoint connection, the first semiconductor device being coupled to a first point on the first DC bus rail and the first midpoint connection being coupled to a field winding. The second leg includes a third semiconductor device and a fourth semiconductor device coupled in series at a second midpoint connection, the third semiconductor device being coupled to a second point on the first DC bus rail and the second midpoint connection being coupled to the field winding. The discharge resistor is operatively coupled to the first DC bus rail between the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor member and a plurality of permanent magnets. The rotor member has a hub with a central axis and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward relative to the hub. Each spoke has a radially inward end and a radially outward end. Each spoke also has a body section, a mounting section, and a flux barrier section. The body section extends from the radially outward end towards the radially inward end. The mounting section is interconnected to the hub. The flux barrier section is disposed between the body section and the mounting section and has at least one flux restriction web extending between the body section and the mounting section. The flux restriction web magnetically isolates the body section from the mounting section. A permanent magnet is disposed within each magnet-receiving slot between pairs of adjacent spokes. A motor with the rotor assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator including a plurality of stator windings; and a rotor in magnetic cooperation with the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of cooling passages extending therethrough, each cooling passage including an inlet for receiving oil and an outlet for discharging the oil. The electrical machine includes a rotating oil distribution member coupled to the rotor, the oil distribution member including a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion, the radially outward portion being disposed adjacent to the inlets of the plurality of cooling passages. A stationary oil delivery nozzle is constructed to discharge oil toward the radially inward portion of the oil distribution member. The oil distribution member is constructed to receive the oil discharged by the oil delivery nozzle, and to direct the oil to the inlets of the cooling passages to cool the rotor.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent magnet motor, including a rotor body having a cylindrical surface having a circumference. A plurality of magnets are disposed on the cylindrical surface at spaced intervals at the circumference, each of the magnets having a base disposed on the cylindrical surface and a top oriented radially away from the base, a sloping front side and a sloping rear side defining with the base and top an isosceles trapezoid shape in a cross sectional plane normal to an axis of rotation of the rotor, the isosceles trapezoid shape being broader at the base. A plurality of magnet retainers, each magnet retainer disposed between a neighboring pair of the plurality of magnets, include angled faces that engage respective front and rear sides of adjacent pairs of the plurality of magnets.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a rotating DC power supply are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment includes a first and second DC bus rail, a first and second leg, and a discharge resistor. The first leg includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device coupled in series at a first midpoint connection, the first semiconductor device being coupled to a first point on the first DC bus rail and the first midpoint connection being coupled to a field winding. The second leg includes a third semiconductor device and a fourth semiconductor device coupled in series at a second midpoint connection, the third semiconductor device being coupled to a second point on the first DC bus rail and the second midpoint connection being coupled to the field winding. The discharge resistor is operatively coupled to the first DC bus rail between the first point and the second point.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes a fan assembly for cooling an electric machine and an electric machine incorporating such a fan assembly. One exemplary fan assembly according to the subject matter described herein includes a first fan annulus for surrounding a portion of an electric machine. The fan assembly further includes a fan drive circuit for driving the first fan annulus separately from a drive mechanism of the electric machine. The first fan annulus is configured to be, when rotating to cool the electric machine, mechanically disconnected from a housing and a rotor of the electric machine and separated from the housing by radial gap.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator core and a plurality of windings subdivided into a plurality of multiphase motor cells, each multiphase motor cell having M windings associated therewith, and having a phase shift relative to other multiphase motor cells. The electrical machine may include N inverter cells coupled in series; wherein each inverter cell is a multiphase inverter; and wherein the voltage magnitude supplied to a corresponding multiphase motor cell is VDC/N. The electrical machine may include a sensor system in communication with the plurality of inverter cells and operative to commutate each inverter cell in a sequence.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor is provided that produces variable magnetic flux. The motor may include two different types of permanent magnets with different coercivities. The magnetic state of one of the magnets may be altered during use. In one state, the effective magnetic flux of the motor is greater, and in another state, the effective magnetic flux of the motor is less.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of an exciterless synchronous generator are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an exciterless synchronous generator comprising a stator, a rotor, and a startup excitation system. The stator includes a set of stator windings. The rotor includes an energy harvest winding, a DC power supply including a DC bus and coupled to the energy harvest winding, and a field winding coupled to the DC power supply. The startup excitation system comprises one of a magnetic field generation system structured to generate a magnetic field received by the energy harvest winding in response to a rotation of the rotor, wherein the magnetic field is converted to DC power with the DC power supply and transmitted to the field winding; or a rotor DC power source including and diode coupled in series across the DC bus.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of an exciterless synchronous machine are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a salient pole rotor for an electric machine comprising one set of pole pairs including a first, second, and third pole pair; a field winding; a set of energy harvest windings, each winding mounted to each of the plurality of pole pairs and structured to receive a harmonic component of AC power from a stator; and a DC power supply structured to receive the harmonic component from the set of energy harvest windings, convert the harmonic component to DC power, and output the DC power to the field winding. The set of energy harvest windings are arranged in a first sequence on the first pole pair, a second sequence on the second pole pair, and a third sequence on the third pole pair, and each sequence is different.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes a multiphase fractional slot concentrated winding machine. One such machine includes a machine module including a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of radially extending teeth. Each tooth is individually wound with a coil. The machine further includes a multiphase series converter circuit physically connected to an end of the machine module to energize the coils for multiphase operation.

Abstract: A synchronous machine and related systems include a stator and rotor separated by an air gap. The rotor includes a rotating DC power supply coupled to exciter windings disposed adjacent the air gap. Power from air gap harmonics, including air gap slot harmonics induce current in the exciter windings, which is rectified and supplied to the rotor field windings. In operation, a desired current level in the rotor field windings can be achieved through control of the DC power supply or superposition of harmonics into the stator winding current which induces the prescribed current in exciter windings.

Abstract: A method includes providing a conductor with a joint and a solution. In accordance with a step of the method, the conductor with the joint is inserted into the solution for a time sufficient to deposit a sufficient amount of conductive material in the joint to allow current to flow through the joint at a desired level when the conductor is installed in an application. In accordance with another aspect of the method, a structure with a joint is inserted into the solution for a time sufficient to deposit a sufficient amount of conductive material in the joint to strengthen the joint to a desired level. In accordance with another step of the method, an electromotive force is applied between an anode and the conductor for electolytic formation of the joint. In another aspect of the invention, the solution is configured for electroless formation of the joint.

Abstract: An assembly that can enhance the power factor of synchronous reluctance (SynRel) machines. The assembly can include one or more pickup coils that are at least proximally adjacent to an outer periphery of a rotor that are structured to harvest energy in an air gap between the rotor and a stator. The harvested energy can be supplied to a rectifier that is electrically coupled to the pickup coils, and which can convert the harvested energy into DC excitation current. The DC excitation current can be provided to one or more DC field windings that extend through the rotor, such as, for example, through flux barriers in the rotor. The flow of the DC excitation current through the DC field windings can generate a flux that can be put in a rotor axis to enhance the power factor and torque rating of the SynRel machine.

Abstract: A synchronous machine and related systems include a stator and rotor separated by an air gap. The rotor includes a rotating DC power supply coupled to exciter windings disposed adjacent the air gap. Power from air gap harmonics, including air gap slot harmonics induce current in the exciter windings, which is rectified and supplied to the rotor field windings. In operation, a desired current level in the rotor field windings can be achieved through control of the DC power supply or superposition of harmonics into the stator winding current which induces the prescribed current in exciter windings.

Abstract: A bridge converter for a multi-phase electrical machine has a number of bridge cells connected in series. Each bridge cell has a controller. The bridge converter includes a sensor operative to provide a commutation signal to at least one controller. A multi-phase electrical machine has a plurality of stator windings and a bridge converter having a number of bridge cells connected in series. Each bridge cell has a controller. The bridge converter includes a sensor operative to provide a commutation signal to at least one controller.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator core and a plurality of windings subdivided into a plurality of multiphase motor cells, each multiphase motor cell having M windings associated therewith, and having a phase shift relative to other multiphase motor cells. The electrical machine may include N inverter cells coupled in series; wherein each inverter cell is a multiphase inverter; and wherein the voltage magnitude supplied to a corresponding multiphase motor cell is VDC/N. The electrical machine may include a sensor system in communication with the plurality of inverter cells and operative to commutate each inverter cell in a sequence.

Abstract: A bridge converter for a multi-phase electrical machine has a number of bridge cells connected in series. Each bridge cell has a controller. The bridge converter includes a sensor operative to provide a commutation signal to at least one controller. A multi-phase electrical machine has a plurality of stator windings and a bridge converter having a number of bridge cells connected in series. Each bridge cell has a controller. The bridge converter includes a sensor operative to provide a commutation signal to at least one controller.

Abstract: A synchronous machine and related systems include a stator and rotor separated by an air gap. The rotor includes a rotating DC power supply coupled to exciter windings disposed adjacent the air gap. Power from air gap harmonics, including air gap slot harmonics induce current in the exciter windings, which is rectified and supplied to the rotor field windings. In operation, a desired current level in the rotor field windings can be achieved through control of the DC power supply or superposition of harmonics into the stator winding current which induces the prescribed current in exciter windings.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator. The stator and/or the rotor include a unitary structure having a plurality of laminations and a plurality of spacing structures integral with the plurality of laminations. Each lamination of the plurality of laminations is disposed adjacent to another lamination of the plurality of laminations. Each spacing structure of the plurality of spacing structures is disposed between adjacent laminations, and is constructed to space the adjacent laminations apart from each other.