Abstract: A method for building a component for an electrical rotating machine is provided. The method includes providing a powdered magnetic material and an electrically conductive material, positioning these materials within a mold selected to produce the required dimensions in the materials after the application of a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) procedure, and applying at least one HIP procedure to the materials in the mold. Temperatures and pressures of the process are chosen to ensure that the electrically conducting and magnetic portions of the component are bonded without the materials seeping into each other. The method may be employed to build small compact motor systems using motor components formed as described to produce uniform grain structure and consistent magnetic and structural properties in the motor components that are useful in vehicle drive wheels.

Abstract: A starter/generator machine for a turbine with a turbine enclosure, an air duct, and a plurality of fan blades is provided. The starter/generator machine includes a plurality of stator elements spaced at intervals in a ring shape adjacent to the air duct and a plurality of rotor elements mounted on the fan blades. The stator elements and the rotor elements are mounted to interact magnetically to exert a force sufficient to move the rotor elements. The stator elements are shaped to minimize air flow interference and are formed with a core, at least one pole, and multiple windings. The spacing between the stator elements and the rotor elements forms an air gap on the order of 5-10 mm, and the number of stator elements is different from the number of rotor elements.

Abstract: An integral motor and wheel assembly for aircraft landing gear is provided that includes an electric motor packaged within at least one gear wheel and configured to fit completely within the space provided in an existing aircraft for the landing gear components. The motor is positioned within the wheel to minimize the spin-up weight and to maximize the space within a given volume allocated for the motor. Installation of this motor and gear wheel assembly in an existing aircraft landing gear is designed to permit the continued use of existing landing gear components, including tires, axles, and pistons, so that the assembly can be easily retrofitted into existing aircraft.

Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a geared motor assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the geared motor assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.

Abstract: A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the motor driver assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.

Abstract: A system for minimizing damage on collision to a vehicle having at least one self-propelled wheel is disclosed. The system comprises a motor in a wheel of said vehicle which drives the vehicle, means for measuring the speed of said wheel, means for measuring the torque of said motor, means for monitoring the ratio of the torque of the motor to the speed of the wheel, and means for stopping said motor when torque:speed ratio exceeds an acceptable value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the induction of a suitable band gap and electron emissive properties into a substance, in which the substrate is provided with a surface structure corresponding to the interference of electron waves. Lithographic or similar techniques are used, either directly onto a metal mounted on the substrate, or onto a mold which then is used to impress the metal. In a preferred embodiment, a trench or series of nano-sized trenches are formed in the metal.

Abstract: A high phase order alternating current rotating machine is disclosed having an inverter drive that provides more than three phases of drive waveform of harmonic order H, and characterized in that the windings of the machine have a pitch of less than 180 rotational degrees. Preferably the windings are connected together in a mesh, star or delta connection. A method for operating a high phase order induction motor is also disclosed, involving electrically connecting N windings into a mesh connection with a value of ? that provides a substantial range in speed/torque relation when operating with at least two out of first, second and third harmonic, low order harmonics being the most efficient.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power output of an unthrottled engine has a variable gear ratio transmission connected between a mechanical load and the engine, and it has a controller for controlling the torque load on the engine, according to the power output required. The controller measures the torque output of the unthrottled engine at the power output required, and sets the gear ratio of the transmission to produce a torque load on the engine equal to the torque output of the engine. This means the unthrottled engine will reach an equilibrium with the mechanical load at the required power output. Controlling the unthrottled engine in this way involves receiving a signal describing the power output requirement, varying a gear ratio of the transmission, and establishing a torque equilibrium between the load and the engine.

Abstract: This application describes a motor designed to operate as a reluctance machine at low speeds and as an induction machine at high speeds. The drive waveform is composed of one or more harmonics to be used to match the reluctance pattern of the stator-rotor, causing the rotor to rotate due to the reluctance effect, and one or more other harmonics to induce current in the rotor, causing the rotor to rotate due to the induction effect and the subsequent interaction of the stator and rotor magnetic fields. The two effects are generally not applied simultaneously.

Abstract: A high phase order alternating current rotating machine is disclosed having an inverter drive that provides more than three phases of drive waveform of harmonic order H, and characterized in that the windings of the machine have a pitch of less than 180 rotational degrees. Preferably the windings are connected together in a mesh, star or delta connection. A method for operating a high phase order induction motor is also disclosed, involving electrically connecting N windings into a mesh connection with a value of ? that provides a substantial range in speed/torque relation when operating with at least two out of first, second and third harmonic, low order harmonics being the most efficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for reversing an aircraft on the ground comprising driving the aircraft using at least one self-propelled undercarriage wheel. An apparatus for controlling at least one of speed and at least one direction of an aircraft having a self-propelled nosewheel, on the ground, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a control arm; a control unit; means for transmitting information to said self-propelled nosewheel; means for receiving information at said self-propelled nosewheel; and means for controlling at least one of the speed and direction of said nosewheel; whereby airport ground staff can intuitively control the movements of said aircraft by holding said arm and moving it in the direction of required movement of said aircraft.

Abstract: This application describes a motor designed to operate as a reluctance machine at low speeds and as an induction machine at high speeds. The drive waveform is composed of one or more harmonics to be used to match the reluctance pattern of the stator-rotor, causing the rotor to rotate due to the reluctance effect, and one or more other harmonics to induce current in the rotor, causing the rotor to rotate due to the induction effect and the subsequent interaction of the stator and rotor magnetic fields. The two effects are generally not applied simultaneously.

Abstract: A turbine starter/generator machine for a turbine, said turbine comprising: at least one fan blade; at least one turbine enclosure; said starter/generator machine comprising: at least one rotor having rotor elements; at least one stator having stator elements; wherein said stator elements are mounted on said at least one air duct and said rotor elements are mounted on said at least one fan blade; whereby said stator elements magnetically interact with said rotor elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for building a component for an electrical rotating machine and comprises: providing powdered magnetic material; providing electrically conductive material; positioning the powdered magnetic material and the electrically conductive material within a mold functional to provide the materials with the required dimensions after application of a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) procedure; and applying at least one HIP procedure to the materials in the mold. Temperatures and pressures of the process are chosen to ensure that the electrically conducting and magnetic portions of the component are bonded without the materials seeping into each other. In one aspect the present invention thus provides a method for building small compact motor systems using motor components formed from pressed powder. A technical advantage of this approach is that the component has uniform grain structure and thus consistent magnetic and structural properties.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely controlling an aircraft having a self-propelled nosewheel, on the ground, comprises parking brakes; an APU on said aircraft; control means for applying and releasing said parking brakes; control means for turning on and off said APU; transmitting means for transmitting information to said parking brakes and said APU; receiving means for receiving information at said parking brakes; and receiving means for receiving information at said APU.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed comprising: at least one stator comprising a magnetic core and at least one magnetic winding, having a cylindrical internal cavity; at least one cylindrical rotor inside said stator, comprising magnetically conductive materials; said rotor having an outer diameter significantly smaller than the inner diameter of said stator, being eccentrically mounted with respect to said stator and able to move within, said fixed member; wherein magnetic normal force is induced in said stator periodically, whereby said rotor is periodically moved by magnetic force with respect to said stator, whereby rotary motion is produced; said motor further having: an output shaft concentric with said stator; transmission means for absorbing oscillation and transmitting rotation; wherein said induced magnetic normal force rotates around the circumference of said stator, such that a contact patch between said rotor and said stator rotates around the inner circumference of said stator; whereby said rotor oscillates a

Abstract: The present invention is a compound planetary gear system which has a moveable sun gear and a lockable sun gear to change the gear ratio between a high gear ratio and a pseudo 1:1 slipping ratio. The system makes use of a ratchet and pawl mechanism to provide a safety backup for when the lockable sun gear is locked. The invention may be used to move the aircraft from a stationary position, for taxiing, and for pre-rotating the wheels prior to landing.

Abstract: A method of measuring the weight of an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises, in a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage having a electrical rotating machine, the steps of: measuring the current and voltage going into the rotating machine using current and voltage measuring means, calculating the power into the rotating machine, measuring the speed (or torque or acceleration) of said machine using speed sensing means, and comparing the power and speed (or torque or acceleration) results with a database of power and speed relationships of comparable aircraft of varying weights.