Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a hermetically sealed housing and a compression mechanism which is positioned inside the housing; a condenser which is fluidly connected to the compressor; an evaporator which is fluidly connected between the condenser and the compressor; a magnetic coupling having a drive coupling half positioned outside the housing and a driven coupling half positioned inside the housing and separated from the drive coupling half by a separation wall portion of the housing; and a fluid conduit for communicating a portion of liquid refrigerant from the condenser to an inside surface of the separation wall portion. During operation, the liquid refrigerant from the condenser is evaporated on or adjacent the inside surface of the separation wall portion to thereby dissipate heat generated by magnetically induced eddy currents in the separation wall portion.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a hermetically sealed housing and a compression mechanism which is positioned inside the housing; a condenser which is fluidly connected to the compressor; an evaporator which is fluidly connected between the condenser and the compressor; a magnetic coupling having a drive coupling half positioned outside the housing and a driven coupling half positioned inside the housing and separated from the drive coupling half by a separation wall portion of the housing; and a fluid conduit for communicating a portion of liquid refrigerant from the condenser to an inside surface of the separation wall portion. During operation, the liquid refrigerant from the condenser is evaporated on or adjacent the inside surface of the separation wall portion to thereby dissipate heat generated by magnetically induced eddy currents in the separation wall portion.

Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a low speed shaft connected to blades of the wind turbine and a higher speed shaft connected to a generator. The drive train also includes a bearing that substantially supports the weight of at least the low speed shaft. A compound planetary gear stage is connected to the low speed shaft and the higher speed shaft, and includes a rotating carrier, a non-rotating ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears, and a rotating sun gear. The sun gear is connected to the higher speed shaft.

Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.

Abstract: A machine useful for ship propulsion purposes includes a ship propulsion motor with two concentric air gaps. In one embodiment, the machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor core and an outer rotor core; and a double-sided stator with an inner stator side and an outer stator side. The double-sided stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor core and the outer rotor core.

Abstract: A machine useful for ship propulsion purposes include a double-sided generator or motor with two concentric air gaps. In one embodiment, the machine includes a double-sided rotor with an inner rotor side and an outer rotor side; and a stator with an inner stator core and an outer stator core, wherein the double-sided rotor is concentrically disposed between the inner stator core and the outer stator core.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for use in transporting natural gas is provided. The assembly includes a natural gas compressor comprising at least one stage of compression, a permanent magnet-type super-synchronous motor coupled to the natural gas compressor for powering said compressor, and a housing, the compressor positioned within the housing, and the compressor configured to facilitate increasing a pressure of natural gas being transmitted.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor portion and an outer rotor portion, and a double-sided yokeless stator. The yokeless stator includes modular lamination stacks and is configured for radial magnetic flux flow. The double-sided yokeless stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion of the electrical machine. Examples of particularly useful embodiments for the electrical machine include wind turbine generators, ship propulsion motors, switch reluctance machines and double-sided synchronous machines.

Abstract: A pole assembly for a rotor, the pole assembly includes a permanent magnet pole including at least one permanent magnet block, a plurality of laminations including a pole cap mechanically coupled to the pole, and a plurality of laminations including a base plate mechanically coupled to the pole.

Abstract: The machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor core and an outer rotor core and a double-sided stator with an inner stator side and an outer stator side. The double-sided stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor core and the outer rotor core of the wind turbine generator. The double-sided stator is configured to enable at least a portion of magnetic flux to be shared between the inner stator side and the outer stator side. An example of a particularly useful embodiment for the machine includes a ship propulsion motor.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a low speed shaft connected to blades of the wind turbine and a higher speed shaft connected to a generator. The drive train also includes a bearing that substantially supports the weight of at least the low speed shaft. A compound planetary gear stage is connected to the low speed shaft and the higher speed shaft, and includes a rotating carrier, a non-rotating ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears, and a rotating sun gear. The sun gear is connected to the higher speed shaft.

Abstract: A synchronous reluctance machine that has a stator and a rotor shaft operationally disposed within the confines of the stator. Laminations are axially stacked to form boat shaped segments. A plurality of selected boat shaped segments form a selected number of rotor poles about the rotor shaft and a plurality of support bars disposed intermittently between the boat shaped segments. Each segment of lamination is boat shaped with angular acuity facing towards the stator.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a variable sensor head for use in multiple electric machines with varying slot openings comprising a ferromagnetic core; a first adjustable portion and a second adjustable portion positioned in communication with the ferromagnetic core wherein the first adjustable portion and the second adjustable portion are adjusted to fit between a plurality of slot openings of varying widths between a pair of lamination teeth of an electric machine. According to another embodiment, the first and second adjustable portions are sliding portions where the sliding portions may be spring biased to provide a close fit between the pair of lamination teeth. According to another embodiment, the first and second adjustable portions are adjustable screws.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes a stator having a core and a plurality of stator windings circumferentially spaced about a generator longitudinal axis. A rotor is rotatable about the generator longitudinal axis, and the rotor includes a plurality of magnetic elements coupled to the rotor and cooperating with the stator windings. The magnetic elements are configured to generate a magnetic field and the stator windings are configured to interact with the magnetic field to generate a voltage in the stator windings. A heat pipe assembly thermally engaging one of the stator and the rotor to dissipate heat generated in the stator or rotor.

Abstract: An air mover, such as a cooling fan, comprises a motor and an impeller which is driven by the motor to generate a flow of air through a flowpath. The motor comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, each of which is in fluid communication with the flowpath. In operation of the air mover, a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet openings causes a portion of the flow of air to flow into the inlet opening, through the motor and out the outlet opening to thereby cool the motor.

Abstract: A method for designing a fan having a motor which drives an impeller comprises providing an outlet guide vane assembly which includes a hub and a plurality of guide vanes that extend radially outwardly from the hub, attaching the hub to the motor, determining an approximate amount of heat which is generated by the motor during operation of the fan, determining an approximate surface area which is required to dissipate the heat into a surrounding air stream, and configuring the guide vanes to comprise a total surface area which is approximately equal to the required surface area. In this manner, the heat generated by the motor during operation of the fan can be dissipated by the guide vanes.

Abstract: A machine useful for ship propulsion purposes include a double-sided generator or motor with two concentric air gaps. In one embodiment, the machine includes a double-sided rotor with an inner rotor side and an outer rotor side; and a stator with an inner stator core and an outer stator core, wherein the double-sided rotor is concentrically disposed between the inner stator core and the outer stator core.

Abstract: A machine useful for ship propulsion purposes includes a ship propulsion motor with two concentric air gaps. In one embodiment, the machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor core and an outer rotor core; and a double-sided stator with an inner stator side and an outer stator side. The double-sided stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor core and the outer rotor core.

Abstract: The machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor core and an outer rotor core and a double-sided stator with an inner stator side and an outer stator side. The double-sided stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor core and the outer rotor core of the wind turbine generator. The double-sided stator is configured to enable at least a portion of magnetic flux to be shared between the inner stator side and the outer stator side. An example of a particularly useful embodiment for the machine includes a ship propulsion motor.