Abstract: A system comprising a synchronous three-phase electric motor and a controller is provided. The synchronous three-phase electric motor comprises a rotor, a stator, a plurality of coils, and a plurality of switching devices. The plurality of coils formed from conductive windings each wound around one or more of a plurality of stator teeth of the stator. The plurality of coils comprises a plurality of permanent coils and a plurality of bypass coils. The plurality of switching devices configured to selectively switch between a tapped position and a primary position. The controller is configured to provide a first switching command to the plurality of switching devices to switch from the primary position to the tapped position based on a transition signal. The transition signal is based on comparing an electrical characteristic associated with one or more input currents to the plurality of switching devices with a threshold value.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes stacked laminations forming a rotor core. The rotor rotates relative to the stator about a central axis. The rotor core has an outer diameter. Each lamination includes a plurality of magnet slots. Each magnet slot includes a ferrite permanent magnet located therein, adjacent pairs of the ferrite permanent magnets defining a number of poles. Each of the laminations includes a plurality of non-circular rotor bar apertures spaced about the central axis of the rotor and disposed adjacent to and radially inward of the rotor outer diameter. A non-cylindrical rotor bar is disposed in each respective of the plurality of rotor bar apertures. The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material, wherein at least some of the plurality of rotor bars collectively form a rotor bar cage.

Abstract: A system comprising a synchronous three-phase electric motor and a controller is provided. The synchronous three-phase electric motor comprises a rotor, a stator, a plurality of coils, and a plurality of switching devices. The plurality of coils formed from conductive windings each wound around one or more of a plurality of stator teeth of the stator. The plurality of coils comprises a plurality of permanent coils and a plurality of bypass coils. The plurality of switching devices configured to selectively switch between a tapped position and a primary position. The controller is configured to provide a first switching command to the plurality of switching devices to switch from the primary position to the tapped position based on a transition signal. The transition signal is based on comparing an electrical characteristic associated with one or more input currents to the plurality of switching devices with a threshold value.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator defining a rotor chamber. A rotor is disposed within the chamber and is configured to rotate about a central axis. The rotor includes a plurality of stacked laminations to form a rotor core. The rotor core has an outer diameter and each of the laminations includes a plurality of magnet slots that are radially spaced apart from the outer diameter and angled inwardly with one end of each magnet slot adjacent to the outer diameter. Each magnet slot has a permanent magnet disposed therein, adjacent pairs of the ferrite permanent magnets defining poles for the rotor. Each magnet slot has two opposite ends that define inner and outer magnet free areas. The outer magnet free areas are adjacent the rotor outer diameter and the inner magnet free areas are radially inwardly positioned. Each outer magnet free area is provided with conductive material.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes stacked laminations forming a rotor core. The rotor rotates relative to the stator about a central axis. The rotor core has an outer diameter. Each lamination includes a plurality of magnet slots. Each magnet slot includes a ferrite permanent magnet located therein, adjacent pairs of the ferrite permanent magnets defining a number of poles. Each of the laminations includes a plurality of non-circular rotor bar apertures spaced about the central axis of the rotor and disposed adjacent to and radially inward of the rotor outer diameter. A non-cylindrical rotor bar is disposed in each respective of the plurality of rotor bar apertures. The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material, wherein at least some of the plurality of rotor bars collectively form a rotor bar cage.

Abstract: A synchronous electrical motor, which may operate poly-phase electrical power, is configured to operate at a rated flux configuration and a high flux configuration. To enable the high flux configuration, some coils wound about the stator of the electric motor can be designated bypass coils and can be selectively disconnected from the power source supplying the motor with electrical power. The remaining permanent coils continue to receive full line power and generate a rotating magnetic field with an increased magnetic flux. At startup from standstill conditions, the bypass coils are selectively disconnected so that a flux boost occurs and a corresponding increase in output torque of the electric motor.

Abstract: A synchronous electrical motor, which may operate poly-phase electrical power, is configured to operate at a rated flux configuration and a high flux configuration. To enable the high flux configuration, some coils wound about the stator of the electric motor can be designated bypass coils and can be selectively disconnected from the power source supplying the motor with electrical power. The remaining permanent coils continue to receive full line power and generate a rotating magnetic field with an increased magnetic flux. At startup from standstill conditions, the bypass coils are selectively disconnected so that a flux boost occurs and a corresponding increase in output torque of the electric motor.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of motor starters are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a synchronous machine including a plurality of stator phase windings, a rotor, a motor starter, and a controller. The motor starter includes a plurality of wye semiconductor switches and a plurality of delta semiconductor switches. The controller is structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a delta configuration while an angular speed of the rotor is less than a synchronous speed, and structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a wye configuration in response to the angular speed of the rotor being equal to the synchronous speed.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of motor starters are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a synchronous machine including a plurality of stator phase windings, a rotor, a motor starter, and a controller. The motor starter includes a plurality of wye semiconductor switches and a plurality of delta semiconductor switches. The controller is structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a delta configuration while an angular speed of the rotor is less than a synchronous speed, and structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a wye configuration in response to the angular speed of the rotor being equal to the synchronous speed.