Abstract: A rotor includes a shaft; a permanent magnet layer; and a retainer comprising a conductive, low magnetic permeability material bound to the rotor shaft. The permanent magnet layer is semi-restricted between the shaft and the retainer. In one embodiment, the magnet layer includes a molded ring magnet. In another embodiment, the magnet layer includes a plurality of magnet segments which can be situated on the rotor in rotor pockets or in a rotor cage. The bond between the retainer and the rotor can be enabled by a cap or by support elements. A high conductivity material can be situated over the retainer with the combination of the retainer and the high conductivity material having a resistivity high enough to minimize space harmonic losses and low enough to minimize time harmonic losses. The high conductivity material can also be applied to induction rotors for excluding high frequency components while permitting penetration of low frequency torque producing fields.

Abstract: A new class of doubly-salient motors which incorporate a specific stator/rotor pole arrangement and stationary permanent magnets mounted in the stator to provide a linearly increasing flux linkage over the entire area of pole overlap. The new motors provide greater output torque, higher efficiency, quicker response, and a simpler structure in comparison to conventional reluctance motors.

Abstract: A rotor includes a shaft; a permanent magnet layer; and a retainer comprising a conductive, low magnetic permeability material bound to the rotor shaft. The permanent magnet layer is semi-restricted between the shaft and the retainer. In one embodiment, the magnet layer includes a molded ring magnet. In another embodiment, the magnet layer includes a plurality of magnet segments which can be situated on the rotor in rotor pockets or in a rotor cage. The bond between the retainer and the rotor can be enabled by a cap or by support elements. A high conductivity material can be situated over the retainer with the combination of the retainer and the high conductivity material having a resistivity high enough to minimize space harmonic losses and low enough to minimize time harmonic losses. The high conductivity material can also be applied to induction rotors for excluding high frequency components while permitting penetration of low frequency torque producing fields.

Abstract: A new class of doubly-salient machines which incorporates a specific stator/rotor pole arrangement to provide a linearly increasing flux linkage over the entire area of pole overlap, and either (1) stationary permanent magnets mounted in the stator, or (2) one or more auxiliary field windings coiled about the stator or (3) a combination of stationary permanent magnets and auxiliary field windings. In each of the three cases, the permanent magnets or auxiliary winding(s) generate the primary flux and block and thereby limit flux in the ordinary path of the secondary flux (due to the stator windings) through the stator. The altered magnetic structure utilizing four stator and six rotor poles increases efficiency when operated as a generator, and provides greater output torque when operated as a motor.

Abstract: A device for field weakening in a doubly-salient variable reluctance motor having permanent magnets in the stator. The field weakening increases the constant power range of the motor and is accomplished by controlled movement of steel insets toward and away from the sides of the stator proximate the permanent magnets to provide a controllable by-pass flux path thereabout. Alternatively, the field weakening may be accomplished by a flux by-pass collar which may be angularly positioned around the stator to bridge the permanent magnets of the motor with discrete magnetic sections, thereby providing an alternate by-pass flux path around the permanent magnets in addition to the main air gap flux path. A third alternative means for maintaining a constant power range is accomplished by controlled axial sliding of the permanent magnets themselves into and out from the stator.

Abstract: A doubly-fed reluctance motor (10) has a primary winding set (20) and a secondary winding set (22). A drive control (32) for the motor includes a connection (36) to the primary winding so primary winding current and voltage signals (i.sub.p, V.sub.p) can be developed. A further signal representing the phase relationship (.PHI..sub.p) between the primary winding current and voltage is developed using these signals. A processor module (42) is responsive to these signals to determine the magnitude and phase of a secondary winding current (I.sub.s) of the motor for a predetermined motor operating speed (w.sub.r). The desired current value is as a function of the primary winding current and the phase relationship between the primary winding current and voltage. A switching module (60) operates to regulate the secondary winding currents and opening and closing of switching elements of the module is controlled by an output from the control module.

Abstract: A new class of doubly-salient variable reluctance motors which provides greater output torque, higher efficiency, quicker response, and a simple structure in comparison to conventional reluctance motors by utilizing a specific stator/rotor pole arrangement and by altering the magnetic structure of the motor by using permanent magnets to provide a linearly increasing flux linkage over the entire area of pole overlap.