Abstract: A kinetic energy converter for converting linear motion into electrical energy has an outer body and an inner cylindrical body. The outer body and the inner body define a common central axis wherein the outer body is movable along the central axis with respect to the inner cylindrical body. A stator winding of a plurality of turns of at least one electrically conductive wire is disposed about an inner periphery of the inner body. A rotor having a central shaft and a plurality of magnets radially extending therefrom is rotatably disposed within the inner body and rotatable about the central axis. A helical blade extends from one end of the outer body to the rotor and is interengaged with the rotor wherein axial translation of the blade rotates the rotor about the central axis.

Abstract: A downhole source of electrical power for drilling tools is driven by the rotation of a drillstring or, if the drillstring is not rotating, by the rotation of a drilling sub. The source consists of an alternator having a rotor made up of a series of coils that are mounted on, and spaced around the circumference of, a rotating drilling sub, and a stator made up of a multiplicity of permanent magnets also spaced around the circumference of the drilling sub. The stator is mounted on the drilling sub by means of bearings and incorporates a counterweight that holds the rotor relatively stationary with respect to the sub and with respect to the coils, so that rotation of the sub, either by rotation of the drillstring or by rotation of a drill motor in the drilling sub, produces relative rotation of the rotor and stator to generate an AC electrical output.

Abstract: A magnet assembly includes a back iron and an array of magnets. The back iron is in the form of a plate having opposed surfaces. The magnets are arranged along one of the surfaces, with the other surface being dimensioned and configured according to the magnetic field distribution associated with the magnets. The back iron geometry provides for reduced mass, reduced leakage flux, and high flux densities to improve performance of a linear motor that employs such a magnet assembly. Additionally, the back iron can be a magnetically conductive annular ring, such as is employed in a rotary motor. Moreover, the magnets can be arranged in a manner that generates a Halbach array to increase force output in a desired direction while canceling stray magnetic fields in other directions. Similar reduced-mass designs can be employed in conjunction with a back iron of a fixed cross-section and magnets of variable thicknesses, variable lengths, and/or variable widths.

Abstract: A disk drive has a sleeve-bearing spindle motor having a rotor for rotating the disk of removable data storage cartridge. A retainer which is compliant in the direction of axial movement of the rotor stops the axial movement. The retainer is mounted on a moveable platform which mounts the disk cartridge as it is inserted into the drive. The retainer includes a cantilevered beam which is compliant in the direction of axial movement.

Abstract: A synchronous inductor electric motor includes a hollow stator having a plurality of permanent magnets secured to the inner surface thereof. The magnets are radially polarized in alternating fashion about the inner circumference of the stator. A plurality of radially inwardly extending stator teeth are provided on each of the magnets so as to exhibit a polar magnetization which is the same as the adjacent magnets. A rotor assembly supported concentrically within the stator includes a shaft having a plurality of rotor pole sub-assemblies provided thereon. Each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies includes a hub secured to the shaft, a pair of annular rotor packs secured to the ends of the hub, and an electromagnetic coil disposed loosely about the hub between the two rotor packs. Each of the rotor packs has a plurality of axially extending outer teeth formed thereabout which are disposed adjacent to the inner stator teeth.

Abstract: Proximity switches and circumferentially movable stator windings allow a motor-generator to simultaneously sense and switch from a synchronous motor position to a synchronous generator position. This mechanism replaces the conventional separate sensing and switching of motor-generator functions. Automatic rotational repositioning of the stator maintains constant voltage and prevents the generation of transient voltages or harmonics. The stator flux leads the rotor magnetic flux slightly in an import power or motor position, creating a torque on the rotor and a counter torque on the stator reacted by the fixed casing of the apparatus. As the stator field weakens due to a failure of the normal power supply, the counter torque also weakens and the stator windings are biased to begin to turn with the rotor until the rotor and stator fields are in step, i.e., when virtually no current is generated or consumed or until a full export power or generator position is reached.

Abstract: Proximity switches and circumferentially movable stator windings allow a motor-generator to simultaneously sense and switch from a synchronous motor position to a synchronous generator position. This mechanism replaces the conventional separate sensing and switching of motor-generator functions. Automatic rotational repositioning of the stator maintains constant voltage and prevents the generation of transient voltages or harmonics. The stator flux leads the rotor magnetic flux slightly in an import power or motor position, creating a torque on the rotor and a counter torque on the stator reacted by the fixed casing of the apparatus. As the stator field weakens due to a failure of the normal power supply, the counter torque also weakens and the stator windings is biased to begin to turn with the rotor until the rotor and stator fields are in step, i.e., when virtually no current is generated or consumed or until a full export power or generator position is reached.

Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator including a flux diversion member resiliently and magnetically coupled to the permanent magnet rotor for rotation therewith, an auxiliary (control) permanent magnet rotor rigidly coupled to the flux diversion member for rotation therewith, an auxiliary stator disposed about the auxiliary rotor, and control means for variably loading the auxiliary stator to adjust the rotary position of the flux diversion member relative to the main permanent magnet rotor. The flux diversion member comprises a plurality of magnetic flux conducting vanes which coact with the rotor magnets such that variation of its rotary position relative to the rotary position of the permanent magnet rotor varies the stator flux, and hence the alternator output voltage.

Abstract: An automatic washer is provided with a separate motor to drive the drain pump, the motor having a displaceable stator portion connected to the basket brake mechanism such that when the pump motor is energized the basket brake will be released. Such a construction obviates the need for a separate component such as a solenoid to deactivate the brake mechanism. The stator portion is displaceable perpendicularly to the rotor axis and can move either in a radial sliding manner or can be pivotally mounted so as to move through an arc relative to the rotor.

Abstract: A single phase stepping motor, particularly for clocks, with a rotor with several pole teeth, of which each pole tooth comprises a main pole and an auxiliary pole formed on the latter, and with a stator, the latter being made of two stator parts connected with one another via a bridge part, the latter carrying the excitation winding, of which each stator part on its free end transfers into an equal or smaller number (in comparison to the rotor pole number) of stator pole teeth, the stator pole teeth being directed towards the face side of the rotor, as well as a permanent magnetic circuit arranged between the stator pole teeth by means of which circuit the rest position of the rotor is determined with the unexcited condition of the stator.

Abstract: A voltage generator comprising a first and a second mechanical system which systems are arranged for relative rotation to one another by means of a shaft incorporated in the first system being supported in bearings mounted in the second system, the shaft of the first system carrying an off-axis biassing weight of sufficient magnitude to restrain by gravitational force the first system from rotation when the shaft is horizontally orientated and the second system is rotated about an axis coincident with the shaft axis, a permanent magnet forming part of one of the systems and an armature winding being carried by the other whereby rotation of the second system about the first causes voltages to be induced in the armature winding.

Abstract: A reversible electric motor has a torque limiting stop device actuable to stop the motor by angular displacement of the motor casing when an opposing torque on the motor shaft exceeds a threshold value. Complementary profiles are arranged to hold the motor casing in its displaced position so that the motor can only be re-started in the opposite direction to before.