Abstract: A rotor for an LSIPM comprises a plurality of permanent magnets defining a number of poles (“P”) of the LSIPM, and a plurality of rotor bars spaced about the rotor defining a rotor bar area (“BA”). The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material having an associated conductivity (“?RB”). End members are disposed on axial opposite ends of the rotor core. The end members are in electrical contact with the rotor bars. The end members are formed from a material having an associated conductivity (“?EM”). Each end ring member has a minimum geometric cross sectional area (“ERA”) and outer diameter that generally corresponds to the rotor core outer diameter. The ERA is greater than 0.5 times the rotor bar area per the number of poles (BA/P) times a ratio of the rotor bar material conductivity to the end member material conductivity (?RB/?EM).

Abstract: A rotor for an LSIPM comprises a plurality of permanent magnets defining a number of poles (“P”) of the LSIPM, and a plurality of rotor bars spaced about the rotor defining a rotor bar area (“BA”). The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material having an associated conductivity (“?RB”). End members are disposed on axial opposite ends of the rotor core. The end members are in electrical contact with the rotor bars. The end members are formed from a material having an associated conductivity (“?EM”). Each end ring member has a minimum geometric cross sectional area (“ERA”) and outer diameter that generally corresponds to the rotor core outer diameter. The ERA is greater than 0.5 times the rotor bar area per the number of poles (BA/P) times a ratio of the rotor bar material conductivity to the end member material conductivity (?RB/?EM).

Abstract: A rotor for an LSIPM comprises a plurality of permanent magnets defining a number of poles (“P”) of the LSIPM, and a plurality of rotor bars spaced about the rotor defining a rotor bar area (“BA”). The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material having an associated conductivity (“?RB”). End members are disposed on axial opposite ends of the rotor core. The end members are in electrical contact with the rotor bars. The end members are formed from a material having an associated conductivity (“?EM”). Each end ring member has a minimum geometric cross sectional area (“ERA”) and outer diameter that generally corresponds to the rotor core outer diameter. The ERA is greater than 0.5 times the rotor bar area per the number of poles (BA/P) times a ratio of the rotor bar material conductivity to the end member material conductivity (?RB/?EM).

Abstract: A bearing assembly has an inner ring with an inner diameter configured to receive a shaft. The inner ring has axial slots and at least two radial holes. A collar configured to surround the inner ring is provided. The collar has two radial holes. Each of the collar radial holes is alignable with the at least two inner ring radial holes. Each of the collar radial holes is configured to threadably receive set screws extendable from the collar through the at least two radial holes of the inner ring to engage the shaft. The collar has a radial slot and is adjustable to compress the radial slot to tighten the collar around the inner ring and the inner ring around the shaft. In the alternative, the bearing assembly may be provided with two collars—one for a set screw only configuration and another for a concentric clamping only configuration.

Abstract: A method of mounting a motor to a gearbox includes positioning a coupling along an input shaft of the gearbox from a starting position to a first alignment position. In the starting position, the coupling drivingly engages a greater portion of the gearbox input shaft than in the first alignment position. In the first alignment position, the coupling operatively contacts the motor output shaft. Another step includes rotating the coupling so that the coupling aligns with the motor output shaft. Another step includes axially positioning the coupling at a second alignment position such that the coupling drivingly engages both the motor output and the gearbox input shafts. Another step includes positioning the motor to allow mounting of the motor on the gearbox with the coupling at a third alignment position drivingly engaging a greater portion of the motor output and the gearbox input shafts than in the second alignment position.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a line-start synchronous motor. The motor has a stator, a rotor core disposed within the stator, and a motor shaft. In accordance with a step of the method, a coupling for coupling a load to the motor is provided. The coupling has a motor shaft attachment portion configured to provide substantially concentric contact around the shaft at the end of the motor shaft. The coupling has a load attachment portion configured to operatively connect to a load. In accordance with a step of the method, a load is coupled to the motor with the coupling, and driven from start to at least near synchronous speed during steady state operation of the motor with a load coupled thereto. The motor shaft attachment portion may comprise a bushing assembly with matching and opposed tapered surfaces that cooperate to secure the motor shaft attachment portion around the motor shaft.

Abstract: A rotor comprises laminations with a plurality of rotor bar slots with an asymmetric arrangement about the rotor. The laminations also have magnet slots equiangularly spaced about the rotor. The magnet slots extend near to the rotor outer diameter and have permanent magnets disposed in the magnet slots creating magnetic poles. The magnet slots may be formed longer than the permanent magnets disposed in the magnets slots and define one or more magnet slot apertures. The permanent magnets define a number of poles and a pole pitch. The rotor bar slots are spaced from adjacent magnet slots by a distance that is at least 4% of the pole pitch. Conductive material is disposed in the rotor bar slots, and in some embodiments, may be disposed in the magnet slot apertures.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a high inertial load with a line-start synchronous motor involves providing a rotor core with rotor bars being formed of a highly conductive material. In accordance with one aspect of the method, a user is directed to operatively couple a load to the motor and drive the load from start to at least near synchronous speed during steady state operation of the motor with the load coupled thereto. The load has an inertia that is greater than an inertia associated with a load driven by a like motor subjected to an equivalent range of starting current but having rotor bars formed from a conductive material having a conductivity lower than that the highly conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes: (1) providing a rotor for a line start interior permanent magnet motor wherein the rotor has rotor bars slots extending axially along a length of the rotor configured to receive rotor bar material, and magnet slots extending axially along a length of the rotor configured to receive magnetic material; (2) disposing rotor bar material in the rotor bar slots; (3) arranging a first end member on an axial end of the rotor; (4) disposing magnetic material in the magnet slots; (5) magnetizing the magnetic material; and (6) arranging a second end member on the rotor opposite the first end member. The step of arranging the second end member on the rotor occurs after magnetizing the magnetic material.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear box has a backing member. The backing member is configured to allow mounting of a plurality of lubrication components on the backing member. One of the lubrication components comprises a pump configured to pressurize lubricating oil for the lubrication system. The pump has a suction and discharge. The pump suction is removably connectable to the gear box and the pump discharge is removably connectable to piping that is configured to communicate with the gear box. The backing member has a lifting mount arranged along its length and width that corresponds to a center of gravity of the backing member with the lubrication components mounted thereto. The lubrication components are modular and may be replaced and installed as necessary on the backing member. Multiple like lubrication systems may be provided, and removed and installed on the gear box as needed for maintenance.

Abstract: A gear box has a clutch comprising a hub and a coupling, each having drive portions that are movable between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are engaged in a manner to allow torque to be transmitted between the hub and the coupling. In the disengaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are spaced apart in a manner to prevent torque from being transmitted between the hub and the coupling. The clutch has an actuator that moves the hub and coupling drive portions between the engaged and disengaged positions. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the engaged position, the actuator is driven by spring pressure. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the disengaged position, the actuator is driven by hydraulic pressure supplied against the actuator sufficient to overcome the spring pressure.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for transferring rotational motion from a prime mover to a load includes reference marks calibrated to indicate torque applied to the coupling during operation. A light source providing intermittent light flashes permits a user to visibly discern the relative rotational position of the reference marks to one another, and thereby determine the torque applied to the coupling.

Abstract: An electro-dynamic machine has a rotor and stator with a gap therebetween. The machine has a frame defining a hollow interior with end cavities on axially opposite ends of the frame. A gas circulating system has an inlet that supplies high pressure gas to the frame interior and an outlet to collect gas passing therethrough. A liquid coolant circulating system has an inlet that supplies coolant to the frame interior and an outlet that collects coolant passing therethrough. The coolant inlet and gas inlet are generally located on the frame in a manner to allow coolant from the coolant inlet to flow with gas from the gas inlet to the gap. The coolant outlet and gas outlet are generally located on the frame in a manner to allow the coolant to be separated from the gas with the separated coolant and gas collected for circulation through their respective circulating systems.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator that comprises a plurality of laminations with teeth and cooling apertures about a central opening. When the laminations are stacked to form the stator core, the teeth of adjacent laminations cooperate to form slots disposed circumferentially about the central opening that are configured to receive a plurality of stator windings, and the cooling apertures angularly spaced about the central opening cooperate to form cooling manifolds that extend along a length of the stator core. A portion of the laminations has their cooling apertures offset from other laminations in the stack in a manner to create a plurality of flow paths transverse to the manifolds. The transverse flow paths extend angularly between laminations and adjacent manifolds. A header assembly directs flow into and out of the stator core.

Abstract: A planetary gear train is lubricated via a distribution ring and a planet gear carrier oil supply passage in communication with the distribution ring. The gear train includes a sun pinion that engages a planet gear at a sun planet gear mesh. The planet gear is rotatably mounted to a planet gear carrier. The planet gear carrier is configured to drive an output shaft. The output shaft may be operatively connected to a load. The planet gear rotates within a ring gear at a planet gear ring mesh. The distribution ring surrounds a planet gear carrier and has a hollow interior that communicates with an oil supply. A planet gear carrier oil supply passage may extend through a planet gear carrier of the gear train and supply oil to a sun planet gear mesh and the planet ring gear mesh, and bearings of the planetary gear train.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator that comprises a plurality of laminations with an outer periphery, and each of the laminations has teeth about a central opening such that when the laminations are stacked side-by side to form the stator core, the plurality of teeth of adjacent laminations cooperate to form slots disposed circumferentially about the central opening that are configured to receive a plurality of stator windings. Each of the laminations has a plurality of cooling apertures angularly spaced about the central opening. The cooling apertures of adjacent laminations cooperate to form cooling manifolds that extend along a length of the stator core. A portion of the laminations has their cooling apertures offset from other laminations in the stack in a manner to create a plurality of flow path transverse to the manifolds and angularly between laminations and adjacent manifolds.

Abstract: A stator has a plurality of segments connected with connectors to define a core for the stator. Each of the segments comprises a plurality of laminations arranged side by side forming a lamination stack with axially opposite sides. The lamination stack has an end cap abutting an axial side of the lamination stack. The end cap has first and second posts extending axially therefrom. At least one of the posts defines a wire path for wire wound around the stack. Each of the connectors comprises a bridge portion. The bridge portion has openings dimensioned to receive the posts in a manner that the connector is removably attachable to the post of the end cap of a segment and the post of the end cap of an adjacent segment. The connector has an insulator portion projecting from the bridge portion. The insulator portion extends between adjacent segments.

Abstract: A drive system powers a six-phase AC induction motor having a plurality of poles and a stator with a plurality of teeth where the number of teeth divided by six times the number of poles equals an integer number. The stator core has first and second groups of three-phase stator windings. The second group of three-phase windings is separated spatially by 30 electrical degrees from the first group. A first power supply is connectable to the first group of three-phase windings. A second power supply is connectable to the second group of three-phase windings. The second power supply provides power to the second group of three-phase windings that is shifted by 30 electrical degrees in time with respect to the first power supply. The first and second power supplies receive signals from identical pulse width modulator generators. The respective first and second pulse width modulator generators receive commands from one controller.