Abstract: A brushless electric machine comprising a housing fabricated from a magnetically permeable material and having an interior region, a stator mounted within the interior region and attached to the housing wherein the stator has a stator winding, a rotor mounted for rotation about a rotational axis within the stator. The rotor comprises a plurality of magnetic pole pieces and permanent magnets circumferentially arranged in an alternating configuration such that each permanent magnet is positioned intermediate a pair of consecutive magnetic pole pieces and the axis of magnetization lies in the plane of rotation of the rotor. The rotor is separated from the stator windings by a first air gap so as to form a first magnetic circuit. The rotor further comprises a first side, a first rotor end cap attached to the first side, a second side, and a second rotor end cap attached to the second side. Each rotor end cap contacts at least some of the magnetic pole pieces.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine comprising a plurality of independent poles (58) having a triangular cross section shape and permanent magnets (56) having a trapezoidal cross section shape. The shapes of the independent poles and permanent magnets cooperate to improve the integrity of the lodgment of each permanent magnet.

Abstract: An alternator system (50, 52) that, in one aspect, utilizes a Lundell style alternator that is augmented by power electronic switching components (62) in the output section. In one embodiment, some of these power switching embodiments employ a scaling of stator turns and wire size to achieve the superior performance at higher speeds. The alternator system provides significantly enhanced power capability above idle as compared with classical Lundell alternator systems using Lundell alternators of the same size that are designed with the same power capability at idle. In one preferred dual voltage embodiment, a power switch (semi-conductor) connects the alternator output directly to the low voltage load at low engine speeds and when the power switch is “opened” at higher speeds, the alternator's power is channeled to the higher voltage.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator comprising a stator, and a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator and separated therefrom by an air gap. The rotor has a rotor core defining a plurality of magnetic poles wherein adjacent ones of the magnetic poles having alternating north and south magnetic fields. The plurality of magnetic poles comprises a plurality of permanent magnet poles and a plurality of electromagnetic poles. Each permanent magnet pole is defined by a permanent magnet. The plurality of permanent magnet poles comprises two (2) sets of diametrically positioned permanent magnet poles. Each permanent magnet is positioned within the rotor perimeter and associated with a pair of adjacent magnetic poles to form adjacent permanent magnet poles.

Abstract: A multiple voltage alternator system for directing power in a vehicle between an alternator, a single battery and loads connected thereto which require power at a higher DC voltage and a lower DC voltage. In one embodiment, first and second bi-directional converters operate synchronously and are coupled together through a transformer having first and second windings. The alternator supplies power directly at one voltage and indirectly through the bi-directional converters at the other voltage when the vehicle engine is running. The battery operates at the opposite voltage from the alternator, preferably at the lower voltage, and directly supplies power at one voltage and indirectly at the other voltage when the alternator is not providing power. In an alternative embodiment the bi-directional converters are coupled through an autotransformer.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator comprising a stator, and a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator and separated therefrom by an air gap, said rotor having a rotor core defining a plurality of magnetic poles, adjacent ones of the magnetic poles having alternating north and south magnetic fields, the plurality of magnetic poles comprising at least one permanent magnetic pole defined by a permanent magnet, and a plurality of electromagnetic poles, each of which is defined by a wound field.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator comprising a stator, and a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator and separated therefrom by an air gap. The rotor has a rotor core defining a plurality of magnetic poles wherein adjacent ones of the magnetic poles have alternating north and south magnetic fields. The plurality of magnetic poles comprises a plurality of permanent magnet poles and a plurality of electromagnetic poles. Each permanent magnet pole is defined by a permanent magnet. The plurality of permanent magnet poles comprises two (2) sets of diametrically positioned permanent magnet poles. Each permanent magnet is positioned within the rotor perimeter and associated with a pair of adjacent magnetic poles to form adjacent permanent magnet poles. The hybrid alternator also includes a temperature monitoring voltage regulator that provides protection against overheating damage while permitting the alternator to significantly exceed its rated output for short periods of time or in colder ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator includes a stator and a rotor, with the rotor having longitudinally separate wound field and permanent magnet rotor portions. A rotor excitation circuit applies a forward polarity to the wound field rotor portion to increase output in a boosting mode at low RPMs and a reverse polarity to decrease output at high RPMs in a bucking mode to maintain a constant voltage output. Alternative embodiments combine a magnetic flux concentrating design for efficient low speed operation with integral strength for high speed capability. Dual voltage output is provided either through dual stator windings or through a voltage converter circuit. Single voltage output is provided using only one stator winding. A three state voltage regulator allows voltage regulation without inducing reverse currents onto the power bus in the lightly loaded or no battery conditions.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator comprising a stator, and a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator and separated therefrom by an air gap. The rotor has a rotor core defining a plurality of magnetic poles wherein adjacent ones of the magnetic poles having alternating north and south magnetic fields. The plurality of magnetic poles comprises a plurality of permanent magnet poles and a plurality of electromagnetic poles. Each permanent magnet pole is defined by a permanent magnet. The plurality of permanent magnet poles comprises two (2) sets of diametrically positioned permanent magnet poles. Each permanent magnet is positioned within the rotor perimeter and associated with a pair of adjacent magnetic poles to form adjacent permanent magnet poles.

Abstract: A vehicle based AC power system includes a specialized high efficiency vehicle alternator capable of supplying its maximum rated DC output current, even when being driven by an idling vehicle engine, to power a DC to AC inverter and provide maximum rated AC power at any engine speed. The alternator is preferably a wound field and permanent magnet hybrid alternator employing a three state bridge-type voltage regulator. An electrical load monitor electrically connected to monitor the electrical load on the alternator and a transmitter and receiver are used to remotely signal a user whenever there is an excessive load on the system.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator includes a stator winding and a rotor winding. The stator winding includes a neutral point having a neutral point voltage and is preferably arranged as a three phase winding with the neutral point being located at the center junction of three stator winding portions arranged in a "Y" configuration. The rotor winding is mounted on a rotor which also includes permanent magnets. The rotor winding has a first end connected to the neutral point on the stator winding and a second end connected to a switching circuit. The rotor winding produces a magnetic flux field that additively combines with the permanent magnetic flux field from the permanent magnets when the switching circuit connects the second end of the rotor winding to a voltage greater than the neutral point voltage and produces a magnetic flux field that subtractively combines with the permanent magnetic flux field when the switching circuit connects the second end to a voltage less than the neutral point voltage.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator includes a stator and a rotor, with the rotor having longitudinally separate wound field and permanent magnet rotor portions. A rotor excitation circuit applies a forward polarity to the wound field rotor portion to increase output in a boosting mode at low RPMs and a reverse polarity to decrease output at high RPMs in a bucking mode to maintain a constant voltage output. Alternative embodiments combine a magnetic flux concentrating design for efficient low speed operation with integral strength for high speed capability. Dual voltage output is provided either through dual stator windings or through a voltage converter circuit. Single voltage output is provided using only one stator winding. A three state voltage regulator allows voltage regulation without inducing reverse currents onto the power bus in the lightly loaded or no battery conditions. The regulator has automatic interlocking to automatically turn on and off without risking damage to the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: A hybrid alternator includes a stator and a rotor, with the rotor having longitudinally separate wound field and permanent magnet rotor portions. A rotor excitation circuit applies a forward polarity to the wound field rotor portion to increase output in a boosting mode at low RPMs and a reverse polarity to decrease output at high RPMs in a bucking mode to maintain a constant voltage output. Alternative embodiments combine a magnetic flux concentrating design for efficient low speed operation with integral strength for high speed capability. Dual voltage output is provided either through dual stator windings or through a voltage converter circuit. Single voltage output is provided using only one stator winding.

Abstract: A multistage centrifugal compressor, comprising a casing having an inlet portion and a compression portion. The inlet portion has an inlet opening gaseously coupled to an evaporator so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant. The inlet and compression portions each have a plurality of gas passages therethrough. The compression portion has an outlet opening that is located at the end of the casing which is opposite the end of the casing having the inlet opening. An electric motor assembly is positioned within the inlet portion of the casing so as to provide a transfer of heat dissipated by the motor assembly to the gaseous refrigerant entering through the inlet opening. The gaseous refrigerant flowing in the inlet opening passes through and about the motor assembly so as to cool the motor assembly.