Abstract: An electric motor has a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles. The first and second carriers each define an axis. An airgap is formed between the first and second carriers when in an operational position. An inner thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. An outer thrust bearing connects the first and second carriers and is arranged to allow relative rotary motion of the carriers. The electromagnetic elements of each of the first and second carriers are arranged radially inward of the outer thrust bearing and radially outward of the inner thrust bearing. The inner thrust bearing and the outer thrust bearing are arranged to maintain the airgap against a magnetic attraction of the electromagnetic elements of the first and second carriers.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator having an array of electromagnetic elements. A rotor is mounted on bearings and has an array of rotor posts. The rotor posts each have a length defining opposed ends and the array of rotor posts extends along the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the length of each of the rotor posts. The rotor has electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles placed between the plurality of rotor posts. An airgap is formed between the rotor and the stator when they are in an operational position. A plurality of rotor flux restrictors are formed on the rotor, and each lies adjacent to one of the opposed ends of the rotor posts.

Abstract: An actuator for high rotational speed applications using a stator which utilizes laminated features to reduce Eddy current losses in the stator. This construction allows high pole counts while providing the efficiency and high speed benefits of a laminated construction. Laminated construction is very challenging for a high pole count lightweight motor, but embodiments of the device provide structural strength, and rigidity, as well as other benefits such as low manufacturing cost, high heat dissipation, integrated cooling channels, and light weight construction. Many of these benefits result from the use of a laminate sandwich of non-magnetic, heat conductive material, such as anodized aluminum, as a structural member of the stator.

Abstract: An exoskeleton suit allows a user to control the legs using the arms. Preferably, there is two-way feedback/control between the legs and arms causing movement of leg joints to be proportional to movement of arm joints. Haptic forces and control forces on the joints may also be proportional. The relative magnitudes of the movements and forces may be adjustable. Rotary or angular actuators may be used. A twisting actuator is also provided using a pair of bending actuators mounted side by side to provide torsional displacement of frame members. The ability to support a portion of the user's weight on the hand grips is possible while simultaneously controlling the lower body movement by applying pitch, roll and yaw movements to that hand grip.

Abstract: An electric machine has a stator with N posts. A rotor is mounted on bearings for rotary movement about an axis relative to the stator with an air gap between the rotor and stator. The bearings are pre-loaded axial thrust bearings or pre-loaded angular bearings. The pre-load forces are provided at least in part by magnetic attraction between the stator and rotor. The rotor has M poles. The values for N and M have the property that the greatest common divisor of N and M is four or more.

Abstract: An electric machine comprise a first carrier having an array of electromagnetic elements and a second carrier having electromagnetic elements defining magnetic poles, the second carrier being arranged to move relative to the first carrier. An airgap is provided between the first carrier and the second carrier. The electromagnetic elements of the first carrier include posts, with slots between the posts, one or more electric conductors in each slot, the posts of the first carrier having a post height in mm. The first carrier and the second carrier together define a size of the electric machine. The magnetic poles having a pole pitch in mm. The size of the motor, pole pitch and post height are selected to fall within a region in a space defined by size, pole pitch and post height that provides a benefit in terms of force or torque per weight per excitation level.