Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a DC homopolar machine is provided. The DC homopolar machine may include a stator having a stator magnetic core and a permanent magnet, a rotor magnetic core supported within the stator to rotate relative to the stator, and non-magnetic material within a gap between the rotor magnetic core and the stator magnetic core. The stator, rotor and non-magnetic material form a magnetic circuit having a total reluctance, the total reluctance of the magnetic circuit being provided by a first reluctance of the permanent magnet and a second reluctance of the gap of non-magnetic material, with the first reluctance being substantially equal to the second reluctance.

Abstract: An AC unipolar generator provides high power at high frequencies without requiring a source of high-frequency mechanical power. A rotor having a plurality of spaced magnetic disks and two sets of rotating capacitor plates is coupled to a source of mechanical power, the two sets of rotating capacitor plates being spaced apart along the outside of the rotor and electrically connected via a conducting channel. A stator surrounding a portion of the rotor that includes the magnetic disks and one of the two sets of rotating capacitor plates includes a magnetic stator core that forms a magnetic circuit with the magnetic disks of the rotor, a stator field coil, and a fixed set of capacitor plates that capacitively couple the stator field coil to the rotor conducting channel through one of the sets of rotating capacitor plates.

Abstract: There is provided an electric motor having a flat form factor. The electric motor has a rotor with a shaft attached thereto. The rotor further includes a plurality of teeth disposed thereon. The motor further includes a stator having an axial length. A plurality of teeth are disposed on the stator such that a gap is defined between the teeth of the stator and the teeth of the rotor. The motor further includes a plurality of copper windings disposed around each of the teeth of stator. Each of the windings has a length of end copper equal to about twice the axial length of the stator. In this regard, the end of the wire is greater than the width of the stator such that the form factor of the motor can be flattened.

Abstract: A variable reluctance electric motor is disclosed. The motor has a generally circularly shaped stator core having at least one pole and a winding disposed thereon. Furthermore, the motor has a rotor core with at least one rotor lobe and configured to be insertable into the stator core. A gap is defined between the stator core and rotor core. The radius of the rotor core is configured to vary the length of the gap between the rotor lobe(s) and the stator pole(s) when rotating within the stator core in order to create a variable reluctance machine.

Abstract: In a resonant motor system, an electrical motor having a stator with one or more windings, a rotor which may or may not be wound, and an air gap between the stator and the rotor for storing magnetic energy such that the motor exhibits a definite electrical inductance deployed with a drive combination including a capacitance connected in series with the inductance of the motor to form an LCR circuit therewith. Phased provision of DC power to the LCR circuit causes the circuit to oscillate, which excites the motor. The DC power is provided in synchronism with the rotation of the rotor in order to maximize torque produced by the motor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor with increased torque. The motor has a rotor coil configured to generate a magnetic field. At least two stator coils are connected in series with the rotor coil. Each of the stator coils is configured to generate a respective magnetic field. The motor further includes a plurality of switches configured to generate the magnetic field in each of the respective rotor and stator coils. The switches are configured to generate the magnetic field in the stator coils such that the rotor coil rotates in response thereto. By having the rotor and stator coils connected in series, the torque of the motor is increased.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electric motor is disclosed. The method comprises determining the operating load of the electric motor and then calculating the voltage to be applied to the electric motor in response to the operating load. The voltage to be applied operates the motor in an efficient manner for the given load. The frequency of the voltage to be applied to the electric motor is calculated in response to the operating load such that the frequency of the voltage to be applied operates the motor in an efficient manner. Power is applied to the motor with the voltage and frequency calculated in order to operate the motor in an efficient manner for the given load.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A system and method for controlling an electric motor is disclosed. The method comprises determining the operating load of the electric motor and then calculating the voltage to be applied to the electric motor in response to the operating load. The voltage to be applied operates the motor in an efficient manner for the given load. The frequency of the voltage to be applied to the electric motor is calculated in response to the operating load such that the frequency of the voltage to be applied operates the motor in an efficient manner. Power is applied to the motor with the voltage and frequency calculated in order to operate the motor in an efficient manner for the given load.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly for transferring electrical current to an electrical device is disclosed. The slip ring assembly has a housing that is attachable to the electrical device. Disposed within the housing is a rotatable slip ring and a flexible conductor. The flexible conductor is configured to conform to the shape of the slip ring and conduct an electric current. A fluid is contained within the housing. The fluid forms a conductive film between the slip ring and the conductor when the slip ring rotates through hydrodynamic forces. The conductive film is operative to transfer electrical current between the slip ring and the conductor while also preventing wear of the slip ring and conductor.

Abstract: A system for operating an electric motor is described. The system has a torque estimator to determine a load on the motor and a controller configured to generate a motor control signal. The controller continuously adjusts the motor control signal in response to the load on the motor. The motor control signal optimizes the motor's performance by controlling the rotor flux of the motor. The motor control signal can control the voltage or current and frequency applied to the motor.