Abstract: An electric motor assembly has an inner-rotor configuration including a hollow space within the rotor hub. The hollow space houses at least part of a brake for providing a braking force between a rotor and a stator of the electric motor. The brake can be configured to provide a braking force when no power is flowing to the electric motor, and can have an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the rotor.

Abstract: A drive system for a brushless DC motor uses pulse width modulation, and phase timing advancement to maintain a constant power output during high speed use. The arrangement is well suited for driving a brushless motor in an electric vehicle and the like.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer, such as a motor (1), comprising a rotor member (4), a stator member (3) having an electrical winding (8), and isolating means (11, 9, 16, 12) isolating at least a part (18) of one of the members (3) from the other member (4), and cooling fluid in direct contact with said part (18) and isolated from the other member (4). The stator member (3) is preferably cooled by pumping liquid past it, whilst the rotor member (4) is isolated from the liquid. The rotor member (4) preferably operates in an evacuated chamber (48). A pump (5) is preferably provided to pump the cooling liquid around a cooling circuit (47, 6, 5, 47, 42).

Abstract: A stator core for rotary high power density electro-mechanical transducers formed of multiple segments which have a plurality of radially oriented teeth. The stator core is a composite of two or more segments circumferentially combined to form a cylindrical stator or armature for electric motors or generators. The segments are wound with wire either when the segments are aligned linearly, when arranged circumferentially on the inside surface of a jig, or about a cylinder. The wound stator can have teeth extending radially outwardly or inwardly, to accommodate an outside or inside rotor.

Abstract: The method includes fabricating a plurality of elongated high permeability flux carrying members, and preparing n wire bundles each having a predetermined length. The n wire bundles are wound to provide a distributed winding configuration having a plurality of elongated open spaces. The plurality of flux carrying members are inserted into the plurality of open spaces to provide a winding/flux carrying member assembly. A bonding material is provided around the winding/flux carrying member assembly to provide a rigid structure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed that is lightweight and has a high power to weight ratio, with the transducer being capable of operation as an efficient motor, alternator or generator, and being particularly useful, for example, in connection with self-propelled vehicle applications such as passenger cars. The electromagnetic transducer can utilize a shell construction, which enhances heat removal, and includes a magnetic-flux producing assembly, having a plurality of spaced magnetic elements, and an armature assembly formed by a winding arrangement of dispersed conductive elements which are separated by flux carrying elements which, to the extent that such flux carrying elements are electrically conductive, are dispersed in one, two or three dimensions to thus be dispersed-phase flux carrying elements. The armature conductors and flux carrying elements are dispersed to minimize creation of opposing induced current, or eddy currents, depending on the effect produced on transducer operation.

Abstract: A switching circuit is provided which is to be connected to a power source. The circuit includes a first device, an inductor and a second device, all connected in series. Either a single inductor or a pair of series-connected inductors is connected in series between the first and second devices. One or both of the first and second devices are switched on and off to supply a load with an output voltage. The circuit can also include diodes to prevent harmful reverse current flow and to provide bypasses around the first and second devices. The first and second devices can be semiconductor elements, such as FETs, and particularly MOSFETs. The first device can be an IGBT.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed that is lightweight and has a high power to weight ratio, with the transducer being capable of operation as an efficient motor, alternator or generator, and being particularly useful, for example, in connection with self-propelled vehicle applications such as passenger cars. The electromagnetic transducer can utilize a shell construction, which enhances heat removal, and includes a magnetic-flux producing assembly, having a plurality of spaced magnetic elements, and an armature assembly formed by a winding arrangement of dispersed conductive elements which are separated by flux carrying elements which, to the extent that such flux carrying elements are electrically conductive, are dispersed in one, two, or three dimensions to thus be dispersed-phase flux carrying elements. The armature conductors and flux carrying elements are dispersed to minimize creation of opposing induced currents, or eddy currents, depending on the effect produced on transducer operation.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle achieves maximum structural strength with minimum weight by utilizing a combined body and chassis formed entirely of plastic material, molded and bonded into an integral composite structure which includes a central, hollow longitudinal beam, top, bottom, and side panels of the vehicle body portion, and a power unit supporting chamber at the forward end closing the forward end of the beam and tying it to the side panels. The beam holds the batteries, and the chamber contains all of the components of the power unit including the controlling device. The structure is thus as rigid and light as possible, in addition to eliminating any possibility of any unwanted grounding or electrical paths. The only metal in the vehicle is that of the additional components such as road wheels, suspension members, steering, and power unit and the fasteners and brackets used to retain them in mounted position.