Abstract: An electrically powered launcher is disclosed that can accelerate small payloads to orbital velocities. The invention uses a novel geometry to overcome limitations of other design, and allows full exploitation of existing superconducting materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates an electric rotating machine comprising a plurality of phase coils each composed of a plurality of partial coils each made by connecting segments each composed of an inside-slot conductor portion to be accommodated in each of slots of each of phase slot groups made in a stator core and an outside-slot conductor portion protruding from the slot. Of the plurality of partial coils constituting each of the phase coils, in each of the partial coils to be connected to an input/output terminal, its inside-slot conductor portion is accommodated in the slot other than end portions of the phase slot group in a circumferential direction of the stator core. This reduces the electric potential difference between the outside-slot conductor portion continuing thereinto and the outside-slot conductor portion of an adjacent phase coil, thereby improving the insulating performance.

Abstract: First and second stationary members are arranged to face each other, and a movable member is arranged between these first and second stationary members so as to be movable in a predetermined direction. An electrode groups including a plurality of stationary electrodes having the same width and sequentially arranged at substantially the same pitch in a predetermined direction is formed on each of these stationary electrodes. Also, a movable electrode having a width in the predetermined direction, which is larger than the width of each of the stationary electrodes constituting the electrode group, is arranged on the movable member. First and second voltage signal patterns differing from each other in the timing are applied to the stationary electrodes constituting the electrode group. When the movable member is driven in the predetermined direction by one of the first and second voltage signal patterns, the voltage signal pattern serving to drive the movable member is determined as the driving signal.

Abstract: An armature for a brush commutated electric motor having a distributed coil winding arrangement for reducing brush arcing and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The winding pattern involves segmenting each coil into first and second subcoil portions with differing pluralities of turns. Each subcoil portion is wound around separate pairs of spaced apart slots of a lamination stack. Adjacent coils are wound such that one subcoil portion of each is wound in a common slot to therefore form an overlapping arrangement of each pair of adjacently coils. The winding pattern serves to “shift” the resultant magnetic axes of each coil in such a manner so as to significantly reduce brush arcing and the EMI resulting therefrom. The reduction in EMI is sufficient to eliminate the need for EMI reducing components, such as chokes, which have typically been required to maintain EMI to acceptably low levels.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor having a rotor and a stator is disclosed. The stator has a plurality of peripherally spaced stator poles, each being defined by an inner curvilinear face, which is generally aligned with the curvilinear faces of adjacent stator poles in a circumferential path. A plurality of stator inserts are also provided that are disposed between adjacently spaced stator poles. Each stator insert has a curvilinear face that is generally aligned in the same circumferential path with the curvilinear faces of adjacently spaced stator poles to reduce siren noise. Each stator insert is also constructed to include at least one pocket opposite its curvilinear face for receiving a magnet to facilitate positioning of the rotor relative to the stator poles. Each stator insert is further provided with oppositely extending arms for receiving and mounting a pre-wound stator coil or “wound-in-place” coils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric motor having a winding support (9) for the windings of the motor stator. The winding support is formed with a cylindrical coaxial space having a first end (16) which is at least partially closed and a second end (14) which is open. A plurality of regularly spaced bars (10) are formed on said winding support (9). Certain of the bars, preferably alternate ones of the bars, are formed with an elongated, outwardly extending projection, adapted for placement thereon of a generally oval winding of the motor stator. Preferably, the partially closed first end (16) has a central opening, into which a bearing (7) for the rotor shaft (4) or a stepped end of a split bell can be inserted.

Abstract: A variable reluctance electric motor includes a hollow cylindrical stator having a plurality of radially inwardly extending poles. Each of the stator poles is generally rectangular in cross sectional shape and is bifurcated into two stator teeth at its radially innermost end by a central, longitudinally extending slot. The outer circumferential edges of the stator pole teeth are beveled at their respective junctions with the sides of the stator pole. A stator pole gap width is defined between adjacent stator poles. A slot width is defined within each of the stator poles between the adjacent longitudinally extending edges of the slot. The ratio of the stator pole gap width to the stator pole slot width is in the range of from about 1.8 to about 2.3. A cylindrical rotor is co-axially supported within the stator for relative rotational movement. The rotor has a plurality of radially outwardly extending poles formed thereon. Each of the rotor poles is generally rectangular in cross sectional shape.

Abstract: An upper coil bar and lower coil bar are disposed in slots of an armature core. The upper coil bars have upper coil-end sections which extend radially from the outer periphery of the armature core and together form a commutator surface with which a brush member is in contact. The upper coil-end sections and coil-end sections of the lower coil bars are retained by a fixing cap fixed between a shaft of the rotary electric machine and the upper coil-end sections, and also by a spacer disposed between the upper coil-end sections and the lower coil-end sections so that the commutator surface can be maintained smooth even under conditions of thermal expansion or high-speed operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnets containing-type motor that minimizes a cogging torque without lowering its output. In a magnets containing-type motor where permanent magnets are set in magnetic pole elements of a rotor, the dimensions of each magnetic pole element are determined to satisfy predetermined relations according to a variety of numerical elements of the motor. In accordance with a concrete arrangement, the dimensions of each magnetic pole element are determined, so as to enable either one of a magnetic pole element opening angle L2 and an equivalent magnetic pole element opening angle L3 to be expressed as (n+z).multidot.Pp+x.multidot.(g/R)+y.multidot.(gp/R), based on a predetermined relation between a parameter (t2-t1)/g and a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A highly thermal-conductive and thermal-resistant electrically insulated coil with less outflow of a thermosetting resin composition can be produced, to provide a small-scale, light-weight rotating machine with high power. The thermosetting resin composition comprises (a) a polyfunctional epoxy resin containing three or more p-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) phenyl groups and a group represented by the Chemical formula 1; or an epoxy resin with a naphthalene backbone, represented by the Chemical formula 3, 4 or 5 or an epoxy resin with an anthracene backbone, such as diglycidyl ether of anthracene diol and triglycidyl ether of anthracene triol; (b) a bifunctional epoxy resin containing two p-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) phenyl groups; (c) an acid anhydride curing agent; and (d) a metal acetonate curing catalyst represented by the Chemical formula 2 at 0.1 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resins.

Abstract: A flywheel energy conversion device provides highly efficient conversion between kinetic and electrical energy. The flywheel produces increased output by providing armature coils in an air gap formed about the flywheel (both radial and axial embodiments are described). In preferred embodiments, field coils of a magnetic circuit are energized with DC drive current that creates homopolar flux within a rotating solid rotor having teeth cut from a flat disk. The total reluctance of the magnetic circuit and total flux remain substantially constant as the rotor rotates. The flux may travel radially outward and exit the flat disk through the teeth passing across an armature air gap. Airgap armature coils are preferably utilized in which the changing flux density (due to the rotating teeth) induces an output voltage in the coils.

Abstract: An axial air-gap electric machine comprises a stator including a supporting member having one or more coil structures mounted thereon. The supporting member includes one or more eccentric recesses to accommodate portions of the coil structures, allowing the machine to be constructed more compactly. One important application of the invention is to high-power, low-voltage motors and generators, to accommodate the thick wires leading to the coil windings.

Abstract: A flywheel energy conversion device provides highly efficient conversion between kinetic and electrical energy. The flywheel produces increased output by providing armature coils in an air gap formed about the flywheel (both radial and axial embodiments are described). In preferred embodiments, field coils of a magnetic circuit are energized with DC drive current that creates homopolar flux within a rotating solid rotor having teeth cut from a flat disk. The total reluctance of the magnetic circuit and total flux remain substantially constant as the rotor rotates. The flux may travel radially outward and exit the flat disk through the teeth passing across an armature air gap. Airgap armature coils are preferably utilized in which the changing flux density (due to the rotating teeth) induces an output voltage in the coils.

Abstract: A variable speed eddy current drive has a driven member and an output member. The driven member is structured and arranged to be coupled to a motor shaft. The output member is structured and arranged to be coupled to a load. The drive also has an armature and an electromagnet. The armature is coupled to either the driven member or the output member, while the electromagnet is coupled to the other of the driven member or the output member. The drive is provided with a coupler that is in addition to the armature and the electromagnet. The coupler is selectively operable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. Actuating the coupler to the coupled position causes the output member to rotate at the same speed as the driven member, with no slip between the two members. The coupler can be actuated between the coupled and uncoupled positions while the drive is rotating. The coupler can be actuated to move either axially or radially.

Abstract: An electric machine which can be operated optionally as a motor or generator and in particular can be installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive. The machine includes a stator and a rotor of substantially cylindrical shape, The rotor is positioned about the stator to form a circumferential air gap between the stator and the rotor. An integrated switchable clutch is provided for the transmission of torque. The rotor is arranged on the outside (external-rotor machine) of the stator and the clutch is arranged within the stator.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a one-way clutch capable of preventing the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring of the one-way clutch from being deformed even when the outer ring of the one-way clutch for a stator constituting a torque converter is integrally formed with the stator made of plastic.

Abstract: An induction motor capable of producing an increased torque has a stator for generating a rotating magnetic field, a stator fixed to a shaft, a cylindrical member disposed within an inner space defined by the rotor and rotatably supported by the shaft, and magnets attached to the circumference of the rotor such that the magnets face the rotating magnetic field. The induction motor may be provided with a mechanism for adjusting the effective magnetic force of the magnets. The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. Also, a synchronizing mechanism may be provided to prevent the cylindrical member from lagging behind the rotor. A linear induction motor includes a straight primary coil assembly and a straight secondary coil assembly. One of the primary coil assembly and the secondary coil assembly is movable relative to the other. Also, a plurality of magnets are disposed in the secondary coil assembly.

Abstract: A concentric-double-shaft simultaneously rotating apparatus in which a part of the force for driving an inner shaft to rotate is obtained by a device other than a rotation controlled motor to thereby reduce the capacity of the rotation controlled motor to attain reduction in size of the apparatus, increase of stiffness, and so on. The concentric-double-shaft simultaneously rotating apparatus includes at least one permanent magnet which is attached onto an inner circumferential surface of an outer shaft, and a secondary conductor such as a copper pipe, or the like, is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the inner shaft to create an induced current flow.

Abstract: A rotary assembly comprising a stator and a rotor of axis .DELTA., rotary drive means, radial support means, and an active magnetic axial abutment comprising a magnetic circuit in two portions, namely a fixed portion, and a moving portion, the two portions being separated from each other by two parallel plane air gaps, each portion of said magnetic circuit being circularly symmetrical about axis .DELTA., and having the shape of an open channel-section extending about said axis .DELTA., the open ends of the two portions of magnetic circuit facing each other, an electrical coil being received in the inside annular space of the fixed portion of the magnetic circuit, wherein a drive winding secured to said axial abutment coil and received in the inside annular space of the moving portion of said magnetic circuit co-operates with permanent magnets fixed to the moving portion of said magnetic circuit, and facing said drive winding.

Abstract: An electric rotating machine which withstands mechanical and thermal loads applied thereto is provided. Coil arms and coil trunks are provided in roughly parallel orientation to the end faces of an armature core only through insulating rings and insulating spacers. Metal brush is disposed on coil arms constituting a commutator, whereby the overall length of the armature can be remarkably shortened. The coil arms are strongly pressed against and fixed to the side of armature core by a collar, so that the resistance to the centrifugal force can be remarkably improved. A cylindrical ring is circumferentially fitted on the upper coil trunks to prevent radially outward movement of the coil arms due to the centrifugal force. The coil arms disposed in a non-commutator side are made radially shorter than those disposed in the commutator side. Thus, electric resistance of an armature coil is reduced and radial movement caused by the centrifugal force is reduced.