Abstract: An axial flux electric motor comprising a rotor and a first and second stator. The first and second stators have a first and second air gap located between the first and second stators and the rotor, respectively, and the second air gap is greater than the first gap. In one embodiment, the coils of the first stator and the coils of the second stator are in parallel. The motor further comprises switches which alternatingly energize the coils of the first stator and of the second stator based upon required torque and required speed of the motor. In a second embodiment, the coils of the first stator and the coils of the second stator are in series and the motor further comprises switches which selectively bypass the coils of the second stator in order to reduce the back EMF of the motor and increase the maximum speed of the motor at a given input voltage.

Abstract: An axial flux electric motor comprising a rotor and a first and second stator. The first and second stators have a first and second air gap located between the first and second stators and the rotor, respectively, and the second air gap is greater than the first gap. In one embodiment, the coils of the first stator and the coils of the second stator are in parallel. The motor further comprises switches which alternatingly energize the coils of the first stator and of the second stator based upon required torque and required speed of the motor. In a second embodiment, the coils of the first stator and the coils of the second stator are in series and the motor further comprises switches which selectively bypass the coils of the second stator in order to reduce the back EMF of the motor and increase the maximum speed of the motor at a given input voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chucking tires to be tested in a tire testing apparatus. A lower chuck assembly or spindle includes a lower rim that is engageable with a bead region of the tire to be tested. An upper chuck assembly includes an upper rim that is engageable with an upper bead region of the tire to be tested. The upper rim is reciprocally movable towards and away from the lower rim. A plurality of sensors associated with the movable rim monitors the closing distance between the upper rim and the side wall of the tire that is being chucked, during the chucking process. A controller controls the movement of the upper rim in response to the distance data obtained from the sensors.