Abstract: A motor has an axis of rotation and includes a housing, a first shaft coupled to the housing, and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft. The motor further includes a stator, a rotor coupled to the first shaft, a gearbox, and a bearing assembly coupled to the rotor. The stator includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface defines a stator bore around the axis of rotation. The rotor includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is configured to extend axially along the axis of rotation and within the stator bore, and the second arm is configured to extend radially from the axis of rotation. The first arm and the bearing assembly are positioned within the stator bore, and the second arm is positioned entirely outside of the stator bore.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a permanent magnet rotor assembly is provided. The electric machine comprises a permanent magnet rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to a rotor disk and a plurality of magnet shims coupled to the plurality of permanent magnets opposite the rotor disk. Each magnet shim of the plurality of magnet shims has a substantially complementary shape as a respective permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets. The electric machine further comprises a stator core comprising a plurality of stator teeth that define a plurality of slots therebetween. At least one of the plurality of magnet shims is configured to direct magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets to at least one stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: A motor having an axis of rotation is provided. The motor includes a housing, a first shaft coupled to the housing and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft. The motor further includes a stator coupled to the housing and comprising an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, wherein the inner circumferential surface defines a stator bore around the axis of rotation. A gearbox is coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft and positioned within the stator bore. The motor includes a rotor coupled to the first shaft and adjacent the stator.

Abstract: A motor having an axis of rotation is provided. The motor includes a housing, a first shaft coupled to the housing and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft. The motor further includes a stator coupled to the housing and comprising an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, wherein the inner circumferential surface defines a stator bore around the axis of rotation. A gearbox is coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft and positioned within the stator bore. The motor includes a rotor coupled to the first shaft and adjacent the stator.

Abstract: A rotor for connection to a rotating member for use in an electric machine is provided. The rotor includes a first member connected to the rotating member and generally positioned perpendicularly thereto and a second member connected to one of the rotating member and the first member.

Abstract: A stator 20 for an axial flux machine such as a motor or generator. The stator includes a stator core 32 having a back plane 24 which in use is disposed perpendicularly about a rotational axis of the machine. A plurality of teeth 26 extend axially from the back plane so as to form winding receiving slots 28 between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes an electrical winding 30 including a plurality of coils 32, each coil being located about a tooth of the stator core and being electrically isolated from the stator tooth by means of an insulating former 34 having a shape which closely conforms to the shape of the stator tooth. The coils 32 are interconnected to form the winding 30. A method of constructing a stator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: A rotor for connection to a rotating member for use in an electric machine is provided. The rotor includes a first member connected to the rotating member and generally positioned perpendicularly thereto and a second member connected to one of the rotating member and the first member.

Abstract: A stator 20 for an axial flux machine such as a motor or generator. The stator includes a stator core 32 having a back plane 24 which in use is disposed perpendicularly about a rotational axis of the machine. A plurality of teeth 26 extend axially from the back plane so as to form winding receiving slots 28 between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes an electrical winding 30 including a plurality of coils 32, each coil being located about a tooth of the stator core and being electrically isolated from the stator tooth by means of an insulating former 34 having a shape which closely conforms to the shape of the stator tooth. The coils 32 are interconnected to form the winding 30. A method of constructing a stator is also disclosed.

Abstract: An axial flux electrical machine including a housing, a stator located within the housing, a rotatable shaft carried by the housing by means of at least a main bearing, and a rotor fixed to the shaft within the housing. Magnetic attractive forces between the rotor and the stator produce an axial thrust on the main bearing and a biasing means (preferably in the form of a spring) is arranged to urge the shaft in a direction opposite to the axial thrust so as to reduce the net load on the main bearing. This reduction in net load on the main bearing increases bearing life and improves motor efficiency.

Abstract: An axial flux electric machine and associated method of use that includes a shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft, a plurality of permanent magnets positioned underneath the rotor, an electrical winding positioned below the plurality of permanent magnets, a stator that encircles the shaft that is located below the rotor, a first bearing assembly located below the stator and encircling the shaft of the rotor, a second bearing assembly located below the first bearing assembly and encircling the shaft, and a spring mechanism, located between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly, to distribute load placed on the shaft between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly.

Abstract: A motor having an axis of rotation is provided. The motor includes a housing, a first shaft coupled to the housing and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft. The motor further includes a stator coupled to the housing and comprising an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, wherein the inner circumferential surface defines a stator bore around the axis of rotation. A gearbox is coupled to the first shaft and to the second shaft and positioned within the stator bore. The motor includes a rotor coupled to the first shaft and adjacent the stator.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a permanent magnet rotor assembly is provided. The electric machine comprises a permanent magnet rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to a rotor disk and a plurality of magnet shims coupled to the plurality of permanent magnets opposite the rotor disk. Each magnet shim of the plurality of magnet shims has a substantially complementary shape as a respective permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets. The electric machine further comprises a stator core comprising a plurality of stator teeth that define a plurality of slots therebetween. At least one of the plurality of magnet shims is configured to direct magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets to at least one stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: An axial flux electric machine and associated method of use that includes a shaft, a rotor attached to the shaft, a plurality of permanent magnets positioned underneath the rotor, an electrical winding positioned below the plurality of permanent magnets, a stator that encircles the shaft that is located below the rotor, a first bearing assembly located below the stator and encircling the shaft of the rotor, a second bearing assembly located below the first bearing assembly and encircling the shaft, and a spring mechanism, located between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly, to distribute load placed on the shaft between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly.

Abstract: A stator 20 for an axial flux machine such as a motor or generator. The stator includes a stator core 32 having a back plane 24 which in use is disposed perpendicularly about a rotational axis of the machine. A plurality of teeth 26 extend axially from the back plane so as to form winding receiving slots 28 between adjacent teeth. The stator also includes an electrical winding 30 including a plurality of coils 32, each coil being located about a tooth of the stator core and being electrically isolated from the stator tooth by means of an insulating former 34 having a shape which closely conforms to the shape of the stator tooth. The coils 32 are interconnected to form the winding 30. A method of constructing a stator is also disclosed.

Abstract: An axial flux electrical machine including a housing, a stator located within the housing, a rotatable shaft carried by the housing by means of at least a main bearing, and a rotor fixed to the shaft within the housing. Magnetic attractive forces between the rotor and the stator produce an axial thrust on the main bearing and a biasing means (preferably in the form of a spring) is arranged to urge the shaft in a direction opposite to the axial thrust so as to reduce the net load on the main bearing. This reduction in net load on the main bearing increases bearing life and improves motor efficiency.

Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.