Abstract: A synchronous machine having a hybrid rotor excitation. The synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of permanent magnets and electromagnets embedded within a rotor body. The permanent magnets produces a constant magnet field having a magnetic axis along a direct axis (D-axis). The electromagnets produces a variable magnetic field along a magnetic axis offset from the D-axis, preferable substantially orthogonal to the D-axis. The plurality of permanent magnets are separated from the electromagnets by a rotor air-gap. The plurality of permanent magnets includes inner pairs and outer pairs of permanent magnets nested in a V-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the outer pairs of permanent magnets are replaced with outer radius electromagnets.

Abstract: Presented are clutch-type engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such disconnect devices, and motor vehicles equipped with such disconnect devices. An engine disconnect device includes a notch plate, which has multiple notches and attaches to a torque converter, and a pocket plate, which has multiple pockets and attaches to an engine's crankshaft. A pawl is movably mounted within each notch; these pawls selectively engage the notches with the pockets. A notch plate insert is nested within each notch, supporting thereon one of the pawls. A selector plate interposed between the pocket and notch plates moves from a first position, to shift the pawls out of engagement with the pockets, and a second position, to move the notch plate inserts within the notches and allow the pawls to engage the notches with the pockets to thereby lock the notch plate to the pocket plate to rotate in unison with each other.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes first and second battery cells, a heat sink, and a plurality of sheets of a thermally conductive material arranged in a stack. The first and second battery cells are arranged adjacent to each other. The heat sink is arranged adjacent to the first and second battery cells. A first portion of the stack is disposed between the first and second battery cells. A second portion of the stack is disposed adjacent to and in thermal communication with the heat sink. The first portion of the stack conducts heat from the first battery cell while limiting heat conducted to the second battery cell. The second portion of the stack transfers the heat to the heat sink.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric machine of an automobile includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the apertures of each of the lamination plates axially aligned to define a plurality of magnet slots extending axially through the core stack, a plurality of magnets stacked axially within each of the plurality of magnet slots along a length of the core stack, at least one of the plurality of magnet slots including a cavity extending axially along the length of the core stack, and a wedge inserted within the cavity adapted to apply a lateral force onto the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot to secure the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot.

Abstract: Rotor for electric machines and methods for fabricating rotors for electric machines are provided. An exemplary method includes assembling a stack of laminations to form a rotor core having an external surface. The rotor core defines one to five layers of internal cavities and an interior permanent magnet is positioned in a selected internal cavity. The method also includes locating a non-magnetic structural element in the selected internal cavity. Further, the method includes applying a compressive force on the external surface of the rotor core with an annular sleeve.

Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor assembly for use with a rotary electric machine includes forming annular rotor laminations from metal blanks. Each lamination has a radial axis and an outer diameter surface. Multiple magnet web regions are defined in proximity to the outer diameter surface. Each web regions includes asymmetrical openings defined by a radially-extending strut and arcuate peripheral bridges. The method includes coaxially stacking the laminations into a rotor stack, including positioning every other lamination a predetermined angular distance with to unmask the bridges and/or struts and mask remaining surface area of the laminations. The rotor stack is subjected to a heat-treating process to harden only the unmasked bridges and/or struts. The method includes connecting a rotor shaft to the stack to construct the rotor assembly, with the web regions corresponding to a respective rotor magnetic pole.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric motor includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures of each of the lamination plates axially aligned and defining a plurality of axial magnet slots extending through the core stack and adapted to support a plurality of permanent magnets therein, and at least one insert extending axially through the core stack and adapted to provide radial structural stability to the plurality of lamination plates to prevent portions of the plurality of lamination plates adjacent the plurality of magnet slots from flexing due to radial forces exerted on the plurality of lamination plates during operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric machine of an automobile includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the apertures of each of the lamination plates axially aligned to define a plurality of magnet slots extending axially through the core stack, a plurality of magnets stacked axially within each of the plurality of magnet slots along a length of the core stack, at least one of the plurality of magnet slots including a cavity extending axially along the length of the core stack, and a wedge inserted within the cavity adapted to apply a lateral force onto the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot to secure the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine for use with coolant includes a stator and rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor, rotor shaft, and first and second end rings. The rotor has inner and outer diameter surfaces and an embedded set of rotor magnets proximate the outer diameter surface. The shaft is connected to the rotor and defines a main coolant passage along an axis of rotation. Radial shaft coolant passages are in fluid communication with the main coolant passage. The end rings are positioned at opposing distal ends of the rotor. The shaft coolant passages direct the coolant into the rotor and/or the end rings such that the coolant flows axially through rotor cavities of the rotor and cools the rotor magnets via forced convection.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor positioned in operational engagement with one another and defining a radial gap extending circumferentially between the stator and the rotor, the rotor including a plurality of rotor segments defining a plurality of segment gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rotor segments, the rotor segments radially moveable relative to the stator, wherein movement of the plurality of rotor segments radially outward increases the radial gap between the stator and the rotor and the segment gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rotor segments.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric motor includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures of each of the lamination plates axially aligned and defining a plurality of axial magnet slots extending through the core stack and adapted to support a plurality of permanent magnets therein, and at least one insert extending axially through the core stack and adapted to provide radial structural stability to the plurality of lamination plates to prevent portions of the plurality of lamination plates adjacent the plurality of magnet slots from flexing due to radial forces exerted on the plurality of lamination plates during operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A powertrain system configured to transfer torque to a driveline is described, and includes an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a transmission, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine is configured to operate in one of an all-cylinder mode and a dynamic deactivation mode to generate an engine torque. The electric machine is configured to generate a motor torque. The motor torque and the engine torque combine to generate an output torque that is transferable to the driveline and is responsive to an output torque request. The controller is in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the transmission, and the electric machine. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to operate the engine in the dynamic deactivation mode to generate engine torque, and operate the electric machine to generate motor torque to supplement the engine torque to generate the output torque.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator, a rotor, a rotor shaft and a pump. The rotor is disposed within the stator and separated from the stator by an airgap. The airgap inadvertently accumulates a fluid. The rotor shaft is connected to the rotor. The pump is configured to move the fluid out of the airgap.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor positioned in operational engagement with one another and defining a radial gap extending circumferentially between the stator and the rotor, the rotor including a plurality of rotor segments defining a plurality of segment gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rotor segments, the rotor segments radially moveable relative to the stator, wherein movement of the plurality of rotor segments radially outward increases the radial gap between the stator and the rotor and the segment gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rotor segments.

Abstract: A synchronous machine having a hybrid rotor excitation. The synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of permanent magnets and electromagnets embedded within a rotor body. The permanent magnets produces a constant magnet field having a magnetic axis along a direct axis (D-axis). The electromagnets produces a variable magnetic field along a magnetic axis offset from the D-axis, preferable substantially orthogonal to the D-axis. The plurality of permanent magnets are separated from the electromagnets by a rotor air-gap. The plurality of permanent magnets includes inner pairs and outer pairs of permanent magnets nested in a V-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the outer pairs of permanent magnets are replaced with outer radius electromagnets.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a first power-source configured to generate a first power-source torque and a multiple speed-ratio transmission configured to transmit the first power-source torque to power the vehicle. The powertrain also includes a fluid coupling having a fluid pump shaft operatively connected to the first power-source and a turbine shaft operatively connected to the multi-speed transmission. The fluid coupling is configured to multiply the first power-source torque, and transfer the multiplied first power-source torque to the multiple speed-ratio transmission. The powertrain additionally includes a second power-source configured to generate a second power-source torque and a first torque transfer system configured to connect the second power-source to the first power-source. The powertrain further includes a second torque transfer system configured to connect the second power-source to the multi-speed transmission. A motor vehicle having such a powertrain is also envisioned.

Abstract: A stator assembly for an electric motor includes a laminate steel core arranged on an axis. The stator assembly also includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The stator assembly additionally includes a stator housing arranged on the axis concentrically with respect to the laminate steel core. The stator housing has a conduit fluidly connected to each of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and configured to circulate fluid around the laminate steel core. The stator assembly also includes a structural skeleton embedded in the stator housing. The structural skeleton is thereby configured to reinforce the stator housing. An electric motor employing the above-described stator assembly is also contemplated.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a rotor core having at least one internal cavity. A pair of features are defined by the rotor core and extend into the cavity. A structural element is compressed between the features so that a preload may be established between the features and the structural element.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine, e.g., a cycloidal reluctance motor, includes a stator having stator teeth connected to a cylindrical stator core, and a rotor having a cylindrical rotor core. The stator core and/or rotor core are constructed of grain-oriented, spirally-wound ferrous material having a circular or annular grain orientation. The stator teeth may be constructed of grain-oriented steel having a linear grain orientation. Notches may be spaced around an inner circumferential surface of the stator core, with each stator tooth engaged with a respective notch. The rotor may be eccentrically positioned radially within the stator. The rotor core may define notches spaced around its outer circumferential surface, with salient rotor projections engaged with a respective rotor notch. The machine in such an embodiment may be a switched reluctance rotor. An electrical system using the machine and a method of manufacturing the machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: An axial flux-type rotary electric machine includes a rotor having a rotor axis and a stator having a stator axis. The stator is positioned adjacent to the rotor such that an axial airgap is defined between the rotor and the stator. First and second non-parallel rotor shafts are respectively collinear with the stator axis and the rotor axis. A nutating gear pair is connected to a stationary member and the rotor, and is configured to impart nutating motion to the rotor with respect to the stator, such that a size of the axial airgap changes with a rotational position of the rotor, and such that the rotor has two degrees of freedom of motion. An electrical system includes direct and alternating current voltage buses, a power inverter module connected to the voltage buses, and the axial flux-type rotary electric machine connected to the alternating current voltage bus.