Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular motor comprising a discoidal stator unit and a discoidal rotor unit rotatable about an axis of rotation under a torque established therein, the stator unit being supported by a frame arrangement and having a winding assembly within in a matrix of polymer material, the winding assembly including a number of winding elements, each of the winding elements having a pair of radially disposed portions, wherein at least one of the radially disposed portions of each winding element is spaced from a radially disposed portion of another winding element to form a cooling region therein, the cooling region being arranged for the location therein of thermally conductive materials having a thermal conductance of at least 1.5 w.multidot.cm/(cm.sup.2 .multidot..degree. C.), thereby to transfer heat from the stator unit and toward the frame arrangement during operation of the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foot operated therapeutic exercise device comprising a saddle, a load and drive means to propel the load; the drive means further including a pair of pedal mechanisms, each of the pedal mechanisms including a pedal and a pedal support, the pedal support being mounted for rotation about a pedal axis; a pair of coupling means, each to independently couple a corresponding one of the pedals to the support in a manner to allow the position of the pedal to be adjusted relative to the pedal axis, according to the range of motion of a corresponding knee of a patient; adjustment means to independently adjust the pedal axis of each of the pedal mechanisms relative to the saddle, according to the corresponding leg of the patient, thereby allowing the exercise regimen for each leg to be adjusted according to its individual limitations.

Abstract: Novel winding arrangements and control circuits for brushless direct-current motors are described. Stator windings are arranged to produce an essentially continuous torque in each winding phase from D.C. current pulses each of about one-half the duration of a two-pole cycle or rotor movement. An electronic control circuit comprises one electronic power switch for each winding group or winding phase in the stator windings. One or two D.C. current pulses are applied to the windings for each two-pole cycle of rotor movement, depending on the arrangement of the coils. CEMF voltage generated in the coils is sensed and a change in the polarity thereof is used to control switching of the D.C. current between coils.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine which may operate in a motor mode or a generator mode is described wherein substantially the entire magnetic circuit is provided by ferrite material. In one particular embodiment, hard ferrite permanent magnet segments are mounted on a rotor plate while soft ferrite magnet segments with electrical coil windings mounted thereon are provided in a stator spaced apart from the rotor by an air gap. Other embodiments of the concept are described. Provision is made for decreasing mechanical vibration and audible noise by decreasing the magnitude of pulsations of air gap flux.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine which may operate in a motor mode or a generator mode is described wherein substantially the entire magnetic circuit is provided by ferrite material. In one particular embodiment, hard ferrite permanent magnet segments are mounted on a rotor plate while soft ferrite magnet segments with electrical coil windings mounted thereon are provided in a stator spaced apart from the rotor by an air gap. Other embodiments of the concept are described.

Abstract: A cooling system for an axial air gap dynamoelectric machine having a discoidal rotor provides liquid cooling to the stator or rotor or both. The cooling system is arranged so that removal of a few parts will either expose the length of the liquid conducting passages or expose the end of a straight liquid conducting portion of a passage so that the cooling passages may be easily cleaned. In one form for stator cooling there are grooves in the outer wall of the stator with a cover plate over the grooves to form passages. An inlet and an outlet are provided in the cover plate. Removal of the cover plate exposes the groove for cleaning. In another form for rotor cooling the discoidal rotor has a metallic hub with pairs of straight holes extending through the hub generally parallel to the axis of rotation. A hub ring on one side of the hub has short grooves, forming with the hub, passages connecting each pair of straight holes. An end plate on the other side of the hub has two radially extending holes.

Abstract: A discoidal winding structure for dynamoelectric machines has its conductors bonded together by a resinous material. The structure has a flat disc portion containing the coil sides and outer and inner ring portions containing the coil end-heads and other end connections. The coils have their sides and end-heads of shapes which permit them to nest closely together in an annular array of overlapping coils.

Abstract: An axial gap, disc type, dynamoelectric machine has a stator housing, field pole structures located inside the housing at angularly spaced intervals, and a discoidal rotor. The field pole structures alternate with interpolar spaces. Fluid directing means are provided for inducing vortical fluid flow enhances heat transfer from the rotor to the housing.This invention relates to means for improving the cooling of axial gap, disc-type dynamoelectric machines, and in particular to means for inducing vortical flow of the cooling fluid in the interpolar spaces.Dynamoelectric machines of the general character suitable for embodiment of this invention are of the axial gap, disc-type such as, for example, the machine described in the applicant's United States application Ser. No. 534,058 filed Dec. 26, 1974, Eric Whiteley.

Abstract: An overspeed switching mechanism for a motor has an electrically conductive rotor driven by the motor, a movable drag mechanism having a permanent magnet structure linked magnetically with the rotor for movement of the mechanism through electromagnetic interaction between the magnet structure and the rotor, a latching mechanism linked with the drag mechanism by means of another permanent magnet structure for restraining movement of the drag mechanism until the rotor attains a preset speed at which the latching mechanism releases the drag mechanism and allows limited movement thereof, a switch, and an actuator operatively linked with the drag mechanism and the switch for translating movement of the drag mechanism into switching of the switch.

Abstract: A disc-shaped armature consists essentially of a flat, circular array of overlapping coils bonded together by means of a resinous material to provide a rigid discoidal structure having a disc portion containing the coil sides and inner and outer concentric ring portions containing the coil end-heads. According to the invention the discoidal structure is provided with at least one commutator on the outer ring portion of the structure.

Abstract: A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine comprises a discoidal winding of conductors bonded together by means of a resinous material. The structure has a flat disc portion containing the coil sides and outer and inner ring portions containing the coil end-heads and other end connections. Surfaces on the discoidal structure have formations which interrupt areas exposed to the cooling fluid in the machine. This enhances heat transfer from the winding conductors to the fluid.

Abstract: A discoidal armature for dynamoelectric machines has its winding conductors bonded together in a rigid structure by means of a resinous material, and its commutator bonded to the structure. The structure has a disc portion containing the coil sides and outer and inner ring portions containing the coil end-heads and other end connections. The coils have their sides and end-heads of shapes which permit them to nest closely together in an annular array of overlapping coils. They are stranded and have the strands in their side arranged to provide a tapered disc portion which is thicker at the inner ring portion than it is at the outer ring portion. The commutator consists of an annular array of segments bonded to the disc portion adjacent the outer ring portion and presents a working face on the side of the disc portion. A similar array of segments can be bonded to the other side of the disc portion to obtain a duplex commutator.

Abstract: An axial gap synchronous dynamoelectric machine consists essentially of a disc-shaped rotor having axially oriented permanent magnet pole bodies with faces lying in an annular surface; a stator core spaced axially from the pole faces; and a discoidal AC winding linked with the pole bodies and the core. The winding consists of a plurality of coils laid overlapping in an annular array and bonded together with a resinous material into a unitary structure having an annular disc portion containing the coil sides and inner and outer ring portions containing the coil end-heads. It is supported by the stator with its disc portion in the space between the stator core and the pole faces, and its disc portion is spaced axially from the pole faces.

Abstract: A discoidal winding structure for an axial gap dynamoelectric machine is made in segments. Each segment is in the general shape of a sector of the discoid and contains a fraction of the total number of winding coils, and these coils are bonded together with a resinous material into a rigid structural member. Means are provided for securing the segments together in a rigid discoidal winding structure.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a stator and a discoidal rotor with an axial air gap between them. The machine has a permanent magnet field structure wherein each flux-producing component comprises a mosaic of at least one layer of two or more unit permanent magnets per layer.