Abstract: A transverse flux machine (TFM) includes a stator assembly that provides a plurality of U-shaped magnetic circuits placed circumferentially around a rotor assembly. The plurality of U-shaped magnetic circuits being comprised of a first stator segment, a second stator segment, and a plurality of stator yokes. The first stator segment and the second stator segment each have a plurality of poles spaced around a first circumference and a plurality of slots spaced around a second circumference opposite each of the plurality of poles. The plurality of stator yokes each have a first end sized to fit within one of the slots associated with the first stator segment and a second end sized to fit in one of the slots associated with the second stator segment.

Abstract: A flux regulated permanent magnet brushless motor has a stator having an inner peripheral bore. A permanent magnet rotor is mounted within the inner peripheral bore. A control winding is supplied to a DC current to regulate flux of the machine. A small AC current is also supplied and an output is sensed to determine a position of the permanent magnet rotor.

Abstract: An exemplary electromagnetic coupling device includes an electromagnet and a vane member that is selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet. A non-magnetic slider layer is supported on one of the electromagnet or the vane member such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member. The slider layer maintains a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member. In a disclosed example, the electromagnetic coupling device is used for coupling an elevator car door to a hoistway door for moving the doors in unison between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprises: a source of multiphase high frequency alternating current (AC) electrical input power; a high frequency controlled magnetics transformer for each phase of the multiphase high frequency AC input power, with each transformer having a primary winding coupled to its respective phase of the multiphase high frequency AC input power, at least one secondary winding that produces high frequency AC output power and at least one control winding responsive to a direct current (DC) control signal that changes the high frequency output power in proportion to the amplitude of the DC control signal; a power converter that receives the multiphase high frequency AC output power from each high frequency transformer secondary and converts it to system output power without the high frequency AC content; and a system controller responsive to the system output power that produces a DC control signal for each control winding that changes in amplitude in response to changes in a measured parameter

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupling device includes a vane member and an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a core having a plurality of poles comprising at least four poles. An electrically conductive winding has a first portion surrounding a first one of the poles and a second portion surrounding a second one of the poles. The winding is selectively energized for selectively magnetically coupling the electromagnet and the vane member such that the vane member and the electromagnet are movable together in a desired direction.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for use in a flux regulated permanent magnet brushless machine is constructed such that the inductance along the direct and quadrature axes is markedly different to provide sensorless position feedback for the rotor.

Abstract: A permanent magnet (PM) electric generator with directly controllable field excitation control comprises: a drive shaft; a PM rotor assembly with multiple PMs arranged around an outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly; a stator assembly comprising a ferromagnetic stator yoke, multiple ferromagnetic stator teeth mounted to the stator yoke with distal ends proximate the outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly separated by an air gap and multiple stator coils mounted between the stator teeth; multiple saturable ferromagnetic shunts, each shunt coupling adjacent distal ends of the stator teeth to shunt air gap magnetic flux ?g generated by the PMs across the air gap through the distal ends of the stator teeth; and multiple saturation control coils, each saturation control coil wrapped about a saturable region of an associated one of the shunts; wherein application of a control current Ic to the control coils at least partially magnetically saturates the shunts to reduce shunting of air gap magnetic flux ?

Abstract: A permanent magnet (PM) dynamoelectric machine with directly controllable field excitation control comprises: a drive shaft; a PM rotor assembly with multiple PMs arranged around an outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly; a stator assembly comprising a ferromagnetic stator yoke, multiple ferromagnetic stator teeth mounted to the stator yoke with distal ends proximate the outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly separated by an air gap and multiple stator coils mounted between the stator teeth; multiple saturable ferromagnetic shunts, each shunt coupling adjacent distal ends of the stator teeth to shunt air gap magnetic flux ?g generated by the PMs across the air gap through the distal ends of the stator teeth; and multiple saturation control coils, each saturation control coil wrapped about a saturable region of an associated one of the shunts; wherein application of a control current Ic to the control coils at least partially magnetically saturates the shunts to reduce shunting of air gap magnetic fl

Abstract: An electric motor for a fuel pump is provided with a shutdown switch positioned intermediate an inverter, and its control coil. In this location, the shutdown function can be achieved without heavy components. In another feature, when the fuel pump is shut down, a signal is sent upstream to a voltage regulator associated with a generator, such that the voltage supplied downstream by the generator can be reduced to eliminate any potential voltage spike due to the shutdown of the electric motor. The electric motor with shutdown switch enables low weight fault tolerant flux regulated machines.

Abstract: Vacuum pressure systems are provided. In this regard, a representative vacuum pressure system includes: an inlet; and a linear actuator having a permanent magnet, a coil, an inner ferromagnetic core and an outer ferromagnetic core, the outer ferromagnetic core surrounding at least a portion of each of the permanent magnet, the coil, and the inner ferromagnetic core; the linear actuator being operative to exhibit relative motion between the permanent magnet and the coil responsive to an electrical current being applied to the coil such that the linear actuator forms vacuum pressure and draws fluid into the inlet.

Abstract: An ambient energy harvesting system, and method of use thereof, includes a magnetic flux-generating assembly (28), a coil (30) positioned adjacent to the magnetic flux-generating assembly (28), and a cantilevered arm (24). Vibration of the cantilevered arm (24) enables relative movement between the magnetic flux- generating assembly (28) and the coil (30) to generate an electric current in the coil (30). An effective flexible length (L) of the cantilevered arm (24) is selected such that applied kinetic energy causes the cantilevered arm (24) to vibrate at approximately its resonant frequency.

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: An elevator door lock includes a locking member (40) that moves into an unlocked position responsive to contact with at least one door coupler member (32, 34). In disclosed examples, the locking member (40) comprises an arm that is pivotally supported by one of the door coupler members (34). The other coupler member (32) contacts a contact portion (42) on the locking member (40) to move the locking member into an unlocked position as the first coupler member (32) moves toward the second coupler member (34). In a disclosed example, a magnetic coupling between the coupler members maintains the locking member (40) in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly (30) includes a first portion (32) supported relative to hoistway doors (22) and a second portion (34) supported for movement with an elevator car (24). The first and second portions cooperate so that electromagnetic interaction between them unlocks a set of hoistway doors (22) for access to the car (24), for example. In disclosed embodiments, a first portion (32) of the actuator has at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (36A, 36B) and at least one moveable portion (38). The second portion (34) that moves with the car (24) includes at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (44). Magnetic interaction between the first and second portions (32, 34) causes selected movement of the moveable portion (38) for selectively locking or unlocking the doors (22).

Abstract: An elevator door assembly (20) includes an electromagnet (30) use as part of a door coupler for coupling elevator car doors (24) to elevator hoistway doors (26). A disclosed example includes an electromagnet core (40) with a gap (50) in one of four sides of the core. The gap (50) directs and concentrates magnetic flux of the electromagnet (30) to concentrate an attractive force for coupling the electromagnet (30) with a vane (32). Disclosed examples includes unique geometric and dimensional relationships to achieve a desired goodness factor.

Abstract: Transverse flux electric motors are made using a unique process where individual components are premade and then assembled together. A stator portion is made by nesting a coil between two stator core portions. In a disclosed example, distinct first and second stator core portions are formed. The stator core portions in disclosed examples are made from laminations or sintered powder materials. In a disclosed arrangement, a coil is supported between the core portions of the stator such that the core portions enclose at least part of axial surfaces on the coil. A rotor that has a core and a plurality of magnets is supported relative to the stator for relative rotary motion such that the plurality of magnets of the rotor interact with the stator core portions during the relative rotary motion.

Abstract: Transverse flux electric motors are made using a unique process where individual components are premade and then assembled together. A stator portion is made by nesting a coil between two stator core portions. The stator core portions are made from laminations or sintered powder materials. A separate rotor portion is provided with a core and two permanent magnets that interact with projections on the stator core portions. In one example, the stator includes support members that support additional magnetic core portions to magnify the magnet flux density in the air gap between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: Transverse flux electric motors are made using a unique process where individual components are premade and then assembled together. A stator portion is made by nesting a coil between two stator core portions. The stator core portions are made from laminations or sintered powder materials. A separate rotor portion is provided with a core and two permanent magnets that interact with projections on the stator core portions. In one example, the stator includes support members that support additional magnetic core portions to magnify the magnet flux density in the air gap between the stator and the rotor.