Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a number of stator plates, each having a stator electrode and rotationally fixed to a housing, a shaft at least partially defined within the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, and a number of rotor plates, each having a rotor electrode and rotational fixed to the shaft. The electrostatic machine includes a dielectric fluid disposed in the housing, and that fills a gap between the stator plates and the rotor plates. The electrostatic machine includes a seal associated with the shaft, where the seal includes a material compatible with the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An electrostatic machine including a rotor plate comprising a plurality of rotor electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a shaft; a stator plate comprising a plurality of stator electrodes; an excitation circuit electrically coupled to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate at a first end, and electrically couplable to exchange power at a second end with a selected one of an electrical power source or an electrical load; wherein the excitation circuit is configured to: in a first motoring mode, provide excitation power to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate, wherein the shaft provides positive torque to the load; and in a second generating mode, wherein the shaft receives negative torque from the load, operably couple at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate to the electrical power source.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a number of stator plates, each having a stator electrode and rotationally fixed to a housing, a shaft at least partially defined within the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, and a number of rotor plates, each having a rotor electrode and rotational fixed to the shaft. The electrostatic machine includes a dielectric fluid disposed in the housing, and that fills a gap between the stator plates and the rotor plates. The electrostatic machine includes a seal associated with the shaft, where the seal includes a material compatible with the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An example system including an electrostatic machine including a rotor plate comprising a plurality of rotor electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a shaft configured to rotate about an axis; a stator plate comprising a plurality of stator electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a housing defining the rotor plate, the stator plate, and at least a portion of the shaft; an excitation circuit electrically; a controller, comprising: a rotor feedback circuit structured to interpret a voltage response value; a rotor position characterizing circuit structured to determine a voltage injection value; and a rotor position circuit structured to determine a calibrated rotor position value in response to the rotor position value; and wherein the excitation circuit is responsive to the voltage injection value to inject a voltage on at least one of the plurality of rotor electrodes or stator electrodes.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine including a rotor stack comprising a plurality of a rotor plates each including a plurality of rotor electrodes positioned on each side of the rotor plate; and at least one rotor via comprising an electrical connection between the plurality of rotor electrodes on a first side of the rotor plate and the plurality of rotor electrodes on a second side of the rotor plate; and a stator stack comprising a plurality of stator plates, each including a plurality of stator electrodes positioned on each side of the stator plate; and at least one stator via comprising an electrical connection between the plurality of stator electrodes on a first side of the stator plate and the plurality of stator electrodes on a second side of the stator plate.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a rotor plate and an adjacent stator plate; wherein a first one of the rotor plate or stator plate comprises a coupled bearing; and wherein the other one of the rotor plate or stator plate comprises a race radially aligned with the coupled bearing.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a shaft configured to rotate about an axis; a rotor electrode and a stator electrode separated by a gap and forming a capacitor, wherein the rotor electrode is rotationally coupled to the shaft; wherein at least a portion of an exposed surface of the rotor electrode comprises a polished surface, and wherein at least a portion of an exposed surface of the stator electrode comprises a polished surface; a housing configured to enclose the rotor electrode, the stator electrode, and at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the stator electrode is rotationally coupled to the housing; and a dielectric fluid disposed between the rotor electrode and the stator electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic machine including a rotor plate comprising a plurality of rotor electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a shaft; a stator plate comprising a plurality of stator electrodes; an excitation circuit electrically coupled to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate at a first end, and electrically couplable to exchange power at a second end with a selected one of an electrical power source or an electrical load; wherein the excitation circuit is configured to: in a first motoring mode, provide excitation power to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate, wherein the shaft provides positive torque to the load; and in a second generating mode, wherein the shaft receives negative torque from the load, operably couple at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate to the electrical power source.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a rotor plate and an adjacent stator plate, where the rotor plate or the stator plate includes a coupled bearing. The other one of the rotor plate or the adjacent stator plate includes a race radially aligned with the coupled bearing. The coupled bearing has a width with a first contact point on the first one of the rotor plate or stator plate and a second contact point on the race on the other one of the rotor plate or stator plate, where the coupled bearing is sized to maintain a minimum separation distance between the rotor plate and the stator plate.

Abstract: An example electrostatic machine includes a number of stator plates, each having a stator electrode and rotationally fixed to a housing, a shaft at least partially defined within the housing and configured to rotate about an axis, and a number of rotor plates, each having a rotor electrode and rotational fixed to the shaft. The electrostatic machine includes a dielectric fluid disposed in the housing, and that fills a gap between the stator plates and the rotor plates. The electrostatic machine includes a seal associated with the shaft, where the seal includes a material compatible with the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An electrical rotating machine, such as a generator or motor, communicates power from a stationary location to the rotating rotor of the rotating machine via opposed pairs of capacitor plates, one plate of each pair rotating with the rotor and one plate of each pair fixed not to rotate. In one embodiment, separation between the plates of the pair is provided by a cushion of entrapped air.

Abstract: Rotary capacitor assemblies divert or mitigate high-frequency electrical currents and voltages in bearings of electric machinery (e.g., motors and generators) without direct contact with the bearings. The assemblies include rotating capacitors, in which surfaces in close proximity are free to rotate with respect to another while maintaining relative surface area and separation distance. A lubricant (such as air or oil) facilitates capacitive surfaces hydrodynamically “floating” on each other. A shunt body is connected electrically in parallel with the bearings of the machine, providing a non-contact or nearly non-contact electrical pathway for damaging high-frequency currents an voltages to be shunted around the mechanical load carrying bearings.

Abstract: Rotary capacitor assemblies divert or mitigate high-frequency electrical currents and voltages in bearings of electric machinery (e.g., motors and generators) without direct contact with the bearings. The assemblies include rotating capacitors, in which surfaces in close proximity are free to rotate with respect to another while maintaining relative surface area and separation distance. A lubricant (such as air or oil) facilitates capacitive surfaces hydrodynamically “floating” on each other. A shunt body is connected electrically in parallel with the bearings of the machine, providing a non-contact or nearly non-contact electrical pathway for damaging high-frequency currents an voltages to be shunted around the mechanical load carrying bearings.

Abstract: An electrical rotating machine, such as a generator or motor, communicates power from a stationary location to the rotating rotor of the rotating machine via opposed pairs of capacitor plates, one plate of each pair rotating with the rotor and one plate of each pair fixed not to rotate. In one embodiment, separation between the plates of the pair is provided by a cushion of entrapped air.

Abstract: An electrical rotating machine, such as a generator or motor, communicates power from a stationary location to the rotating rotor of the rotating machine via opposed pairs of capacitor plates, one plate of each pair rotating with the rotor and one plate of each pair fixed not to rotate. In one embodiment, separation between the plates of the pair is provided by a cushion of entrapped air.

Abstract: An electrical rotating machine, such as a generator or motor, communicates power from a stationary location to the rotating rotor of the rotating machine via opposed pairs of capacitor plates, one plate of each pair rotating with the rotor and one plate of each pair fixed not to rotate. In one embodiment, separation between the plates of the pair is provided by a cushion of entrapped air.