Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor structure disposed within a motor housing, wherein a second rotor end has a plurality of axially stacked laminations. The electric machine further includes a motor position sensor system which includes a first plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the first plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system also includes a second plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the second plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system further includes a plurality of motor sensors axially spaced from the second rotor end, and a plurality of sensor magnets axially spaced from the second rotor end and the plurality of motor sensors.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric machine having a separately excitable rotor and stator includes exciting the rotor and the stator at the same time to generate an optimal magnetic flux in the electric machine. The method includes maintaining the optimal magnetic flux by reducing a stator current as a rotor current rises. The method also includes providing a torque current to the stator as the rotor current rises such that the electric machine produces a demanded torque while the rotor current rises.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor structure disposed within a motor housing, wherein a second rotor end has a plurality of axially stacked laminations. The electric machine further includes a motor position sensor system which includes a first plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the first plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system also includes a second plurality of cutouts defined in the plurality of axially stacked laminations, wherein the second plurality of cutouts have a progressively smaller cross-sectional area at each lamination. The motor position sensor system further includes a plurality of motor sensors axially spaced from the second rotor end, and a plurality of sensor magnets axially spaced from the second rotor end and the plurality of motor sensors.

Abstract: An electric machine controller is described that is arranged to direct a power converter to cause pulsed operation of the electric machine in selected operational ranges to deliver a desired output. The pulsed operation of the electric machine causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first torque level, a second torque level, and an intermediate torque level range providing a shaped pulse pattern. The second torque level is lower than the first torque level and the intermediate torque level range is between the first torque level and the second torque level.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and mechanical and electromechanical arrangements for field-weakening of an electric machine that utilizes permanent magnets are disclosed herein. One rotor assembly for an electric motor includes a rotor body that moves with respect to a central axis, the rotor body having a core and a number of permanent magnets that move with the rotor body, and the rotor body also having a number of movable field-weakening magnetic materials that move with respect to the permanent magnets and to the central axis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and mechanical and electromechanical arrangements for field-weakening of an electric machine that utilizes permanent magnets are disclosed herein. One rotor assembly for an electric motor includes a rotor body that moves with respect to a central axis, the rotor body having a core and a number of permanent magnets that move with the rotor body, and the rotor body also having a number of movable field-weakening magnetic materials that move with respect to the permanent magnets and to the central axis.