Abstract: A magnetizer including at least one reconfigurable magnetic flux guide coil is disclosed. A method of magnetizing a permanent magnet in-situ a mechanical member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a propulsion system includes an electric motor and an energy storage unit configured to supply a primary power to the electric motor. The propulsion system also includes a plurality of auxiliary power units (APUs) configured to supply a secondary power to at least one of the electric motor and the energy storage unit. Each of the plurality of APUs includes a free-piston engine configured to generate a mechanical output, a linear generator configured to transform the mechanical output to an electrical power, and a controller. The controller receives a power command from the electric motor and/or the energy storage unit, determines an amount of secondary power needed to meet the power command, and selectively activates a number of the plurality of APUs to generate the needed amount of secondary power.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-link, a voltage converter, a bus voltage controller, and a supervisory controller. The voltage converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage based on a command signal and based on an adjustment signal and to supply the second DC voltage to the DC-link. The bus voltage controller is configured to iterate calculation of the adjustment signal to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal to the voltage converter. The supervisory controller is configured to iterate calculation of the command signal and to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal to the voltage converter and to the bus voltage controller. A frequency of the bus voltage controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal is higher than a frequency of the supervisory controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal.

Abstract: A system and method for a propulsion system includes an electric motor and an energy storage unit configured to supply a primary power to the electric motor. The propulsion system also includes a plurality of auxiliary power units (APUs) configured to supply a secondary power to at least one of the electric motor and the energy storage unit. Each of the plurality of APUs includes a free-piston engine configured to generate a mechanical output, a linear generator configured to transform the mechanical output to an electrical power, and a controller. The controller receives a power command from the electric motor and/or the energy storage unit, determines an amount of secondary power needed to meet the power command, and selectively activates a number of the plurality of APUs to generate the needed amount of secondary power.

Abstract: An electrical machine apparatus having magnetic gearing embedded therein includes a moveable rotor having a first magnetic field associated therewith, a stator configured with a plurality of stationary stator windings therein, and a magnetic flux modulator interposed between the moveable rotor and the stator windings. The magnetic flux modulator is configured to transmit torque between the first magnetic field associated with said moveable rotor and a second magnetic field excited by the plurality of stationary stator windings.

Abstract: A system to provide constant speed mechanical output in a wind turbine is provided. The system includes at least one electrical machine configured to convert a rotary mechanical power received from a main gear to a machine electrical power. The system further includes one or more electrical converters electrically coupled to the machine and configured to convert the machine electrical power from a direct current (DC) power to an alternate current (AC) power or from the alternate current (AC) power to the direct current (DC) power, where the converters generate a differential electrical power. A torque converter is electrically coupled to the electrical converters and generates a constant speed mechanical output employing the differential electrical power received from the one or more electrical converters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-link, a voltage converter, a bus voltage controller, and a supervisory controller. The voltage converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage based on a command signal and based on an adjustment signal and to supply the second DC voltage to the DC-link. The bus voltage controller is configured to iterate calculation of the adjustment signal to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal to the voltage converter. The supervisory controller is configured to iterate calculation of the command signal and to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal to the voltage converter and to the bus voltage controller. A frequency of the bus voltage controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal is higher than a frequency of the supervisory controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetically geared generator including an inner winding unit having a first number of pole pairs, an outer winding unit arranged coaxially around the inner winding unit and having a second number of pole pairs, and a rotatable magnetic flux modulator arranged coaxially between the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit. The inner winding unit, the outer winding unit and the rotatable magnetic flux modulator are adapted to convert rotational input energy provided at the rotatable magnetic flux modulator into electrical output energy provided as an alternating output current at one of the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit, and to control an output frequency of the alternating output current by communicating output energy as an alternating feedback current to the other one of the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit and by adjusting a feedback frequency of the alternating feedback current.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first rotor operatively connected to an output shaft and holding a first array of pole pieces; a second rotor operatively connected to an input shaft coaxially with the first rotor and holding a second array of pole pieces; and an array of field windings disposed coaxially with the first and second rotors. The array of field windings being arranged to interact magnetically with a harmonic frequency of the magnetic field of the first or second array of pole pieces in a magnetically geared manner and being selectively energizable to control electromagnetic coupling of the first array of pole pieces with the second array of pole pieces, and thereby to transfer at least one of torque and speed from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A system to provide constant speed mechanical output in a wind turbine is provided. The system includes at least one electrical machine configured to convert a rotary mechanical power received from a main gear to a machine electrical power. The system further includes one or more electrical converters electrically coupled to the machine and configured to convert the machine electrical power from a direct current (DC) power to an alternate current (AC) power or from the alternate current (AC) power to the direct current (DC) power, where the converters generate a differential electrical power. A torque converter is electrically coupled to the electrical converters and generates a constant speed mechanical output employing the differential electrical power received from the one or more electrical converters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-link, a voltage converter, a bus voltage controller, and a supervisory controller. The voltage converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage based on a command signal and based on an adjustment signal and to supply the second DC voltage to the DC-link. The bus voltage controller is configured to iterate calculation of the adjustment signal to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal to the voltage converter. The supervisory controller is configured to iterate calculation of the command signal and to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal to the voltage converter and to the bus voltage controller. A frequency of the bus voltage controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal is higher than a frequency of the supervisory controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal.

Abstract: A variable speed machine assembly includes an input shaft, a variable speed magnetically geared generator coupled to the input shaft, an electrical machine coupled to the input shaft, and a power converter coupled to the variable speed magnetically geared generator and the electrical machine. The power converter is configured to use electrical power output by the electrical machine to control a frequency of power output by the variable speed magnetically geared generator.

Abstract: A variable speed machine assembly includes an input shaft, a variable speed magnetically geared generator coupled to the input shaft, an electrical machine coupled to the input shaft, and a power converter coupled to the variable speed magnetically geared generator and the electrical machine. The power converter is configured to use electrical power output by the electrical machine to control a frequency of power output by the variable speed magnetically geared generator.

Abstract: A machine includes a piston disposed in a housing and configured to reciprocate in the housing. At least one valve is coupled to the housing. A magnetically-geared valve actuation system is coupled to the at least one valve. A plurality of sensors is configured to detect a plurality of parameters related to the machine. A control system is coupled to the plurality of sensors and the magnetically-geared valve actuation system. The magnetically-geared valve actuation system is configured to actuate the at least one valve in response to reciprocation of the piston in the housing, signals originating from the sensors or control system, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A power generation system includes: a prime mover; an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover and configured for converting mechanical power to electrical power, the electrical machine having a power factor of less than or equal to 0.7; a reactive power supply assembly coupled to the electrical machine and configured to supply reactive power to the electrical machine; and a power electronic converter coupled to the reactive power supply assembly and configured for transferring power from the electrical machine to a grid.

Abstract: A magnetizer including at least one reconfigurable magnetic flux guide coil is disclosed. A method of magnetizing a permanent magnet in-situ a mechanical member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetically geared machine having an integrated cooling concept is provided. The machine includes a rotor having an inner surface and an outer surface, a magnet assembly coupled to one of the inner or outer surfaces of the rotor, and a stator having a plurality of stator windings. The machine further includes a magnetic flux modulator interposed between the rotor and the plurality of stator windings, where the flux modulator includes a plurality of magnetically conductive portions and a plurality of non-magnetically conductive portions placed alternately, where one or more of the plurality of non-magnetically conductive portions comprise a channel for a cooling fluid.

Abstract: A system for transferring torque between a pair of independently, concurrently rotating shafts of a turbofan engine includes a magnetic gearbox. The magnetic gearbox has a first ring structure, a second ring structure and an intermediate ring structure. Each ring structure has an annular aperture therethrough and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein. The intermediate ring structure is disposed between the first and the second ring structures. Each ring structure is coaxially concentric with, and independently rotatable with respect to the remaining ring structures. The first and second ring structures are each coupled to separate ones of the rotating engine shafts, and the intermediate ring is operable to transfer torque between the pair of shafts. Preferably, the intermediate ring structure is coupled to a rotating machine. The rotating machine has a controller, and is operable for adjusting a ratio of torque transferred between the pair of shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.