Abstract: The permanent magnet brushless motor permits dynamic change of output characteristics by varying the positional relationships of rotor components, with respect to each other and with respect to the stator, to progressively effect field weakening with increasing speeds. The force required to impart the limited range of motion involved is transmitted to the rotor component by way of bearings and/or an actuation motor, and a helical guide path is used to great advantage for constraining such movement. The wide, dynamically adjustable motor output range of the motor effectively provides the equivalent of an efficient, continuously variable transmission. High torque at low speeds, and efficient, constant power output over a wide high speed range, uniquely adapt the motor for use as the prime mover for electric/hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: The permanent magnet brushless motor permits dynamic change of output characteristics by varying the positional relationships of rotor components, with respect to each other and with respect to the stator, to progressively effect field weakening with increasing speeds. The force required to impart the limited range of motion involved is transmitted to the rotor component by way of bearings and/or an actuation motor, and a helical guide path is used to great advantage for constraining such movement. The wide, dynamically adjustable motor output range of the motor effectively provides the equivalent of an efficient, continuously variable transmission. High torque at low speeds, and efficient, constant power output over a wide high speed range, uniquely adapt the motor for use as the prime mover for electric/hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: An electronic circuit and software control methodology tracks motor position in a motor drive system. High power consumption position transducers, such as inductive sensors or optical encoders, can be controlled in a variable active duty cycle mode to reduce power and yet maintain motor position information while the main power is off. A lower power battery backup circuit is implemented as a secondary power source, and is automatically brought in operation when the main power supply is disabled. A dedicated control circuit operates during AC power outages, and the circuit average power can be controlled to a minimal rate, based on the rate of change of motor position. The motor can be externally driven, up to a defined limit speed, without losing its actual position information.

Abstract: An electronic circuit and software control methodology tracks motor position in a motor drive system. High power consumption position transducers, such as inductive sensors or optical encoders, can be controlled in a variable active duty cycle mode to reduce power and yet maintain motor position information while the main power is off. A lower power battery backup circuit is implemented as a secondary power source, and is automatically brought in operation when the main power supply is disabled. A dedicated control circuit operates during AC power outages, and the circuit average power can be controlled to a minimal rate, based on the rate of change of motor position. The motor can be externally driven, up to a defined limit speed, without losing its actual position information.

Abstract: A differential reactance permanent magnet transducer has a stator with at least two pole elements, each having an electrically conductive coil wound thereabout. The reluctances of the stator pole elements are periodically changed, in an electrically out-of-phase relationship to one another, due to the effects of permanent magnet elements moving in proximity thereto. Measurement of the reactance differentials that are thereby produced in coils mounted upon the two stator pole elements is utilized to sense the angular position of the transducer rotor. In addition to a high-resolution sensor zone and a commutation sensor zone, the transducer may include a home sensor zone to indicate a home position upon each revolution of the rotor. All of the coils employed on the stator are so arranged and electrically connected that no net back-EMF value is inductively generated from any coil as a result of movement of the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A polyphase brushless DC motor has an integral automatic feedback arrangement affording excellent accuracy and a high degree of magnetic balance. The stator pole elements of the motor are identical and equidistantly spaced, and each is wound with two coils. One coil on each pole element comprises sensor circuitry; the other comprises power circuitry. As a result, all pole elements of the stator are utilized both to produce rotor drive torque and also to generate electrical signals that provide highly accurate rotor-position information.

Abstract: A stepping motor with toothed stator poles and toothed rotor poles is magnetically enhanced by locating permanently magnetized inserts in the spaces between the stator teeth and magnetizing the inserts transverse to the direction of movement of the rotor and substantially transverse to the direction in which the teeth extend. In a hybrid motor with a split and axially magnetized rotor, the inserts are magnetized to oppose the magnetization of the rotor. In a variable reluctance motor with an unmagnetized rotor, inserts are placed in both rotor and stator and magnetized to aid each other. Linear motors use either configuration.

Abstract: A stepping motor with toothed stator poles and toothed rotor poles is magnetically enhanced by locating permanently magnetized inserts in the spaces between the stator teeth and magnetizing the inserts transverse to the direction of movement of the rotor and substantially transverse to the direction in which the teeth extend. In a hybrid motor with a split and axially magnetized rotor the inserts are magnetized to oppose the magnetization of the rotor. In a variable reluctance motor with an unmagnetized rotor inserts are placed in both rotor and stator and magnetized to aid each other. Linear motors use either configuration.

Abstract: A polyphase brushless DC motor has an integral automatic feedback arrangement and a high degree of magnetic balance. The stator pole elements of the motor are identical and equidistantly spaced, and the coils with which they are wound are connected as pairs; the pole elements in most of the armature pairs are directly adjacent one another. The sensor means has at least two circuit legs, each being connected to paired pole elements of the stator to provide a sensor channel, the channels cooperating to provide highly accurate rotor position feedback information.