Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided. A rotor sensor mechanism is operable to sense a condition of the rotor. The rotor sensor mechanism includes a target component, a radial sensor, and a sensor carrier. The target component comprises a shutter wheel fixed relative to the rotor for rotational movement therewith. The shutter wheel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially projecting radial target teeth. The radial sensor is configured to sense the target teeth. The radial sensor is at least generally axially aligned with the radial target teeth and faces radially toward the radial target teeth. The sensor carrier adjustably supports the radial sensor on the motor frame assembly so as to permit the radial sensor to be selectively positioned relative to the radial target teeth.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided. A rotor sensor mechanism is operable to sense a condition of the rotor. The rotor sensor mechanism includes a target component, a radial sensor, and a sensor carrier. The target component comprises a shutter wheel fixed relative to the rotor for rotational movement therewith. The shutter wheel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially projecting radial target teeth. The radial sensor is configured to sense the target teeth. The radial sensor is at least generally axially aligned with the radial target teeth and faces radially toward the radial target teeth. The sensor carrier adjustably supports the radial sensor on the motor frame assembly so as to permit the radial sensor to be selectively positioned relative to the radial target teeth.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to maximize the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A sensorless switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A sensorless drive circuit derives rotor position and energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the derived rotor position. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing and a fan. A switched reluctance fan motor is mounted in an inlet of the fan housing and includes a shaft that is connected to the fan. The switched reluctance fan motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include a stator segment core. Winding wire is wound around the stator segment core. A rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub that is rotated by a switched reluctance motor. The tub includes an outer tub and an inner tub. The drive is a direct drive or a drive assembly that includes a shaft, a belt and a spinner pulley connected to the tub. The switched reluctance motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies. Winding wire is wound around a stator segment core of the stator segment assemblies. A rotor is connected to the shaft that drives the belt and rotates the spinner pulley. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A sensorless switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A sensorless drive circuit derives rotor position and energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the derived rotor position. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing and a fan. A switched reluctance fan motor is mounted in an inlet of the fan housing and includes a shaft that is connected to the fan. The switched reluctance fan motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include a stator segment core. Winding wire is wound around the stator segment core. A rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub that is rotated by a switched reluctance motor. The tub includes an outer tub and an inner tub. The drive is a direct drive or a drive assembly that includes a shaft, a belt and a spinner pulley connected to the tub. The switched reluctance motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies. Winding wire is wound around a stator segment core of the stator segment assemblies. A rotor is connected to the shaft that drives the belt and rotates the spinner pulley. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to maximize the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: An improved rotor position sensing system for detecting the angular position of the rotor of a rotating machine with respect the stator of the machine that includes a shutter that is affixed to the rotor, a sensor board holder that is positioned within the stator such that it has known orientation with respect to the stator, and a sensor board including rotor position sensors that is positioned within the sensor board holder such that it has a known orientation with respect to the holder.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a reluctance machine is disclosed in which the rotor assembly comprises a stack of rotor laminations having a plurality of rotor poles defining interpole regions. The rotor assembly also comprises a cage including an end plate and support bars, which may be electrically conductive, that are axially aligned within the interpolar regions that lie between adjacent rotor poles. When the support bars are electrically conductive, the support bars can become transient "flux blockers" as the rotor assembly rotates past a stator pole, blocking the flow of flux through the interpole regions and improving the performance of the motor.

Abstract: A rotor position encoder for an electric motor includes a discate member mounted to rotate with the rotor shaft. The encoder has a set of radially extending features formed with angularly evenly spaced leading edges and unevenly spaced trailing edges. The leading edges induce a signal in a sensor that corresponds to the relative timing of power switches for each motor phase, The trailing edges define a cyclical code by which motor controlling circuitry is able to determine the phase of rotation of the rotor and thus establish the correct power switch actuation sequence. An electric motor control system and methods of starting electric motors also provide significant advantages.

Abstract: A rotor position encoder for an electric motor includes a discate member mounted to rotate with the rotor shaft. The encoder has a set of radially extending features formed with angularly evenly spaced leading edges and unevenly spaced trailing edges. The leading edges induce a signal in a sensor that corresponds to the relative timing of power switches for each motor phase. The trailing edges define a cyclical code by which motor controlling circuitry is able to determine the phase of rotation of the rotor and thus establish the correct power switch actuation sequence. An electric motor control system and methods of starting electric motors are also shown.