Abstract: In some implementations, an energy conversion device may include a magnet assembly in a fixed frame, and first and second printed circuit board (PCB) armatures configured to be independently movable relative to the fixed frame. The magnet assembly may include one or more magnets configured to generate first magnetic flux within an active region. The first PCB armature may include at least a first winding configured to generate second magnetic flux within the active region, and the second PCB armature may include at least a second winding configured to generate third magnetic flux within the active region.

Abstract: A rotary energy conversion device may include an armature, a first inverter circuit, a second inverter circuit, and at least one switch. The armature may include at least a first winding segment and a second winding segment that are each configured to generate magnetic flux when energized, the second winding segment being connected in series with the first winding segment. The first inverter circuit may be configured to energize both the first winding segment and the second winding segment during a first mode of operation of the rotary energy conversion device. The second inverter circuit may be configured to energize the second winding segment but not the first winding segment during a second mode of operation of the rotary energy conversion device. The at least one switch may be configured and arranged to decouple of the first inverter circuit from the second inverter circuit during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A rotor component for a motor or generator may include a support structure made of a magnetic material, a first magnet, and a second magnet. The first magnet may be attached to a first portion of the support structure to form a first magnetic pole of the motor or generator, and the second magnet may be attached to a second portion of the support structure to form a second magnetic pole of the motor or generator. The magnetic material of the support structure may provide a flux return path from the first magnet to the second magnet via the first portion and the second portion, and the first portion of the support structure may include a first plurality of pocket features that are free of the magnetic material.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a host circuit board supporting a heat-producing electronic component, a rotor for an axial flux motor, and fan blades supported by the rotor. The host circuit board may include traces forming windings for the axial flux motor. The rotor may be supported by and rotatable relative to the host circuit board to generate a flow of cooling fluid to cool the first heat-producing electronic component.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power. Further, in some embodiments, an axial flux machine may include a planar stator having a winding arranged to be positioned within the machine's active region, and may further include at least one switch configured to be selectively closed to establish an electrical connection between respective ends of the winding at a time that the winding is not coupled to an external power source.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power. Further, in some embodiments, an axial flux machine may include a planar stator having a winding arranged to be positioned within the machine's active region, and may further include at least one switch configured to be selectively closed to establish an electrical connection between respective ends of the winding at a time that the winding is not coupled to an external power source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor or generator comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation and is configured to generate first magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, the stator is configured to generate second magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the rotor or the stator is configured to generate a magnetic flux profile that is non-uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation. Also disclosed is a method that involves arranging one or more magnetic flux producing windings of a stator non-uniformly about an axis of rotation of a rotor of an axial flux motor or generator.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more different types of stator structures may be disposed within a gap of an axial flux machine. Such arrangements may be advantageous, for example, for producing a machine optimized for multiple modes of operation, such as mechanical torque generation, conversion of mechanical torque to electrical power, and/or dissipation of mechanical power.

Abstract: A planar stator includes conductive traces forming windings for poles, and at least first and second conductive vias extending between first and second conductive layers, the first and second conductive vias being positioned to be located radially on a first side of an annular conductive region of an axial flux machine. The conductive traces include a first conductive trace in the first conductive layer and a second conductive trace in the second conductive layer. The first conductive trace includes a first end turn positioned to be located radially on a second side of the annular active region, the second side being opposite the first side. The second conductive trace includes a second end turn positioned to be located radially on the first side of the annular active region. The first conductive trace extends along a first path that begins at the first conductive via, passes through the first end turn, and ends at the second conductive via.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an axial flux machine may include at least one magnet and first and second support structures. The first support structure may be configured to have the at least one magnet attached thereto and to provide a flux return path for the at least one magnet. The second support structure may be configured to be attached to the first support structure so as to allow torque to be transferred between the at least one magnet and the second support structure via the first support structure, and may be further configured (A) to be attached to a rotatable shaft of the axial flux machine, or (B) to function as an output or input flange of the axial flux machine.