Abstract: A slotless brushless, large air gap electric motor comprises a stator having a field winding and field backiron, the field winding being composed of a plurality of successively offset polygonal shaped turns so as to provide a substantially flat winding, and a rotor disposed within the stator including a shaft with a permanent magnet mounted thereon. The field winding turns are preferably in the shape of a rectangle or a hexagonal. Also disclosed is a commutation scheme which dissipates energy stored in a section of the field winding previously energized to the section of the field winding subsequently energized; an integrated circuit for control of any motor using that commutation scheme; a winding configuration suitable for use with both an alternating and direct current power supply; and efficiency increasing magnetically permeable flux shorting elements.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric motor construction having a magnetic flux return path which exhibits very low losses due to eddy currents or hysteresis, and simplifies construction thereof. In the motor construction, the magnetic flux return path is constructed from discrete magnetic material wire which is wrapped or otherwise formed in the desired return path configuration. The magnetic material wire is wound in a direction which generally crosses the flow of magnetic flux and yet is substantially tolerant of cross-winding fields. In this way, the flux return path provides easy construction in that coil winding techniques may be used, and the winding direction is less critical as it can cross the flow of flux therein. The flux return path greatly reduces eddy current losses as the cross section of the path to eddy current flow is the cross section of discrete wires, and because the discrete wires are formed with high packing fraction which will minimize skin effects especially at high frequencies.

Abstract: A slotless, brushless, large air gap electric motor comprises a stator having a field winding and field backiron, the field winding being composed of a plurality of successively offset polygonal shaped turns so as to provide a substantially flat winding, and a rotor disposed within the stator including a shaft with a permanent magnet mounted thereon. The field winding turns are preferably in the shape of a rectangle or a hexagonal. Also disclosed is a commutation scheme which dissipates energy stored in a section of the field winding previously energized to the section of the field winding subsequently energized; an integrated circuit for control of any motor using that commutation scheme; a winding configuration suitable for use with both an alternating and direct current power supply; and efficiency increasing magnetically permeable flux shorting elements.