Abstract: An axial flux motor assembly (10) comprises a stack of first and second discs (20a, 20b) arranged alternately such that there is a gap allowing rotation between each disc (20a, 20b). The first disc (20a) is mounted on a rotatable shaft (40), while the second disc (20b) is fixed in position. The first and second discs (20a, 20b) each comprise sectors (200) of magnetic material arranged on a face of the disc (20a, 20b), between each of which sectors (200) is a radially-extending conductor (202) of a conductive path (201) for conducting electric current. The sectors (200) of magnetic material on the first and second discs (20a, 20b) are arranged at a constant angular pitch, but the pitch of the sectors of magnetic material on the first disc may or may not be the same as those on the second disc.

Abstract: The invention provides an inductor assembly suitable for use in high frequency switched mode power converters, where the rate of change of voltage can exceed 109 Volts per second. The inductor is formed from a ribbon (30) of conductor wound around a magnetic core (140), and further includes electrostatic screens positioned between successive windings of the conductor to provide capacitive screening, substantially reducing high frequency voltage signals propagating from one end of the inductor to the other.

Abstract: An axial flux motor assembly (10) comprises a stack of first and second discs (20a, 20b) arranged alternately such that there is a gap allowing rotation between each disc (20a, 20b). The first disc (20a) is mounted on a rotatable shaft (40), whilst the second disc (20b) is fixed in position. The first and second discs (20a, 20b) each comprise sectors (200) of magnetic material arranged on a face of the disc (20a, 20b), between each of which sectors (200) is a radially-extending conductor (202) of a conductive path (201) for conducting electric current. The sectors (200) of magnetic material on the first and second discs (20a, 20b) are arranged at a constant angular pitch, but the pitch of the sectors of magnetic material on the first disc may or may not be the same as those on the second disc.

Abstract: The invention provides an inductor assembly suitable for use in high frequency switched mode power converters, where the rate of change of voltage can exceed 109 Volts per second. The inductor is formed from a ribbon (30) of conductor wound around a magnetic core (140), and further includes electrostatic screens positioned between successive windings of the conductor to provide capacitive screening, substantially reducing high frequency voltage signals propagating from one end of the inductor to the other.

Abstract: A distributed communications network comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of user devices, wherein each node comprises: a communications device for establishing bi-directional wireless communication with at least one user device, a communications device for establishing bi-directional communication with at least one other node; and a data processor in association with a local memory for storing information for presentation to users, and wherein at least one of the nodes further includes a communications device connected to a further communications network, and wherein nodes are grouped into clusters that cooperate with one another such that if a user requests information which is held in the local memory of a node within a cluster then the nodes cooperate to supply that information to the user and if a connection between a user and the further communications network is required, the nodes cooperate to establish it.

Abstract: A power converter for controlling power flow between first and second voltages has the following structure. A common connection links a first polarity of the first and second voltages, and a first electrode of a capacitance is coupled to the common connection. First and second switches are connected in series between the common connection and the second electrode of the capacitance, and the second polarity of the first voltage is coupled through a first inductance to the connection between the first and second switches. Third and fourth switches are also connected in series between the common connection and the second electrode if the capacitance, but the second polarity of the second voltage is coupled through a second polarity of the second voltage is coupled through a second inductance to the connection between the third and fourth switches. A controller controls the operation of all the switches in order to control the power flow between the first and second voltages.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a switched-mode power supply circuit topology electrical power can be transferred between a source and a load across an antisymmetric transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil. First and second switches are provided for respectively switchably coupling the primary coil across the source and the secondary coil, the switches being bi-directional. A controller controls the switches so that they can act synchronously with a predetermined mark-to-space ratio, which determines the voltage ratio between, the circuit topology comprises an inductor and is for transferring power between a source and a load, a common rail coupling one voltage terminal of the source and one voltage terminal of the load. Bi-directional switches are controlled to couple the ends of the inductor to the voltage terminals of the source and the load to control the power transfer.