Abstract: An alternating current (AC) electrical motor/generator electrodynamic machine and methods include, according to disclosed embodiments of the invention, providing a wound rotor having a polyphase AC winding and a damper winding. The machine can operate as a low slip induction motor or generator, and alternatively can operate as a synchronous motor or generator.

Abstract: A brushless motor-generator has a stator with armature windings for polyphase operation and a rotor having at least one pair of permanent magnet poles. A controller varies the magnitude of the alternating-current voltage applied to the armature windings for controlling the operating motor power factor to permit the rotor magnetic field to operate at the optimum or at least at an improved torque angle with respect to the stator magnetic field in the motoring mode, with little or no torque pulsations at substantially all or at least most conditions of motor load.

Abstract: A brushless motor-generator has a stator with armature windings for polyphase operation and a rotor having at least one pair of permanent magnet poles. A controller varies the magnitude of the alternating-current voltage applied to the armature windings for controlling the operating motor power factor to permit the rotor magnetic field to operate at the optimum or at least at an improved torque angle with respect to the stator magnetic field in the motoring mode, with little or no torque pulsations at substantially all or at least most conditions of motor load.

Abstract: The DC electrical motor system includes a motor having an armature DC transducer coupled to an armature current controller by a sensor/detector arrangement to control the armature current. A field DC transducer coupled to a field current controller by another sensor/detector arrangement facilitates the control of the field current. An armature-field comparator is coupled to the field current controller to help control the field current when the motor armature windings are short-circuited through windings in the armature field comparator.

Abstract: The modular linear motor includes at least a pair of like stator modules and at least a pair of like mover modules. A stator module coupler interconnects the like stator module and has an axial length of sufficient dimension to maintain a given three phase stator pole pitch between the interconnected stator modules. A mover module coupler interconnects the like mover modules, and has another axial length of sufficient dimension to maintain a given mover pole pitch between the interconnected mover modules.

Abstract: A small diameter linear motor is relatively short in length, and includes a hollow elongated mover, and a stator having a plurality of annular spaced apart stator teeth. Individual electrical coils are wound from individual uninterrupted single wires extending from outside of the assembly in the spaces between the teeth to avoid the need for electrical connections between the coils. The stator assembly and mover are dimensioned to fit within the hollow interior of a ferromagnetic tube. In another form, the linear motor includes a mover and a stator, the stator including a set of coils for producing a series of electromagnetic fields extending at least partially in an axial direction when energized with an electric current and a stator core defining a plurality of spaced-apart transversely disposed coil receiving slots and an annular axially extending mover receiving bore.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) electrical motor system includes a DC electrical motor having energy conversion armature windings conducting a first electric current, and an electromagnetic field windings conducting a second electric current. The system also includes means to maintain the magnitude of the second electric current in the electromagnetic field windings at a substantially constant ratio of the magnitude of the first electric current in the energy conversion armature windings. Thus, the magnitude of the ampere-turn strength of the electromagnetic field of the motor is substantially always a ratio of the magnitude of the electric current in the energy conversion armature winding circuit of the motor, and the DC electrical motor of this invention performs substantially the same as a conventional series wound DC electrical motor.

Abstract: A variable speed constant frequency synchronous electrical generating system includes a generator rotor with a polyphase field winding whereby the position of the electromagnetic field relative to the rotor structure can be controllably varied. The system includes means to substantially instantaneously determine the angular or rotational position of the generator rotor relative to a reference member rotating at a reference speed; whereby the angular position of the generator electromagnetic field relative to the structure of the generator rotor is maintained essentially the same as the angular position of the reference member, rotating at a reference speed, relative to the generator rotor. As a consequence, the rotational speed of the generator electromagnetic field is essentially the same as the reference rotational speed of the reference member, and is substantially independent of the rotational speed of the generator power input shaft.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus for use with a motor vehicle electrical system, which includes an engine-driven alternator, provides a switching circuit for switching the system between a normal-power state and a high-power state. In the normal-power state, the apparatus provides the nominal electrical power needed by the vehicle electrical system and battery. In the high-power state, the apparatus causes the engine-driven alternator to produce a higher voltage and a higher power output for external loads, while still providing the nominal electrical power for the vehicle electrical system and the vehicle battery. In the normal-power mode of operation, the vehicle voltage regulator sees the full voltage generated by the vehicle alternator. In the high-power mode of operation, the vehicle voltage regulator sees only a reduced portion of the full voltage generated by the vehicle alternator.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a single drive gear that engages two driven gears of the same pitch diameter, which in turn drive a spindle and a sleeve, respectively. The sleeve is internally threaded to receive the spindle, which is externally threaded. The sleeve and spindle are driven rotationally at slightly different rates due to different numbers of teeth on the two driven gears, producing linear motion of the spindle relative to the sleeve. The drive gear can be rotated in increments corresponding to integral numbers of teeth and the rest positions of the gears can be full engagement positions to minimize play in the gears.

Abstract: Apparatus for protection against damage from excessive torque loads, including a fast-acting slip clutch to limit torque transmitted between a drive motor and a mechanical load, and an automatic device to protect the slip clutch from damage due to slippage in excess of a predetermined amount for a predetermined time. A slip measurement device detects the degree of slippage in the clutch, and a timing circuit coupled to the slip measurement device disconnects power from the drive motor after the predetermined time has elapsed. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the slip clutch includes an input shaft, a wrapped spring in interference-fit engagement with the input shaft, and an output shaft in engagement with one end of the spring. The spring tends to unwrap from the input shaft and to slip if a torque in excess of a threshold level is transmitted.

Abstract: A motor or generator of the direct current type includes a stator carrying permanent magnets that is rotatable between first and second operational positions. A rotor having a winding and cooperating with a commutator is rotatable in either direction. The orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the commutator, as determined by the position of the stator, establishes the direction of rotation. If the stator is off-center when the rotor winding is energized, the stator will move to one of its operational positions under the force of a reaction torque.