Patent · US Expired

Reluctance torque coupler

US5292284A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
23References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 1991
Grant dateMar 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02K5/128
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A reluctance torque coupler includes a first rotor assembly which provides a magnetic field and a second rotor assembly which rotates relative to the first rotor assembly. The second rotor assembly includes a pair of elongated, arcuate flux poles that are attached to a non-magnetic frame. The flux poles extend towards the first rotor such that they are magnetically coupled to the first rotor. Air gaps between ends define a position of minimum reluctance for the first rotor. When the conductors magnetic axis of the first rotor is aligned with the spaces, the leakage of flux across the spaces is at a minimum. If one rotor is rotated, there is a change in energy stored in the magnetic circuit. This change is resisted by a restoring torque toward the aligned position. In this manner, the torque coupler transmits torque from one rotor to another. The second rotor can be provided with a pair of relatively movable concentric members which allow for adjustment of the spaces, thereby allowing for the adjustment of the pull-out torque of the torque coupler.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.