Patent · US Expired

Variable reluctance electric motor

US5485046A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
38References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 20, 1992
Grant dateJan 16, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 20, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02K37/02
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A variable reluctance electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of axially extending inner teeth and a rotor assembly rotatably supported therein. The rotor assembly includes a shaft having a plurality of rotor pole sub-assemblies provided thereon. Each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies includes a hub secured to the shaft, a pair of annular rotor packs secured to the ends of the hub, and an electromagnetic coil disposed loosely about the hub between the two rotor packs. Each of the rotor packs has a plurality of axially extending outer teeth formed thereabout which are disposed adjacent to the inner stator teeth. The rotor pack teeth of each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies are angularly offset from one another, preferably by equal amounts. The electromagnetic coils are engaged by the stator such that the rotor assembly is free to rotate relative thereto. The electromagnetic coils are sequentially energized and de-energized so as to create sequential magnetic circuits between each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies and the stator. These magnetic circuits sequentially cause the angularly offset teeth of the rotor packs to be attracted to the teeth of the stator, resulting in …

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