Variable magnetic coupling of rotating machinery

US7791235B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• John M. Kern · Rexford, US
• Juan Manuel de Bedout · Penn Yan, US
• Kiyoung Chung · Sharonville, US
• Michal-Wolfgang Waszak · Munich, DE
• Manoj Ramprasad Shah · Latham, US
• Peter David Toot · Cincinnati, US
• Ronghai Qu · 红钢城街道, CN
• Wei Wu · Danei, TW

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2006
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 7, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2260/404
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for transferring torque between a pair of independently, concurrently rotating shafts of a turbofan engine includes a magnetic gearbox. The magnetic gearbox has a first ring structure, a second ring structure and an intermediate ring structure. Each ring structure has an annular aperture therethrough and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein. The intermediate ring structure is disposed between the first and the second ring structures. Each ring structure is coaxially concentric with, and independently rotatable with respect to the remaining ring structures. The first and second ring structures are each coupled to separate ones of the rotating engine shafts, and the intermediate ring is operable to transfer torque between the pair of shafts. Preferably, the intermediate ring structure is coupled to a rotating machine. The rotating machine has a controller, and is operable for adjusting a ratio of torque transferred between the pair of shafts.