Patent · US Active

Air gap control systems and methods

US9479038B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
32References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 2013
Grant dateOct 25, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 20, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02K2213/09
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other.

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