Axial flux motor having rotatably coupled coil stator assemblies and methods of using same

An electric drive system comprising:

• a magnetic rotor assembly rotatable about a rotational axis;
• a first coil stator assembly, coaxially aligned with and rotatable about the rotational axis, to exert a first torque on the magnetic rotor assembly;
• a second coil stator assembly, coaxially aligned with and rotatable about the rotational axis, to exert a second torque on the magnetic rotor assembly;
• a support structure movably coupled to the first coil stator assembly and the second coil stator assembly;
• and
• an actuator, operably coupled to the support structure, to apply a preload to at least one of the first coil stator assembly or the second coil stator assembly, the preload increasing a ride height of a chassis coupled to the support structure.

A method of operating an electric drive system comprising:

• A) applying a first torque to a magnetic rotor assembly using a first coil stator assembly on a first side of the magnetic rotor assembly;
• B) while applying the first torque, applying a second torque to the magnetic rotor assembly using a second coil stator assembly on a second side of the magnetic rotor assembly;
• C) in response to the first and second torques being applied to the magnetic rotor assembly, at least one of (C1) rotating the magnetic rotor assembly about a rotational axis defined by a hub assembly coupled to the magnetic rotor assembly or (C2) moving the rotational axis of the hub assembly along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis;
• and
• D) in response to the first and second torques being applied to the magnetic rotor assembly, coupling motion of the first coil stator assembly to the second coil stator assembly.