# US 11,309,783 B2 · Electromagnetic propulsion system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,309,783 B2 - Document ID: US11309783B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/583,459 - Filed: 2019-09-26 - Published: 2021-04-01 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-26 - Assignees: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Seth Hartman; Erik Timpson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309783B2 ## CPC - H02K 41/025: Asynchronous motors - B65G 23/23: of electric linear motors - B65G 54/02: electrostatic, electric, or magnetic - H02K 7/09: with magnetic bearings - H02K 11/0094: {Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices} - H02K 16/00: Machines with more than one rotor or stator {(machines for transmitting mechanical power from a driving shaft to a driven shaft and comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; permanent magnet machines with multiple rotors or stators relatively rotated for vectorially combining the excitation fields or the armature voltages H02K21/029)} - H02K 41/02: Linear motors; Sectional motors - H02K 41/03: Synchronous motors; Motors moving step by step; Reluctance motors (H02K41/035 takes precedence) - B61D 15/12: power propelled - H02K 7/006: {Structural association of a motor or generator with the drive train of a motor vehicle} - H02N 15/00: Holding or levitation devices using magnetic attraction or repulsion, not otherwise provided for (electric or magnetic devices for holding work on machine tools B23Q3/15 {; monorail vehicle propulsion or suspension B60L13/00}; sliding or levitation devices for railway systems B61B13/08; material handling devices associated with conveyors incorporating devices with electrostatic or magnetic grippers B65G47/92; separating thin or filamentary articles from piles using magnetic force B65H3/16; delivering thin or filamentary articles from magnetic holders by air blast or suction B65H29/24; bearings using magnetic or electric supporting means F16C32/04; relieving bearing loads using magnetic means F16C39/06; magnets H01F7/00; dynamo-electric clutches or brakes H02K49/00 {; electric furnaces with simultaneous levitation and heating H05B6/32}) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B61D: BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES (vehicles in general B60; adaptation of vehicles to special systems B61B; underframes B61F) - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An electromagnetic propulsion system comprises a plurality of stator coils wound about a first axis, a plurality of support structures, a coupler that surrounds a portion of the stator coils, and a plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis. The stator coils are configured to receive electric current to induce a first magnetic field. The support structures support the stator coils. The coupler includes a notch oriented so that one of the support structures can pass through the notch when the coupler moves along the stator coils. The rotor coils are attached to the coupler and are configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the rotor coils, thereby propelling the coupler and the rotor coils along the stator coils. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electromagnetic propulsion system comprising: a first plurality of stator coils wound about a first axis and configured to receive electric current to induce a first magnetic field; a plurality of support structures that support the first plurality of stator coils; a first coupler that surrounds a portion of the first plurality of stator coils and having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the first coupler moves along the first plurality of stator coils; and a first plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the first plurality of rotor coils being attached to the first coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the first plurality of rotor coils thereby propelling the first coupler and the first plurality of rotor coils along the first plurality of stator coils. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the second plurality of rotor coils being attached to the first coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the second plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, the second plurality of rotor coils being positioned on a radially opposite portion of the first coupler than the first plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a chassis supported by the first coupler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising an energy storage device positioned in the chassis and electrically connectable to the first plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising— a second plurality of stator coils wound about a second axis and supported by the plurality of support structures, the second plurality of stator coils being configured to receive electric current to induce a second magnetic field; a second coupler supporting the compartment and surrounding a portion of the second plurality of stator coils and having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the second coupler moves along the second plurality of stator coils; and a second plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the second axis, the second plurality of rotor coils being attached to the second coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the second plurality of rotor coils thereby propelling the second coupler and the second plurality of rotor coils along the second plurality of stator coils. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising a control system configured to control an amount of electric current delivered to the first plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, the control system being operable to reverse a direction of the chassis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising— a coaxial coupler supporting the chassis and surrounding a different coaxial portion of the first plurality of stator coils and having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the coaxial coupler moves along the first plurality of stator coils; and a coaxial plurality of rotor coils attached to the coaxial coupler and wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the coaxial plurality of rotor coils being configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the coaxial plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical housing that houses the first plurality of stator coils and is supported by the plurality of support structures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a bearing system for reducing friction between the first coupler and the cylindrical housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a control system and a power source, the control system being configured to selectively connect a portion of the first plurality of stator coils to the power source. ### Claim 13 An electromagnetic propulsion system for transporting a load, the system comprising: a first plurality of stator coils wound about a first axis and configured to receive electric current to induce a first magnetic field; a second plurality of stator coils wound about a second axis and configured to receive electric current to induce a second magnetic field; a plurality of support structures that support the first plurality of stator coils and the second plurality of stator coils; a first coupler surrounding a portion of the first plurality of stator coils so that the first coupler is movable along the first plurality of stator coils, the first coupler having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the first coupler moves along the first plurality of stator coils; a second coupler surrounding a portion of the second plurality of stator coils so that the second coupler is movable along the second plurality of stator coils, the second coupler having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the second coupler moves along the second plurality of stator coils; a chassis supporting the load and connected to the first coupler and the second coupler so that the chassis is movable along the first plurality of stator coils and the second plurality of stator coils; a first plurality of rotor coils attached to the first coupler and wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the first plurality of rotor coils being configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the first plurality of rotor coils, thereby propelling the first coupler and the chassis; and a second plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the second axis, the second plurality of rotor coils being attached to the second coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the second plurality of rotor coils, thereby propelling the second coupler and the chassis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising an energy storage device positioned on the chassis and configured to provide electric current to the first plurality of rotor coils and the second plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising a control system configured to control an amount of electric current provided to the first plurality of rotor coils and the second plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising—a first coaxial coupler that surrounds a different coaxial portion of the first plurality of stator coils and having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the first coaxial coupler moves along the first plurality of stator coils; a second coaxial coupler that surrounds a different coaxial portion of the second plurality of stator coils and having a notch oriented so that one of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the second coaxial coupler moves along the second plurality of stator coils; a first coaxial plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the first coaxial plurality of rotor coils being attached to the first coaxial coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the first coaxial plurality of rotor coils, and a second coaxial plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the second axis, the second coaxial plurality of rotor coils being attached to the second coaxial coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the second coaxial plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising— a third plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the third plurality of rotor coils being attached to the first coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the third plurality of rotor coils; and a fourth plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the second axis, the fourth plurality of rotor coils being attached to the second coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the fourth plurality of rotor coils. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising— a fifth plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis, the fifth plurality of rotor coils being attached to the first coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the fifth plurality of rotor coils; and a sixth plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the second axis, the sixth plurality of rotor coils being attached to the second coupler and configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the sixth plurality of rotor coils; wherein the first plurality of rotor coils, the third plurality of rotor coils, and the fifth plurality of rotor coils are radially equidistant from one another on the first coupler; and wherein the second plurality of rotor coils, the fourth plurality of rotor coils, and the sixth plurality of rotor coils are radially equidistant from one another on the second coupler. ### Claim 19 An electromagnetic propulsion system for transporting a load, the system comprising: a first plurality of stator coils wound about a first axis configured to receive electric current to induce a first magnetic field; a second plurality of stator coils wound about a second axis parallel to the first axis and configured to receive electric current to induce a second magnetic field; a first cylindrical stator housing made of non-conductive material and enclosing the first plurality of stator coils; a second cylindrical stator housing made of non-conductive material and enclosing the second plurality of stator coils; a plurality of support structures that support the first cylindrical stator housing and the second cylindrical stator housing; a first c-shaped coupler surrounding a portion of the first cylindrical stator housing and having a notch oriented so that one or more of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the first c-shaped coupler travels along the first plurality of stator coils; a second c-shaped coupler that surrounds a portion of the second cylindrical stator housing and having a notch oriented so that one or more of the plurality of support structures can pass through the notch when the second c-shaped coupler travels along the second plurality of stator coils; a chassis operable to support the load as the chassis is propelled along the first plurality of stator coils and the second plurality of stator coils; an energy storage device positioned on the chassis; a first plurality of rotor sets attached to the first c-shaped coupler and equidistantly spaced on the first c-shaped coupler, each rotor set including a plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis parallel to the first axis and electrically connectable to the energy storage device, the plurality of rotor coils being configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the plurality of rotor coils thereby propelling the chassis; and a second plurality of rotor sets attached to the second c-shaped coupler and equidistantly spaced on the second c-shaped coupler, each rotor set including a plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis parallel to the second axis and electrically connectable to the energy storage device, the plurality of rotor coils being configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the second magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the plurality of rotor coils thereby propelling the chassis.