Flux-concentrating stator assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorAlan G. Holmes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stator assembly for an electric motor includes an annular core centered about an axis of rotation of an inner rotor which the stator assembly surrounds. The stator assembly has a plurality of electrical windings, each wound in a respective spiral around the outer surface of the core and arranged for current to flow in the windings. In some embodiments, the respective spirals are spaced from and parallel with one another. The stator assembly may have pole pieces that substantially enclose the core and windings. The pole pieces may be configured to taper both radially outward and axially inward to thereby concentrate flux from the core to an inner surface of the pole pieces facing the rotor.
Claims16
A stator assembly for an electric motor having an inner rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation comprising:
- an annular core centered about the axis of rotation of the stator;
- a plurality of electrical windings each wound in a respective spiral around the outer surface of the core and arranged for current to flow in the windings;
- and
- pole pieces substantially enclosing the core and windings, wherein the pole pieces taper both radially outward and axially inward to thereby concentrate flux from the core to an inner surface of the pole pieces facing the rotor.
A stator assembly comprising:
- an annular core having a tapered hexagonal shape in radial cross-section and defining a center axis;
- wherein a radially-inward half of the hexagonal shape is narrower than a radially-outward half of the hexagonal shape;
- electrical windings configured to carry three-phase alternating current, each winding being wound in a respective spiral around an outer surface of the annular core;
- wherein the windings are arranged for current to flow in opposite directions in paired ones of the windings, with the respective spirals being spaced from and parallel with one another;
- wherein portions of the wire on two sides of the hexagonal shape facing radially-inward extend substantially parallel with the center axis;
- pole pieces substantially enclosing the core and windings and forming a generally cylindrical radially-inner surface;
- and wherein the pole pieces are configured to have a maximum thickness at corners of the radially-inner surface to concentrate flux from the annular core to the radially-inner surface of the pole pieces.
A stator assembly comprising:
- an annular core defining an inner cavity;
- multiple electrical windings spiraling around the annular core in loops through the inner cavity;
- wherein each electrical winding lays on the annular core along an entire length of the winding;
- and
- annular pole pieces substantially surrounding the annular core and electrical windings, the pole pieces having a thickest portion at respective radially-inner corners to concentrate flux at a radially-inner surface of the pole pieces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.