Sensorless electric machine

An electric machine comprising:

• a rotor core comprising magnetic steel;
• a stator configured with a plurality of stationary windings therein;
• a plurality of openings disposed within or on the rotor core;
• and
• a rotor circuit configured to introduce saliency based on an orientation of a portion of the rotor circuit in relationship to a pole location of the electric machine, said rotor circuit made of a conductive, non-magnetic material.

An electric machine comprising:

• a rotor core;
• a stator configured with a plurality of stationary windings therein;
• a plurality of openings disposed within the rotor core;
• and
• a rotor circuit structure comprising at least one pole circuit disposed in a predetermined location, wherein said predetermined location is in range that extends from about a q-axis to about a d-axis of the electric machine.

An electric machine comprising:

• a rotor core;
• a stator configured with a plurality of stationary windings therein;
• a plurality of openings disposed within the rotor core;
• a rotatable shaft therethrough;
• and
• a rotor circuit structure comprising at least one loop or ring of a conductive, non-magnetic material, wherein said at least one loop or ring is substantially concentric about a d-axis of the electric machine.