Variable torque electric motor assembly
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsRichard A. Poisson, Naison E. Mastrocola
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator assembly includes an electric motor including a rotor assembly and a stator assembly configured to be actuated to cause the rotor assembly to rotate based on an amount of magnetic flux in the rotor assembly is disclosed. The assembly also includes a controllable magnetic device coupled to the rotor assembly, an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly; and a controller configured to apply electric current to the controllable magnetic device to adjust an amount of torque provided by the electric motor by adjusting the magnetic flux in the rotor assembly.
Claims20
An actuator assembly comprising:
- an electric motor including a rotor assembly and a stator assembly configured to be actuated to cause the rotor assembly to rotate based on an amount of magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- a controllable magnetic device coupled to the rotor assembly;
- an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly;
- and
- a controller configured to apply electric current to the controllable magnetic device to adjust an amount of torque provided by the electric motor by adjusting the magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- wherein the controller includes field coupler coupled to the rotatable member and configured to rotate with the rotor assembly.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method of controlling an actuator assembly comprising:
- actuating an electric motor by applying a first electric current to a stator assembly to cause rotation of a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly configured to rotate based on an amount of magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- causing movement of an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly;
- and
- applying a second electric current to a controllable magnetic device coupled to the rotor assembly, the second electric current causing an amount of torque provided by the electric motor to change by adjusting the magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- wherein the first electric current is applied in a first direction to increase the amount of torque by increasing the magnetic flux in the rotor assembly.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method of controlling an actuator assembly comprising:
- actuating an electric motor by applying a first electric current to a stator assembly to cause rotation of a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly configured to rotate based on an amount of magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- causing movement of an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly;
- and
- applying a second electric current to a controllable magnetic device coupled to the rotor assembly, the second electric current causing an amount of torque provided by the electric motor to change by adjusting the magnetic flux in the rotor assembly;
- wherein the second electric current is applied via a field coupler coupled to the rotatable member and configured to rotate with the rotor assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.