Variable torque constant electric machines having a radial spoked rotor with axial flux magnet plates and methods thereof
AssigneeRegal Beloit Australia Pty Ltd
InventorsMark Thiele, Greg Heins, Dean James Patterson
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a rotor assembly for use in a radial flux electric motor assembly having core magnets rotatable relative to end magnets such that the torque constant of the rotor assembly varies. The plurality of end magnets is positioned over the core magnets when the rotor assembly is at rest and the rotor assembly has a first torque constant at rest. The plurality of end magnets can rotate relative to the core magnets upon application of torque to the rotor assembly.
Claims20
A rotor assembly for use in a radial flux electric motor assembly, said rotor assembly comprising:
- a rotatable rotor shaft coupled to a rotor core, the rotor core comprising a plurality of rotor poles circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the rotor shaft, wherein said rotor core comprises a plurality of core magnets alternately spaced with said plurality of rotor poles;
- at least one end plate connected to the rotatable rotor shaft, the at least one end plate positioned over the rotor core, wherein the at least one end plate comprises a plurality of end magnets coupled to the at least one end plate;
- and
- wherein the plurality of end magnets is positioned over the core magnets when the rotor assembly is at rest, wherein the rotor assembly has a first torque constant at rest, wherein the plurality of end magnets can rotate relative to the core magnets upon application of torque to the rotor assembly, wherein the rotor assembly has an intermediate torque constant application of torque to the rotor assembly.
An electric motor assembly comprising:
- a stator assembly comprising a stator core and a plurality of windings;
- and
- a rotor assembly comprising:
- a rotor core rotor core comprising a plurality of rotor poles circumferentially spaced about a central axis of a rotatable shaft, wherein said rotor core comprises a plurality of core magnets alternately spaced with said plurality of rotor poles;
- at least one end plate connected to the rotatable rotor shaft, the at least one end plate positioned over the rotor core, wherein the at least one end plate comprises a plurality of end magnets coupled to the at least one end plate;
- and
- wherein the plurality of end magnets is positioned over the core magnets when the rotor assembly is at rest, wherein the rotor assembly has a first torque constant at rest, wherein the plurality of end magnets can rotate relative to the core magnets upon application of torque to the rotor assembly, wherein the rotor assembly has an intermediate torque constant application of torque to the rotor assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.