Propulsion motor topologies

A propulsion motor comprising:

• ferromagnetic cores having respective opposite ends joined by a respective body forming a magnetic flux pathway between the opposite ends;
• a magnetic flux inducing device to induce a first magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic cores along the magnetic flux pathway;
• and
• armature coils to induce respective varying second magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic cores perpendicular to the magnetic flux pathway, to assist inducing a propulsion force perpendicular to the magnetic flux pathway,
• the ferromagnetic cores arranged in pairs, such that a pair of the ferromagnetic core comprises:
• a first ferromagnetic core comprising first opposite ends;
• and
• a second ferromagnetic core comprising second opposite ends,
• wherein the first opposite ends and the second opposite ends are about parallel to each other, and are respectively configured to interact with respective ends of a track segment of a track that completes, in combination with the first ferromagnetic core and the second ferromagnetic core, the magnetic flux pathway, and
• wherein two respective forces are formed, perpendicular to the first opposite ends and the second opposite ends, and perpendicular to the propulsion force, the two respective forces of about equal magnitude, but opposite in direction, such that a total force on the first opposite ends and the second opposite ends, due to the two respective forces, is zero.

A vehicle configured to move along a track, the vehicle comprising:

• a payload;
• and
• one or more propulsion motors mounted to the payload, the one or more propulsion motors configured to form, in combination with track segments of the track:
• a propulsion force in a direction of the track;
• and
• one or more total forces perpendicular to the propulsion force configured to one or more of oppose gravity and laterally guide the one or more propulsion motors relative to the track.