Back to results
US 4,034,248 AGranted
Segmented magnet homopolar torque converter
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsCecil J. Mole, William C. Brenner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A homopolar motor and a homopolar generator are concentric and radially displaced from one another to provide a torque conversion arrangement. The motor and generator circuits are internally connected by stationary conductors to provide a closed loop current path.
Claims7
A torque converter comprising:
- first and second rotating members;
- a plurality of electrically conductive lengths carried by said rotating members;
- a stationary structure positioned between said rotating members;
- magnetic flux producing means mounted in said stationary structure producing lines of flux through which said conductive lengths pass;
- current collecting means to convey current from said conductive lengths carried by said rotating members to said stationary structure;
- stationary interconnecting means passing through said stationary structure to provide a closed loop through said conductive lengths carried by said first rotating member, said current collector means, and said conductive lengths carried by said second rotating member;
- adjacent ones of said conductive lengths being electrically connected to form continuous conductors carried by said rotating members;
- said first and second rotating members being inner and outer, respectively, generally cylindrical members concentric with one another;
- said current collecting means comprising projecting rings on said inner rotating member and the outer portion of said stationary structure between said conductive lengths, grooves formed in said stationary structure and in said outer rotating member to mate with said projecting rings on said inner rotating member and said stationary member, respectively, and liquid metal in said grooves to provide an electrically conductive path between said projecting rings and said grooves.
6 more elements
A torque converter comprising:
- a generally cylindrical outer rotating member carrying a plurality of electrical conductors located at intervals along the axial length thereof;
- a generally cylindrical outer stationary member concentric with and spaced inwardly from said outer rotating member;
- a plurality of magnetic poles located on said outer stationary member at positions corresponding to the placement of said electrical conductors of said outer rotating member;
- a generally cylindrical inner stationary member concentric with and spaced inwardly from said outer stationary member;
- a zone of non-magnetic material separating said inner and outer stationary members;
- a plurality of magnetic poles located at intervals along the axial length of said inner stationary member;
- a generally cylindrical inner rotating member concentric with and spaced inwardly of said inner stationary member, said inner rotating member carrying a plurality of electrical conductors located at intervals along the axial length thereof and corresponding to said magnetic poles of said inner stationary member;
- current collecting means to convey current from said electrical conductors carried by said inner and outer rotating members to said inner and outer stationary means, respectively;
- and
- stationary interconnecting means passing through said inner and outer stationary means to provide a closed loop through said conductors carried by said outer rotating member, said current collection means and said conductors carried by said inner rotating member.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.