Halbach array generator/motor having an automatically regulated output voltage and mechanical power output
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorRichard F. Post
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A motor/generator having its stationary portion, i.e., the stator, positioned concentrically within its rotatable element, i.e., the rotor, along its axis of rotation. The rotor includes a Halbach array. The stator windings are switched or commutated to provide a DC motor/generator much the same as in a conventional DC motor/generator. The voltage and power are automatically regulated by using centrifugal force to change the diameter of the rotor, and thereby vary the radial gap in between the stator and the rotating Halbach array, as a function of the angular velocity of the rotor.
Claims20
A motor/generator for regulating an output voltage or a mechanical power output, comprising:
- a rotor including a Halbach array;
- said rotor being capable of rotating at a variable angular velocity;
- a stator including a plurality of electrically conductive windings;
- a variable gap separating said rotor and said stator;
- and
- means for adjusting said gap responsive to said angular velocity to automatically regulate an output voltage or a mechanical power output.
A method for automatically regulating an output voltage of a generator comprising:
- generating an output voltage by rotating a rotor at a variable angular velocity with respect to a stator, wherein said rotor includes a Halbach array;
- and
- varying a gap between said rotor and said stator responsive to said angular velocity.
A method for automatically regulating a mechanical power output of a motor, comprising:
- rotating a rotor at a variable angular velocity with respect to a stator by applying a variable voltage input to said stator, wherein said rotor includes a Halbach array;
- and
- varying a gap between said rotor and said stator responsive to said angular velocity.
A motor/generator for automatically regulating an output voltage or a mechanical power output, comprising:
- a Halbach array being radially spaced apart from a stator by a variable gap and being rotatable relative to said stator at an angular velocity;
- and
- said gap being automatically varied as a function of said angular velocity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.