US 8,400,038 B2 · Flux focusing arrangement for permanent magnets, methods of fabricating such arrangements, and machines including such arrangements

Abstract

Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a stator;
and
a rotor disposed for movement relative to the stator and including:
a backing member formed of a ferromagnetic material and having a surface;
and
a flux focusing magnet assembly attached to the surface of the backing member, the flux focusing magnet assembly including:
a center portion having a nominal angle of polarization;
a first side portion disposed on the backing member on a first lateral side of the center portion and having a first angle of polarization that is less than 90° greater than the nominal angle of polarization;
and
a second side portion disposed on the backing member on a second lateral side of the center portion, opposite to the first side portion, and having a second angle of polarization that is less than 90° less than the nominal angle of polarization,
the first side portion and the second side portion configured to direct flux toward the center portion,
the backing member being configured to form a primary flux path for the flux focusing magnet assembly.

9 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a stator;
and
a rotor disposed for movement relative to the stator and including:
a backing member formed of a ferromagnetic material;
and
a flux focusing magnet assembly attached to the backing member, the flux focusing magnet assembly including:
a center portion having a nominal angle of polarization;
a first side portion disposed on the backing member on a first lateral side of the center portion and having a first angle of polarization that is less than 90° greater than the nominal angle of polarization;
and
a second side portion disposed on the backing member on a second lateral side of the center portion, opposite to the first side portion, and having a second angle of polarization that is less than 90° less than the nominal angle of polarization,
the first side portion and the second side portion configured to direct flux toward the center portion,
a first end portion disposed on the backing member on a first longitudinal end of the center portion and having a third angle of polarization that is less than 90° greater than the nominal angle of polarization;
and
a second end portion disposed on the backing member on a second longitudinal end of the center portion, opposite to the first end portion, and having a fourth angle of polarization that is less than 90° less than the nominal angle of polarization.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flux focusing arrangement for permanent magnets, methods of fabricating such arrangements, and machines including such arrangements

Life of this patent

Flux focusing arrangement for permanent magnets, methods of fabricating such arrangements, and machines including such arrangements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30