Patent ID: 6313560
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: H02K,Y10T

Abstract:
An electric machine operable as a generator comprising:a magnetic rotor;a stator mounted about said rotor, at least partially forming a magnetic circuit guiding magnetic flux emanating from said rotor; at least one winding about said stator at least partially forming an electric circuit for picking up a current induced by said magnetic flux;wherein at least a portion of said magnetic circuit is thermally coupled to said winding and is formed from magnetic material having a Curie temperature below a temperature at which said machine is damages so that a short circuit in said electric circuit heating said winding above said Curie temperature heats said portion above said Curie temperature, thereby limiting flow of said magnetic flux about said magnetic circuit, limiting operating temperature of said winding, and preventing thermal damage to said machine and said winding in the presence of said short circuit.