Patent ID: 12249869

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1A-1Dillustrate a modular electric motor100including stators130with permanent magnets132to drive rotation and magnetic interruption devices (MIDs)190including electromagnetic coils configured to interrupt the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets132. Electric motor100further includes rotors120with permanent magnets122. Unlike other electrical motors, the electric motor100does not rely on the wound coils to produce speed and torque. Although increasing or decreasing voltage changes the speed of the electric motor100, it is the amount of time that the MIDs190are powered which creates the primary differential in speed. Torque is supplied by the interactions of the natural magnetic fields between rotor magnets122and stator magnets132.

Specifically,FIG.1Ais an isometric view of electric motor100,FIG.1Bis an exploded isometric view of electric motor100,FIG.1Cis an exploded isometric view of including rotors120and stators130, andFIG.1Dis side exploded view of electric motor100. In addition,FIG.2illustrates the set of rotors120for motor100, andFIG.3illustrates a set of stators130for motor100. Base171supports motor100during testing.

Electric motor100includes a central shaft110, a rotor120configured to rotate about the central shaft110. The rotor120includes a plurality of rotor permanent magnets122arranged with a first polar orientation relative to the central shaft110, and a stator130arranged proximate to the rotor120. Similarly, the stator130includes a plurality of stator permanent magnets132arranged in a second polar orientation relative to the central shaft110. The plurality of stator permanent magnets132are oriented to repel the rotor permanent magnets122.

The stator130further includes a plurality of magnetic interruption devices (MIDs)190corresponding to the plurality of stator permanent magnets132. The stator130further includes a stator frame134, forming a plurality of slots135(FIG.3) configured to hold the plurality of stator permanent magnets132and MIDs190arranged in the second polar orientation. An inner diameter of stator frame134is sized to receive a rotor120with minimal spacing between the outer edges of permanent magnets122and the inner diameter of stator frame134.

In some examples, permanent magnets122may include rare earth magnets, ferromagnets and/or electromagnets. In the same or different examples, permanent magnets132may include rare earth magnets, ferromagnets and/or electromagnets.

The rotor120further includes a rotor frame124, wherein the rotor frame124includes a keyed central aperture engaged with the central shaft110, and a plurality of slots125(FIG.3) configured to hold the plurality of rotor permanent magnets122arranged in the first polar orientation. Rotor frame124includes six slots125, which are positioned at the apexes between the six flat side surfaces126. Each rotor frame includes a setscrew (not shown) engaging keyed shaft110. A front main bearing hub128supports shaft110through front plate172.

In some examples, each MID190includes a conductive material configured to, in response to an electric current, generate an MID electric field to counteract an electric field of the corresponding stator permanent magnet132. For example, each MID190may include an electromagnetic coil oriented to counteract the electric field of the corresponding stator permanent magnet132. In some examples, the electric motor100is configured to receive an AC input power for driving the electric current to the MIDs190. In other examples, the electric motor100is configured to receive a DC input power for driving the electric current to the MIDs190.

Electric motor100includes a modular design in that the rotors120in the rotor stack and the stators130in the stator stack operate in parallel and are selectively removable to modify the size and power of the electric motor100. The modular design allows as few as one rotor120and one stator130, as shown with respect to electric motor200(FIG.7). However, in the specific configuration of electric motor100, electric motor100includes a plurality of rotors120and a plurality of stators130in a stack configuration. Each of the rotors120is configured to rotate about the central shaft110. Each rotor120in the stack is substantially similar to each other, and each stator130in the stack is substantially similar to each other. For example, each rotor120include rotor permanent magnets122as previously described and each stator130includes stator permanent magnets132and MIDs190as previously described.

Electric motor100further includes a cylindrical housing170encasing the stator130and the rotor120. Front plate172covers a first side of the cylindrical housing170, and end plate174covers the other side of cylindrical housing170. Front plate172and end plate174are secured with threaded compression bolts176and nuts177. Central shaft110extends through both front plate172and end plate174. The side of central shaft110extending through the front plate172is the drive portion of the shaft. Meanwhile, timing hubs150are mounted to the side of central shaft110extending through the end plate174. Timing cover180is secured with nuts187over timing hubs150.

Timing hubs150are each aligned with a set of rotors120to provide position information to the controllers160for each chamber of electric motor100. In the present example, electric motor100includes two chambers, each with two rotors120and two stators130. Other examples may include as few as one chamber or more chambers. Motors of this type can have more or less magnets per chamber, be rotational or linear, and be configured in shapes other than round. Each of these possible modular configurations can be modified to meet a specific power need for the eventual application by adding or reducing the number of chambers. When configured with the zero reference point of each chamber in alignment, the torque of the motor configuration will increase and the rpms will decrease for a given controller signal. In comparison, with each chamber rotated a number of degrees from the previous chamber the torque will decrease for a given controller signal and the RPMs will increase. In this manner, changing the relative alignment of the chambers alters the characteristics of the motor.

Controllers160include sensors162, such as hall-effect sensors to detect position information from timing hubs150. Controllers160are mounted in control case182on the outer surface of motor housing170. Motor housing170includes an aperture to allow the sensors162of controllers160to interact with timing hubs150. Cover183encloses control case182, although vent holes allow passive cooling of control components. For example, airflow to cool the controllers160may be naturally driven by the rotation of rotors120within housing170.

The rotors120in each chamber are aligned with each other, whereas the rotors120in the other chamber are offset. As shown inFIG.2, rotors120A correspond to the first chamber, whereas rotors120B correspond to the second chamber. As shown inFIG.3, stators130A correspond to the first chamber, whereas stators130B correspond to the second chamber. The offset of rotors120is set by the orientation of rotors120A vs120B on keyed shaft110. The offset of stators130is set by the pins139in offset plate138(FIG.3) of the stator stack engaged with alignment holes137of the adjacent stators130.

Offsetting rotors120in the rotor stack smooths the torque output of motor100compared to an alternative configuration where all rotors120are in alignment. However, it adds additional complexity for control as the positions of each chamber must be known to operate the motor. Details regarding the control of electric motor are discussed further with respect toFIGS.4A,4B and5.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate side views of a stator130-rotor120pair of electric motor100. Timing is important for the operation of motor100to allow motor100to run. MIDs190must turn on to allow rotor magnets122to rotate towards stator magnets132. InFIG.4Arotor magnet122just entering the “on zone30”. This is the zone where the timing hub magnet tells the Hall Effect sensor to send a signal to the computer to turn on the relay which will send power to the MIDs190creating the void. This allows the rotor120to move through the negative torque (or backlash) of the stator magnet132. The time duration is a preset in the control system of the motor control or the algorithm that would change the timing on-the-fly.FIG.4Bshows the rotor magnet122in the acceleration portion of the stator magnet132(or “torque zone29”). This is when the MIDs190are turned off and no power is sent from the motor control. The acceleration portion (or “torque zone29”) is slightly larger than the “on zone30”. Finally, timing can be fine-tuned by advancing or retarding the timing hubs in correlation with the motor control “time on” (or “on Zone”) for the end-user's desirable application. With an encoder, the computer may count timing dots. This can be any number of dots, such as but not limited to, 360 dots per rotation, 900 dots per rotation, 14,000 dots per rotation, etc. The number of dots may depend on computing power and timing resolution.

FIG.5is a conceptual diagram of a control system for operating the electric motor100. Controller160configured to issue control signals to the MIDs190to operate the electric motor100. The control signals to the MIDs190mitigate magnetic backlash or negative torque as the rotor permanent magnets122enter the magnetic fields of the stator permanent magnets132. In some examples, MID electric fields function to mitigate magnetic backlash or negative torque as the rotor permanent magnets122enter the magnetic fields of the stator permanent magnets132and further to pull the rotor permanent magnets122into the magnetic fields of the stator permanent magnets132.

The controller160is further configured to receive position signal information corresponding to a rotational position of the rotor120and issue the control signals to the MIDs190based on the position signal information. Electric motor100may further include one or more sensors configured to output the position signal information corresponding to the rotational position of the rotor120. In some examples, the one or more sensors may include a hall-effect sensor. For example, the sensors may detect the rotational position of rotor chambers by detecting magnetic fields of magnets on timing hubs150. The magnets of timing hubs150may align with the rotor chambers.

The controller160is further configured to receive control inputs issue the control signals to the MIDs190based on the control inputs. The control inputs may include speed or torque settings.

Electric motor100provides a number of advantages. For example, motor100may be twenty to thirty percent lighter than conventional motors, due to the low heat production of the MIDs190and low duty cycle of the magnetic interruption. The overall temperature of the electric motor100will remain relatively cool. In some examples, due to low heat generation, cheaper and higher thermally insulative materials may be used. For example, the electric motor may include of biodegradable plastics or other sustainable and renewable materials (greatly reducing manufacturing and salvage costs) which in turn would lead to a much lighter motor.

The modularity of motor100allows stacking chambers together to increase torque or RPM. This allows different size motors using common components.

Control systems for motor100may vary speed and horsepower by simply adjusting timing to MIDs190. This may save energy compared to conventional motors that require inefficient voltage control to reduce speed.

In the same or different examples, the control system may be pre-programmed to specific set points rpm torque specific to a user's needs.

The advanced control of motor100provides an ability to change torque and RPM without affecting horsepower. Equation for horsepower is RPM times torque divided by 5252 equals horsepower. Motor100can be configured to increase torque and reduce RPMs and still maintain the same horsepower. And motor100can be set to increase RPMs and decrease torque which will maintain the same horsepower. In contrast, conventional motors can't increase torque, so lower RPM means lower HP. Specifically, with motor100, the controller can increase torque at lower RPM by increasing duration of MID190, diminishing backlash even more, this reduces RPM and increases torque. The controller can also increase current through MID190to increase force.

For example, MIDs190can be used to create the void in the stator130magnetic field allowing the rotor magnet122to enter the field without experiencing magnetic backlash or negative torque. The MID190also creates a magnetic field that will pull the rotor magnet122into this voided field.

The configurability of motor100facilitates advanced control algorithms. For example, the controller can set power pulses to MID190in first polar orientation mode magnet configuration of motor to produce constant horsepower at various speeds and related constant power with very low heat. The controller can also output constant power at different RPMs. The controller can operate to limit heat production, e.g., by reducing the on time of the MIDs. The controller can also vary torque output per revolution.

The controller may also be programmed to operate the motor using an external control pad or imbedded code or specific application through imbedded code or external control pad or control system. For example, the user may use a control pad to set RPM, torque, limit temperatures etc.

In some examples, due to low heat generated during operation, one or more of housing170, front plate172, end plate174, rotor frame124, and stator frame134may be formed from any material that is not affected by magnetic fields, such as but not limited to, a non-ferrous material, such as a polymer, polycarbonate material, a nonferrous metal, such as an aluminum or titanium material, or composite material, such as carbon fiber. In this manner, the construction materials can vary widely and are not limited to classical motor construction constraints.

FIGS.6A and6Billustrate magnetic fields of adjacent permanent magnets in the stator-rotor pair of the electric motor100with a soundwave MID off and on. MIDs192each include a soundwave device that disrupts a magnetic field of the corresponding stator permanent magnet132. Any material or device that allows the atoms of a magnetic field to line up and allows the electron or other subatomic particle(s) to spin (such as spaced copper plates, copper wire without a core of iron or ferrite, or a graphite sheets with copper or superconductive material) may be used as a part of a MID. In an example, a soundwave device may produce sound waves that can cause the movement of the atoms which can in turn, disrupt a magnetic field. In general, magnetic fields cannot be blocked but they can be diverted to create a void. Much like the bow of the ship moving the water out and away, the MID190/192moves the magnetic field out and around the MID.

FIG.7illustrates electric motor200. Electric motor200is the same as the modular electric motor of100, but configured with only a single stator130and single rotor120. In addition, compression rods276and cylindrical housing (not shown) may be sized to conform to the single rotor-stator configuration.

FIGS.8A-8Cillustrates an alternative motor300to the electric motor100. Motor300includes plurality of fan blades326between the rotor permanent magnets122and the central shaft310.

The rotor320further includes a rotor frame324, wherein the rotor frame324includes a keyed central aperture engaged with the central shaft110, and a plurality of slots configured to hold the plurality of rotor permanent magnets122arranged in a first polar orientation. Rotor frame324includes slots for rotor permanent magnets122corresponding to four stator rings330. Rotor320includes rotor permanent magnets122corresponding to four stator rings330. Alignment plates338set the relative alignment of different chambers of stators330.

The housing of motor300includes cylindrical housing370with a front plate372and rear cover374. Rotor frame includes a shaped hub328for engaging keyed shaft310. A front main bearing311supports shaft110at front plate372whereas rear main bearing313supports shaft110at rear cover374.

Positioning sensing and control (not shown) are the same as described with respect to motor100.

The way the rotor120/320is designed with the magnets122on the very peripheral of the rotor wheel it allows us to use the center space to incorporate built-in applications. Such as a family of fan blades; this design, however, is not limited to fan blades. The center of the hubs could be an Archimedes screw which could move sand or heavy material, also a design to pump water, or as a water propulsion system. In such examples, the motor becomes the application; there will be a better laminate flow through the center without an additional motor in the center restricting the flow. The design has no real size restriction other than material limitations. This family of motor application facilitates new generation of motor application platforms.

Proof-of-Concept Motor

The inventor successfully tested working electric motors conforming to the details of electric motor100as described herein. The proof-of-concept motor included rare earth magnets122,132. It demonstrated a number of advantages over conventional motors. For example, MIDs190ran unexpectedly cool, even under load. In addition, the amperage was a steady-state or nonlinear or non-proportional to load. In other words, amperage did not increase or increased less due to the load factor. The inventor speculates this happened because the interaction between the natural magnets122,132creates the torque, not the electric power to MIDs190.

Changing the interval, the MID190are on, changed the dynamics of the motor itself. With an MID190time of 4 milliseconds, or with the encoder changing the number of timing dots by increasing, then the base line rpm was 900 and torque was increased. With an MID190time on of 2 milliseconds, the base line rpm was 1800 and torque was decreased. With an MID190time of 1 millisecond, or with the encoder changing the number of timing dots by decreasing, then the base line rpm was 3200 and torque was decreased even more. The results demonstrated that increasing the amount of time on of the MID190torque increases and the speed decreases. Conversely, decrease the amount of time the MID190is on and, torque decreases and speed increases.

MID190time could be changes while the motor was running, thus changing the motor profile on-the-fly. Such an operation can be suitable in any number of applications. For example, if the motor was in a car it could provide a lower speed and increased torque during initial accelerations then change the motor profile by changing the amount of time the MID190was on, which would increase speed and lower the torque keeping a constant horsepower throughout the different speed changes.

In addition, without conventional wound coils on the rotor120or stator130, the failure rate of the electric motor100is greatly diminished as compared with conventional motors, due to a lack of overheating or stalling. In case of a catastrophic failure (i.e. gearbox, transmission, or water pump failure) the electric motor100has a built-in over torque clutch if resistance exceeds the magnetic coupling between the rotor magnets122and the stator magnets132. In case of a severe over torque, the magnetic field between the rotor and the stator would simply collapse and no longer spin. This natural built-in over torque would ensure minimal damage both to the electric motor100and any connected hardware. It also allows immediate restart as no additional sacrificial components are required.

Because of the low duty cycle of the MID190and because the reaction of the natural magnetic field creates the torque load, the overall temperature of the electric motor100will remain relatively cool. Anticipated temperature rise may only be approximately 20% of the ambient temperature. In a functioning proof of concept motor, the inventor noticed only a 15° temperature rise over the ambient temperature. In other embodiments, temperature rise may be no more than approximately 50% of the ambient temperature, no more than approximately 40% of the ambient temperature, no more than approximately 30% of the ambient temperature, or no more than approximately 20% of the ambient temperature. This will allow use of exotic materials such as poly carbonate or carbon fiber so as to reduce weight. It also allows manufacture of specialized motors using 3-D printers for example for very specialized applications. Alternatively, motors can incorporate injection molded parts, dramatically lower the product cost compared to metal components of conventional motors.

By including interlinking rings in a stator stand and rotor stack, electric motor100becomes modular in design. Increasing the number of rings in the stacks increases horsepower. Decreasing the number of rings in the stack decreases horsepower. Additional modularity includes switching the number of magnets122,132, have in each stator ring130and rotor120. Thus, a single platform provides multiple horsepower capabilities.

Definitions

VOID: This is a specific place where the magnetic field from the natural magnet is lessened or eliminated by diverting the magnetic field around the MID190.

Magnetic Interruption Device (MID190): Any material or device that allows the atoms of a magnetic field to line up and allows the electron or other subatomic particle(s) to spin (such as spaced copper plates, copper wire without a core of iron or ferrite, or a graphite sheets with copper or superconductive material) may be used as a part of a MID. In an example, a soundwave device may produce sound waves that can cause the movement of the atoms which can in turn, disrupt a magnetic field. In general, magnetic fields cannot be blocked but they can be diverted to create a void. Much like the bow of the ship moving the water out and away, the MID190/192moves the magnetic field out and around the MID190.

The MIDs190can be proportional to the size of the magnets being used. In some embodiments, each MID190may have a same or similar length and thickness to the permanent magnets arranged on the stator, but the MIDs190may have a slightly larger or smaller width than the magnets. For example, in at least one embodiment, each stator magnet132may be a 1 inch by 0.5 inch by 0.25 inch thick neodymium magnet, and each MID190may be 1 inch by 0.75 inch by 0.25 inch thick. This oversizing in width may help create a cleaner void. As another example, where the stator magnets132used each have a length of 2 inches, a width of 1 inch, and a thickness of 0.5 inches, each MID190may have a length of 2 inches, a width of 1.5 inches, and a thickness of 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, MIDs190may differ in one or more other dimensions from the stator magnets132. For example, the MIDs190may have a same or similar width and thickness to the magnets, but may have a slightly larger length. In other embodiments, the MIDs190may have the same dimensions as the stator magnets132. In still other embodiments, the MIDs190may be sized and/or shaped differently. Also, the power requirements for the MIDs190may be proportional to the size and/or strength of the magnets in the stator. In particular, the larger the magnet the more power requirements of the MID190for creating a void. These any other examples, may be used as MIDs190in electric motor100.

MID190ON: The amount of time that power is applied (both amperage and voltage) to the MID190

MID190OFF: The amount of time that no power is sent to the MID190

TIME ON: The amount of time in milliseconds the MID190is active as a rotor magnet122enters the magnetic field of a stator magnet132

TIME OFF: The time when no power is sent to the MID190

Parts and Assembly

FRONT PLATE172: This piece is designed to carry the front main bearing128; it also has four through holes evenly spaced for the compression bolts176. There are also alignment pin holes173for the stator stack ring and a fitting groove where the outer motor cover housing170sits.

MOTOR SHAFT110: The motor shaft110can have a D configuration or the keyway design. The diameter will depend on the horsepower and torque delivery. The motor shaft sits in the bearings in the center of the front and the end plate and it carries the rotor hubs128. Primary duty is to carry the speed and torque.

ROTOR HUB128: The rotor hub128locks onto the motor shaft110with a setscrew (seeFIG.2). Acceleration magnets122are radially arranged on the hub. The number of rotor magnets122may equal the number of magnets132in the stator (SeeFIG.4A). In the experimental motor, the rotor magnets122for this configuration are 0.5×0.5 by 0.25 inches with a 0.125 inch thick steel plate on the hub site (see rotor hub magnet shield123,FIG.4A). This steel plate pushes the magnetic field upward making the side that faces the stator a stronger magnetic field. This increases the torque output of the rotor. The rotor hub magnet shield123adjusts the angle of attack at the point where the rotor magnet122comes into the field of the stator magnet132. The angle is determined from the center of the axle to the radius of the rotor hub128. The example motor included a 10° angle of attack. As shown inFIG.4B, by using a 10° angle, a relatively low or minimum amount of rotor magnet122surface face is coming into the negative torque and a relatively high or maximum amount of surface face is in the acceleration field. With a zero angle of attack, which means the rotor magnet122is flat to the stator magnet132at the center point, i.e., a polar surface of the rotor magnet122is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotor120. Through testing, the inventor found better torque availability when the rotor magnet122is flat or parallel to the back one third of the stator magnet132however a 0° does work. Other suitable angles may be used as well. For example, an angle of attack may range between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 30 degrees, or between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 20 degrees, or between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 10 degrees. Moreover, other suitable magnet sizes for the rotor magnets122may be used as well. In some embodiments, each rotor magnet122may have a length that is shorter than that of each stator magnet132. In at least one embodiment, each rotor magnet122may have a length that is half or approximately half that of each stator magnet132. By providing rotor magnets122with a shorter length than the stator magnets132, the stator magnets132may have a longer period of acceleration.

STATOR RING130: The stator130Is One of the More Complicated Parts of the electric motor100(seeFIG.3). The outer ring may be strong and rigid and made up of a non-magnetic material. The stator may exclude material that would create any eddy currents such as aluminum or copper. The eddy currents may create a friction with the rotor magnets122, causing the rotor120to slow down and lose overall efficiency. Stator magnets132in the test model were N48 neodymium permanent magnets. The test model included 1 inch long by 0.5 inch wide by 0.25 inch thick magnets. Other suitable magnet types and sizes may be used in other embodiments. Using smaller or larger magnets both on the rotor and stator can increase or decrease the amount of torque. This will change the horsepower. As indicated above, each stator magnet132may have a length that is approximately twice the length of each rotor magnet122. This gives us a longer duration of acceleration and torque. There are nine magnets in the stator ring. The design includes an odd number of magnets to minimize harmonics of the rotor hubs. In other embodiments, another suitable number, which may be an odd or even number, of magnets may be used. Moreover, in some embodiments, the motor may have an equal number of stator magnets132, rotor magnets122, and MIDs190.

STATOR MAGNETIC SHIELDS133: Magnetic shields133(FIG.4A) are used to enhance the strength of the stator magnets132. Unlike the rotor shield123the stator shield encapsulates the bottom, sides, and the back with permeable steel. This also changes the magnetic field of the stator magnet132by increasing the duration of torque applied to the rotor magnet122itself.

Magnetic Interruption Device (MID190): An MID190can be used to create the void in the stator130magnetic field allowing the rotor magnet122to enter the field without experiencing magnetic backlash or negative torque. The MID190creates a magnetic field that will also pull the rotor magnet122into this voided field. This is done by applying either DC or AC power to the MID190at the proper time. Magnetic fields cannot be blocked but they can be diverted, pushed down and around. (SeeFIGS.6A and6B) The stronger the magnetic field the more amperage and voltage needs to be applied to the MIDs190to create a void. The void becomes even larger when more power is given to the MIDs190. The MIDs190of a stator ring130may be wired in parallel or in series so that all of them are fired at the same time, if so desired. The MIDs190of a stator ring and/or of an entire stator chamber may be fired simultaneously. The MIDs190can be placed on the top, either or both sides, or the underside of the stator magnet132. (FIG.6Ais off, andFIG.6Bis on).

SOUNDWAVE MID192: In an example, as described above, the MID192may use sound waves to disrupt the magnetic field. In an example, as illustrated inFIG.6A, a soundwave MID192can be located on the side forward of the stator magnet132(e.g., the front side of the stator magnet132). When the soundwave modulator is activated, turned on, or the like, sound waves can move across the path of the magnetic field and disrupt, distort, divert, or the like, the field. When the soundwave modulator is deactivated, turned-off, or the like, the magnetic field can re-coalesce, return, or the like, to its natural field or natural state. It is understood that the soundwave MID192may be located relative to the stator magnet132in other locations or configurations than just the front side, or that more than one soundwave MID192may be utilized depending on how the magnetic field is to be disrupted or diverted.

MAGNETIC VOID: A magnetic void is created by sending electrical charge either AC or DC to the MID190. This in return develops an electrical field similar to a Faraday cage. For example, with copper plates for the MIDs190, the plates may be separated from one another with an insulator. Each plate is then connected individually in parallel with a positive and negative. This creates electrical field between each plate similar to a capacitor. The idea is to create an electrical field between each plate to interrupt the magnetic field of the stator magnet132. Residual electrical field between the plates of the MID190are undesirable, so the plates are not encapsulated in some embodiments. Moreover, the MIDs190may be constructed and configured such that the electrical field is formed and dissipate within 2 ms, 1.5 ms, 1 ms, or 0.5 ms or within another relatively short period of time. In an example, much shorter or much longer periods of time may be used to take advantage of the electric motor100's characteristics, configurations, or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, the MID190may include copper wire woven as a mesh, as a coil, or the like. This creates both electrical and magnetic fields which may dissipate over a period of time. (See, e.g.FIGS.6A and6B). In other embodiments, the MIDs190may be constructed using other suitable metals and/or other suitable materials.

ALIGNMENT PINS: Alignment pins and are put into place both for alignment and structural strength between stator rings130and/or front plate172and end plate174(SeeFIG.1D).

MAGNETIC HOLE: A magnetic hole is where the attraction assist permanent magnet is located. In this configuration where using a 1 inch long by 0.25 inch width and 0.125 inch thick N42 neodymium permanent magnet (SeeFIG.4A), although other suitable magnet types and sizes may be used as well. Each stator ring may have one or more magnetic holes configured for receiving one or more attraction assist magnets. Magnetic holes may be evenly spaced about a stator ring. In some embodiments, a number of magnetic holes may equal a number of stator magnets132arranged on the stator ring. Every stator magnet132may have an assist magnet to help pull the rotor magnet122into the next cycle.

STATOR RING CHAMBER: The stator ring chamber can include one or more, or two or more, stator rings130in parallel with one another by means of the compression bolts176serving as alignment pins (FIG.1D).

TORQUE AND OFFSET PLATE138: A torque/offset plate may be used to offset one stator chamber from another. The torque plate is made up of a non-magnetic stainless steel or other non-magnetic material configured to avoid any eddy currents. On one side of the plate is a set of standard alignment pins139for the stator and on the other side would be a set of offset alignment pins139for the second chamber of the stator rings. An example: 360 divided by 9 magnets is 40° so every magnet in the stator ring is set 40° from one another. The offset pins of the plate would be set at 20° offset so one ring chamber would be set 20° off from the other. For example, with three stator ring chambers, each set of chambers would be set at 13.33° off from one another.

STATOR RING ASSEMBLY: The stator ring assembly may include the stator ring chambers, each having a suitable number of stator rings130. The stator ring assembly may additionally include a torque and offset plate138arranged between adjacent chambers (FIG.3).

COMPRESSION BOLTS176: In an example, multiple compression bolts176can be used to connect the front plate172and the end plate174. In an example, there may be four compression bolts whose purpose is to pull the front plate172and the end plate174together compressing the stator rings130and to hold the alignment pins together (SeeFIG.1D).

MOTOR OUTER COVER HOUSING170: An outer cover housing170is located between the front plate172and the end plate174and fits into the groove of both to help prevent particle saturation. In an example, the outer cover can house, contain, or the like, the wiring and computers (SeeFIG.1B).

MOTOR CONTROLS160: In an example, a pair of Adriano control boards (or another similar control board) can be used to control the motor. One or multiple micro controllers will control a stator chamber or multiple chambers. Each micro controller or input/output pair can be used to read the input signal, make appropriate decisions, advance or delay signals, determine length of on and off times—and send command signals to the motor MIDs190thereby controlling the motor dynamics. (SeeFIG.5).

TIMING HUBS150: In an example, the timing hubs will have a compression fit on the main shaft110. This will allow for manual fine-tuning of the electric motor100. On the timing hub there will be the exact number of smaller magnets and degree of position as a stator ring130. So, the stators130and the timing hub150each have nine magnets at 20°. In addition, if there is a second stator chamber, there will there be a second timing hub150with the exact offset and so on. The purpose of the timing hub magnets is to send a timing hit to the Hall Effect sensor one sensor per hub. This will allow the computer to know when to power the MID190. Alternatively, or additionally, an encoder or other timing device may be attached, and may replace the timing hubs and hall affect devices to accomplish a further refinement in motor timing.

COMPUTER CONTROL: The computer/microcontroller or the like will be connected to an input timing device such as a timing hub, hall effect sensor, encoder etc., and will manipulate the timing and sequence driving the motor components, thereby changing the dynamics of the motor—as described in above. The computer will be connected to the timing hub this timing hub will tell what chamber to fire through set of algorithms algorithm changed the time on and off the MID190which will change the dynamics of the motor itself explained in the MID190portion of this patent.

TIMING HUB COVER180: protection to the timing hubs, encoder, Hall effect or other timing components.

Operation

REPULSIVE CONFIGURATION: The magnets on the rotor hub are arranged to repel magnets on the stator hub. In other words, opposites attract while the same repel. So, in the electric motor100magnetic configuration, magnets would be set up north facing on the stators130and north facing on the rotor120. Or magnets may be south facing on stators130and south facing on the rotors120.

POWER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: The proof-of concept motor utilized DC power, although other example MIDs190may operate on AC power. The main power used to power the motor can be from a DC battery or an AC outlet that is converted to DC. Main power is sent to a relay to power to the control system and MID190s. The control system picks up a signal from the Hall Effect sensor, or encoder, absolute encoder, or other timing device, when the timing hub magnet enters in its field. There is one sensor per timing hub. The computer then sends a signal to the relay allowing the power to go to the stator or stator chamber. This activates the MIDs190that are in parallel so that all the MIDs190activate at the same time per chamber. The control system then turns off the power to the MIDs190after a predetermined amount of time. The same process happens with the second chamber as with the first chamber. If there is a three-chamber system, chamber1would fire, then chamber2, then chamber3, and then repeat. As discussed previously, electric motor100is depicted with two chambers.

TIME DURATION: Time is relevant to the electric motor100as explained before in the description the MID190's190function to divert the magnetic field creating the void from the stator magnet132. This is done by bending the magnetic field around the MIDs190through electrical pulses. The longer the MIDs190are on, the more the magnetic void becomes defined. The motor control will tell the relay how long to stay on and when to shut off. As the void becomes more defined, there is less magnetic resistance coming into the field from the rotor magnet122allowing the rotor to experience more torque to the shaft110. However, the longer the MID190is in the on, the more Eddy currents develop thus slowing the rotor120. Too much time on and the motor will slow to a point where it does not work properly, thus there is a delicate balance between torque, speed, and time. Based on this time duration, the electric motor100can become a one horsepower motor at 900 RPM (6 foot-pounds multiplied by 900 rpm's divided by 5252 is equal to one horsepower). By shortening the amount of time the MIDs190are on, the electric motor100can go to 1800 RPM motor at one horsepower (3 foot-pounds of torque multiplied by 1800 rpm's divided by 5252 is equal to one horsepower). By shortening the time MIDs190are on even more or roughly cutting the time in half, the electric motor100can go to 3600 rpm's motor at one horsepower (1.5 foot-pounds of torque multiplied by 3600 rpm's divided by 5252 equals one horsepower). In this manner, the horsepower can be set configured to match a set amount by setting the corresponding time for MIDs190.

TIMING OF THE ELECTRIC MOTOR100: Timing is important for the operation of motor100to allow motor100to run. MIDs190must turn on to allow rotor magnets122to rotate towards stator magnets132. InFIG.4Arotor magnet122just entering the “on zone30”. This is the zone where the timing hub magnet tells the Hall Effect sensor to send a signal to the computer to turn on the relay which will send power to the MIDs190creating the void. This allows the rotor120to move through the negative torque (or backlash) of the stator magnet132. The time duration is a preset in the control system of the motor control or the algorithm that would change the timing on-the-fly.FIG.4Bshows the rotor magnet122in the acceleration portion of the stator magnet132(or “torque zone29”). This is when the MIDs190are turned off and no power is sent from the motor control, the acceleration portion (or “torque zone29”) is slightly larger than the “on zone30”. Finally, timing can be fine-tuned by advancing or retarding the timing hubs in correlation with the motor control “time on” (or “on Zone”) for the end-user's desirable application. With an encoder, the computer may count timing dots. This can be any number of dots, such as but not limited to, 360 dots per rotation, 900 dots per rotation, 14,000 dots per rotation, etc. The number of dots may depend on computing power and timing resolution.

POWER CONSUMPTION: The power requirements of the MIDs190to create the void is the only power requirements for the electric motor100. The larger the magnets become, both on the stator and rotor, the larger the amperage and voltage needs to become. However, because the electric motor100does not require any coils to produce the torque or speed, the electric motor100becomes a steady-state amperage motor. In other words, the electric motor100relies on the MIDs190to create the magnetic void, the interaction between the rotor magnets122and the stator magnets132creates the speed and torque of the rotor that pushes it to the next stator magnet132, and the cycle begins again.

The application of resistance to shaft110pushes rotor magnets122further back into the acceleration chamber or torque chamber. Over torque the electric motor100, push the rotor magnet122back into the “on zone” of the MIDs190, activation of MIDs190would create a magnetic void and reverse the creation of the void would collapse the magnetic field and the motor would stop running. Because the MIDs190are not on or consuming power when the rotor is in the acceleration torque field, the amount of wasted heat from the MIDs190is minimal. Also, the MIDs190are designed for the voltage and amperage needed to create the void, thus the heat loss is minimal. Considering that the MID190's duty cycle is only approximately 45% of rotation in some embodiments, it makes a relatively cool running electrical motor. Somewhat like a standard electrical motor, electrical power goes in and manual speed and torque is produced. Efficiency of the motor is reliant upon the amount of energy it takes the MIDs190to produce its void and the mechanical speed and torque it produces. In addition, motor operation also take advantage of pulses of energy generated as the rotating magnets pass into and out of the MID190regions, further increasing efficiency, reducing I{circumflex over ( )}2R losses and related heating.

ATTRACTION ASSIST PERMANENT MAGNET: The “assist magnet” has a primary purpose to pull the rotor in towards the MIDs190. This will help facilitate a smoother start-up. Because the stator magnets132and rotor magnet122are in repulsion, the attraction magnets are set up to pull the rotor magnets122in towards the MIDs190. For example, if the rotor and stator magnets132are south-facing, the attraction magnets may be north-facing. Additionally, the motor may have one, or at least one, attraction assist magnet for each stator magnet132. For example, if there are 9 stator magnets132, there may be 9 attraction magnets arranged on the stator. (SeeFIG.4A).

STATOR CHAMBER OFFSET: Stator chamber offset is done to increase the overall torque output and to smooth out the torque curve. The MIDs190do not pull the rotor magnet122into the field but create a void and that void becomes a non-torque area. Therefore, by offsetting the chambers the void areas overlap with a continuous torque field. If desired, all the rings can be set so that all the magnets are in alignment with no offset. This configuration will supply the greatest amount of start-up torque (SeeFIG.1C).

DETERMINING OFFSET FOR EACH CHAMBER: To determine the number of degrees of offset for each chamber, the following process can be used:1. 360 degrees divided by number of magnets per chamber equals the number of degrees for each magnet's placement.2. That number is divided by the number of chambers in each motor set. This will provide the number of degrees each chamber needs to be offset from one another.

In an example, using 5 magnets per chamber and a 4 chamber motor set will yield:
360 degrees/5 magnets=72 degrees magnet placement offset
72 degrees/4 chambers=18 degrees=the offset between each chamber.

TORQUE CHANGE WITHIN A REVOLUTION: In addition to equal spacing of the magnets, it is possible to change torque per revolution. For example, the magnets may be spaced unequally which, in turn, will change the torque in a given revolution. Such a change in the torque during a revolution may have a particular advantage for certain applications/uses or for a particular load to which the motor is connected. For example, one configuration could have one spacing of 70 degrees and the next spacing of 74 degrees, and so on. A potential use of this application could be matched to a compressor or pump that needs more torque during a particular portion of each revolution and lower torque during another part of the revolution.

NUMBER OF MAGNETS PER CHAMBER: There can be any number of magnets of various size, strength, and shape in each chamber. Examples include a five magnet chamber and rotor, but any number of magnets (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 . . . ) can be used. The number of magnets used can affect speed, torque, motor diameter, circumference, overall length of the motor housing, or other similar parameters. For example, motor diameter and motor circumference may be altered by varying the configurations and number of magnets per chamber. In an example, using prime numbers for the number of magnets and/or the number of chambers may provide a significant advantage during motor configuration/design for some applications, uses, or the like.

MODULAR DESIGN: by the utilization of stator rings and then by those rings becoming stator chambers, then by using the torque and the offset plate, additional stator-rotor chambers can be added to the stack. This will either increase or decrease horsepower. This allows us to use the same platform thus cutting manufacturing costs. The motor profile just becomes longer or shorter depending on the end-users need or horsepower requirement.

MODULAR SECTIONING OF STATOR MAGNETIC FIELDS:FIGS.9A-9Cillustrate example configurations of stator modules. In an example, when all stator modules are in the same configuration of, for example, north, and the rotor configuration is also, for example, north, as illustrated inFIG.9B, the magnetic field between the chamber stators and the rotor operate as one linear magnetic field. Such a configuration would be considered chamber stator #1N, chamber stator #2N, chamber stator #3N, chamber stator #4N, chamber stator #nN. In such a configuration, the motor can experience the greatest amount of torque while reducing the number of RPMs.

In an example, other stator module configurations may be utilized. This can cause the dynamics of the motor to change. In a non-limiting example involving a four-chamber configuration, the chamber #1 stator and the rotor #1 hub magnets may be changed to a north facing polarity. Similarly, chamber #2 stator and rotor #2 hub magnets may be changed to a south facing polarity. Further, chamber #3 stator and rotor #3 hub magnets may be changed to a north facing polarity. And finally, chamber #4 stator and rotor #4 hub magnets may be changed to a south facing polarity. Such a “north-south-north-south” configuration can cause the motor to produce less torque but increase the number RPMs.

Depending on the application (e.g., the kind of device/load to which the motor is attached, running, operating, or the like), by configuring the magnetic pole chamber-rotor hub combination, the motor can produce high torque and lower RPMs, or low torque and higher RPMs, as desired or as necessary for a particular application. In a four-chamber configuration, such combinations may include “north-north-south-south,” “north-north-north-south,” “south-south-south-south,” or any combinations or permutations of “north” and “south.” Different numbers of stator chamber and rotor hubs may be used in conjunction with each other as desired. Each chamber can be a independent motor thus adding chambers or subtracting chambers will change over all HP and speed.

MOTOR DIRECTION: The electric motor100is a multidirectional system. The motor has the ability to reverse itself if the timing is advanced. The motor's rotation should primarily be in the direction of the MID190. In an example, the motor may be configured such that the rotor rotates to cause each rotor magnet122to approach a MID190-end of each stator magnet132before approaching a non-MID190-end of each stator magnet132. The rotor magnets122may thus approach the back-lash area of each stator magnet132before approaching the acceleration zone of each stator magnet132thus, the configuration shown inFIG.4Bmay rotate clockwise. The computer control system can advance the timing through an algorithm this could be done by setting a touchpad to advance the timing for reverse. In addition, the motor direction, speed, torque, and power can be modified “on the fly” and/or within the algorithm for general purpose uses and for specific uses such as rotating a linear or rotary actuator positioning system-back and forth a specific and or variable distance.

The specific techniques for electric motors, including techniques described with respect to electric motors100,200,300, are merely illustrative of the general inventive concepts included in this disclosure as defined by the following claims.