Patent ID: 7782007

Claim:
An electrodynamic machine, comprising: a winding; and a switching arrangement associated with the winding, wherein the switching arrangement permits a flow of current through at least a first portion of the winding in a first condition and restricts a flow of current to only a second, smaller portion of the winding in a second, different condition wherein the switching arrangement comprises: a first segment, comprising a first portion having a first switch connected to one end of the winding, the first switch being selectively closed in the first condition and kept open in the second condition; and a second portion allowing current to flow in only one direction toward the winding; a second segment, in parallel with the first segment, comprising a first portion having a second switch connected to the winding, at a location between ends of the winding; and a second portion allowing current to flow in only one direction toward the winding; a third segment, in parallel with the first and second segments, comprising a first portion connected to an opposite end of the winding, allowing current to flow only away from the winding; and a second portion comprising a third switch connected to the opposite end of the winding.