Patent ID: 7573170

Claim:
An electrodynamic machine comprising: a plurality of motor modules for implementing linear and rotary electrodynamic machines to produce a force in a direction of motion, each motor module comprising: magnets having confronting magnetic surfaces, said magnets further comprising: a first portion of a first array of said magnets, and a second portion of a second array of said magnets, said magnets in each of said first portion and said second portion having directions of polarization in substantially opposite directions, with said confronting magnetic surfaces of said first portion facing said confronting magnetic surfaces of said second portion; and field pole members including one or more coils to form active field pole members for generating ampere-turn flux therein, each of said field pole members being substantially straight, said active field pole members further comprising: at least two outer active field pole members each having one flux interaction surface at each end, and an inner active field pole member having two flux interaction surfaces at each end, said flux interaction surfaces being configured to define air gaps in relation to said confronting magnetic surfaces, said air gaps being substantially coincident with at least one angle that is non-orthogonal to the predominant direction of said ampere-turn flux, wherein said motor module is configured to produce closed flux paths that omit back- iron.