Title of Invention

ELECTRICAL MACHINE

Abstract The invention relates to an electrical machine by comprising a magnet (2), an electrical conductor (8) arranged to form a loop, a plurality of flux conductors (4,6) which direct magnetic flux from said magnet through said loop of electrical conductor (8), wherein a first set of said flux conductors (4) directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a first direction and a second set of said flux conductors (6) directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a second direction, and a switch (44) for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and second sets of flux conductors.
Full Text Electrical Machine
Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrical machine that can function as
either a motor or a generator. The machine uses high frequency commutation of
magnetic flux to achieve high efficiency and high power density.
Background of the Invention
Motors and alternators are designed for high efficiency, high power density, and
low cost. High power density optionally is achieved by operating an alternator at high
rotational speed and therefore high electrical frequency. However, high electrical
frequency results in high core losses and lower efficiency. It would be desirable to
provide a motor and alternator which had very low core losses thus making it practical to
run it at high electrical frequency.
If a high rotational speed cannot be provided then the prior art motor or alternator
must have a large number of poles to provide a high electrical frequency at low rotational
speed. There is a practical limit to the number of poles a prior art motor or alternator can
have due to space limitations, so once that limit is reached in order to reach a certain
power level the motor or alternator must be relatively large and have the low power
density inherent in low rotational speeds. It would be desirable to provide a motor or
alternator that could have many times the number of poles currently possible providing
high power density and good efficiency even at low rotational speed.
Another issue with prior art motors and alternators is that they require either a
permanent magnet or an electromagnet to provide a magnetic field. Each type of magnet
has some advantages and some disadvantages so that it is necessary to make a trade-off

decision between the two types of magnets. Permanent magnets provide simplicity and
they have the advantage that they do not require electrical input and thus allow a
brushless motor or alternator. Permanent magnets also make it possible to design a motor
or alternator of relatively high power density. However, they do not allow for operation
over a wide speed range and they cannot be de-energized if desired. Electromagnets can
be de-energized however they take up more space and require slip rings to draw power,
power which is a parasitic loss for the system. Therefore, to avoid the need for a clutch,
many machines must settle for a motor or alternator with lower power density, lower
efficiency, and higher complexity. It would be desirable to provide a motor and
alternator that could combine the advantages of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
The design trade-offs of existing motors and alternators have hindered
commercial success of some motors and alternators. For instance, hub motors to drive
the wheels of vehicles have not been commercialized because the low speed output
requires a large motor that is not compatible with weight and size requirements of a
vehicle suspension and drive system. A successful hub motor would require a power
density that is many times higher than provided by prior art motors and it would have to
maintain good efficiency and have variable field strength. Such a motor would go a long
way toward making electric vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles commercially
acceptable.
Summary of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor/alternator that provides a
power density that is many times higher than prior art devices. This is achieved primarily
by greatly reducing the core losses, allowing the motor/alternator to run at a much higher

electrical frequency. Since it operates at high electrical frequency, at a given rotational
speed , if the device is operated as an alternator, the output voltage is higher than for a
prior art alternator. This reduces the current flowing through the windings and
substantially lowers resistive losses in the device.
Conventional motors and alternators use varying electrical current within the
windings to create a varying magnetic field in either the stator the rotor or both.
Embodiments of the present invention instead vary a constant magnetic field by altering
the flux path of said magnetic field. Hysteresis and eddy currents are the main sources of
core loss. Hysteresis is caused by the reversal of magnetic polarity in a material and eddy
currents are caused by change of magnetic field strength in a material whether or not the
field reverses. Embodiments of the present invention achieve low core losses by
preventing hysteresis in the bulk of the core and for this part of the core using a material
resistant to eddy currents, such as powdered iron. Embodiments of the present invention
further reduce core losses by using a material subject to low hysteresis losses in the small
fraction of the core that does experience a reversal of magnetic field.
The motor/alternator according to embodiments of the present invention uses a
single magnet with a north pole and a south pole. The magnet optionally is a permanent
magnet or an electromagnet or a combination of the two. A plurality of flux conductors
direct the magnetic field of the single magnet. Half of the flux conductors are in contact
with the north pole of the magnet so that they have positive polarity and half of the flux
conductors are in contact with the south pole of the magnet so that they have negative
polarity. The north and south flux conductors are separated from each other by an air gap
that is sufficient to minimize flux leakage between the conductors. A plurality of switch

devices are attached to a rotor. The switch devices make contact between the flux
conductors to alternately open and close a magnetic circuit for conducting magnetic flux
between the north and south poles of the device's magnet. These flux switches are the
only part of the device undergoing hysteresis. The flux conductors are arranged so that
they alternately conduct the magnetic flux in opposite directions around a power coil.
Half of the flux conductors create a clockwise magnetic field around the power coil and
the other half create a counter-clockwise magnetic field around the coil. As the switch
devices open and close the alternating magnetic circuits, the polarity of the magnetic field
surrounding the power coil is reversed. When used as an alternator, the reversal of the
polarity of the magnetic field induces an alternating EMF voltage in the power coil. If an
AC voltage is applied to the power coil, then the device will act as a motor by causing the
switch devices on the rotor to move between flux conductors.
The flux conductors can be very small so many pairs can fit within a small space
before they become too close and magnetic leakage occurs. Since each pair of flux
conductors consists of one pole in the motor/alternator, many times more poles are
possible with embodiments of the present invention than with prior art motors and
alternators. The high number of poles allows embodiments of the present invention to
achieve the high electrical frequency required for a high power density while running at
modest rotational speed.
A device according to embodiments of the invention has the advantage that it uses
only a single magnet. This allows for very simple and economical construction compared
to many prior art motors and alternators. Embodiments of the present invention result in
a motor or alternator with a large number of poles that does not require a large number of

magnets. Furthermore since the magnet is on the stator there is no need for slip rings to
bring electric current to the electromagnet, greatly simplifying its implementation. Since
the magnet optionally is either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, there is great
flexibility in selecting the magnet that works best for the desired use. One possibility is
that the magnet is a hybrid permanent magnet, electromagnet combination. In this
arrangement a permanent magnet provides a fixed strength magnetic field and an
additional electromagnet is used to augment the field to strengthen it or potentially to
reduce it. By adjusting the strength of the field from the electromagnet, the total field
strength of the motor or alternator is optionally adjusted as necessary.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a three phase device.
In its three phase embodiment still only one magnet or hybrid magnet is needed which
magnetizes flux conductors which surround three separate coils arrayed one above
another. Flux switches are arrayed such that a magnetic circuit is completed around one
coil at a time. The flux switches are spaced such that three phase output is created when
used as an alternator, and such that three phase power drives the device when used as a
motor.
Embodiments of the present invention have many possibilities in layout and
geometry. The rotor optionally is on the inside or the outside of the stator, or even on
the face. The flux switches and flux conductors optionally take a variety of shapes
depending e.g. on the intended use. The magnet optionally is permanent, electric, or
both. There are still more variations possible not described here but well within the scope
of the invention.

The motor/alternator according to embodiments of the present invention operates
at very high electrical frequency for a given rotational speed compared to prior art
devices. This results in very high power density. In one embodiment, the operating
electrical frequency is ten times higher than prior art devices for a given rotational speed.
This results in a power density that is ten times higher. The high frequency operation
also results in decreased need for capacitors to smooth the power output when the device
is used as an alternator. The high frequency operation further allows the device to
operate at much higher voltage compared to prior art devices, thereby improving the
battery charging capability of the device or simplifying its interface with an inverter. The
higher voltage also results in smaller wires in the device, lower current, and lower power
losses.
Additional features and advantages according to the invention in its various
embodiments will be apparent from the remainder of this disclosure.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
Features and advantages according to embodiments of the invention will be
apparent from the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG 1 shows an exploded view of a stator assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 2 shows an exploded view of a magnet assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 3 shows flux conductors connected to the north pole of a magnet according to
an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 4 shows a single north flux conducting laminate according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 5 shows flux conductors connected to the south pole of a magnet according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 6 shows a single south flux conducting laminate according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 7 shows three flux conductors connected to the north pole of a magnet
laminate and three flux conductors connected to the south pole of a magnet laminate
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 8 shows an exploded view of a rotor assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 9 shows a partial cross section of a motor alternator according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 10 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a first orientation of a rotor
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 11 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a second orientation of a
rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 12 shows an assembled and potted stator and an assembled and potted rotor
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 13 shows a partial cross section of a motor alternator according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 14 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a first orientation of a rotor
according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 15 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a second orientation of a
rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 16 shows an exploded view of a stator assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 17 shows flux conductors connected to the north pole of a magnet according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 18 shows a single north flux conducting laminate according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 19 shows flux conductors connected to the south pole of a magnet according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 20 shows a single south flux conducting laminate according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 21 shows an exploded view of a rotor assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 22 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a first orientation of a rotor
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 23 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a second orientation of a
rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 24 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a third orientation of a
rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 25 shows magnetic flux in flux conductors during a fourth orientation of a
rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 26 shows an exploded view of a stator assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG 27 shows a rotor assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG 28 shows a cut away view of flux conductors and a flux switch according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 29 shows a partial cross section of a motor/alternator according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Accompanying Drawings
The present invention is shown and described in a number of different
embodiments, and primarily in four specifically described embodiments. The first of the
specifically described embodiments is a single phase device. The second is also a single
phase device with different flux path geometry. The third describes a three phase version
of the device. The fourth is a single phase version of the device with its rotor on the
inside of the stator. There are other embodiments of this device beyond those most
specifically described (such as a three phase device with the rotor on the inside) which
although not explicitly described herein are implicit from or will be fully understood
from these four embodiments.
As shown in Figure 1, embodiments of the present invention include a stator 1
that has a ring magnet 2, a set of north pole flux conductors 4, a set of south pole flux
conductors 6, and a power coil 8. The north and south pole flux conductors 4 and 6 are in
direct contact with the magnet 2. The flux conductors 4, 6 are made of a material that
easily conducts a magnetic field. Ferrous materials work well, and one specific material

is powdered metal although other materials optionally are used. The flux conductors 4
and 6 direct the magnetic field of the magnet 2 toward the power coil 8. The power coil 8
is an electrical coil in which electrical voltage is generated when the device is used as an
alternator. When used as a motor, the power coil 8 provides voltage and current to power
the device. The power coil 8 includes electrical leads 10 that collect the output power
when the device is used as an alternator or provide power when it is used as a motor.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the ring magnet of Figure 1 in greater detail. One
embodiment of the present invention is a hybrid magnet including a permanent magnet
12 and an electromagnet 14 concentrically arranged, although embodiments of the
invention optionally include only permanent magnet 12 singly or an electromagnet 14
singly. In the configuration of the magnet 2 with only a permanent magnet 12, the
electromagnet 14 is absent as are electrical leads 16 connected to the electromagnet 14.
In a configuration of the magnet 2 with only an electromagnet 14, the permanent magnet
12 is replaced by a cylinder of ferromagnetic material having the same shape as the
permanent magnet to conduct the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet 14. The
magnetic field is then increased or decreased by adjusting the voltage applied to the
electrical leads 16 of the electromagnet 14. In one configuration of the magnet 2 in
which both a permanent magnet 12 and an electromagnet 14 are used as a hybrid magnet,
the electromagnet 14 optionally adds to or subtracts from the magnetic field of the
permanent magnet 12. This allows the field strength to be adjusted by the electromagnet
14 when desired for start up, clutching, or braking, while also allowing the
motor/alternator to run for the majority of the time without an outside current source
using only the field generated by the permanent magnet 12.

The flux conductors 4 that connect to the north pole of the magnet 2 are
optionally formed as a single piece as shown in Figure 3. The flux conductors include a
mounting ring 18 that provides a structural support for the flux conductor. Mounting ring
18 contacts the north side of the magnet 2 (not shown) and retains the magnet 2 in its
place. Attached to the mounting ring 18 are a plurality of flux conductor laminates 20.
The laminates 20 conduct the magnetic field from the magnet 2 to the appropriate
locations. Each laminate 20 extends radially outward from the mounting ring 18 and
splits into two conducting portions.
Figure 4 shows a single north flux conductor laminate 20. An upper conducting
portion 22 extends directly radially outward from the mounting ring 18. A lower
conducting portion 24 extends downwardly from the upper conducting portion 22. In
between the upper and lower conducting portions 22, 24, there is a notch 26 defined
within each laminate 20 to hold the power coil 8 (not shown). In addition to extending
downwardly, each of the lower conducting portions 24 is bent so that the lower
conducting portions 24 are not vertically aligned with the upper conducting portions 22.
Each of the lower conducting portions 24 is circumferentially spaced to be halfway
between two adjacent upper conducting portions 22. In one embodiment, the flux
conductor 4 of Figure 3 includes sixty laminates 20 so that the rotational separation
between two laminates 20 is six degrees. Since the lower conducting portion 24 is offset
circumferentially from the upper conducting portion 22, the total offset between the two
conducting portions 22 and 24 is three degrees. The flux conductor 4 is optionally cast as
a single piece out of powdered metal. However, the flux conductor 4 optionally is

fabricated so that the mounting ring 18 is a single piece and each laminate 20 is a
separate piece that is securely attached to the mounting ring 18.
Another set of flux conductors 6 is shown in Figure 5. The flux conductors 6 are
magnetically connected to the south pole of the magnet 2 (not shown). Flux conductors 6
are of similar construction to flux conductors 4 of Figure 3. Flux conductors 6 include a
mounting ring 28 that connects to the south pole of the magnet 2. Laminates 30 project
radially outwardly from the mounting ring 28.
Figure 6 shows that a laminate 30 of flux conductor 6 is separated into an upper
conducting portion 32 and a lower conducting portion 34 which extends radially from the
mounting ring 28. There is a notch 36 defined between the upper conducting portion 32
and lower conducting portion 34 to hold the power coil 8 (not shown). The upper
conducting portions 32 are offset circumferentially relative to the lower conducting
portions 34 so that the two sets of conducting portions 32 and 34 are staggered.
Flux conductors 4 and 6 of Figure 1 are oriented relative to each other so that the
laminates 20 of the north pole flux conductors 4 are interspersed with the laminates 30 of
the south pole flux conductors 6 as shown in Figure 7. The laminates 20, 30 are spaced
appropriately so that there will be little or no flux leakage through the air gap between
adjacent laminates. A space of approximately 50 thousandths of an inch should be
sufficient to minimize flux leakage. The upper and lower conducting portions 22 and 24
of the north pole laminates 20 and the upper and lower conducting portions 32 and 34 of
the south pole laminates 30 are staggered so that the upper conducting portion 22 of each
north pole laminate 20 is vertically aligned with the lower conducting portion 34 of a
south pole laminate 30. Similarly, the lower conducting portion 24 of each north pole

laminate 20 is vertically aligned with the upper conducting portion 32 of a south pole
laminate 30. Figure 7 shows an edge-on view of three of the north pole laminates 20 and
three of the south pole laminates 30.
The power coil 8 has electrical leads 10 which transmit the power generated or
required by the motor/alternator, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Once the north flux conductors 4 and the south flux conductors 6 are assembled around
the magnet 2 (referring to Figure 1), for example, the power coil is wound into the
notches 26, 36. The power coil 8 is optionally wound from a copper foil that fits in the
notch with a layer of insulation (not shown) between windings, or is made from
windings of insulated rectangular wire. Alternately the power coil optionally is wound
with normal round insulated wire but has a lower packing factor than with foil or
rectangular wire. There optionally is a 'U' shaped track of insulating material (not
shown), for example, laid down in the notch 26, 36 in which the power coil 8 is wound to
generally prevent or reduce the likelihood of the power coil 8 shorting out on the flux
conducting laminates 20, 30.
Up to this point, the stator 1 of the motor/alternator has been described. In order
to function as a motor or an alternator the device includes a rotor that provides input
rotation and torque when used as an alternator and transmits rotation and torque when
used as a motor. Figure 8 shows the rotor 37 of the motor/alternator. The rotor 37
includes a rotor cup 38 mounted on a shaft 40 that rotates in bearings 42. The shaft 40 is
driven by the device when it acts as a motor or it drives the device when it acts as an
alternator, according to embodiments of the invention. Attached to the inside of the rotor

cup 38 there are a plurality of flux switches 44, One embodiment includes sixty flux
switches 44 attached to the inside of the rotor cup 38 at six degree intervals.
Figure 9 shows a sectional side view of the motor/alternator according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Mounted to the rotor cup 38, there is a flux switch
44 that rotates along with the rotor 37. The stator 1 includes a magnet 2 which provides a
magnetic field with the north pole facing upward and the south pole facing downward.
Flux conducting laminates 4 and 6 are in contact with the magnet 2. The flux conductors
4 and 6 conduct the magnetic field from the magnet 2 very effectively so that essentially
all of the magnetic flux from the magnet 2 is directed through the flux conductors 4 and
6. The flux conductors 4 and 6 include notches 26 (not shown) and 36 in which the
power coil 8 is mounted. The flux switch 44 contacts the flux conductors 4 and 6 to
complete a magnetic circuit and conduct the magnetic flux from magnet 2. The magnetic
circuit defined by flux conductors 4 and 6 and flux switch 44 encircles the power coil 8
so that a change in the magnetic field passing within the circumference of the power coil
8 induces an EMF voltage in the power coil and the device acts as an alternator.
The method in which the magnetic field in flux conductors 4 and 6 and the flux
switch 44 is varied to induce a voltage in the power coil 8 can better be understood with
reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 shows a portion of the stator 1 together with
the flux switch 44 when the rotor 37 is in a first position. In Figure 10, the flux switch 44
contacts the upper conducting portion 22 of a north pole flux conductor laminate 20 and
the lower conducting portion 34 of a south pole flux conductor laminate 30. The
magnetic flux from the magnet 2 is directed radially outward through the north pole flux
conductor laminate 20 through upper conducting portion 22, then downward through the

flux switch 44, and finally radially inward through lower conducting portion 34 along
the south pole flux conductor laminate 30 where the flux re-enters the south pole of the
magnet 2. As the rotor 37 spins, the flux switch 44 passes by the flux conducting
portions 22 and 34 and temporarily contacts the laminates 20 and 30 to form this circuit.
Figure 11 shows a portion of the stator 1 together with the flux switch 44 in a
configuration that occurs a moment after the configuration shown in Figure 10 (three
degrees of rotation later in one embodiment). As the rotor 37 turns, the flux switch 44
advances from one pair of flux conducting portions 22 and 34 to the next pair 24 and 32.
In the configuration shown in Figure 11, the magnetic flux from magnet 2 is directed
radially outward through the north pole flux conducting laminate 20. However, when the
flux is part way out the laminate 20 it is directed downward through the lower conducting
portion 24 of the laminate 20. The magnetic flux then enters the bottom of the flux
switch 44 and is directed upward through the flux switch 44. At the top of the flux
switch 44, the magnetic flux enters the upper conducting portion 32 of the south pole flux
conducting laminate 30. The magnetic flux is then directed downward through the flux
conducting laminate 30 and then it re-enters the south pole of the magnet 2. In the
configuration shown in Figure 11, the flux follows a path that defines a "figure 8".
The main difference between the configurations shown in Figure 10 and in Figure
11 is the magnetic flux passing within the circumference of the power coil 8. In Figure
10 the flux follows a path that moves in a clockwise direction around the power coil 8
passing in the upward direction within the circumference of power coil 8 once. In
contrast the configuration shown in Figure 11 causes the magnetic flux to follow a
"figure 8" path around the power coil 8. The flux path travels upward through power

coil 8 once near the center then travels downward through the interior then upward
outside of the power coil's 8 circumference then downward again through the interior.
The sum of magnetic flux in the position shown in Figure 11 is one pass of the flux in the
upward direction minus two passes in the downward direction which is equivalent to one
pass downward. In one embodiment, every three degrees of rotation the flux switch 44
moves between pairs of laminates 20, 30 and the net magnetic flux passing within the
circumference of the power coil 8 reverses and induces an AC voltage in the power coil
8. The AC power generated in the power coil then optionally is reformed into DC power
using standard techniques familiar to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.
If the device is operated as a motor, then an AC current is applied to the power
coil 8 and a magnetic field encircling the power coil 8 passes through the flux switch 44.
Referencing Figure 11, when the current is flowing out of the page through power coil 8,
the induced magnetic field encircling power coil 8 is in the counter clockwise direction
and thus the magnetic field in the flux switch 44 is in the upward direction reinforcing the
magnetic flux present at that position. When the direction of current in the power coil 8
reverses, the induced magnetic flux reverses now weakening the flux intensity at the
position shown in Figure 11 but strengthening the flux intensity at the next position as
shown in Figure 10. The flux switches are physically attracted to complete flux circuits,
and the stronger the flux the stronger the attraction. Once the motor is spinning at a
speed synchronous with the electronic frequency, the flux switches 44 are attracted
strongly to a pair of flux conducting portions 24 and 32 or 22 and 34 as it approaches.
Then, as it departs, that attraction weakens and attraction to the next pair 24 and 32 or 22
and 34 strengthens. In this embodiment from a stationary state the direction of motor

rotation is not determined since rotating clockwise and counter clockwise are equally
likely. Once the motor is turning in a certain direction it will continue to go in that
direction at exactly the frequency of the AC current in power coil 8. If the resistance
torque on the motor reaches a critical threshold the motor will simply stall. In these ways
embodiments of the present invention behave much like a synchronous motor.
Embodiments of the present invention are unlike a synchronous motor in that there are no
repulsive forces since the flux switches 44 are not magnets. There is simply less and
more attraction from one station to the next rather than a repulsion from one station and
an attraction to the next.
Embodiments of the present invention benefit from being potted (filled with
epoxy) to maintain the dimensional stability between flux conductors 20,30 and flux
switches 44. All of the components are solid state and durable, according to
embodiments of the invention, and therefore will not need maintenance. Furthermore,
the only motion is between the stator 1 and the rotor 37, so that in final assembly there
need be only two components, a fully potted stator 1 and a fully potted rotor 37. Figure
12 shows a potted stator 1 assembly and a potted rotor 37 assembly.
The frequency of the voltage in the power coil 8 is the same as the frequency at
which the magnetic field reverses. In the devices illustrated, there are sixty flux
conducting laminates 20 connected to the north magnetic pole and sixty flux conducting
laminates 30 connected to the south magnetic pole. Therefore, for every revolution of the
rotor, the magnetic field reverses sixty times. This is equivalent to a sixty pole alternator,
although the device is achieved with a single magnet and optionally is contained in a
much smaller physical space than a prior art alternator with sixty poles. The device

optionally is designed with a larger number of flux conducting laminates 20, 30 so that
the number of poles is increased. One design consideration is that the laminates
generally should be sufficiently spaced from one another to minimize flux leakage
between the laminates. According to one embodiment, the laminates are spaced from
each other by at least 0.050 inches to minimize flux leakage. Embodiments of the
invention use sixty flux switches 44 arranged every six degrees around the rotor cup 38
so that they all contact a similar pair of north and south pole laminates 20, 30
simultaneously.
The device shown and described has an output frequency equal to sixty times the
rotational speed of the rotor. For a rotor speed of 100 RPM, the output frequency would
be 6000 cycles per minute or 100 Hz. This is in comparison to a typical 6 pole alternator
according to the prior art which would have an output frequency of 10 Hz for the same
rotor speed. Due to the high electrical frequency at a given rotational speed, the device
operates at a significantly higher voltage compared to prior art motors and alternators
operating at the same rotational speed. The voltage is proportional to the rate of change
of magnetic flux. Therefore, for a given magnetic field strength, the rate of change
increases with frequency and voltage increases proportionally. This provides several
advantages over typical prior art motors and alternators. First, the current flowing
through the output coil is reduced by a factor of 10 due to the ten fold increase in voltage
so that resistive losses in the coil are reduced by a factor of 100, since resistive losses are
equal to current squared multiplied by resistance. Alternately, the device could have
fewer turns of wire in the output coil compared to a typical prior art device and produce
the same output voltage and current. By reducing the length (number of turns) of the

wire by a factor often the cost of the coil is also reduced by a factor often as well as
resistive losses being reduced by a factor often. The toroidal shape of the output coil
optionally further reduces the impedance losses in the windings, thereby providing
additional efficiency gains.
The increase in frequency and voltage allows a very high power density for the
device. The power density of the device according to embodiments of the present
invention is approximately 10 times higher than that of a typical prior art six pole motor
or alternator. In other words, for a given power rating the device optionally is packaged
in a space only 1/10th that required for a typical prior art motor or alternator. This makes
the device significantly more attractive for uses where space or weight are important.
A prior art alternator possibly could be spun at a higher rotational speed to gain
advantages related to those described in the above two paragraphs. However in prior art
alternators core losses would make such a mode of operation inefficient. Significant
reduction in core losses according to embodiments of the invention make higher electric
frequency possible. Core losses are caused by hysteresis when the magnetic field
reverses in a material, and electrical eddy currents induced in an electrically conducting
material when the magnetic field varies within the material. Since the flux conductor 20,
30 material does not experience hysteresis, the only losses are due to eddy currents
caused by the increase then decrease (but never reversal) of magnetic flux. Thus a
material like powdered iron works well for the flux conductors since eddy currents are
very small in powdered iron as compared to other materials of equivalent permeability.
Since the magnetic flux is only reversed in the flux switch 44, the hysteresis
losses are only developed in a small portion of the magnetic path and so are greatly

reduced. Because the flux switches 44 are so small, they optionally are optimized to
minimize hysteresis and eddy current losses. The flux switches 44 optionally are made
out of laminated steel to minimize loss. Due to their very small size, it optionally is
economical to form the flux switches 44 out of met glass.
The above improvements in efficiency along with the higher frequency of the
motor/alternator according to embodiments of the present invention help create such a
vast improvement over prior art motor/alternators. Prior art motor/alternators are not
efficient at such high frequencies precisely because of the dramatic increase in core
losses due to hysteresis and eddy currents. The motor/alternator according to
embodiments of the present invention not only provides the geometry to fit many poles in
a small space, thus allowing for high electrical frequencies at modest rotational speed, but
also provides significant reduction in core losses to make a high frequency
motor/alternator practical.
Since the magnet 2 optionally is either a permanent magnet 12, an electromagnet
14, or a combination of the two, it is possible to vary the field strength as desired. This
allows the device to be used as an infinitely variable voltage controller. Increasing the
magnetic field at slow rotation and decreasing the magnetic field at fast rotation keeps the
voltage constant, thereby eliminating the need for a gearbox or other transmission to be
used with the device. This has implications for many uses of the device. For instance,
when used as a generator connected to a fly wheel, it optionally is operated as a direct
drive generator and puts out a constant voltage without the need for a gearbox. Another
use of the variable magnetic field is to do the opposite of the above and decrease the
magnetic field during start up to make rotation easier, then increase the magnetic field as

the turbine runs faster to act as a braking system; thus a constant speed, variable output
wind generator is possible. This saves significant cost and maintenance problems for
wind turbines.
Since one embodiment of the motor/alternator of the present invention is in effect
a sixty pole motor/alternator, cogging torque is reduced due to the even distribution of
poles around the path of rotation. Instead of 6 poles in a conventional motor alternator
creating six points in the path of rotation that must be mechanically overcome by external
torque (as an alternator), there are sixty poles, thus sixty points in the rotation, with
embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention smooth out
the torque around a complete rotation with only small increases every 3 degrees instead
of large increases in torque every 30 degrees as with a conventional six pole
motor/alternator.
The second specifically described embodiment of the invention further optimizes
operation as an alternator by minimizing the amount of material undergoing hysteresis.
Figure 13 shows a cross sectional view according to this embodiment, similar to the view
shown in Figure 9 for the first embodiment. Many of the elements of the second
embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, such as the magnet 2, the power coil
8, and the rotor cup 38. The second embodiment of the present invention makes use of a
much deeper notch 50 in both north flux conductor laminates 52 and south flux conductor
laminates 51 which contains the power coil 8 and a much smaller flux switch 54 now
rotates within the notch 50. The north flux conductor laminate 52 has an elongated upper
conducting portion 56 and elongated lower conducting portion 58. Although not shown in

Figure 13 the south flux conductor 51 similarly has a longer upper conducting portion 60
and lower conducting portion 62.
Figures 14 and 15 show cross sectional views of two north flux conductor
laminates 52, one south flux conductor laminate 51 and one flux switch 54. It can be
seen in these figures that the flux conductor laminates 51, 52 are flat and there is no
longer an offset between the upper conducting portion 56, 60 and lower conducting
portion 58, 62 of the laminates 51, 52 as there is in the first embodiment. It can also be
seen that the flux switch 54 is tilted at an angle such that it contacts one upper conducting
portion 56, 60 of one polarity and an adjacent lower conducting portion 62, 58 of
opposite polarity. In the second embodiment the flux conductors 51,52 and the flux
switch 54 are flat shapes which will greatly ease manufacturing. Figures 14 and 15 show
the sequence as the flux switch 54 rotates past the flux conducting laminates 51,52. In
Figure 14 the flux switch is connecting a northern upper conducting portion 56 to the
adjacent southern lower conducting portion 62. In Figure 15 a moment later the flux
switch is connecting a southern upper conducting portion 60 with an adjacent northern
lower conducting portion 58, thus the magnetic field reverses direction around the power
coil 8 between Figures 14 and 15.
One advantage of the second embodiment is the small flux switch 54. Since the
flux switch 54 is the only part of this embodiment undergoing hysteresis, the smaller the
flux switch the smaller the hysteresis losses will be. Furthermore with a small flux
switch of simple shape it optionally is economical to build the flux switches out of exotic
materials such as met glass, which experience extremely small hysteresis losses. The

flux switch 54 may decrease in size up until the point that magnetic flux leakage between
opposing flux conductors 51, 52 becomes a problem due to a very narrow notch 50.
The third specifically described embodiment of the present invention is a three-
phase motor/alternator. The three-phase embodiment described herein is optimized for
low hysteresis losses and uses a similar flux conductor and flux switch layout as the
single phase alternator described as the second specifically described embodiment of the
invention. Other layouts for a three phase version are possible (such as one similar to the
first embodiment specifically described herein, or one with an internal rotor) and are
considered to be included within the scope the present invention.
The three phase, third embodiment of the invention contains a stator 101 shown in
Figure 16 and a rotor 160 shown in Figure 21. Figure 16 shows the components of the
stator 101. The stator 101 has a ring magnet 102, a set of north pole flux conductors 104,
a set of south pole flux conductors 106, and three power coils 108, 110, 112. The north
and south pole flux conductors 104 and 106 are in direct contact with the magnet 102
Similar to the previous embodiments the flux conductors are optionally made of a
material that easily conducts a magnetic field and resists eddy currents, such as powdered
iron. The flux conductors 104 and 106 direct the magnetic field of the magnet 102
toward the power coils 108, 110, 112. The power coils 108, 110, 112 are electrical coils
in which electrical voltage is generated when the device is used as an alternator. When
used as a motor, the power coils 108, 110, 112 provide voltage and current to power the
device. Each power coil 108, 110, 112 includes electrical leads 114, 115, 116
respectively that collect the output power when the device is used as an alternator or
provide power when it is used as a motor. Each power coil's 108, 110, 112 power wave

form is 120 degrees out of phase with the other two. When combined, the outputs of the
three power coils 108, 110, 112 produce three phase power. The magnet 102 in the three
phase embodiment is similar in all respects to the magnet 2 (see Figure 2) in the single
phase embodiment, including a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or both in the form
of a hybrid magnet.
The flux conductors 104 that connect to the north pole of the magnet 102 (not
shown) are optionally formed as a single piece as shown in Figure 17. The flux
conductors include a mounting ring 118 that provides a structural support for the flux
conductor. Mounting ring 118 contacts the north side of the magnet 102 and retains the
magnet 102 in its place. Attached to the mounting ring 118 are a plurality of flux
conductor laminates 120. The laminates 120 conduct the magnetic field from the magnet
102 to the appropriate locations. Each laminate 120 extends radially outward from the
mounting ring 118 and splits into four conducting portions.
Figure 18 shows a single north flux conductor laminate 120. The laminate 120 is
a flat piece having four conducting portions which are described here in descending order
as shown in Figure 18. It should be noted that the words 'top', 'upper', 'lower', and
'bottom' are used here for clarity in reference to how they appear in the figure. Such use
of descriptive labels here and elsewhere in the description are intended to help clearly
distinguish similar elements and in no way limit the present invention. A top
conducting portion 124 extends directly radially outward from the mounting ring 118.
An upper conducting portion 126 extends downwardly from the top conducting portion
124. In between the top and upper conducting portions 124, 126, there is a notch 128
defined within each laminate 120 to hold the power coil 108 (not shown). A lower

conducting portion 130 extends downwardly from the upper conducting portion 126. In
between the upper and lower conducting portions 126, 130, there is a notch 132 defined
within each laminate 120 to hold the power coil 110 (not shown). A bottom conducting
portion 134 extends downwardly from the lower conducting portion 130. In between the
lower and bottom conducting portions 130, 134, there is a notch 136 defined within each
laminate 120 to hold the power coil 112 (not shown). In one embodiment, the flux
conductor 104 of Figure 17 includes sixty laminates 120 so that the separation between
two laminates 120 is six degrees. The flux conductor 104 is optionally cast as a single
piece out of powdered metal. However, the flux conductor 104 optionally is fabricated so
that the mounting ring 118 is a single piece and each laminate 120 is a separate piece that
is securely attached to the mounting ring 118.
Another set of flux conductors 106 is shown in Figure 19. The flux conductors
106 are magnetically connected to the south pole of the magnet 102. Flux conductors
106 are of similar construction to flux conductors 104 of Figure 17 simply inverted. Flux
conductors 106 include a mounting ring 138 that connects to the south pole of the magnet
102. Laminates 140 project radially outwardly from the mounting ring 138.
Figure 20 shows a single flux conducting laminate 140 of flux conductor 106.
The laminate 140 is a flat piece and is separated into four conducting portions described
in descending order as shown in Figure 20; a top conducting portion 144, an upper
conducting portion 146, a lower conducting portion 150, and a bottom conducting portion
154. The bottom conducting portion 154 extends directly radially outward from the
mounting ring 138. Notches 148, 152, and 156 are defined between the conducting

portions 144, 146, 150, 154 as shown and hold the power coils 108, 110, and 112 (not
shown) respectively.
Flux conductors 104 and 106 are oriented relative to each other so that the
laminates 120 of the north pole flux conductors 104 are interspersed with the laminates
140 of the south pole flux conductors 106. The laminates 120, 140 are spaced so that
there will be little or no flux leakage through the air gap between adjacent laminates.
Up to this point, only the stator 101 of the third specifically described
embodiment motor/alternator has been discussed. Figure 21 shows the rotor 160 of the
motor/alternator. The rotor 160 includes a rotor cup 162 mounted on a shaft 164 that
rotates in bearings 166. The shaft 164 is driven by the device described herein when it
acts as a motor or it drives the device described herein when it acts as an alternator,
according to embodiments of the invention. Attached to the inside of the rotor cup 162
there are a plurality of flux switches 168, 170, 172 arrayed into three circumferential
rows one below the next which in descending order as shown in the Figure 21 will be
called a high row of flux switches 168, a middle row of flux switches 170, and a low row
of flux switches 172. It should be noted that the words 'high', 'middle', and 'low' are
used here for clarity in reference to how they appear in the figure. Such use of
descriptive labels here and elsewhere in the description are intended to help clearly
distinguish similar elements and in no way limit the present invention. One
embodiment includes sixty flux switches 168, 170, 172 in each row attached to the inside
of the rotor cup 162 at six degree intervals. Each row is rotationally offset from the other
two by 2 degrees. The flux switches 168, 170, 172 are installed through slots (not
shown) in the rotor cup 162 after rotor 160 is placed over the assembled stator 101. The

high flux switches 168 rotate through the notches 128, 148 in the flux conducting
laminates 120, 140. The middle flux switches 170 rotate through the notches 132, 152,
and the low flux switches 172 rotate through notches 136, 156 in flux conducting
laminates 120, 140. The operation of the flux switches 168, 170, 172 in conducting flux
between north flux conducting laminates 120 and south flux conducting laminates 140
produces three phase power as will be more clearly shown in Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25
Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25 show a sequence as one set of three flux switches, a
high flux switch 168, a middle flux switch 170, and a low flux switch 172 rotate through
three degrees of arc, or one half cycle. The rotation in this series of figures is in the
clockwise direction as seen from above. Shown are the power coils 108, 110, and 112,
two north flux conducting laminates 120, having top 124, upper 126, lower 130, and
bottom 134, conducting portions, and two south flux conducting laminates 140, having
top 144, upper 146, lower 150, and bottom 154, conducting portions. In each figure only
the conducting portions mentioned in the figure's description are labeled. Arrows on the
flux switch 168, 170, or 172 and on the flux conductors 120, 140 indicate position and
direction of peak magnetic flux flow. An arrow on a power coil 108, 110, or 112
indicates direction of peak electric current flow. For the purpose of this explanation
current is defined as positive when flowing to the right as shown and negative when
flowing to the left as shown.
In Figure 22 high flux conductor 168 is magnetically connecting a top conducting
portion 144 of a south flux laminate 140 to an upper conducting potion 126 of a north
flux laminate 120 causing flux to rotate around power coil 108 in a counter clockwise
direction inducing electric current to flow in power coil 108 to the left or negative

direction. Depending on the details of construction of the flux conducting laminates 120,
140 and flux switches 168, 170, 172 there optionally also is some small amount of
current flow induced in the two power coils 108, 110, 112 not mentioned (in this figure
coils 110 and 112) and such would be the case if standard three phase power output were
desired. For the purpose of this explanation, only the peak current and flux are illustrated
and discussed.
Figure 23 is the same view as Figure 22 one degree of rotation later. The middle
flux switch 170 is magnetically connecting an upper conducting portion 126 of a north
flux laminate 120 to a lower conducting potion 150 of a south flux laminate 140 causing
flux to rotate around power coil 110 in a clockwise direction inducing electric current to
flow in power coil 110 to the right or positive direction.
Figure 24 is the same view as Figure 22 two degrees of rotation later. The low
flux conductor 172 is magnetically connecting a lower conducting portion 150 of a south
flux laminate 140 to a bottom conducting potion 134 of a north flux laminate 120 causing
flux to rotate around power coil 112 in a counter clockwise direction inducing electric
current to flow in power coil 112 to the left or negative direction
Figure 25 is the same view as Figure 22 three degrees of rotation later. The high
flux conductor 168 is magnetically connecting a top conducting portion 124 of a north
flux laminate 120 to an upper conducting potion 146 of a south flux laminate 140 causing
flux to rotate around power coil 108 in a clockwise direction inducing electric current to
flow in power coil 108 to the right or positive direction, which is the opposite of Figure
22. Thus the current flow has been reversed in power coil 108 completing the half cycle
over three degrees of rotation.

Three-phase embodiments of the invention have the advantage of directionality,
i.e. there is a forward and a backward. In single-phase embodiments the direction of
rotation is undetermined when used as a motor, but with three phase embodiments there
is a clear path of rotation (clockwise in the embodiment shown in figures 23-26). With
proper controls, the direction of rotation optionally is reversed by switching the relative
phase of power supplied to any two of the power coils 108, 110, 112. Furthermore it
should be noted that in the third specifically described embodiment of the present
invention the motor/alternator has sixty poles, and three phases, but still uses only one
magnet.
A benefit according to embodiments of the invention is the low inertia of the
rotor. Since only the flux switches turn, they optionally are made very lightweight for
uses in which rotor inertia is a critical issue. To further reduce the rotor's inertia, it is
possible to reverse the configuration of the device so that the magnet is on the outside of
the stator and the power coil is on the inside. This allows the flux switch to be located on
the inside of the rotor where it will have a lower moment of inertia and the rotor will be
lighter.
A single-phase internal rotor variation of the device is described as the fourth
specifically described embodiment of the invention. While a single-phase device is
described in the fourth embodiment it is to be understood that the interior rotor
configuration could be used equally well with a three-phase device. Figure 26 shows an
exploded view of the stator 201 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The
stator 201 has a ring magnet 202, a set of north pole flux conductors 204, a set of south
pole flux conductors 206, and a power coil 208 similar to the other embodiments. The

flux conductors 204 and 206 direct the magnetic field of the magnet 202 on the outside
toward the power coil 208 on the inside.
The flux conductors 204 and 206 are optionally formed as a single piece as in the
other three embodiments. The flux conductors 204, 206 include a mounting ring 218,
228 that provides a structural support for the flux conductor 204, 206 and hold the
magnet 202 in place. Attached to the mounting rings 218, 228 are a plurality of flux
conductor laminates 220, 230 respectively. The laminates 220, 230 conduct the magnetic
field from the magnet 202 to the appropriate locations.
Flux conductors 204 and 206 are oriented relative to each other so that the
laminates 220 of the north pole flux conductors 204 are interspersed with the laminates
230 of the south pole flux conductors 206. The laminates 220,230 are spaced
appropriately so that there will be little or no flux leakage through the air gap between
adjacent laminates.
Figure 27 shows the rotor 237 of the fourth embodiment motor/alternator of the
present invention. The rotor 237 includes a rotor shaft 240 that rotates in bearings 242.
The shaft 240 is driven by the device of the present invention in its various embodiments
when it acts as a motor or it drives the device of the present invention in its various
embodiments when it acts as an alternator. Mounted to the outside of the shaft 240 is a
plurality of flux switches 244. One embodiment includes sixty flux switches 244 attached
to the shaft 240 at six degree intervals. Each flux switch 244 has a double bend in its
midsection such that it connects an upper conducting potion 222, 232 with an adjacent
lower conducting portion 234, 224 of opposite polarity.

Figure 28 shows a cut away view of the fourth specifically described
embodiment of the present invention where a flux switch 244 and two north flux
conducting laminates 220 and two south flux conducting laminates 230 are shown. Each
laminate 220, 230 splits into two conducting portions. Thus a north laminate 220 has an
upper conducting portion 222 and a lower conducting portion 224 with a notch 226
defined between them and a south laminate 230 has an upper conducting portion 232 and
a lower conducting portion 234 with a notch 236 defined between them. The flux switch
244 is connecting the upper conducting portion 222 of a north flux conducting laminate
220 with a lower conducting portion 234 of a south flux conducting laminate.
Figure 29 shows a sectional side view of the fourth embodiment motor/alternator
of the present invention, similar to the views shown in Figure 9 for the first embodiment
and Figure 13 for the second embodiment. Mounted to the rotor shaft 240, there is a flux
switch 244 that rotates along with the shaft 240. The stator includes a magnet 202 which
provides a magnetic field with the north pole facing upward and the south pole facing
downward. Flux conductors 204 and 206 are in contact with the magnet 202. The flux
conductors 204 and 206 include notches 226 and 236 in which the power coil 208 is
mounted. The flux switch 244 contacts the flux conductors 204 and 206 to complete a
magnetic circuit and conduct the magnetic flux from magnet 202.
The fourth embodiment shows a different geometry (rotor 237 on the inside,
stator 201 on the outside, double bend in the flux switch 244) from the previous
embodiments of the present invention. This newly described geometry helps to decrease
the inertia of the rotor. There are other geometries that are possible and still well within
the scope of the present invention and these alternate geometries may provide some

advantage. For example a layout in which the stator and rotor both terminate in flat disks
which abut each other is possible and optionally is desirable for ease of construction, or
for generating power across a membrane. Thus the rotor is not on the inside or the
outside of the stator but on the face of the stator. Another potential form is as a linear
motor/alternator where flux conductors are arrayed in a straight line and flux switches are
attached to a reciprocating shaft. Such a linear alternator would be useful in use with a
Stirling motor, for example. It is intended that the above and other geometries and
variations in layout that produce the same or similar electromagnetic effect be included in
the scope of the present invention. The specifically described embodiments illustrate
some of the variations that the present invention may embody but are in no way intended
to limit the scope of the invention.
It should be noted that one difference between embodiments of the present
invention and prior art motors and alternators is basic orientation of magnetic fields and
motion. In prior art motors and alternators the axis of rotation, the orientation of the
magnetic field, and the line of relative motion between the stator and rotor, are all
perpendicular to each other. In embodiments of the present invention the orientation of
the magnetic field and the axis of rotation are parallel and each perpendicular to the line
of relative motion between the rotor and the stator. This difference optionally allows
embodiments of the present invention to be used where prior art motors and alternators
are impractical, such as generating or transmitting power across a membrane as
mentioned above.
The electrical machine of the present invention, in the specifically described
embodiments above, consists of several components. The components include a magnet

(element 2 in Figure 1 for example), an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop
(element 8 in Figure 1 for example), a plurality of flux conductors (elements 4 and 6 in
Figure 1 for example) which direct magnetic flux from the magnet through the electrical
conductor, wherein a first set of flux conductors (element 4 in Figure 1 for example)
directs magnetic flux through the electrical conductor in a first direction and a second set
of flux conductors (element 6 in Figure 1 for example) directs magnetic flux through the
electrical conductor in a second direction, and a switch (element 44 in Figure 8 for
example) for alternately connecting and disconnecting the first and second sets of flux
conductors. The switch may optionally be attached to a rotor of the electrical machine
and motive force may optionally be applied to the rotor to induce electrical current to
flow in the electrical conductor, or alternating electrical current may optionally be
applied to the electrical conductor to impart motion to the rotor. It should be noted that
the loop of electrical conductor and the magnet are optionally annular in shape although
they may take different shapes or forms. The magnet and the electrical conductor may
optionally be concentrically oriented, although other orientations may be possible. If the
magnet and electrical conductor are annular and they are concentrically oriented, the
magnet may optionally have a smaller diameter than the electrical conductor and may
optionally be arranged inside the periphery of the electrical conductor or the electrical
conductor may optionally have a smaller diameter than the magnet and may optionally be
arranged inside the periphery of the magnet. The flux conductors may optionally be
formed from powdered iron, although other materials may also work well. The switch
may optionally be formed from laminated steel or met glass, although other materials
may also work well for the switch. The electrical machine of the present invention may

optionally include three electrical conductors each arranged to form a loop, wherein the
flux conductors direct magnetic flux from the magnet through the loops of all three
electrical conductors. In this case, the electrical machine would include switches for
alternately connecting and disconnecting the flux conductors through all three electrical
conductors such that the electrical machine operates as a three phase machine. The
magnet that is used in the electrical machine of the present invention may optionally be
either a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a hybrid that includes a permanent
magnet and an electromagnet in juxtaposition such that the magnetic fields of the
permanent magnet and the electromagnet are additive.
While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in these
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended
that the invention not necessarily be limited to the particular embodiments described and
illustrated herein.

WE CLAIM
1. An electrical machine, characterized by comprising:
a magnet (2),
an electrical conductor (8) arranged to form a loop,
a plurality of flux conductors (4, 6) which direct magnetic flux from said
magnet through said loop of electrical conductor (8), wherein a first set of
said flux conductors (4) directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a
first direction and a second set of said flux conductors (6) directs said
magnetic flux through said loop in a second direction, and
a switch (44) for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and
second sets of flux conductors.
2. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch is
attached to a rotor of the electrical machine.
3. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein motive force is
applied to said rotor to induce electrical current to flow in said electrical
conductor.

4. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein alternating electrical
current is applied to said electrical conductor to impart motion to said
rotor.
5. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnet and said
electrical conductor are both annular in shape.
6. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said magnet and said
electrical conductor are concentrically oriented.
7. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said magnet has a
smaller diameter than said electrical conductor and is arranged inside the
periphery of said electrical conductor.
8. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein said electrical
conductor has a smaller diameter than said magnet and is arranged inside
the periphery of said magnet.
9. The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flux conductors
are formed from powdered iron.
10.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch is formed
from laminated steel.
11.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch is formed
from met glass.

12.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising two additional
electrical conductors each arranged to form a loop, wherein said plurality
of flux conductors direct the magnetic flux from said magnet through the
loops of all three electrical conductors and additionally comprising a
plurality of switches for alternately connecting and disconnecting the flux
conductors through all three electrical conductors such that said electrical
machine operates as a three phase machine.
13.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnet is a
permanent magnet.
14.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnet is an
electromagnet.
15.The electrical machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnet is a
hybrid comprising a permanent magnet and an electromagnet in
juxtaposition such that the magnetic fields of said permanent magnet and
said electromagnet are additive.
16.A method for generating electricity in an electrical machine as claimed in
1, the method comprising:
providing a magnet,
providing an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop,

adapting a plurality of flux conductors to direct magnetic flux from said
magnet through said loop of electrical conductor, wherein a first set of
said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a first
direction and a second set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic
flux through said loop in a second direction, and
switching said flux conductors alternately between an open and closed
state to induce an alternating electrical current in said electrical conductor.
17.The method as claimed in claim 16, comprising the steps of providing a
switch on a rotor and turning said rotor to move said switch between
alternate ones of said flux conductors to alternately switch said flux
conductors between the open and closed state.
18.The method as claimed in claim 17, comprising the step of rectifying the
alternating electrical current in said electrical conductor to direct current.
19. A method for providing motive force in an electrical machine as claimed in
claim 1, the method comprising:
providing a magnet,
providing an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop,

adapting a plurality of flux conductors to direct magnetic flux from said
magnet through said loop of electrical conductor, wherein a first set of
said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a first
direction and a second set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic
flux through, said loop in a second direction,
switching said flux conductors between an open and closed state adapting
a switch on a rotor, and
providing an alternating electrical current in said electrical conductor such
that said switch is moved between successive flux conductors as the
polarity of said alternating electrical current changes signs.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19 comprising the steps of:
providing second and third electrical conductors each being arranged in a
loop,
using a plurality of flux conductors to direct magnetic flux from said
magnet through said loops of said second and third electrical conductors,
wherein a first set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux
through said second and third loops in a first direction and a second set of
said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux through said second and
third loops in a second direction,

switching said flux conductors between an open and closed state using
switches on a rotor, and
providing three phase alternating electrical current in said electrical
conductors such that said switches are moved between successive flux
conductors to turn said rotor in a predetermined direction.
21. An electrical machine characterized by comprising:
a source of magnetic flux,
an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop,
a plurality of flux conductors which direct magnetic flux from said source
of magnetic flux through said loop of electrical conductor, wherein a first
set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux through said loop in
a first direction and a second set of said flux conductors directs said
magnetic flux through said loop in a second direction, and
a switch for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and second
sets of flux conductors.
22.An electrical machine characterized by comprising:
a magnet,

an loop of electrically conductive material,
a plurality of flux conductors which direct magnetic flux from said magnet
through said loop of electrically conductive material, wherein a first set of
said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a first
direction and a second set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic
flux through said loop in a second direction, and
a switch for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and second
sets of flux conductors.
23. An electrical machine characterized by comprising:
a magnet,
an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop,
means for directing magnetic flux from said magnet through said loop of
electrical conductor, including a first means for directing said magnetic
flux through said loop in a first direction and a second means for directing
said magnetic flux through said loop in a second direction, and
a switch for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and second
means for directing magnetic flux.

24. An electrical machine characterized by comprising :
a magnet,
an electrical conductor arranged to form a loop,
a plurality of flux conductors which direct magnetic flux from said magnet
through said loop of electrical conductor, wherein a first set of said flux
conductors directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a first direction
and a second set of said flux conductors directs said magnetic flux
through said loop in a second direction, and
a switch for alternately contacting said first and second sets of flux
conductors to complete first and second magnetic circuits.

The invention relates to an electrical machine by comprising a magnet (2), an
electrical conductor (8) arranged to form a loop, a plurality of flux conductors (4,
6) which direct magnetic flux from said magnet through said loop of electrical
conductor (8), wherein a first set of said flux conductors (4) directs said
magnetic flux through said loop in a first direction and a second set of said flux
conductors (6) directs said magnetic flux through said loop in a second direction,
and a switch (44) for alternately connecting and disconnecting said first and
second sets of flux conductors.

Documents:

849-kolnp-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-claims.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-correspondence.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-examination report.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 18.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 2.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 26.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 3.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-form 5.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

849-kolnp-2004-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 234000
Indian Patent Application Number 849/KOLNP/2004
PG Journal Number 18/2009
Publication Date 01-May-2009
Grant Date 29-Apr-2009
Date of Filing 18-Jun-2004
Name of Patentee CALLEY, DAVID
Applicant Address 10220 CIERVO TRAIL, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 96004
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CALLEY, DAVID 10220 CIERVO TRAIL, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 96004`
PCT International Classification Number H02K
PCT International Application Number PCT/US02/37668
PCT International Filing date 2002-11-23
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/333, 248 2001-11-23 U.S.A.
2 10/273, 238 2002-10-17 U.S.A.