US 12,424,901 B2
Planar stator configurations for axial flux machines
Steven Robert Shaw, Bozeman, MT (US); and George Harder Milheim, Bozeman, MT (US)
Assigned to E-Circuit Motors, Inc., Needham Heights, MA (US)
Filed by E-Circuit Motors, Inc., Needham Heights, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/113,857.
Application 18/113,857 is a division of application No. 17/671,084, filed on Feb. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,626,779.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/150,129, filed on Feb. 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0246525 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. H02K 7/104 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 7/104 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a rotor configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rotor including one or more magnets that generate first magnetic flux in an active region;
a first conductive sheet positioned within the active region so that generation of eddy currents within the first conductive sheet imposes a drag force on the rotor;
a stator structure including at least a first winding positioned within the active region;
at least first and second terminals connected to different portions of the first winding so that (A) application of current between the first and second terminals causes the first winding to generate a second magnetic flux in the active region or (B) flux linkage between the first winding and the one or more magnets while the rotor is rotating generates voltage between the first and second terminals;
at least a first switch configured and arranged to selectively couple one or more circuit components between the first and second terminals, thereby regulating a flow of current through the first winding; and
control circuitry configured to adjust a manner in which the first switch is operated to selectively couple the one or more circuit components between the first and second terminals and thereby selectively supplement or selectively counteract the drag force on the rotor.