RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:E-propelled oldest patent For anyone that may be interested and inclined to compare the two patent languages here is a short summary of the descriptions: (Note - the ePropelled also makes reference to a Canadian patent 2341095 which is from 2001-03-16 which is further to a Chinese patent of 2000-04-05(?)
"STATOR WINDING FOR A VARIABLE SPEED BRUSHLESS DIRECT CURRENT (DC) MOTOR"
Abstract and first 5 claims for ePropelled:
Abstract A permanent magnet brushless 3-phase motor comprises windings R, Y, B, each divided into a plurality of sections 1-5 and switch means S1-S12 for selectively connecting the section of the respective winding e.g. R in series and/or parallel with all other sections of that winding R. Control means are provided for actuating the switch means S1-S12 to connect the winding sections 1-5 in different configurations whilst the motor is running to alter the speed/torque characteristics of the motor.
1. A permanent magnet brushless motor comprising a winding divided into a plurality of sections and switch means for selectively connecting the sections of the winding in one of a plurality of different configurations, wherein each section is connected in series and/or parallel with all other sections of the winding.
2. A permanent magnet brushless motor as claimed in claim 1, in which the switch means is arranged to connect all of the winding sections in parallel.
3. A permanent magnet brushless motor as claimed in claim 1, in which the switch means is arranged to connect all of the winding sections in series.
4. A permanent magnet brushless motor as claimed in claim 1, in which the switch means is arranged to connect some of the winding sections in parallel, with at least one other section being connected in series with the parallel-connected sections.
5. A permanent magnet brushless motor as claimed in claim 1, in which the voltage applied to the winding is pulse-width modulated.
First 5 statements of the description for ePropelled:
[0001] This invention relates to the magnetic gearing of permanent magnet brushless motors.
[0002] Permanent magnet brushless motors are known which are capable of providing variable speed outputs. The motor characteristics are linear, generating high torque at low speeds and high speed at low torque levels.
[0003] In certain applications, the range of speed and torque characteristics of a particular motor may not be sufficient to cover the desired range, even though the output power of the motor may be sufficient. In such circumstances two options are available. Firstly, a more powerful motor could be used to cover the entire range or secondly, mechanical gears could be provided for the motor. Both of these methods add cost and weight to the system.
[0004] Canadian Patent Application No. 2341095 discloses an alternative to the above-mentioned methods which uses a technique in which the speed and torque can be varied inside the motor and the only additional item required is a switching circuit. A prerequisite of this technique is that the stator coils of the motor must be segmented into at least two or more sections, which are evenly or perhaps unevenly distributed throughout the stator slots. The switching circuit can then be used to change the number of coil segments which are connected to the supply. Such an arrangement utilises the control of the induced back electromotive force (back emf) to control the speed by selectively altering the number of conductors which are connected to the supply. This in effect also alters the torque with changing speed of the motor.
[0005] In the main embodiment of Canadian Patent Application No. 2341095, each of the motor windings comprises a plurality of series-connected sections provided by tappings in the winding, which can be selectively connected across the supply. With just one of the coil segments connected across the supply, the motor will produce a high speed but a low torque. However, with a higher proportion of coils connected in series across the supply, the motor will produce a lower speed at the same torque. In this manner, the speed but not the torque of the motor can be varied by selectively connecting the windings in series.
Abstract and first 5 claims for Exro:
Abstract This application generally relates to electric machines with coils or windings (e.g., generators and motors), and more particularly to systems, apparatus, and methods that configure coils or windings of electric machines, for instance dynamically in response to operational condition and under load.
1. A system, the system comprising: a switching assembly comprising a plurality of switches and a plurality of nodes, the nodes electrically coupleable to each of the coils a rotating electric machine, each of the switches having at least two operational states, the switches of the switching assembly operable to selectively electrically couple coils of the rotating electric machine in at least two different configurations; and a control system communicatively coupled to control operation of the switches of the switching assembly during operation of the rotating electric machine while under load.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the switches of the switching assembly are operable to selectively electrically couple the coils of the rotating electric machine in at least a series combination of coils and a parallel combination of coils.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the switches of the switching assembly are operable to selectively electrically couple the coils of the rotating electric machine in a first Wye configuration and a first Delta configuration, the first Wye configuration in which one set of three coils are coupled in a single Wye configuration and the first Delta configuration in which one set of three coils are coupled in a single Delta configuration.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the switches of the switching assembly are operable to selectively electrically couple the coils of the rotating electric machine in a second Wye configuration and a second Delta configuration, the second Wye configuration in which one set of three pairs of coils are coupled in a single Wye configuration, the coils of each respective pair of coils being coupled in series with the other coil of the respective pair and the second Delta configuration in which one set of three pairs of coils are coupled in a single Delta configuration, the coils of each respective pair of coils being coupled in series with the other coil of the respective pair.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the switches of the switching assembly are operable to selectively electrically couple the coils of the rotating electric machine in a second Wye configuration and a second Delta configuration, the second Wye configuration in which one set of three subsets of coils are coupled in a single Wye configuration, the coils of each respective subset of coils being coupled in series with the other coil of the respective pair and the second Delta configuration in which one set of three subsets of coils are coupled in a single Delta configuration, the coils of each respective subsets of coils being coupled in series with the other coil of the respective pair, the number of coils in each subset being equal or greater than two.
First 8 statements in the description for Exro:
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Electric machines such as electric motors and electric generators are typically limited to a single speed torque characteristic, which results from the electric machine having a static, hardwired, coil configuration. A hardwired machine winding is only able to provide certain functions that result from that specific winding condition. This limitation may not be a problem for single speed applications. However, for variable speed applications it may be highly desirable to have an alternate winding configuration that is not available with traditional electric machines.
[0003] Existing electric machine designs have attempted to create greater control, typically by using complicated and expensive power electronics that introduce additional losses in efficiency to the overall system. One such system is a Variable Frequency Drive, which improves efficiency but still introduces losses that rapidly increase at approximately 50% of full load. While numerous approaches to optimizing the operation of electric machine exist, most focus on pre- and post-machine electrical operations, accepting the limitations inherent in conventional electric machines.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] The present application generally relates to rotating electric machines, and more specifically to electric generators, electric motors, or regenerative motors that are highly efficient and have improved performance characteristic that result from a control system that changes the configuration of the stator and/or armature coils or windings in real time and under loaded conditions. The proposed technology is a unique new electromagnetic (EM) technology platform, operable as either an electric motor or electric generator, or both, for example, in applications such as regenerative braking. The electric machine operates at essentially the same efficiency and has the same performance capabilities as other electric machines at a rated design point, but has lower losses when operating away from the specific design point of the electric machine. One benefit of this technology is that it provides a more efficient electric machine with improved performance characteristics over a relative large range of operating conditions. This improvement in efficiency and performance may also have significant benefits with respect to other system elements. For example, this technology may reduce the need for or simplify mechanical systems such as gearboxes, as well as electrical components, such as boost converters.
[0005] The electromagnetic (EM) technology platform may include an optimized switching system and an intelligent controller, driven by application specific control algorithms. The electromagnetic (EM) technology platform utilizes a uniquely designed control architecture that adapts to existing electric motors and electric generators, allowing them to operate as a multitude of different machines in real time, and under load.
[0006] Traditional hardwired machines operate at highest efficiency at a single speed, which works fine for stable applications, but introduces significant losses in highly variable applications (e.g., renewable energy turbines, carbon fueled generators, electric vehicles, industrial motors). The EM technology platform described herein changes the underlying paradigm by altering the electromagnetics of the electric machine in response to changes in speed and, or torque.
[0007] The intelligent switching interface reconfigures coil windings in a multitude of series and parallel combinations, that effectively changes the optimal operating point of the electric machine. The specific geometry of the electric machine is therefore continually optimized to reduce core, copper, and mechanical losses, while providing more flexible and capable speed torque characteristics.
[0008] The dynamically configured electric machine will function as though it were multiple different electric machines, while selecting efficiency or a specific speed torque output characteristic. This is accomplished because the speed of the rotating electric machine is a function of applied voltage, and torque is a product of current. The ability to control these electrical properties provides a unique ability to optimize electric machine parameters beyond existing technologies, and without complex and expensive power electronics and the resulting losses.