Rotor-Stator Gap Adjustment in Ballast Electric Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles, such as agricultural and construction machines, face challenges in energy efficiency and weight distribution due to the need for additional ballast weight to improve traction and operability.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device is integrated into the work vehicle, featuring a rotor of an electric machine fixed for rotation with the ballast, a stator, and a gap modulator that adjusts the gap between the rotor and stator based on the operation of the electric machine, allowing for efficient energy storage and generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ballast weight is added to the work vehicle to improve weight distribution and traction, then weight distribution and traction are improved, but energy consumption increases due to the increased overall weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the ballast weight system adjustable rather than fixed. The gap modulator dynamically changes the gap between rotor and stator based on operational conditions, allowing the ballast weight effect to be varied. This enables the work vehicle to optimize between weight distribution needs and energy consumption by adjusting the magnetic coupling strength and effective ballast contribution during different operating modes.
2Productivity
If the gap between rotor and stator is reduced to improve energy generation efficiency, then energy generation efficiency is improved, but magnetic coupling losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gap modulator implements dynamic adjustment of the rotor-stator gap based on real-time operational conditions. During energy generation mode, the gap is reduced to improve efficiency, while during modes where magnetic coupling causes losses, the gap is increased to reduce these losses. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the trade-off between energy generation efficiency and magnetic coupling losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gap distance between rotor and stator to control the magnetic coupling strength. By varying this parameter, the system can adjust the balance between generating sufficient electrical current (requiring strong coupling/small gap) and reducing magnetic coupling losses (requiring weak coupling/large gap), thereby optimizing overall energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electric machine operates continuously to generate electrical current, then energy self-sufficiency is improved, but mechanical friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical engagement with selective electromagnetic engagement. The gap modulator controls when the rotor and stator are magnetically coupled, allowing the electric machine to generate electrical current only when needed rather than operating continuously. This reduces mechanical friction and wear on moving parts while maintaining energy self-sufficiency by generating power on-demand during appropriate operational phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the energy efficiency and weight distribution of work vehicles by allowing the electric machine to generate electrical current from the rotation of the rotor and ballast, while also providing additional ballast weight for improved traction and stability.
Implementation Method 1
generate electrical current from a magnetic coupling between the rotor and the stator and the rotation of the rotor and the ballast relative to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device for storing energy generated from operation of a work vehicle includes a ballast providing ballast weight to the work vehicle, a stator of an electric machine mounted on the work vehicle, a rotor of the electric machine fixed for rotation with the ballast, spaced from the stator by a gap, and configured for rotation relative to the stator such that the electric machine is configured to generate electrical current from rotation of the rotor and the ballast relative to the stator and to rotate the rotor and the ballast from electrical current received by the electric machine, and a gap modulator coupled to at least one of the stator and the rotor and configured to selectively adjust the gap between the rotor and the stator based on an operation of the electric machine.