Composite Magnetic Pole Piece Support for Mechanical Load Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic pole-piece support structures in magnetic gears and machines face challenges with mechanical strength due to large mechanical loads, radial magnetic pull, and torsional forces, leading to potential failure and reduced efficiency from eddy currents and heat management issues, especially as machine length increases.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-magnetic, composite support structures such as carbon fibre pultrusions and engineering plastics with shaped pole pieces and reinforcement bars, along with adhesive bonding and tensioned elements, to enhance mechanical integrity and reduce deflections while minimizing magnetic flux disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional magnetic pole-piece support structures are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the mechanical strength is insufficient under large mechanical loads, radial magnetic pull, and torsional forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite support structures combining non-magnetic materials (such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or non-magnetic metals) with magnetic pole pieces. This composite approach provides enhanced mechanical strength to withstand large mechanical loads, radial magnetic pull, and torsional forces while maintaining magnetic field integrity and preventing eddy current losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If the machine length increases, then the torque transmission capability increases, but the deflections and mechanical failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidmechanical reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the support structure into multiple discrete support elements or segments distributed along the length of the magnetic pole pieces. This segmentation allows each support element to independently bear local loads, reducing overall deflections and preventing catastrophic failure across the entire structure, thereby maintaining reliability in longer machines with higher torque transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If non-magnetic support structures are used, then eddy current losses are reduced, but the mechanical strength under combined loads is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossesVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-magnetic composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, or non-magnetic metals) for the support structures. These materials inherently prevent eddy current formation by breaking magnetic flux continuity, eliminating energy losses while providing sufficient mechanical strength through their composite construction to withstand combined mechanical loads, radial magnetic pull, and torsional forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If the pole pieces are closely spaced to improve gear ratio, then the efficiency increases, but the mechanical loads and radial magnetic pull increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs non-magnetic composite support structures that can withstand the increased mechanical stress and radial magnetic pull resulting from closely spaced pole pieces. These composite materials provide the necessary structural integrity to maintain the high-efficiency compact pole piece arrangement without suffering from mechanical failure under the intensified loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This solution provides improved mechanical strength, reduced deflections, and efficient heat management by using composite materials and structural designs that maintain magnetic performance, preventing electrical breakdowns and enhancing the reliability of magnetic gear systems.

Implementation Method 1

minimizing magnetic flux disruptions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

reduced efficiency from eddy currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

adhesive bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2297837B1Magnetic pole-piece support structure
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 MAGNOMATICS LTD
  • EP2297837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2297837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2297837B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b

AI summary

A pole piece support comprising a frame having a spaced array of non- magnetic support structures (606), wherein disposed between at least a pair of adjacent non-magnetic support structures (606) is a magnetic pole piece (604) supported along at least a portion of its body by the adjacent non-magnetic support structures (606).