Counter-rotating dual rotor electric machine design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric machines require high mechanical energy input to achieve high angular speed, leading to increased resource expenditure and complexity in control, while being bulky and voluminous, thus limiting their efficiency and ease of installation.

Innovation Solution

An electric machine design featuring a frame with a first and second member that cooperate to generate an electromagnetic field, where both members are rotatable in opposite directions, utilizing a return mechanism with transmission members to achieve higher relative speed and efficiency, allowing for greater electromotive force and reduced coil usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high angular speed is achieved in conventional electric machines, then electric power output increases, but mechanical energy input and resource expenditure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power outputVSAvoidmechanical energy input
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two rotors (first rotor and second rotor) into a single integrated structure that rotates in opposite directions. This dual-rotor configuration allows the machine to generate electromagnetic field interactions from both rotors simultaneously, increasing power output without proportionally increasing mechanical energy input to each individual rotor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic counter-rotation where the second rotor rotates in the opposite direction to the first rotor. This dynamic configuration creates relative motion between the rotors that enhances electromagnetic induction efficiency, allowing higher power output with optimized energy input distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If high angular speed is achieved in conventional electric machines, then electric power output increases, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power outputVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the control of both rotors into a unified dual-rotor system, the patent reduces overall control complexity compared to managing separate high-speed rotors. The counter-rotating configuration allows for balanced electromagnetic interactions that simplify control algorithms while maintaining high power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If conventional electric machines are designed for high power output, then electric power capacity increases, but machine size and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power capacityVSAvoidmachine volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the second rotor inside or concentric with the first rotor, creating a nested dual-rotor structure. This nesting allows both rotors to occupy the same radial space, effectively doubling the power-generating components within approximately the same outer dimensions, thus increasing power capacity without proportionally increasing machine volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the radial dimension by implementing counter-rotating rotors at different radial positions. This dimensional arrangement allows efficient use of space, enabling high power output from a compact volume by exploiting the radial space within the stator bore.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Power

If conventional electric machines are designed for high power output, then electric power capacity increases, but installation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power capacityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nested dual-rotor configuration creates a more compact overall machine size with reduced external dimensions, making the high-power machine easier to install in existing facilities with limited space. The concentric arrangement of rotors minimizes the radial and axial footprint of the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design enhances efficiency by achieving higher electromotive force with the same mechanical energy input, reduces machine size and production costs, and simplifies installation in existing plants, while maintaining or exceeding the electric power output of conventional machines.

Implementation Method 1

During rotation, the electric machine generates a rotating magnetic field, which induces an electromotive force (emf) on the electric coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

electric machine for converting mechanical energy into electric energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3741030B1Electric machine
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ENECOLAB SRL
  • EP3741030B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3741030B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

Electric machine (10) to convert mechanical energy into electric energy, comprising a first member (13) and a second member (14) configured to cooperate with each other to generate an electromagnetic field, one of either the first member (13) or the second member (14) comprising electric coils (15) and the other of either the first member (13) or the second member (14) comprising at least an electromagnet and/or at least a permanent magnet (16).