Electromagnetic Magnetic Gear Torque Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic gearing technologies face challenges due to poor utilization of permanent magnets, leading to inefficient torque transmission and high costs, as well as significant iron losses and large size requirements to accommodate peak torque levels that are rarely encountered.
Innovation Solution
The use of electromagnets with a winding arrangement to generate a magnetic flux with a different number of pole-pairs, modulated by ferromagnetic pole-pieces to interact with a second magnetic flux, allowing for adjustable torque transmission and reduced size and material usage by only energizing the electromagnets when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If permanent magnets are used in magnetic gears to achieve torque transmission, then torque transmission capability is improved, but the utilization of permanent magnets is poor leading to inefficient torque transmission and high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electromagnets instead of permanent magnets, allowing the magnetic field strength to be dynamically adjusted based on the required torque level. This enables the system to optimize magnet utilization by energizing electromagnets only when torque is needed and adjusting their strength accordingly, rather than relying on fixed permanent magnets that operate inefficiently at partial load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the magnetic flux parameters by using electromagnets with controllable current, allowing the number of effective pole-pairs and magnetic field strength to be varied. This enables efficient torque transmission across different operating conditions by adjusting electrical parameters rather than being constrained by fixed permanent magnet configurations.
2Force
If the magnetic gear is designed to transmit peak torque levels, then torque capacity is improved, but the size and cost increase significantly since peak torque is rarely encountered
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electromagnets that can be dynamically controlled to provide peak torque capacity only when needed, rather than requiring the magnetic gear components to be permanently sized for peak torque. During normal operation below peak torque, the electromagnets operate at reduced current levels, allowing for more compact and cost-effective design while maintaining peak torque capability on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnets are energized periodically or intermittently based on torque requirements, rather than continuously operating at peak capacity. This allows the magnetic gear to achieve peak torque transmission when necessary while maintaining a smaller, more economical size for normal operating conditions.
3Force
If the magnetic gear is designed for peak torque transmission, then torque capacity is improved, but iron losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the magnetic flux density parameters by controlling electromagnet current levels to match the actual torque requirements. This reduces iron losses by avoiding excessive magnetic flux during partial load operation, while still maintaining the capability to transmit peak torque when needed by increasing current to the electromagnets.
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 approach results in a more efficient, cost-effective, and smaller magnetic gear design that can adapt to varying torque levels, reducing iron losses and enabling the use of magnetic gears in applications where peak torque is not consistently required, while also simplifying manufacturing and potentially eliminating the need for separate clutches.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrical winding arrangement arranged to generate, at least in part, a first magnetic flux having a first number of pole-pairs
Implementation Method 2
one or more pole-pieces arranged to modulate the first magnetic flux to interact with a second magnetic flux
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to magnetic gears comprising first and second moveable members arranged to interact in a magnetically geared manner via a first electrical winding arrangement arranged to generate, at least in part, a first magnetic flux having a first number of pole-pairs, and one or more pole-pieces arranged to modulate the first magnetic flux to interact with a second magnetic flux having a second number of pole-pairs, wherein the first number of pole-pairs is less than the second number of pole-pairs.