Magnetic Gear Arrangement With Selectable Interpoles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic gear arrangements with fixed gear ratios face limitations in adjustability, leading to reduced coupling effectiveness when varying the angular position of interpoles for different gear ratios, and are restricted by the number of poles on the rotors.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic gear arrangement with changeably selectable gear members and a coupling device that adjusts interpole arrangements to achieve variable gear ratios without compromising power transfer, using magnetically permeable or superconducting materials and temperature control to activate or deactivate flux paths, allowing for different interpole configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the angular position of interpoles is varied to provide different gear ratios, then the gear ratio is adjustable, but the coupling effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear ratio adjustabilityVSAvoidcoupling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the interpole configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The coupling device allows the angular position and number of interpoles to be dynamically changed to match different combinations of first and second gear members, enabling variable gear ratios while maintaining optimal coupling effectiveness for each ratio setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements Parameter changes by varying the angular spacing and number of interpoles according to the specific gear ratio required. By adjusting these geometric parameters of the interpole arrangement, the system can accommodate different gear member combinations while preserving maximum magnetic coupling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of pole pairs on rotors is increased to provide more gear ratio options, then the variety of gear ratios increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of gear ratiosVSAvoidnumber of poles on rotors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Segmentation principle by dividing the gear system into separate first and second gear member sets, each with specific pole pair configurations. The coupling device acts as an intermediary that can be reconfigured to match different segment combinations, providing multiple gear ratios without requiring each rotor to have an increasing number of poles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device serves as an Intermediary (Mediator) between the first and second gear systems. It contains the adjustable interpoles that mediate the magnetic coupling, allowing the system to achieve variable gear ratios through the coupling device's reconfiguration rather than through complex rotor pole arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If magnetic gearboxes use contacting moving parts to achieve gear ratio change, then the mechanical coupling is direct, but noise and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical coupling directnessVSAvoidnoise and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Mechanics substitution principle by replacing traditional mechanical contacting gear teeth with a magnetic coupling system. The interpoles create magnetic fields that couple the first and second gear members without physical contact, eliminating the noise and wear associated with mechanical tooth engagement while maintaining direct torque transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables flexible gear ratio adjustment while maintaining effective power transfer and torque capacity, avoiding the limitations of fixed pole configurations and harmonic-based coupling methods.

Implementation Method 1

The rotors incorporate permanent magnets, and the interpoles act to modulate the magnetic flux transferred between the gear rotors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux modulation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

temperature control elements for controlling temperatures of respective flux paths or pole elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control: Heating

Implementation Method 3

using magnetically permeable or superconducting materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentEP2537238B1Magnetic gear arrangement
Publication Date: 2014.08.27 ROLLS ROYCE PLC
  • EP2537238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2537238B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP2537238B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6

AI summary

A magnetic gear arrangement comprises: a first gear system having a plurality of first gear members, each first gear member generating a respective first magnetic field for that gear member; a second gear system having a second gear member generating a second magnetic field; and a coupling device which provides arrangements of interpoles between the first gear system and the second gear system. The first gear members are changeably selectable by the coupling device such that the interpoles couple the first magnetic field of a selected first gear member to the second magnetic field to produce a gear ratio between the first gear system and the second gear system, the gear ratio being changeable by changing the selected first gear member.