Segmented Electric Motor With Clutched Rotors for High-Speed Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motors face efficiency reduction at high speeds due to high field weakening currents required to counter back EMF, with existing decoupling methods not effectively reducing unneeded current consumption in non-overlapping stator portions.
Innovation Solution
A segmented electric motor design with mechanically decoupled rotor sections via clutches and electrically decoupled stator sections via switches, allowing for adjustable coupling and decoupling based on operating conditions to optimize efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If field weakening currents are applied to counteract back EMF at high speeds, then the motor can maintain synchronous response and continue rotation, but motor efficiency is reduced due to large power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into multiple independent motor sections, each with its own stator section and rotor section. This segmentation allows selective operation of individual sections based on speed and load conditions, enabling the system to operate efficiently at partial loads by activating only the necessary number of sections rather than consuming power across all sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic coupling and decoupling of motor sections through clutches and electrical switches. The controller actively manages the operational state of each motor section based on real-time speed and load conditions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to minimize power consumption while maintaining required performance.
2Loss of energy
If the rotor is axially shifted out of the stator envelope to reduce back EMF and iron losses, then constant power operation is achieved, but motor torque is reduced and current is still applied throughout the whole stator generating unneeded current in non-overlapping portions
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is segmented into multiple independent motor sections with corresponding stator and rotor sections. This allows the system to selectively activate only the motor sections where rotor-stator overlap exists, thereby eliminating unneeded current consumption in non-overlapping stator portions while maintaining torque production in active sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different motor sections can be in different operational states based on local conditions. The controller selectively applies current only to stator sections that have corresponding rotor overlap, creating a localized active region rather than applying current uniformly throughout the entire stator envelope.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a segmented motor design with multiple rotor and stator sections is implemented, then efficiency is optimized by adjusting active sections based on operating conditions, but device complexity increases due to additional clutches and switches
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into multiple independent motor sections that can be selectively activated. This segmentation provides the flexibility to optimize efficiency by activating only the necessary number of sections based on load conditions, while the modular structure makes the added complexity manageable through standardized repeating units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each motor section is designed as a universal module that can function independently or in combination with other sections. The clutches and switches serve multiple functions: mechanical coupling/decoupling, electrical connection/disconnection, and torque management, thereby reducing the overall system complexity despite the increased number of components.
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 continuous operation across speed ranges without high field weakening losses, optimizing efficiency by adjusting active motor sections based on demand, particularly effective at partial loads.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the rotor may be generated through interaction between the permanent magnets embedded therein and rotating magnetic fields generated by the conductive windings within the stator, the latter of which may be generated through application of an AC voltage to the conductive windings of the stator. In particular, the embedded permanent magnets within the rotor may cause the rotor to rotate in order to align their own magnetic field with that of the rotating magnetic field generated by the conductive windings of the stator (magnetic torque)
Implementation Method 2
In particular, the embedded permanent magnets within the rotor may cause the rotor to rotate in order to align their own magnetic field with that of the rotating magnetic field generated by the conductive windings of the stator (magnetic torque), in addition to forces applied to the permanent magnets embedded within the rotor by the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator (reluctance torque)
Implementation Method 3
In an electric motor, a back EMF is generated in response to the changing magnetic flux through the rotor due to the rotation of the rotor, opposing the applied voltage to the conductive windings within the stator
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric motor including multiple rotor and stator sections. In one example, a system may include the multiple rotor sections configured to be mechanically coupled and decoupled from each other concurrently with multiple stator sections configured to be electrically coupled and decoupled from each other, within certain regimes of operation of the electric motor.