Variable Torque Motor-Generator with Switchable Windings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional generators and motors operate efficiently only within a narrow range of RPM and torque specifications, leading to significant efficiency drops when operating outside these parameters, particularly in renewable energy systems and hybrid vehicles, due to fixed magnetic fields and inefficient torque and RPM regulation.
Innovation Solution
A motor/generator/transmission (MGT) system that dynamically adjusts magnetic flux and stator wiring configurations to accommodate variable torque and RPM conditions, using multiple rotors and stators with adjustable magnetic fields and switchable coil windings, allowing for efficient operation across a wide range of power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional generators and motors operate at fixed magnetic fields and standard wiring configurations, then they achieve high efficiency (90-98%) at rated RPM and torque, but efficiency drops dramatically (30-60%) when operating outside specified RPM and torque ratings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of magnetic flux and stator wiring configurations to adapt to variable torque and RPM conditions. The system switches between different stator winding configurations (series, parallel, delta, wye) and adjusts magnetic flux levels to maintain high efficiency across a wide operating range, resolving the contradiction between fixed configuration efficiency and variable operating condition adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters including magnetic flux levels and electrical wiring configurations based on operating conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the motor/generator maintains optimal efficiency whether operating at rated or variable RPM and torque, directly addressing the efficiency drop problem when operating outside specified ratings
2Power
If renewable energy systems use variable and unpredictable power sources with greater RPM and torque changes, then they can harness more energy, but conventional generators cannot maintain efficiency due to fixed magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts magnetic flux and wiring configurations in response to variable renewable energy inputs. This allows the generator to maintain high efficiency whether operating at high or low RPM, accommodating the unpredictable nature of renewable power sources while maximizing energy capture
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes magnetic flux levels and electrical parameters to match variable input conditions from renewable sources. This parameter adaptation enables efficient energy conversion across the wide RPM and torque variations characteristic of renewable energy systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles require wider operating ranges with starts, stops and variable loads, then they meet real-world conditions, but electrical motor efficiency rarely stays constant
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different stator wiring configurations and adjusts magnetic flux to maintain optimal efficiency during variable vehicle operations including starts, stops, and load changes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between wide operating range requirements and constant efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes electrical and magnetic parameters in real-time to match varying vehicle load conditions, maintaining high efficiency across the wide operating range required for real-world hybrid and electric vehicle operation
4Ease of operation
If vehicular alternators use conventional rotor coil systems without permanent magnets, then they can regulate output for variable loads, but efficiency is limited to 50-60% due to air gap and rotor coil inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses permanent magnets in the rotor combined with dynamic adjustment of stator wiring configurations to achieve both high efficiency (exceeding conventional 50-60% alternators) and variable load regulation capability. The permanent magnets eliminate air gap losses while the switchable stator configurations provide output regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines permanent magnets with switchable stator winding configurations to create a hybrid alternator design that achieves both high efficiency and variable load regulation, surpassing the limitations of conventional rotor coil systems
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
The MGT system maintains high efficiency by dynamically adjusting magnetic fields and stator windings, optimizing power output and reducing back EMF, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency in variable torque and RPM conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The MGT system maintains high efficiency by dynamically adjusting magnetic fields and stator windings, optimizing power output and reducing back EMF, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency in variable torque and RPM conditions
Implementation Method 2
The MGT system maintains high efficiency by dynamically adjusting magnetic fields and stator windings, optimizing power output and reducing back EMF, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency in variable torque and RPM conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A motor/generator/transmission system includes: an axle; a stator ring having a plurality of stator coils disposed around the periphery of the stator ring, wherein each phase of the plurality of stator coils includes a respective set of multiple parallel non-twisted wires separated at the center tap with electronic switches for connecting the parallel non-twisted wires of each phase of the stator coils all in series, all in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel; a rotor support structure coupled to the axle; a first rotor ring and a second rotor ring each having an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the axle, at least one of the first rotor ring or the second rotor ring being slidably coupled to the rotor support structure and configured to translate along the rotor support structure in a first axial direction or in a second axial direction.