A rotating-machine test fixture includes a base, a flexible member and a wedge member. The base includes a longitudinal axis and receives a rotating machine so that an axis of rotation of the rotating machine is aligned in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The flexible member includes a first end attached to the base at a first location and a second end slidably attached to the base at a second location to hold the received rotating machine against the base. The wedge member is coupled to the base and moves in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The wedge member may be selectably positioned between the received rotating machine and the base to align the axis of rotation of the rotating machine to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.

An apparatus including a frame, an optical sensor connected to the frame, and an environment separation barrier. The frame is configured to be attached to a housing of a motor assembly proximate an aperture which extends through the housing. The optical sensor comprises a camera. The environment separation barrier is configured to be connected to the housing at the aperture, where the environment separation barrier is at least partially transparent and located relative to the camera to allow the camera to view an image inside the housing through the environment separation barrier and the aperture.

An apparatus including a frame, an optical sensor connected to the frame, and an environment separation barrier. The frame is configured to be attached to a housing of a motor assembly proximate an aperture which extends through the housing. The optical sensor comprises a camera. The environment separation barrier is configured to be connected to the housing at the aperture, where the environment separation barrier is at least partially transparent and located relative to the camera to allow the camera to view an image inside the housing through the environment separation barrier and the aperture.

An alternator system includes an alternator with a stator having at least one stationary winding and a rotor with a rotatable field coil for producing alternating current, a main voltage regulator having a main controller and a main power switch configured to control the current through the field coil, a redundant voltage regulator having a redundant controller and a redundant power switch configured to control the current through the field coil. The main power switch, the field coil and the redundant power switch are connected in series, in that order. A power supply for an electrical system includes a battery and the alternator system. A vehicle includes the power supply.

An alternator system includes an alternator with a stator having at least one stationary winding and a rotor with a rotatable field coil for producing alternating current, a main voltage regulator having a main controller and a main power switch configured to control the current through the field coil, a redundant voltage regulator having a redundant controller and a redundant power switch configured to control the current through the field coil. The main power switch, the field coil and the redundant power switch are connected in series, in that order. A power supply for an electrical system includes a battery and the alternator system. A vehicle includes the power supply.

Various methods and systems are provided for a system for cooling an electric motor that includes a rotor shaft rotatably mounted inside a motor housing, a lamination stack integrally connected to the rotor shaft, an encoder-end balance plate integrally connected to a first end of the lamination stack and a first end of the rotor shaft, an output-end balance plate integrally connected to a second end of the lamination stack and a second end of the rotor shaft, an oil supply coupled to the output-end balance plate and the rotor shaft. A closed-looped coolant pathway is formed between the transmission, the rotor shaft, the encoder-end balance plate, the lamination stack, and the output-end balance plate.

Various methods and systems are provided for a system for cooling an electric motor that includes a rotor shaft rotatably mounted inside a motor housing, a lamination stack integrally connected to the rotor shaft, an encoder-end balance plate integrally connected to a first end of the lamination stack and a first end of the rotor shaft, an output-end balance plate integrally connected to a second end of the lamination stack and a second end of the rotor shaft, an oil supply coupled to the output-end balance plate and the rotor shaft. A closed-looped coolant pathway is formed between the transmission, the rotor shaft, the encoder-end balance plate, the lamination stack, and the output-end balance plate.

Apparatuses, systems and methods for implementing a downhole alternator assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, a downhole alternator assembly comprises a casing; a turbine disposed within the casing and actuated by a drilling fluid flow; and a rotor disposed within the casing. The rotor includes a cylindrical rotor core rotated by the turbine; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the cylindrical rotor core; and a drilling fluid channel extending axially through the center of the cylindrical rotor core. The downhole alternator assembly includes a stator disposed within the casing. The stator includes a cylindrical stator core disposed concentrically between the cylindrical rotor core and the casing; conductor windings within the cylindrical stator core; and a plurality of radially distributed fluid channels extending axially within the cylindrical stator core between a front end of the cylindrical stator core and a back end of the cylindrical stator core.

Apparatuses, systems and methods for implementing a downhole alternator assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, a downhole alternator assembly comprises a casing; a turbine disposed within the casing and actuated by a drilling fluid flow; and a rotor disposed within the casing. The rotor includes a cylindrical rotor core rotated by the turbine; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the cylindrical rotor core; and a drilling fluid channel extending axially through the center of the cylindrical rotor core. The downhole alternator assembly includes a stator disposed within the casing. The stator includes a cylindrical stator core disposed concentrically between the cylindrical rotor core and the casing; conductor windings within the cylindrical stator core; and a plurality of radially distributed fluid channels extending axially within the cylindrical stator core between a front end of the cylindrical stator core and a back end of the cylindrical stator core.

Various methods and systems are provided for a system for cooling an electric motor that includes a rotor shaft rotatably mounted inside a motor housing, a lamination stack integrally connected to the rotor shaft, an encoder-end balance plate integrally connected to a first end of the lamination stack and a first end of the rotor shaft, an output-end balance plate integrally connected to a second end of the lamination stack and a second end of the rotor shaft, an oil supply coupled to the output-end balance plate and the rotor shaft. A closed-looped coolant pathway is formed between the transmission, the rotor shaft, the encoder-end balance plate, the lamination stack, and the output-end balance plate.