A decelerating apparatus includes a brake member, primary and secondary permanent magnets and pole pieces. The primary permanent magnets are arranged in a circumferential direction to face an inner or outer peripheral surface of the brake member with a gap in between. Each of the primary permanent magnets has two opposite magnetic poles arranged in a radial direction. The secondary permanent magnets and the pole pieces are placed in the gap and arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of the secondary permanent magnets has two opposite magnetic poles arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of the pole pieces is positioned between adjacent secondary permanent magnets. Magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent primary permanent magnets are opposite to each other. Magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent secondary permanent magnets are opposite to each other. Each of the secondary permanent magnets has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape including an upper base and a lower base.

A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system and method of operation are described. The system comprises a thermal engine, a generator coupled to the thermal engine, a first electric propulsor operatively connected to the generator to receive alternating current (AC) electric power therefrom, a second electric propulsor, a generator inverter operatively connected to the generator to convert AC electric power to direct current (DC) electric power, and a first motor inverter operatively connected to the generator inverter and selectively connected to one of the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor and configured to receive the DC electric power and provide the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor with AC electric power, respectively.

A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system and method of operation are described. The system comprises a thermal engine, a generator coupled to the thermal engine, a first electric propulsor operatively connected to the generator to receive alternating current (AC) electric power therefrom, a second electric propulsor, a generator inverter operatively connected to the generator to convert AC electric power to direct current (DC) electric power, and a first motor inverter operatively connected to the generator inverter and selectively connected to one of the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor and configured to receive the DC electric power and provide the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor with AC electric power, respectively.

A planetary gearbox with two rows of planets, at least some of the planets including magnets. The planets are driven by a stator to drive the gearbox as a motor. The planets may be geared with axial portions with different helix angle to position the gears and avoid the need for a planet carrier or bearings. Gears with small heights and/or high pressure angles may be used to avoiding or reduce negative effects of conventional gearing.

Methods and systems for an electric motor system are provided. In one example, a motor system is provided which comprises a first electric machine rotationally coupled to a second electric machine by a planetary gear set that has three components: a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier with a plurality of planet gears. In the system, the first electric machine varies in size from the second electric machine and one of the planetary assembly components is permanently grounded.

A system and method that pertain to a rotating vehicle display unit that can automatically or manually rotate between landscape and portrait orientations, depending on the particular display format or media being shown to the vehicle occupants. The rotating vehicle display unit uses an electro-mechanical rotating and locking mechanism with smart fluid, such as magnetorheological fluid (MR), to facilitate easy and precise rotational movement between different display orientations. The rotating vehicle display unit may be coupled to a corresponding human-machine interface (HMI) that responds to the different display orientations and helps facilitate easy transition from one orientation to another in order to optimize the particular display format or media being shown at that time.

An electrical machine comprises a longitudinally movable device and an intermediate rotor. A first arrangement of magnets is disposed on a first surface of the longitudinally movable device, and a second arrangement of magnets is disposed on a first surface of the intermediate rotor. The longitudinally movable device is movable in a first direction. The intermediate rotor's first surface is held adjacent the first surface of the longitudinally movable device such that it cannot move in the first direction. The intermediate rotor is, however, rotatable about an axis and the arrangement of the first and second arrangements of magnets translates movement of the longitudinally movable device into rotation of the intermediate rotor about the axis.

An electrical machine comprises a longitudinally movable device and an intermediate rotor. A first arrangement of magnets is disposed on a first surface of the longitudinally movable device, and a second arrangement of magnets is disposed on a first surface of the intermediate rotor. The longitudinally movable device is movable in a first direction. The intermediate rotor's first surface is held adjacent the first surface of the longitudinally movable device such that it cannot move in the first direction. The intermediate rotor is, however, rotatable about an axis and the arrangement of the first and second arrangements of magnets translates movement of the longitudinally movable device into rotation of the intermediate rotor about the axis.

An electric axle assembly having dual motors and dual disconnects allowing for selectably disconnecting either one of the motors so that either motor may operate as the primary drive motor. Each of the dual motors is coupled to a layshaft, and each disconnect is positioned between a gear reduction at the output of the motor and a gear reduction connected to the layshaft. The layshaft is coupled to a differential via a clutch and gear set, the gear set providing a two-speed transmission for power delivered from the layshaft to the differential.

An electric axle assembly having dual motors and dual disconnects allowing for selectably disconnecting either one of the motors so that either motor may operate as the primary drive motor. Each of the dual motors is coupled to a layshaft, and each disconnect is positioned between a gear reduction at the output of the motor and a gear reduction connected to the layshaft. The layshaft is coupled to a differential via a clutch and gear set, the gear set providing a two-speed transmission for power delivered from the layshaft to the differential.