An electric machine includes an annular stator and a rotor disposed within the stator. The stator has a multiplicity of stator segments in a circumferential direction. Each of the stator segments has one or more inner grooves, disposed in the region of the inner circumference of the stator segment, and a winding window which is disposed in the region of the outer circumference of the stator segment. A stator winding is wound in toroidal fashion around the stator segment. The winding window is partially surrounded at its radial outer side by stator segment outer arms in such a way that a radially directed outer gap extending from the winding window to the outer circumference of the stator segment is formed between the stator segment outer arms.

Disclosed are various embodiments for a motor/generator comprising: a rotor adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis, the rotor comprising a first partial toroidal magnetic cylinder defining a semi-circular tunnel, wherein the plurality of magnets forming the first partial toroidal magnetic cylinder have substantially all like poles facing inward toward the semi-circular tunnel, the semi-circular tunnel having an entrance and an exit forming an open throat defined by a space between the entrance and the exit, and a stator positioned about the longitudinal axis within a rotational path of the rotor.

Disclosed are various embodiments for a motor/generator comprising: a rotor adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis, the rotor comprising a first partial toroidal magnetic cylinder defining a semi-circular tunnel, wherein the plurality of magnets forming the first partial toroidal magnetic cylinder have substantially all like poles facing inward toward the semi-circular tunnel, the semi-circular tunnel having an entrance and an exit forming an open throat defined by a space between the entrance and the exit, and a stator positioned about the longitudinal axis within a rotational path of the rotor.

A superconducting current pump arranged to cause a DC electrical current to flow through a superconducting circuit accommodated within a cryogenic enclosure of a cryostat comprises a rotor external to the cryogenic enclosure and a stator within the cryogenic enclosure, the rotor and stator separated by a gap through which passes a thermally insulating wall of the cryogenic enclosure, the rotor and the stator comprising at least in part a ferromagnetic material to concentrate magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit across the gap between the rotor and the stator and through the wall, so that movement of the rotor external to the cryogenic enclosure relative to the stator within the cryogenic enclosure induces a DC transport current to flow around the superconducting circuit within the cryogenic enclosure. There is no coupling between a drive motor external to the cryogenic enclosure and an internal rotor which may introduce a path for heat leakage into the cryostat, in turn increasing the heat load and thus increasing the cooling power required to maintain the cold components within the cryogenic enclosure at the low operating temperature required.

A superconducting current pump arranged to cause a DC electrical current to flow through a superconducting circuit accommodated within a cryogenic enclosure of a cryostat comprises a rotor external to the cryogenic enclosure and a stator within the cryogenic enclosure, the rotor and stator separated by a gap through which passes a thermally insulating wall of the cryogenic enclosure, the rotor and the stator comprising at least in part a ferromagnetic material to concentrate magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit across the gap between the rotor and the stator and through the wall, so that movement of the rotor external to the cryogenic enclosure relative to the stator within the cryogenic enclosure induces a DC transport current to flow around the superconducting circuit within the cryogenic enclosure. There is no coupling between a drive motor external to the cryogenic enclosure and an internal rotor which may introduce a path for heat leakage into the cryostat, in turn increasing the heat load and thus increasing the cooling power required to maintain the cold components within the cryogenic enclosure at the low operating temperature required.

The present invention is directed to an electrical generator assembly for wheeled luggage. The assembly construction is robust and includes an anti-skid sleeve. Wiring for the generator is positioned within the assembly so as to reduce the possibility of accidental disconnection. A protective baffle is used to prevent the accumulation of debris that can hinder the smooth rolling of the wheel thereby allowing for more consistent power generation.

The present invention is directed to an electrical generator assembly for wheeled luggage. The assembly construction is robust and includes an anti-skid sleeve. Wiring for the generator is positioned within the assembly so as to reduce the possibility of accidental disconnection. A protective baffle is used to prevent the accumulation of debris that can hinder the smooth rolling of the wheel thereby allowing for more consistent power generation.

In order to provide a method by means of which stacks of laminations can be produced in a simple and efficient manner, it is provided that the method comprises the following: coating one or more laminations with a bonding agent; bonding a plurality of laminations to form a sheet metal laminate by means of a first activation of the bonding agent; dividing the sheet metal laminate to produce a plurality of sheet metal laminate units and/or separating out a plurality of sheet metal laminate units from the sheet metal laminate; and bonding the plurality of sheet metal laminate units to form a stack of laminations by means of a second activation of the bonding agent, one or more parameters differing from one another in the first activation and the second activation.

In order to provide a method by means of which stacks of laminations can be produced in a simple and efficient manner, it is provided that the method comprises the following: coating one or more laminations with a bonding agent; bonding a plurality of laminations to form a sheet metal laminate by means of a first activation of the bonding agent; dividing the sheet metal laminate to produce a plurality of sheet metal laminate units and/or separating out a plurality of sheet metal laminate units from the sheet metal laminate; and bonding the plurality of sheet metal laminate units to form a stack of laminations by means of a second activation of the bonding agent, one or more parameters differing from one another in the first activation and the second activation.

A brushless electric motor is disclosed. A group of permanent magnets are physically attached to a group of piezoelectric actuators which push them toward or pull them away from a second group of permanent magnets when the piezoelectric actuators are electrically activated. The second group of permanent magnets may also be pushed and pulled with a second group of piezoelectric actuators. Alternate configurations using electromagnets are also disclosed.

A novel configuration for the groups of electromagnets which maximizes efficiency in a piezoelectrically actuated motor is also disclosed.