An actuator comprising a linear electrical machine (LEM) having a stator with a stator bore and a translator axially movable within the stator bore and defining a magnetic circuit airgap therebetween, at least one fluid bearing journal formed on the translator, at least one fluid bearing providing a bearing gap adjacent the translator to allow the translator to move axially within the stator bore, a preload chamber for applying a preload force to the translator, wherein the preload chamber is defined by a side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall at least part of which is movable with the translator, and wherein the bearing gap and the magnetic circuit airgap are coaxial.

A three-phase drainage motor for a washing machine includes a stator, a rotor and an upper cover. The rotor is sealed inside the stator through the upper cover and includes an iron core, a coil bobbin, a three-phase coil and a plastic package portion. The iron core includes a hub, an inner ring and teeth radially connecting the hub to the inner ring, the coil bobbin covers the teeth, the three-phase coil is wound around the coil bobbin. The plastic package portion is wrapped around the coil bobbin, the three-phase coil and the iron core to form a spigot, a rotor cavity and a rotary shaft cavity. The spigot is located above the rotor cavity. The rotary shaft cavity is at a bottom of the rotor cavity, the plastic package portion includes a housing, a wall surface of the rotor cavity and a wall surface of the rotary shaft cavity.

An electromagnetic propulsion system is provided. The system comprises first and second pluralities of stator coils wound about first and second axes, a plurality of support structures, first and second couplers that surround portions of the first and second pluralities of stator coils, and first and second pluralities of sets of rotor coils wound about axes that are parallel to the first and second axes. The stator coils are configured to receive electric current through an outside controller selecting appropriately coupled stator sections or through a sliding electrical contact system or bearing system to induce at least a first magnetic field. The plurality of support structures supports the first and second plurality of stator coils. The first and second couplers include notches and are oriented so that their notches pass over the plurality of support structures when the couplers move along the stator coils. The couplers may have an adjustable segment to close the notch. The sets of rotor coils are equidistantly attached to the couplers and are configured to receive electric current to induce magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the stator coils so that magnetic forces are applied to the plurality of rotor coils, thereby propelling the couplers along the stator coils.

An electromagnetic propulsion system is provided. The system comprises first and second pluralities of stator coils wound about first and second axes, a plurality of support structures, first and second couplers that surround portions of the first and second pluralities of stator coils, and first and second pluralities of sets of rotor coils wound about axes that are parallel to the first and second axes. The stator coils are configured to receive electric current through an outside controller selecting appropriately coupled stator sections or through a sliding electrical contact system or bearing system to induce at least a first magnetic field. The plurality of support structures supports the first and second plurality of stator coils. The first and second couplers include notches and are oriented so that their notches pass over the plurality of support structures when the couplers move along the stator coils. The couplers may have an adjustable segment to close the notch. The sets of rotor coils are equidistantly attached to the couplers and are configured to receive electric current to induce magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the stator coils so that magnetic forces are applied to the plurality of rotor coils, thereby propelling the couplers along the stator coils.

A device and method for detection of wear of a sliding contact which may be displaced along a brushgear, includes a sensor and a measurement indicator designed for detection by the sensor. The sensor and the measurement indicator approach or move away from each other by a shortening of the sliding contact caused by wear, and a brushgear system. The problem of enabling simple, reliable detection of the practically complete wear of the sliding contact is addressed by the sensor being designed for contactless and/or contacting detection of the measurement indicator, and by means of a brushgear system having a device of this kind, and also a method of this kind in which the sensor detects the measurement indicator becoming closer to the sensor contactlessly and/or contactingly and, when a threshold value for a predetermined wear of the sliding contact is exceeded, issues a warning signal.

A device and method for detection of wear of a sliding contact which may be displaced along a brushgear, includes a sensor and a measurement indicator designed for detection by the sensor. The sensor and the measurement indicator approach or move away from each other by a shortening of the sliding contact caused by wear, and a brushgear system. The problem of enabling simple, reliable detection of the practically complete wear of the sliding contact is addressed by the sensor being designed for contactless and/or contacting detection of the measurement indicator, and by means of a brushgear system having a device of this kind, and also a method of this kind in which the sensor detects the measurement indicator becoming closer to the sensor contactlessly and/or contactingly and, when a threshold value for a predetermined wear of the sliding contact is exceeded, issues a warning signal.

An electric motor comprises a stator presenting a first surface. A rotor is rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in spaced relationship with the first surface of the stator. The first surface of the stator defines a plurality of slots in spaced relationship with one another to define a plurality of spaced teeth between the slots. At least one electrical conductor is disposed in each of the slots and configured to selectively create a moving magnetic field for acting upon the rotor for providing rotational movement of the rotor. A portion of the at least one electrical conductor extends substantially into radial alignment with, or past the first surface of the stator to at least partially define a stator raceway of the stator for engaging the rotor raceway of the rotor during relative radial movement between the rotor and the stator.

A wind turbine component includes an inner member and an outer member disposed relative to the inner member, wherein the inner and outer members move relative to each other. A plain bearing is coupled to one of the inner or outer member and configured to provide a fluid film for maintaining separation of and facilitating relative movement between the inner and outer members. A position adjustment mechanism is coupled to the one of the inner or outer member for selectively moving the plain bearing. A position controller may be operatively coupled to the position adjustment mechanism for controlling the position of the plain bearing. The wind turbine component may be a wind turbine generator with the inner member and outer member corresponding to one of the stator and rotor assemblies. Methods for controlling the generator are also disclosed.

A sphere-on-sphere chassis system is disclosed. The sphere-on-sphere chassis system may include a first hollow sphere having a first diameter and a second hollow sphere positioned inside of the first sphere to form a channel therebetween. The second hollow sphere may have a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter. The sphere-on-sphere chassis system may further include a liquid filling at least a portion of the channel. The liquid may be a clear, highly conductive solution. Alternatively, the channel may be filled by a gas or a vacuum may be created within the channel. Each of the first hollow sphere and the second hollow sphere includes a component layer with a unique series of pockets for housing electromagnets, and may also house wireless energy transmission devices such as resonant inductive chargers and resonant inductive receivers. The spherical device is understood to be designed so that electromagnets may be configured to emit positive and negative electromagnetic waves inwardly and outwardly with respect to the center of each sphere to create relative movement between the inner sphere and the outer sphere.

A sphere-on-sphere chassis system is disclosed. The sphere-on-sphere chassis system may include a first hollow sphere having a first diameter and a second hollow sphere positioned inside of the first sphere to form a channel therebetween. The second hollow sphere may have a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter. The sphere-on-sphere chassis system may further include a liquid filling at least a portion of the channel. The liquid may be a clear, highly conductive solution. Alternatively, the channel may be filled by a gas or a vacuum may be created within the channel. Each of the first hollow sphere and the second hollow sphere includes a component layer with a unique series of pockets for housing electromagnets, and may also house wireless energy transmission devices such as resonant inductive chargers and resonant inductive receivers. The spherical device is understood to be designed so that electromagnets may be configured to emit positive and negative electromagnetic waves inwardly and outwardly with respect to the center of each sphere to create relative movement between the inner sphere and the outer sphere.