The present disclosure is directed to an electric generator and motor transmission system that is capable of operating with high energy, wide operating range and extremely variable torque and RPM conditions. In accordance with various embodiments, the disclosed system is operable to: dynamically change the output size of the motor/generator by modularly engaging and disengaging rotor/stator sets as power demands increase or decrease; activate one stator or another within the rotor/stator sets as torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements change; and/or change from parallel to series winding configurations or the reverse through sets of 2, 4, 6 or more parallel, three-phase, non-twisted coil windings with switchable separated center tap to efficiently meet torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements.

A drive unit includes: an inverter; an electric motor that has a first winding connected to an output part of the inverter and a second winding connected to the first winding; a first semiconductor switch that has a first end connected to the first winding and a second end connected to the second winding; a second semiconductor switch that has a first end and a second end connected to the first winding and the first semiconductor switch; and a snubber circuit that is provided between the second end of the first semiconductor switch and the first end of the second semiconductor switch and has a capacitor and a diode.

An electric motor includes a plurality of phases and a switching device. The phases extend between respective terminals and are divided into a plurality of distinct groups, in particular at least a first group and a second group. The switching device is coupled to the first group and is operable to switch an electrical configuration thereof. The second group of phases is instead configured to maintain its electrical configuration unchanged during the switching of the electrical configuration of the first group.

A synchronous machine includes a first set of windings, including a first winding and n1 other windings. The synchronous machine also includes a second set of windings, including a first winding and n1 other windings. The synchronous machine further includes first inverter circuitry electrically coupled to a second end of each of the n1 other windings of the first set, a first switch electrically coupled between the first inverter circuitry and a second end of the first winding of the first set, second inverter circuitry electrically coupled to a second end of each of the n1 other windings of the second set, and a second switch electrically coupled between the second inverter circuitry and a second end of the first winding of the second set. In addition, the synchronous machine includes a third switch electrically coupled between the second ends of the first windings and control circuitry configured to switch the machine between parallel and series configurations.

The present disclosure is directed to an electric generator and motor transmission system that is capable of operating with high energy, wide operating range and extremely variable torque and RPM conditions. In accordance with various embodiments, the disclosed system is operable to: dynamically change the output size of the motor/generator by modularly engaging and disengaging rotor/stator sets as power demands increase or decrease; activate one stator or another within the rotor/stator sets as torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements change; and/or change from parallel to series winding configurations or the reverse through sets of 2, 4, 6 or more parallel, three-phase, non-twisted coil windings with switchable separated center tap to efficiently meet torque/RPM or amperage/voltage requirements.

A system, device, and method to convert power and drive electric machines, for instance electric motors advantageously employs an open winding inverter comprising of an H bridge per machine phase and an arrangement of switches in the DC supply to dynamically reconfigure the motor winding between two operating modes in order to deliver higher performance and efficiency of an electric machine over wide operating speed range, all while reducing silicon usage.

An actuating device of a fuel pump for an aircraft engine includes: a motor, a generator and an electrical connection member, the motor being an asynchronous machine with Dahlander coupling including a first rotor coupled to the pump for actuation thereof, and a first stator including at least one input phase, each input phase comprising two windings, the generator including a second rotor mechanically coupled to a shaft of the engine, and a second stator including at least one output phase, the electrical connection member being configured so as to connect each output phase to an input phase, and to connect the windings of each input phase in series or in parallel according to a speed of the engine.

Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric motor including multiple rotor and stator sections. In one example, a system may include the multiple rotor sections configured to be mechanically coupled and decoupled from each other concurrently with multiple stator sections configured to be electrically coupled and decoupled from each other, within certain regimes of operation of the electric motor.

Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure include an electrical machine comprising windings (W) each divided into a plurality of sections (1-4) and a mechanical switch (12) having a plurality of switches (C1-Cn). Each switch (C1-Cn) comprises first and second portions (120, 121) which are displaceable relative to each other between first and second switching positions to respectively connect a first winding section (1-4) of windings WIN in series and/or in parallel with a second winding section of windings WIN. An actuator is provided for actuating for displacing the portions (120, 121) of each switch relative to each other between their first and second positions. The displacement of the portion can alter the operating characteristics of the electrical machine.

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.