U.S. patent application number 16/176564 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for system and apparatus for modular axial field rotary energy device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Infinitum Electric Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Infinitum Electric Inc.. Invention is credited to Rich Lee, Jorgen Rasmussen, Bernhard L. Schuler.
Application Number | 20200204025 16/176564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62783505 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200204025 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Schuler; Bernhard L. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MODULAR AXIAL FIELD ROTARY ENERGY
DEVICE
Abstract
An axial field rotary energy device can include a housing having
coupling structures configured to mechanically couple the housing
to a second housing of a second module. In addition, the housing
can include electrical elements configured to electrically couple
the housing to the second housing. A rotor can be rotatably mounted
to the housing. The rotor can include an axis and a magnet. A
stator can be mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotor. The
stator can include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB layer
comprising a coil.
Inventors: |
Schuler; Bernhard L.;
(Austin, TX) ; Lee; Rich; (Liberty Lake, WA)
; Rasmussen; Jorgen; (Otis Orchards, WA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Infinitum Electric Inc. |
Austin |
TX |
US |
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Assignee: |
Infinitum Electric Inc.
Austin
TX
|
Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190214871 A1 |
July 11, 2019 |
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Family ID: |
62783505 |
Appl. No.: |
16/176564 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15864663 |
Jan 8, 2018 |
10135310 |
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16176564 |
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62445091 |
Jan 11, 2017 |
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62445211 |
Jan 11, 2017 |
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62445289 |
Jan 12, 2017 |
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62457696 |
Feb 10, 2017 |
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62609900 |
Dec 22, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 1/12 20130101; H02K
21/24 20130101; H02K 1/32 20130101; H02K 35/02 20130101; H02K 3/12
20130101; H02K 9/12 20130101; H02K 15/03 20130101; H02K 3/521
20130101; H02K 1/182 20130101; H02K 1/2793 20130101; H02K 1/2773
20130101; Y02B 10/30 20130101; H02K 2211/03 20130101; Y02E 10/725
20130101; H02K 2201/03 20130101; H02K 3/26 20130101; H02K 2203/03
20130101; H02K 16/00 20130101; Y02E 10/72 20130101; H02P 31/00
20130101; H02K 3/47 20130101; H02K 3/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02K 3/26 20060101
H02K003/26; H02K 3/28 20060101 H02K003/28; H02P 31/00 20060101
H02P031/00; H02K 21/24 20060101 H02K021/24; H02K 3/47 20060101
H02K003/47; H02K 1/27 20060101 H02K001/27; H02K 1/18 20060101
H02K001/18; H02K 35/02 20060101 H02K035/02; H02K 3/12 20060101
H02K003/12; H02K 15/03 20060101 H02K015/03; H02K 16/00 20060101
H02K016/00; H02K 1/32 20060101 H02K001/32; H02K 9/12 20060101
H02K009/12; H02K 1/12 20060101 H02K001/12; H02K 3/52 20060101
H02K003/52 |
Claims
1. A module for an axial field rotary energy device, comprising: a
housing having coupling structures configured to mechanically
couple the housing to a second housing of a second module, and
electrical elements configured to electrically couple the housing
to the second housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing,
and the rotor comprises an axis and a magnet; and a stator mounted
to the housing coaxially with the rotor, and the stator comprises a
printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB layer comprising a
coil.
2. The module of claim 1, wherein the rotor and the stator are
located inside and surrounded by the housing.
3. The module of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality
of rotors, the magnet comprises a plurality of magnets, and the
stator comprises a plurality of stators, and each of the stators
comprises a plurality of PCB layers, and each PCB layer comprises a
plurality of coils.
4. The module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to be
directly coupled to a frame, and the module is configured to he
indirectly coupled to the second module.
5. The module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a side wall
that orients the stator at a desired angular orientation with
respect to the axis.
6. The module of claim 5, wherein the stator comprises a plurality
of, stators, and the side wall comprises a plurality of side wall
segments that angularly offset the plurality of stators at desired
angular orientations with respect to the axis.
7. The module of claim 6, wherein each side wall segment comprises
a radial inner surface having a slot formed therein, the slot
receives and maintains the desired angular orientation of the
stator with respect to the axis, and the slots, collectively, hold
outer edges of the stator at an air gap spacing between the stator
and the rotor.
8. The module of claim 7, wherein the stator is air cooled and is
not liquid cooled.
9. The module of claim 8, wherein the PCB layer comprises a
plurality of PCB layers, each having a plurality of coils, each
coil has only two terminals, each coil is continuous and
uninterrupted between its only two terminals, and each coil is
electrically coupled to another coil with a via.
10. The module of claim 9, wherein two coils are coupled together
to define a coil pair, and each coil pair is electrically coupled
to another coil pair with another via.
11. The module of claim 10, wherein the coils in each coil pair are
located on different PCB layers.
12. The module of claim 10, wherein each coil is coupled to another
coil with only one via, and each coil pair is coupled to another
coil pair with only one another via.
13. The module of claim 1, wherein the stator comprises a plurality
of stator segments, each of which comprises a PCB.
14. The module of claim 13, wherein, the stator consists of only
one electrical phase.
15. The module of claim 13, wherein the stator comprises a
plurality of electrical phases.
16. A module for an axial field rotary energy device, comprising: a
housing having coupling structures configured to mechanically
couple the housing to a second housing of a second module, and
electrical elements configured to electrically couple the housing
to the second housing; a plurality of rotors rotatably mounted to
the housing, and the rotors comprise an axis and magnets; and a
plurality of stators mounted to the housing coaxially with the
rotors, each stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having
a PCB layer comprising a coil, the stators are electrically coupled
together inside the housing.
17. A module for an axial field rotary energy device, comprising: a
housing having coupling structures configured to mechanically
couple the housing to a second housing of a second module, and
electrical elements configured to electrically couple the housing
to the second housing; rotors rotatably mounted to the housing
relative to an axis, and each the rotor comprises magnets; stators
mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotors, each of the
stators comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having PCB layers,
and each PCB layer comprises coils; and the housing comprises a
plurality of side wall segments that orient the stators at desired
angular orientations with respect to the axis, and angularly offset
the stators at desired phase angles, wherein the side wall segments
comprise radial inner surfaces having slots formed therein, the
slots maintain the desired angular orientation and axial spacing of
respective ones of the stators, and the slots, collectively, hold
outer edges of the stators at desired air gap spacings between the
stators and rotors.
18. The module of claim 17, wherein the rotors and, stators are
located inside and surrounded by the housing; and further
comprising: a frame, the module is configured to be directly
coupled to the frame, and the module is configured to be indirectly
coupled to the second module.
19. The module of claim 17, wherein each coil has only two
terminals, each coil is continuous and uninterrupted between its
only two terminals, and each coil is electrically coupled to
another coil with a via.
20. The module of claim 17, wherein each coil is coupled to another
coil with only one via.
21-30. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Prov. App. No. 62/445,091, filed Jan. 11, 2017, U.S. Prov. App. No.
62/445,211, filed Jan. 11, 2017, U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/445,289,
filed Jan. 12, 2017, U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/457,696, filed Feb. 10,
2017, and U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/609,900, filed Dec. 22, 2017, each
of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present invention relates in general to an axial field
rotary energy device and, in particular, to a system, method and
apparatus for modular motors and generators having one or more
printed circuit board (PCB) stators.
Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Conventional, axial air gap brushless motors with layered
disk stators are known, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,841. That
patent discloses a stator winding that uses wires interconnected in
a wave or lap configuration. Such motors are relatively large and
difficult to manufacture. Axial field electric devices that use PCB
stators also are known, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,411,002, U.S. Pat.
No. 7,109,625 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,823,241. However, some of these
designs are complicated, relatively expensive and they are not
modular. Thus, improvements in cost-effective axial field rotary
energy devices continue to be of interest.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for an axial
field rotary energy device are disclosed. For example, an axial
field rotary energy device can include a housing having coupling
structures configured to mechanically couple the housing to a
second housing of a second module, and electrical elements
configured to electrically couple the housing to the second
housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing, and the rotor
comprises an axis and a magnet; and a stator mounted to the housing
coaxially with the rotor, and the stator comprises a printed
circuit board (PCB) having a PCB layer comprising a coil.
[0005] Another embodiment of a module for an axial field rotary
energy device can include a housing having coupling structures
configured to mechanically couple the housing to a second housing
of a second module, and electrical elements configured to
electrically couple the housing to the second housing; a plurality
of rotors rotatably mounted to the housing, and the rotors comprise
an axis and magnets; and a plurality of stators mounted to the
housing coaxially with the rotors, each stator comprises a printed
circuit board (PCB) having a PCB layer comprising a coil, the
stators are electrically coupled together inside the housing.
[0006] Still another embodiment of a module for an axial field
rotary energy device can include a housing having coupling
structures configured to mechanically couple the housing to a
second housing of a second module, and electrical elements
configured to electrically couple the housing to the second
housing; rotors rotatably mounted to the housing relative to an
axis, and each the rotor comprises magnets; stators mounted to the
housing coaxially with the rotors, each of the stators comprises a
printed circuit board (PCB) having PCB layers, and each PCB layer
comprises coils; and the housing comprises a plurality of side wall
segments that orient the stators at desired angular orientations
with respect to the axis, and angularly offset the stators at
desired phase angles, wherein the side wall segments comprise
radial inner surfaces having slots formed therein, the slots
maintain the desired angular orientation and axial spacing of
respective ones of the stators, and the slots, collectively, hold
outer edges of the stators at desired air gap spacings between the
stators and rotors.
[0007] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of these
embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction
with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] So that the manner in which the features and advantages of
the embodiments are attained and can be understood in more detail,
a more particular description can be had by reference to the
embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
However, the drawings illustrate only some embodiments and
therefore are not to be considered limiting in scope as there can
be other equally effective embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an axial field
rotary energy device.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the device of FIG. 1,
taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the
device of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a single phase
stator having a printed circuit board (PCB).
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of
only the coil layers of a stator.
[0014] FIG. 6A is an enlarged, exploded, isometric view of another
embodiment of only the coil layers of a stator.
[0015] FIG. 6B is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the
stator shown in FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 6C is an enlarged, exploded, isometric view of a
portion of the stator shown in FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 6D is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the
stator shown in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic, partially exploded side view of an
embodiment of the traces on the layers of a stator.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of a multi-phase
stator having a PCB.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the top
coil layer of a stator and magnets of the vertically adjacent
rotors.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a simplified top view of an embodiment of another
embodiment of an axial field rotary energy device.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a simplified sectional side view of the device of
FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a simplified, exploded, isometric view of an
embodiment of the device of FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a simplified top view of an embodiment of a
segmented stator.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a simplified top view of another embodiment of a
segmented stator.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a simplified top view of an embodiment of traces
for a PCB.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a simplified isometric view of the embodiment of
FIG. 15.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a schematic, exploded, isometric view of an
embodiment of trace layers of the PCB of FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a top view of an embodiment of a module.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a sectional side view of the module of FIG. 18,
taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18.
[0031] FIG. 20A is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of
the module of FIGS. 18 and 19.
[0032] FIGS. 20B-20H are isometric and sectional side views of
embodiments of the module of FIG. 20A.
[0033] FIG. 21 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment
of a module.
[0034] FIG. 22 is an assembled isometric view of an embodiment of
the module of FIG. 21.
[0035] FIGS. 23 and 24 are isometric views of an embodiment of
stacked modules with latches open and closed, respectively.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a top, interior view of an embodiment of a
module.
[0037] FIG. 26 is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of a
body for modules.
[0038] FIG. 27 is a top view of an embodiment of a PCB stator for
an axial field rotary energy device.
[0039] FIG. 28 is an enlarged top view of a portion of an
embodiment of the PCB stator of FIG. 27.
[0040] FIG. 29 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a stator
that includes attached sensors.
[0041] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a stator
that includes embedded sensors.
[0042] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an assembly
for stator segments.
[0043] FIG. 32 is an opposite isometric view of an embodiment of an
assembly for stator segments.
[0044] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] FIGS. 1-3 depict various views of an embodiment of a device
31 comprising an axial field rotary energy device (AFRED).
Depending on the application, device 31 can comprise a motor that
converts electrical energy to mechanical power, or a generator that
converts mechanical power to electrical energy.
[0046] I. Panels
[0047] Embodiments of device 31 can include at least one rotor 33
comprising an axis 35 of rotation and a magnet (i.e., at least one
magnet 37). A plurality of magnets 37 are shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 3. Each magnet 37 can include at least one magnet pole.
[0048] Device 31 also can include a stator 41 that is coaxial with
the rotor 33. Rotor 33 can be coupled on a shaft 43 and with other
hardware, such as one or more of the following items: a mount
plate, fastener, washer, bearing, spacer or alignment element.
Embodiments of the stator 41 can include a single unitary panel,
such as the printed circuit board (PCB) 45 shown in FIG. 4. PCB 45
can include at least one PCB layer 47. For example, certain
embodiments described herein include twelve PCB layers 47. PCB
layers 47 can be parallel and spaced apart in the axial direction.
Each PCB layer 47 can include at least one conductive trace 49.
Each trace 49 is a separate conductive feature formed on a given
PCB layer 47. For example, eight traces 49 are shown in FIG. 4.
Traces 49 can be configured in a desired pattern, such as the coils
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of one PCB layer 47 within a
twelve-layer PCB 45. The other eleven PCB layers are similar, with
differences described below in regards to subsequent figures. On
the illustrated PCB layer 47, each trace 49 (forming a single coil)
includes a first terminal 51 at the outer edge of the coil, and a
second terminal 53 in the center of coil. Traces 49 are connected
to other traces 49 using vias 55. A first set of vias 55 is
disposed adjacent to the first terminal 51 at the outer edge of
each coil, and a second set of vias 55 is disposed adjacent to the
second terminal in the center of each coil. In this embodiment,
traces 49 on the illustrated PCB layer 47 are not directly
connected to an adjacent trace 49 on this illustrated PCB layer 47,
but rather are each directly connected to a corresponding trace 49
on another PCB layer 47, as more thoroughly explained in regards to
FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A-6D.
[0050] In this embodiment, each trace 49 is continuous and
uninterrupted from its first terminal 51 to its second terminal 53,
and connections to such trace 49 are made only to the first and
second terminals 51, 53. Each trace 49 includes no other terminals
for electrical connections. In other words, each trace 49 can be
seamlessly continuous with no other electrical connections,
including no additional vias 55, between the first and second
terminals 51, 53. Also shown in FIG. 4, the width of a given trace
49 can be not uniform. For example width 171 corresponding to an
outer trace corner can be wider than width 173 corresponding to an
inner trace corner. Gap 175 between adjacent concentric trace
portions forming a single coil can be the same or different than
the gap 177 between adjacent traces (i.e., separate coils). In some
embodiments, a given trace can comprise an outer width that is
adjacent an outer diameter of the PCB and in a plane that is
perpendicular to the axis 35, and an inner width that is adjacent
an inner diameter of the PCB and in the plane. In some embodiments
the outer width can be greater than the inner width. In some
embodiments a given trace can comprise inner and outer opposing
edges that are not parallel to each other.
[0051] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a twelve-layer PCB 45
incorporating the PCB layer 47 shown in FIG. 4. Each of the twelve
PCB layers 47 are closely spaced and form a "sandwich" of PCB
layers 47, labeled as 47.1-12. On the uppermost PCB layer 47.1, a
first trace 49.11 (also described herein as "coil 49.11") is shown
whose first terminal 51.1 is coupled to an external terminal 61 for
the device 31. On the lowermost PCB layer 47.12, a trace 49.128 is
shown whose first terminal 51.12 is coupled to an external terminal
63 for the device 31. In this embodiment, there are eight traces 49
(coils) on each of twelve PCB layers 47.1-12. These traces are
coupled together (as more fully described below) such that current
flowing into the external terminal 61 will flow through the
ninety-six coils, then flow out the external terminal 63 (or
conversely flow into external terminal 63 and out external terminal
61). In this embodiment, only one trace 49 (e.g., coil 49.11) is
coupled to the external terminal 61 for the device 31, and only one
trace 49 (e.g., coil 49.128) is coupled to the external terminal 63
for the device 31. For a motor, both external terminals 61, 63 are
input terminals and, for a generator, both external terminals 61,
63 are output terminals. As can be appreciated in this embodiment,
each PCB layer includes a plurality of coils that are co-planar and
angularly and symmetrically spaced apart from each other about the
axis, and the coils in adjacent PCB layers, relative to the axis,
are circumferentially aligned with each other relative to the axis
to define symmetric stacks of coils in the axial direction.
[0052] FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a portion of the twelve-layer
PCB 45 shown in FIG. 5, which is labeled to better illustrate how
the coils are coupled together by vias 55, 59, and thus to better
illustrate how current flows into the external terminal 61, through
the ninety-six coils, then flows out the external terminal 63.
Assume that input current 81.1 flows into external terminal 61.
This current flows "spirally" around coil 49.11 (on PCB layer 47.1)
as current 81.2 and 81.3, and reaches the second terminal 53 of
coil 49.11. A via 55.1 couples the second terminal 53 of coil 49.11
to the second terminal of the corresponding coil 49.21 on PCB layer
47.2 directly below coil 49.11. Thus, the current flows through via
55.1 as current 81.4, then flows spirally around coil 49.21 as
current 81.5 until it reaches the first terminal 51 for coil 49.21.
A via 55.2 couples the first terminal 51 of coil 49.21 to the first
terminal of coil 49.12 on PCB layer 47.1, which is adjacent to the
first coil 49.11. In this embodiment, the traces 49 on the first
PCB layer 47.1 are generally reversed (mirror-imaged) relative to
those on the second PCB layer 47.2, so that the via 55.1 overlaps
with both "tabs" on the respective second terminal 53 of coils
49.11 and 49.21, and likewise so that the via 55.2 overlaps with
both "tabs" on the respective first terminal 51 of coils 49.12 and
49.21, as is more thoroughly described below in regards to
subsequent figures. Thus, the current flows through via 55.2 as
current 82.1 to the first terminal 51 of coil 49.12 on PCB layer
47.1.
[0053] From this terminal, the current flows through coils 49.12
and 49.22 similarly to that described for coils 49.11 and 49.21.
For example, the current flows around coil 49.21 (on PCB layer
47.1) as current 82.2 and 82.3 to the second terminal 53 of coil
49.21, flows through via 55.3 as current 82.4 to the second
terminal 53 of coil 49.22, then flows as current 82.5 and 82.6
around coil 49.22 until it reaches the first terminal 51 for coil
49.22. As before, a via 55.4 couples the first terminal 51 of coil
49.22 to the first terminal 51 of coil 49.13 on PCB layer 47.1,
which is adjacent to coil 49.12. This coupling configuration is
replicated for all remaining traces 49 on the upper two PCB layers
47.1, 47.2, and the current flows through these remaining traces 49
until it reaches the last coil 49.28 on PCB layer 47.2. The
current, after having already flowed through all sixteen coils on
the upper two PCB layers 47.1, 47.2, is now directed to the next
PCB layer 47.3. Specifically, a via 59.1 couples the first terminal
51 of coil 49.28 to the first terminal of coil 49.31 on PCB layer
47.3, which is directly below coils 49.11 and 49.21. In this
embodiment there is only one such via 59 coupling a coil on PCB
layer 47.2 to a coil on PCB layer 47.3. Conversely, there are
fifteen such vias 55 coupling together coils on PCB layers 47.1,
47.2. In this embodiment such coupling occurs only at the first and
second terminals 51, 53 of the coils.
[0054] The vias 55 between the third and fourth PCB layers 47.3,
47.4 are configured identically as those between the first and
second PCB layers 47.1, 47.2 described above, and thus the via
configuration and the corresponding current flow need not be
repeated. This continues downward through the PCB layer "sandwich"
until reaching the lowermost PCB layer 47.12 (not shown here). As
described above, the first terminal 51 for trace (coil) 49.128 is
coupled to the external terminal 63. Consequently, the current that
flows inward through external terminal 61, after flowing through
all ninety-six coils, flows outward through external terminal
63.
[0055] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a group of vias 55 shown in
FIG. 5. This via group is adjacent to the respective second
terminal 53 for each of a group of vertically aligned coils 49.1-12
on each of the twelve PCB layers 47.1-12. As noted above, the
traces 49 on the second PCB layer 47.2 are generally reversed
(mirror-imaged) relative to those on the first PCB layer 47.1, so
that the via 55 overlaps with both "tabs" on the respective second
terminal 53 of these vertically adjacent coils. As shown in FIG.
6B, on coil 49.18 (first layer, eighth coil) the second terminal
53.18 includes a tab extending to the side of the trace. In
mirror-image fashion, on coil 49.28 (second layer, eighth coil) the
second terminal 53.28 includes a tab extending in the opposite
direction to the side of the trace, so that these two tabs overlap.
A via 55 couples together these two overlapping tabs. In like
manner, since the embodiment shown includes 12 PCB layers 47, each
of five additional vias 55 respectively couples overlapping
terminals 53.38 and 53.48, overlapping terminals 53.58 and 53.68,
overlapping terminals 53.78 and 53.88, overlapping terminals 53.98
and 53.108, and overlapping terminals 53.118 and 53.128.
[0056] FIG. 6C shows two of these vias 55 in an exploded format.
Terminal 53.38 of coil 49.38 overlaps with terminal 53.48 of coil
49.48, and are coupled together by a first via 55. Terminal 53.58
of coil 49.58 overlaps with terminal 53.68 of coil 49.68, and are
coupled together by a second via 55. As can be clearly appreciated
in the figures, these pairs of overlapping tabs, together with
their corresponding vias 55, are staggered in a radial direction so
that such vias 55 can be implemented using plated through-hole
vias. Alternatively, such vias 55 can be implemented as buried
vias, in which case the vias need not be staggered, but rather can
be vertically aligned.
[0057] FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of a group of vias 59 also shown
in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, these vias 59 are disposed in the
gap between one specific adjacent pair of vertically aligned coils
49 (e.g., between uppermost layer coil 49.11 and 49.18), whereas
vias 55 are disposed in the other gaps between other adjacent pairs
of vertically aligned coils 49. In this figure, the vias 59 are
shown as plated through-hole vias. Vias 55, 59 overlap with both
"tabs" on the respective first terminal 51 of the corresponding
coils. Vias 55 couple horizontally adjacent coils on vertically
adjacent layers, while vias 59 couple horizontally aligned coils on
vertically adjacent layers, both as shown in FIG. 6A. There are
only five vias 59 shown in this embodiment because the first
terminal 51 on the uppermost coil 49.11 is coupled to the external
terminal 61, and the first terminal 51 of coil 49.128 on the
lowermost PCB layer 47.12 is coupled to the external terminal 63,
leaving only 10 PCB layers (47.2-11) having coils whose respective
first terminals 51 are coupled together in pairs. For example, the
innermost via 59.5 couples a respective coil on PCB layer 47.10 to
a respective coil on PCB layer 47.11.
[0058] In various embodiments, each trace 49 can be electrically
coupled to another trace 49 with at least one via 55. In the
example of FIG. 6A, each PCB layer 47 has eight traces 49 and only
one via 55 between traces 49. In some embodiments, every trace 49
is electrically coupled to another trace 49. Together, two traces
49 define a trace pair 57. In FIG. 7, there are twelve PCB layers
47.1-12, and there are six trace pairs 57.1-6.
[0059] Each trace pair 57 can be electrically coupled to another
trace pair 57 with at least one other via 59 (e.g., such as only
one via 59). In some versions, the traces 49 (e.g., coils) in each
trace pair 57 (e.g., coil pair) can be located on different PCB
layers 47, as shown in FIG. 6A. In other versions, however, the
traces 49 in each trace pair 57 can be co-planar and located on the
same PCB layer 47.
[0060] In some embodiments, at least two of the traces 49 (e.g.,
coils) are electrically coupled in series. In other versions, at
least two of the traces 49 (e.g., coils) are electrically coupled
in parallel. In still other versions, at least two of the traces 49
are electrically coupled in parallel, and at least two other traces
49 are electrically coupled in series.
[0061] Embodiments of the device 31 can include at least two of the
trace pairs 57 electrically coupled in parallel. In other versions,
at least two of the trace pairs 57 are electrically coupled in
series. In still other versions, at least two of the trace pairs 57
are electrically coupled in parallel, and at least two other trace
pairs 57 are electrically coupled in series.
[0062] As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6, each PCB layer 47 (only the
top PCB layer 47 is shown in the top views) comprises a PCB layer
surface area (LSA) that is the total surface area (TSA) of the
entire (top) surface of the PCB 45. The TSA does not include the
holes in the PCB 45, such as the center hole and the mounting holes
that are illustrated. The one or more traces 49 (eight coils shown
in FIG. 4) on the PCB layer 47 can comprise a coils surface area
(CSA). The CSA includes the entire footprints of the coils (i.e.,
within their perimeters), not just their "copper surface area". The
CSA can be in a range of at least about 50% of the PCB layer
surface area, such as at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at
least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least
about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about
95%, at least about 97%, or even at least about 99% of the PCB
layer surface area. In other embodiments, the coils surface area
can be not greater than 99% of the PCB layer surface area, such as
not greater than about 95%, not greater than about 90%, not greater
than about 85%, not greater than about 80%, not greater than about
75%, or even not greater than about 70% of the PCB layer surface
area. In other embodiments, the coils surface area can be in a
range between any of these values.
[0063] The CSA also can be calculated with respect to any sensors
or circuitry (such as IOT elements) on or in the PCB. The IOT
elements can be limited to not greater than 50% of the TSA.
Additionally, the IOT elements can be embedded within the CSA or
embedded in at least part of the TSA this is not included in the
CSA.
[0064] The total area of each trace that forms a coil (i.e.,
including the conductive traces, but cannot necessarily include the
spaces between the conductive traces) can be viewed as a coil
surface area. It is believed that performance of the device 31 is
improved with increasing aggregate coil surface area, relative to
the underlying PCB layer surface area on which the coil(s) is
formed.
[0065] In some embodiments (FIG. 4), the device 31 can comprise a
stator 41 comprising a single electrical phase. Versions of the
stator 41 can consist of a single electrical phase. Each PCB layer
47 can comprise a plurality of coils that are co-planar and
symmetrically spaced apart about the axis 35 (FIGS. 2 and 3). In
one example, each coil consists of a single electrical phase.
[0066] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the stator 41 comprising at
least two electrical phases (e.g., three phases shown). Each PCB
layer 47 can include a plurality of coils (such as traces 49) as
shown for each electrical phase. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates
coils corresponding to three phases A, B and C. The coils for each
electrical phase A, B, C can be angularly offset from each other
with respect to the axis 35 (FIGS. 2 and 3) within each PCB layer
47 to define a desired phase angle shift between the electrical
phases A, B, C. In FIG. 6, there are nine traces 49 on each PCB
layer 47. Since the embodiment of stator 41 in FIG. 8 is three
phases, each trace 49 in phase A is 120 electrical degrees apart
from other traces 49 for phase A, and 40 electrical degrees apart
from adjacent traces 49 for phases B and C. The traces 49 for phase
B (relative to phases A and C) and for phase C (relative top phases
A and B) are spaced likewise.
[0067] In some embodiments, each coil (e.g., trace 49) can consist
of a single electrical phase. Alternatively, the coils can be
configured to enable the stator 41 with two or more electrical
phases (e.g., three phases shown in FIG. 8).
[0068] The example in FIG. 9 is a simplified view of only some
interior components of an embodiment of device 31. Each of the
magnets 37 can include a magnet radial edge or element 67 (also
referred to herein as a "magnet radial edge 67"), and each of the
traces 49 can include a trace radial edge or element 69 (also
referred to herein as a "coil radial edge 69"). The magnets 37 are
part of the rotor 33 (FIG. 2) and rotate about the axis 35 with
respect to the stationary stator 41. When radial edge portions of
the magnets 37 and the traces 49 rotationally align relative to the
axis during operation of the device 31, at least portions of the
radial elements 67, 69 can be skewed (i.e., not parallel) relative
to each other. In some embodiments, when radial edge portions of
the magnets and coils rotationally align relative to the axis, the
magnet radial edges and coil radial edges are not parallel and are
angularly skewed relative to each other. FIG. 9 illustrates a
rotation position of the magnets 37 for which a radial edge portion
of the magnet 37 (i.e., the magnet radial edge 69 nearing the
corner of the magnet 37) is rotationally aligned with a radial edge
portion of the coil 49, and which illustrates the skew between the
magnet radial edge 69 and the coil radial edge 67. In one version,
the radial elements 67, 69 can be leading radial edges or trailing
radial edges of the magnets 37 and traces 49. In another example,
the magnet and trace radial edges or elements 67, 69 can be linear
as shown, and no portions of the magnet and trace radial elements
67, 69 are parallel when the magnets 37 and traces 49 rotationally
align in the axial direction.
[0069] In some embodiments, the magnet radial elements 67 can be
angularly skewed relative to the trace radial elements 69, and the
angular skew can be greater than 0 degrees, such as greater than
0.1 degrees, at least about 1 degree, at least about 2 degrees, at
least about 3 degrees, at least about 4 degrees, or even at least
about 5 degrees. In other versions, the angular skew can be not
greater than about 90 degrees, such as not greater than about 60
degrees, not greater than about 45 degrees, not greater than about
30 degrees, not greater than about 25 degrees, not greater than
about 15 degrees, not greater than about 10 degrees, or even not
greater than about 5 degrees. Alternatively, the angular skew can
be in a range between any of these values.
[0070] In an alternate embodiment, at least portions of the radial
elements 67, 69 can be parallel to each other during rotational
alignment.
[0071] II. Segments
[0072] Some embodiments of an axial field rotary energy device can
be configured in a manner similar to that described for device 31,
including assembly hardware, except that the stator can be
configured somewhat differently. For example, FIGS. 10-12 depict a
simplified version of a device 131 with only some elements shown
for ease of understanding. Device 131 can include a stator 141 that
is coaxial with a rotor 133. Optionally, each rotor 133 can include
one or more slits or slots 136 (FIG. 10) that extend therethrough.
In some versions, the slots 136 are angled with respect to axis 135
(FIG. 12) and, thus, are not merely vertical. The angles of the
slots 136 can be provided at constant slopes, and can facilitate a
cooling air flow within the device 131. Slots 136 can enable air
flow to be pulled or pushed through and/or around the rotors 133
and effectively cool the stators 141. Additional slots can be
provided in rotor spacers, such as rotor spacer 143 (FIG. 12),
particularly in embodiments having a plurality of stator segments,
and particularly in embodiments having an inner diameter R-INT of
the stator assembly (FIG. 14) irrespective of the outer diameter
R-EXT.
[0073] Rather than comprising a single panel PCB 45 as described
for stator 41, the stator 141 can include a plurality of stator
segments 142, each of which can be a separate PCB 145. The stator
segments 142 can be coupled together, such as mechanically and
electrically coupled together. Each stator segment 142 can include
a printed circuit board (PCB) having one or more PCB layers 147
(FIG. 13) as described elsewhere herein. In one example, each PCB
145 can have an even number of PCB layers 147. In an alternate
embodiment, the PCB 145 can have an odd number of PCB layers
147.
[0074] Embodiments of the stator segments 142 can comprise or
correspond to only one electrical phase. Moreover, the stator 141
of device 131 can consist of or correspond to only one electrical
phase. In other versions, the stator 141 can comprise or correspond
to a plurality of electrical phases. As shown in FIG. 13, each
stator segment 142 includes at least one PCB layer 147 having at
least one conductive trace 149, such as the coil illustrated. In
some versions (FIG. 14), each stator segment 142 can have at least
one PCB layer 147 having a plurality of traces 149 (e.g., coils)
that are co-planar and angularly spaced apart from each other
relative to the axis 135 (FIGS. 11 and 12). In one example, each
trace 149 can comprise a single electrical phase. In another
version, each stator segment 142 can include a plurality of PCB
layers 147, each of which can be configured to correspond to only
one electrical phase. In some versions, each PCB layer 147 on each
stator segment 142 can include a plurality of axially co-planar
traces 149 that are configured to correspond to only one electrical
phase.
[0075] In some embodiments (FIG. 13), each PCB layer 147 can
include at least one radial trace 150 that extends from about an
inner diameter (ID) of the PCB 145 to about an outer diameter (OD)
of the PCB 145. In one example, each PCB layer 147 can include a
trace 149 that is continuous from an outermost trace portion 152 to
a concentric innermost trace portion 154. The traces 149 can
include radial traces 150 having linear sides and chamfered corners
156. The linear sides of the radial traces can be tapered, having
an increasing trace width with increasing radial distance. Inner
end turn traces 146 and outer end turn traces 148 extend between
the radial traces 150 to form a concentric coil.
[0076] Regarding the tapered traces and coils, the tapers can
improve the amount of conductive material (e.g., copper) that can
be included in a PCB stator. Since many motors and generators
comprise a round shape, the coils can be generally circular and, to
fit together collectively on a stator, the perimeters of the coils
can be somewhat pie-slice-shaped or triangular. In some versions,
the coils can have a same width in a plane perpendicular to the
axis, and in other versions the coils can be tapered to increase
the conductor (e.g., copper) densities of the coils. Improving
copper density can have significant value to reduce electrical
resistance, I.sup.2R losses and heat generation, and increase the
ability to carry a higher electrical current to provide a machine
with higher efficiency.
[0077] In another version, each PCB layer 147 can include only
linear traces 149 (FIGS. 15-17). Linear traces 149 can be
continuous from an outermost trace 152 to a concentric innermost
trace 154. In one example, no trace 149 of the PCB layers 147 is
non-linear. However, embodiments of the only linear traces 149 can
include turns, such as, for example, rounded corners or chamfered
corners. As used herein, a "turn" includes a trace portion
connecting a radial trace to an end turn trace. In other
embodiments, the PCB layer 147 can include one or more non-linear,
such as curvilinear traces.
[0078] As noted herein, the PCB 145 can include a plurality of PCB
layers 147 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial
direction. The PCB layers 147 can comprise layer pairs 157 (FIG.
17; see pairs 157.1 to 157.4). Each layer pair 157 can be defined
as two PCB layers that are electrically coupled together. In one
version, at least one of the PCB layers 147 is electrically coupled
to another PCB layer 147 in series or in parallel. In another
version, at least one layer pair 157 is electrically coupled to
another layer pair 157 in series or in parallel. In one embodiment,
at least one of the layer pairs 157 comprises two PCB layers 147.6
and 147.7 that are axially adjacent to each other. In another
embodiment, at least one of the layer pairs 157 comprises two PCB
layers 147.1 and 147.3 that are not axially adjacent to each other.
Similarly, at least one of the layer pairs 157 can be axially
adjacent to the layer pair 157 to which said at least one of the
layer pairs is electrically coupled. Conversely, at least one of
the layer pairs 157 can be not axially adjacent to the layer pair
157 to which said at least one of the layer pairs 157 is
electrically coupled.
[0079] Embodiments of the PCB layers 147 can include at least one
layer set 181 (FIG. 17). For example, layer set 181 can include a
first layer 147.1, a second layer 147.2, a third layer 147.3 and a
fourth layer 147.4. In some versions, a first via 159 can couple
the first layer 147.1 to the third layer 147.3, a second via 155
can couple the third layer 147.3 to the second layer 147.2, and a
third via 159 can couple the second layer 147.2 to the fourth layer
147.4. In one example, the first, second and third vias 159, 155,
159 are the only vias that intra-couple the layer set 181. In these
examples, the two, directly axially adjacent PCB layers 147.1 and
147.2 are not directly electrically coupled to each other. In FIG.
17 each of the vias 159 couples a pair of non-adjacent PCB layers
147 while bypassing (i.e., making no contact to) the intervening
PCB layer 147. For example, via 159.1 couples PCB layer 147.1 to
PCB layer 147.3, and makes no contact with PCB layer 147.2.
Conversely, each of the vias 155 couples a pair of adjacent PCB
layers 147. For example, via 155.2 couples PCB layer 147.2 to PCB
layer 147.3. Each via 155, 159 that couples together a respective
pair of PCB layers, forms a corresponding layer pair 157. For
example, layer pair 157.1 includes PCB layer 147.1 and PCB layer
147.3. Layer pair 157.2 includes PCB layer 147.2 and PCB layer
147.3. Layer pair 157.3 includes PCB layer 147.2 and PCB layer
147.4. Layer pair 157.4 includes PCB layer 147.4 and PCB layer
147.5. Layer pair 157.5 includes PCB layer 147.5 and PCB layer
147.7. Layer pair 157.6 includes PCB layer 147.6 and PCB layer
147.7. Layer pair 157.7 includes PCB layer 147.6 and PCB layer
147.8.
[0080] In FIG. 17, each via is shown having a blunt end and a
pointed end. This shape is not intended to imply any structural
difference between the two ends of each via, but rather is intended
to provide a consistent indication of the direction of current flow
through each via. Moreover, while each via is also shown as
extending vertically only as far as necessary to couple the
corresponding pair of PCB layers 147, in certain embodiments each
via can be implemented as a plated through-hole via extending
through the entire PCB (e.g., see vias 59 in FIG. 6D). Each of such
plated through-hole vias can make contact with any PCB layer 147
having a trace 149 that overlaps such a via. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 17, a given through-hole via overlaps and makes a
connection with only two PCB layers 147, while the traces 149 of
all remaining PCB layers 147 do not overlap the given via and are
not connected to the given via. Alternatively, some embodiments can
include buried vias that vertically extend only between the
corresponding PCB layers 147 to be connected.
[0081] III. Modules
[0082] FIGS. 18, 19, 20A-20H disclose embodiments of a module 201
for one or more axial field rotary energy devices 231. Device(s)
231 can comprise any of the axial field rotary energy device
embodiments disclosed herein. In the embodiments shown in these
figures, the module 201 includes a housing 203 having a side wall
211, three stators (shown as PCB stator panel 245), and four rotor
assemblies 242, 244. Each rotor assembly 244 is vertically disposed
between two stators 245, and includes a pair of identical rotor
panels 236 and a group of rotor permanent magnets 237. Each rotor
panel 236 includes a set of recessed indentations to position each
of the rotor magnets 237, and the two rotor panels 236 are secured
together to sandwich each of the group of rotor magnets between the
opposing upper and lower rotor panels 236. Each rotor assembly 242
is vertically disposed between a stator 245 and a housing 203, and
includes a torque plate 233, a rotor panel 234, and a group of
rotor permanent magnets 237.
[0083] The vertical spacing between rotor assemblies (e.g., 242,
244) is maintained by spacers (e.g., 262, 263) that extend from one
rotor assembly to the adjacent rotor assembly through a hole in the
intervening stator panel 245. The rotor spacing corresponds to the
thickness of the stator panel 245 and the desired air gap spacing
(such as above and/or below) the stator panel 245. Each rotor
spacer can define the air gap between the rotor assembly and the
stator (and also can define the height 215 of the side wall slots,
as noted below). Each rotor spacer is positioned between two rotor
assemblies. For example, rotor spacer 262 is positioned between the
uppermost rotor assembly 242 and the adjacent inner rotor assembly
244 (and likewise for the lowermost rotor assembly 242). Each rotor
spacer 263 is positioned between adjacent inner rotor assemblies
244. As is depicted here, such rotor spacer 263 can have a
different thickness as rotor spacer 262, due to mechanical
differences in the uppermost and lowermost rotor assemblies 242
relative to the inner rotor assemblies 244, to define the same air
gap spacing between all rotors and stators. The use of the rotor
spacers 262, 263 enables stacking multiple rotors (e.g., rotor
assemblies 242, 244), which can provide significant flexibility in
the configuration of module 201.
[0084] Embodiments of the housing 203 can include a side wall 211
(FIGS. 20A-20H and 21). Side wall 211 can be configured to orient
the stator (e.g., stator panel 245) at a desired angular
orientation with respect to the axis 235. For applications
including a plurality of stators 245, the side wall 211 can
comprise a plurality of side wall segments 212. The side wall
segments 212 can be configured to angularly offset the plurality of
stators 245 at desired electric phase angles (see, e.g., FIGS. 20C
and 25) for the module 201, relative to the axis. In one example,
the side wall 211 can include a radial inner surface having one or
more slots 214 formed therein. Each slot 214 can be configured to
receive and hold the outer edge of the stator 245 to maintain the
desired angular orientation of the stator 245 with respect to the
axis 235. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A-20H, each side wall
211 includes three slots 214 formed between mating pairs of side
wall segments 212. In some embodiments the upper and lower sidewall
segments 212 of such mating pair are identical and thus can be used
interchangeably, but in other contemplated embodiments the upper
and lower side wall segments 212 can be different due to
asymmetrical slots 214, differences in mounting hole placement, or
some other aspect.
[0085] In addition to providing the angular offset of the stators
245 as described above, the slots 214 can be configured to axially,
such as vertically, position the outer edge of each stator 245 at
prescribed axial positions with respect to other stators 41. Since
the rotor spacers 262, 263 determine the axial spacing between each
stator 245 (at the innermost extent thereof) and the corresponding
rotor assembly (e.g., 242, 244 in FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20D) on
either axial side (e.g., above and below) each stator 245, the
combination of the side wall slots 214 (i.e., the height 215 of
such slots 214) and the rotor spacers 262, 263 serve to maintain a
precise air gap spacing between stators 245 and rotor assemblies
242, 244. In other embodiments having a single stator 245, each
side wall segment 212 can be configured to provide one side wall
slot 214. The group of side wall segments 212 together provide
numerous slots 214 (e.g., eight such slots 214) radially spaced
around the module 201. Collectively such side wall slots 214 can be
viewed as facilitating the air gap spacing between the stator and
the adjacent rotor.
[0086] Versions of the module 201 can include a housing 203 having
mechanical features (e.g., keyed shafts 209 in FIG. 21) configured
to mechanically couple the housing 203 to a second housing 203 of a
second module 201. In addition, housing 203 can be configured with
electrical elements (e.g., electrical connector couplings 204 in
FIGS. 21 and 22) to electrically couple the housing 203 to the
second housing 203. In one example, the module 201 is air cooled
and is not liquid cooled. In other versions, liquid-cooled
embodiments can be employed.
[0087] In some examples, the module 201 can be configured to be
indirectly coupled to the second module 201 with an intervening
structure, such as a frame 205 (FIGS. 21-22). The module 201 can be
configured to be directly coupled to the frame 205, such that the
module 201 is configured to be indirectly coupled to the second
module 201 with other components depending on the application. In
another example, the module 201 can be configured to be directly
coupled to the second module 201 without a frame, chassis or other
intervening structure.
[0088] In some embodiments, at least one rotor 233, at least one
magnet 237 and at least one stator 241 having at least one PCB 245
with at least one PCB layer 147 having at least one trace 149, can
be located inside and surrounded by the housing 203.
[0089] In some versions, each module 201 consists of a single
electrical phase. In other versions each module 201 comprises a
plurality of electrical phases. Examples of each module 201 can
include a plurality of PCB panels 245 (FIGS. 20A-20H). Each PCB
panel 245 can comprise a single electrical phase or a plurality of
electrical phases. The PCB panels can be unitary panels or can
comprise stator segments as described elsewhere herein.
[0090] In one version, the module 201 and the second module 201 can
be configured to be identical to each other. In another version,
the module 201 and the second module 201 can differ. For example,
the module 201 can differ from the second module 201 by at least
one of the following variables: power input or output, number of
rotors 233, number of magnets 237, number of stators 41 (see
previous drawings), number of PCBs 245, number of PCB layers 47
(see previous drawings), number of traces 49 (see previous
drawings), and angular orientation with respect to the axis 235.
For example, in some embodiments one or more of these variables can
be modified to achieve differences in power efficiency, torque,
achievable revolutions per minute (RPM), so that different modules
201 can be utilized to better tailor operation as a function of the
load or other desired operating parameter.
[0091] Some embodiments of the module 201 can include at least one
latch 207 (FIGS. 23 and 24) configured to mechanically secure the
modules together. FIG. 23 depicts modules nested together with the
latches 207 open, and FIG. 24 depicts modules nested together with
the latches 207 closed. In one example, the latches 207 can be
symmetrically arrayed with respect to the axis 235. In another
version, a top module (not shown) can be configured to be axially
on top of another module, and the top module can differ
structurally from the second module. For example, the top module
201 can include latches 207 only on its bottom side, and omit such
latches 207 on its top side. As another example, the shaft 209 can
extend from the bottom module 201, but not from the top module
201.
[0092] As shown in FIGS. 21-24, the module 201 can include a keyed
shaft 209. Module 201 can be mounted to the keyed shaft which can
be configured to mechanically couple to another module 201.
[0093] Some embodiments can further comprise a body 213 (FIG. 26)
(also referred to herein as an "enclosure"). Body 213 can be
configured to contain and coaxially mount a plurality of the
modules 201 within the body 213. In the example illustrated, the
body 213 comprises two halves that are coupled together with
fasteners. For versions where each module 201 comprises a single
electrical phase, and the body 213 can be configured to maintain
the modules 201 at a desired electrical phase angle with respect to
the axis 235. For versions where the body 213 comprises a plurality
of electrical phases, and the body 213 can be configured to
maintain the modules 201 at desired electrical phase angles with
respect to the axis 235.
[0094] In other versions, there can be a plurality of bodies 213.
Each body 213 can include mechanical features such as coupling
structures configured to mechanically couple each body 213 to at
least one other body 213, and electrical elements configured to
electrically couple each body 213 to at least one other body 213.
Each body 213 can be configured to directly or indirectly couple to
at least one other body 213.
[0095] In some generator embodiments, a body (or more than one
intercoupled bodies) can include a number of electrical phases
(such as about 4 to 99; e.g., at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or
more) electrical phases of alternating current output. Thus, the AC
current output can act like a DC-like output ripple without being
rectified or requiring a power conversion. In other versions, such
AC current output can be rectified.
[0096] Embodiments of a system for providing energy also are
disclosed. For example, the system can include a plurality of
modules 201 comprising axial field rotary energy devices. The
modules 201 can be interchangeably connectable to each other to
configure the system for a desired power output. Each module can be
configured based on any of the embodiments described herein. The
system can comprise a generator or a motor. Embodiments of the
system can include at least two of the modules 201 configured to
differ. For example, the modules 201 can differ from each other by
at least one of the following variables: power output or input,
number of rotors, number of magnets, number of stators, number of
PCBs, number of PCB layers, number of coils, and angular
orientation with respect to the axis.
[0097] Embodiments of a method of repairing an axial field rotary
energy device are disclosed as well. For example, the method can
include the following steps: providing a body 213 having a
plurality of modules 201. Each module 201 can be configured as
described for any of the embodiments disclosed herein. The method
also can include mechanically and electrically coupling the modules
201 such that the modules 201 are coaxial; operating the axial
field energy device; detecting a problem with one of the modules
201 and stopping operation of the axial field energy device;
opening the body 213 and de-attaching the problem module 201 from
all other modules 201 to which the problem module 201 is attached;
installing a replacement module 201 in the body 213 in place of the
problem module 201 and attaching the replacement module 201 to the
other modules 201 to which the problem module 201 was attached; and
then re-operating the axial field energy device.
[0098] Other embodiments of the method include angularly aligning
the modules to at least one desired electrical phase angle with
respect to the axis. In another version, the method can include
providing a plurality of bodies 213, and mechanically and
electrically coupling the bodies 213.
[0099] Still other embodiments of a method of operating an axial
field rotary energy device can include providing an enclosure
having a plurality of modules, each module comprises a housing,
rotors rotatably mounted to the housing, each rotor comprises an
axis and a magnet, stators mounted to the housing coaxially with
the rotors, each stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)
having a coil, each stator consists of a single electrical phase,
and selected ones of the stators are set at desired phase angles
with respect to the axis; mechanically and electrically coupling
the modules such that the modules are coaxial within the enclosure;
and then operating the axial field energy device. In other words,
setting the single phase stators at the same phase angle can form a
single phase machine, and setting the single phase stators at
varying phase angles can form a multi-phase machine (or more than 2
phases).
[0100] Optionally, the enclosure and each module can comprise a
single electrical phase, and the method can comprise angularly
aligning the modules at a desired electrical phase angle with
respect to the axis. The method can include the enclosure with a
plurality of electrical phases, each module comprises a single
electrical phase, and angularly orienting the modules at desired
electrical phase angles with respect to the axis. The enclosure and
each module can include a plurality of electrical phases, and
angularly misaligning the modules at desired electrical phase
angles with respect to the axis.
[0101] Some versions of the method can include providing a
plurality of bodies, and the method further comprises mechanically
and electrically coupling the bodies to form an integrated system.
Each module can include a plurality of stators that are angularly
offset from each other with respect to the axis at desired
electrical phase angles. In one example, each stator consists of
only one PCB. In other examples, each stator comprises two or more
PCBs that are coupled together to form each stator. In still
another version, the enclosure can have a number electrical phases
of alternating current (AC) output that is substantially equivalent
to a clean direct current (DC)-like ripple without a power
conversion, as described herein.
[0102] In other versions, a method of repairing an axial field
rotary energy device can include providing a plurality of bodies
that are coupled together, each enclosure having a plurality of
modules, each module comprising a housing, a rotor rotatably
mounted to the housing, the rotor comprises an axis and a magnet, a
stator mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotor, and the
stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB); mechanically and
electrically coupling the modules; operating the axial field rotary
energy device; detecting an issue with a first module in a first
enclosure and stopping operation of the axial field rotary energy
device; opening the first enclosure and disassembling the first
module from the first enclosure and any other module to which the
first module is attached; installing a second module in the first
enclosure in place of the first module and attaching the second
module to said any other module to which the first module was
attached; and then re-operating the axial field rotary energy
device.
[0103] Embodiments of each module can have only one orientation
within the enclosure, such that each module can be installed or
uninstalled relative to the enclosure in singular manners. The
purpose of such designs is so the person doing work on the system
cannot re-install new modules into an existing system the wrong
position. It can only be done in only one orientation. The method
can occur while operation of the AFRED is suspended, and treatment
of the first module occurs without interrupting said any other
module, and without modifying or impacting said any other
module.
[0104] FIG. 27 depicts another embodiment of a PCB stator 311 for
an axial field rotary energy device, such as those disclosed
herein. PCB stator 311 comprises a substrate having one or more
traces 313 that are electrically conductive. In the version shown,
PCB stator 311 comprises eight coils of traces 313. In addition,
PCB stator 311 can comprise more than one layer of traces 313. The
traces 313 on each layer are co-planar with the layer. In addition,
the traces 313 are arrayed about a central axis 315 of the PCB
stator.
[0105] FIG. 28 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the PCB
stator of FIG. 27. In the embodiment shown, each trace 313
comprises radial portions 317 (relative to axis 315) and end turns
319 extending between the radial portions 317. Each trace 313 can
be split with a slit 321. In some versions, only radial portions
317 comprise slits 321. Slits 321 can help reduce eddy current
losses during operation. Eddy currents oppose the magnetic field
during operation. Reducing eddy currents increases magnetic
strength and increases efficiency of the system. In contrast, wide
traces can allow eddy currents to build. The slits in the traces
313 can reduce the opportunity for eddy currents to form. The slits
can force the current to flow through the traces 313 more
effectively.
[0106] The axial field rotary energy device can comprise a "smart
machine" that includes one or more sensors integrated therewith. In
some embodiments, such a sensor can be configured to monitor,
detect, or generate data regarding operation of the axial field
rotary energy device. In certain embodiments, the operational data
can include at least one of power, temperature, rate of rotation,
rotor position, or vibration data.
[0107] Versions of the axial field rotary energy device can
comprise an integrated machine that includes one or more control
circuits integrated therewith. Other versions of the axial field
rotary energy device can comprise a fully integrated machine that
includes one or more sensors and one or more control circuits
integrated therewith. For example, one or more sensors and/or
control circuits can be integrated with the PCB and/or integrated
with the housing. For motor embodiments, these control circuits can
be used to drive or propel the machine. For example, in some motor
embodiments, such a control circuit can include an input coupled to
receive an external power source, and can also include an output
coupled to provide a current flowing through one or more stator
coils. In some embodiments the control circuit is configured to
supply torque and/or torque commands to the machine. In some
generator embodiments, such a control circuit can include an input
coupled to receive the current flowing through the coil, and can
also include an output coupled to generate an external power
source.
[0108] For example, one or more sensors and/or control circuits can
be integrated with the PCB stator 311. FIG. 29 shows another
exemplary stator 340 having integrated sensors (e.g., 342, 346)
that are attached to its uppermost PCB layer 47. One such sensor
342 is coupled to a secondary coil 344 that can be used to
transmit/receive data to/from an external device, and can be also
used to couple power to the sensor 342. In some embodiments the
secondary coil can be configured to utilize magnetic flux developed
during operation to provide power for the sensor 342. In some
embodiments the secondary coil can be configured to receive
inductively coupled power from an external coil (not shown). The
secondary coil 344 may also be referred to herein as a micro-coil,
or a miniature coil, as in certain embodiments such a secondary
coil can be much smaller than a stator coil 49, but no relative
size inference is intended. Rather, such a secondary coil 344 is
distinct from the stator coils 49 that cooperate with the rotor
magnets, as described above. Such a secondary coil integrated with
the PCB stator 311 can, in certain embodiments, be disposed on the
PCB stator 311 (e.g., fabricated on, or attached to, its uppermost
PCB layer 47). Such a secondary coil integrated with the PCB stator
311 can, in certain embodiments, be disposed within (i.e., embedded
within) the PCB stator 311. In some embodiments, the secondary coil
344 provides power to a sensor connected thereto. Such coupled
power can be primary or auxiliary power for the sensor.
[0109] Sensor 346 is coupled to the first terminal 51 for one of
the traces 49 on the upper PCB layer 47, and can sense an operating
parameter such as voltage, temperature at that location, and can
also be powered by the attached coil (e.g., one of the coils 49).
Sensor 348 is coupled to an external terminal 350, and likewise can
sense an operating parameter such as voltage, temperature at that
location, and can also be powered by the voltage coupled to the
external terminal 350. Sensor 350 is disposed at an outer edge of
the PCB stator 340, but is coupled to no conductor on the PCB layer
47.
[0110] In some embodiments, such a sensor can be embedded directly
in one of the coils 49 and can be electrically powered directly by
the coil 49. In some embodiments, such a sensor can be powered and
connected to the coil 49 through a separate connection that is
disposed on or within the PCB layer 47, such as the connection
between the first terminal 51 and sensor 346. Such a connection can
be disposed on the PCB layer 47 or disposed within the PCB (e.g.,
on an internal layer of the PCB). In other embodiments, the sensor
and/or circuitry can get power from an external power source. For
example, one type of external power source can be a conventional
wall electrical socket which can be coupled to the housing of the
motor or generator.
[0111] The sensors can provide operators of generator or motor
products with real time operational data as well as, in certain
embodiments, predictive data on various parameters of the product.
This can include how the equipment is operating, and how and when
to schedule maintenance. Such information can reduce product
downtime and increase product life. In some embodiments, the sensor
can be integrated within the housing. In some examples, the sensors
can be embedded within the PCB stator 340, as is shown in FIG. 30
(e.g., sensors 362, 366, 368, 372, and coil 364).
[0112] One example of a sensor for these applications is a Hall
effect sensor. Hall effect sensors are used for proximity
switching, positioning, speed detection, and current sensing
applications. In its simplest form, the Hall effect sensor operates
as an analog transducer, directly returning a voltage.
[0113] Another example of a sensor is an optical sensor. Optical
sensors can measure the intensity of electromagnetic waves in a
wavelength range between UV light and near infrared light. The
basic measurement device is a photodiode. Combining a photodiode
with electronics makes a pixel. In one example, the optical sensor
can include an optical encoder that uses optics to measure or
detect the positions of the magnetic rotor.
[0114] Another example of a sensor is a thermocouple sensor to
measure temperature. Thermocouples comprise two wire legs made from
different metals. The wires legs are welded together at one end,
creating a junction. The junction is where the temperature is
measured. When the junction experiences a change in temperature, a
voltage is created.
[0115] Another optional sensor is an accelerometer. Accelerometers
are an electromechanical device used to measure acceleration
forces. Such forces can be static, like the continuous force of
gravity or, as is the case with many mobile devices, dynamic to
sense movement or vibrations. Acceleration is the measurement of
the change in velocity, or speed divided by time.
[0116] A gyro sensor, which functions like a gyroscope, also can be
employed in these systems. Gyro sensors can be used to provide
stability or maintain a reference direction in navigation systems,
automatic pilots, and stabilizers.
[0117] The PCB stator 340 also can include a torque sensor. A
torque sensor, torque transducer or torque meter is a device for
measuring and recording the torque on a rotating system, such as
the axial field rotary energy device.
[0118] Another optional sensor is a vibration sensor. Vibration
sensors can measure, display and analyze linear velocity,
displacement and proximity, or acceleration. Vibration, even minor
vibration, can be a telltale sign of the condition of a
machine.
[0119] In various embodiments, the sensors depicted in FIG. 29 and
FIG. 30 can also represent control circuits integrated with the PCB
stator 345. Such control circuits can be disposed on a surface of
the PCB (analogously to the sensors depicted in FIG. 29), disposed
within (i.e., embedded within) the PCB (analogously to the sensors
depicted in FIG. 30), and/or integrated with or within the housing
(e.g., housing 203 in FIG. 18).
[0120] In some generator embodiments, the control circuit can
implement power conversion from an AC voltage developed in the
stator coils to an external desired power source (e.g., an AC
voltage having a different magnitude than the coils voltage, a DC
voltage developed by rectifying the coils voltage). In some motor
embodiments, the control circuit can implement an integrated drive
circuitry that can provide desired AC current waveforms to the
stator coils to drive the motor. In some examples, the integrated
drive can be a variable frequency drive (VFD), and can be
integrated with the same housing as the motor. The sensors and/or
circuitry disclosed herein can be wirelessly or hard-wired to any
element of, on or in the housing. Alternatively, the sensors and/or
circuitry can be located remotely relative to the housing.
[0121] Each of these sensors and control circuits can include a
wireless communication circuit configured to communicate with an
external device through a wireless network environment. Such
wireless communication can be unidirectional or bidirectional, and
can be useful for monitoring a status of the system, operating the
system, communicating predictive data, etc. The wireless
communication via the network can be conducted using, for example,
at least one of long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A),
code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA),
universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless
broadband (WiBro), or global system for mobile communications
(GSM), as a cellular communication protocol.
[0122] Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication
can include, for example, short-range communication. The
short-range communication can be conducted by, for example, at
least one of wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth.RTM., near field
communication (NFC), or GNSS. GNSS can include, for example, at
least one of global positioning system (GPS), Glonass.RTM. global
navigation satellite system, Beidou.RTM. navigation satellite
system, or Galileo.RTM., the European global satellite-based
navigation system. In the present disclosure, the terms `GPS` and
`GNSS` are interchangeably used with each other. The network can be
a communication network, for example, at least one of a computer
network (for example, local area network (LAN) or wide area network
(WAN)), the Internet, or a telephone network.
[0123] In certain embodiments, such a wireless communication
circuit can be coupled to a secondary coil (e.g., secondary coil
344) to communicate telemetry information, such as the operational
data described above.
[0124] FIGS. 31 and 32 show an embodiment of an assembly for
mechanically coupling together stator segments 380 to form a
stator. A clasp 382 slides over portions of a mounting pad 381 on
two adjacent stator segments 380, which is secured by a pair of
nuts on each of two bolts (e.g., bolt 384). The clasp 382 includes
an alignment tab 392 that can be positioned into a side wall slot
214 as described above. The inner diameter edge of the two adjacent
stator segments 380 slides into a channeled rotor spacer 390 in the
shape of an annular ring. In some embodiments this rotor spacer 390
can ride on a thrust bearing with the rotor to allow the rotor
spacer 390 and stator to remain stationary while the rotor rotates.
In other embodiments a rotor spacer as described above (e.g., FIGS.
18, 20A-20H) can fit within the open center of the channeled rotor
spacer 390.
[0125] Electrical connection between adjacent stator segments 380,
381 can be implemented using a wire 387 between respective circuits
386, 388. Circuit 386 can connect to a trace on the upper layer (or
another layer using a via) of the stator segment 380. Similarly,
circuit 388 can connect to a trace on any layer of the stator
segment 381. Such circuits 386, 388 can include any of the sensors
described above (FIGS. 29-30), but can also merely provide an
electrical connection from the respective PCB to the wire 387. In
other embodiments, electrical connection also can be made via the
mounting surface of the PCB being a conductive material and
connected to the coil and then coupling those components through
the clasp, which also can include conductive material on the inner
surface thereof.
[0126] Electrical connection can also be implemented using the
clasp 382 in combination with an electrically conductive mounting
pad 383. If the mounting pad 383 is continuous and unbroken, the
clasps 382 can provide a common electrical connection around the
circumference of the stator. If such mounting pads are
discontinuous and broken into two pieces (as shown by the dash
lines, with each piece coupled to a respective terminal of a trace
on that segment, the clasps 382 can serially connect such stator
segments.
[0127] The axial field rotary energy device is suitable for many
applications. The PCB stator 340 can be configured for a desired
power criteria and form factor for devices such as permanent
magnet-type generators and motors. Such designs are lighter in
weight, easier to produce, easier to maintain and more capable of
higher efficiency.
[0128] Examples of permanent magnet generator (PMG) applications
can include a wind turbine generator, micro-generator application,
permanent magnet direct drive generator, steam turbine generator,
hydro generator, thermal generator, gas generator, wood-fire
generator, coal generator, high frequency generator (e.g.,
frequency over 60 Hz), portable generator, auxiliary power unit,
automobiles, alternator, regenerative braking device, PCB stator
for regenerative braking device, back-up or standby power
generation, PMG for back up or standby power generation, PMG for
military usage and a PMG for aerospace usage.
[0129] In other embodiments, examples of a permanent magnet motor
(PMM) can include an AC motor, DC motor, servo motor, stepper
motor, drone motor, household appliance, fan motor, microwave oven,
vacuum machine, automobile, drivetrain for electric vehicle,
industrial machinery, production line motor, internet of things
sensors (JOT) enabled, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC), HVAC fan motor, lab equipment, precision motors, military,
motors for autonomous vehicles, aerospace and aircraft motors.
[0130] Other versions can include one or more of the following
embodiments:
[0131] Other versions can include one or more of the following
embodiments:
[0132] 1. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0133] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet;
[0134] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprising a
printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of PCB layers that
are spaced apart in an axial direction, each PCB layer comprises a
coil having only two terminals for electrical connections, each
coil is continuous and uninterrupted between its only two
terminals, each coil consists of a single electrical phase, and one
of the two terminals of each coil is electrically coupled to
another coil with a via to define a coil pair; and
[0135] each coil pair is electrically coupled to another coil pair
with another via.
[0136] 2. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils,
and the coils in each coil pair are co-planar and located on a same
PCB layer.
[0137] 3. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the coils in each coil pair are located on
different PCB layers.
[0138] 4. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coils are electrically
coupled in series.
[0139] 5. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coils are electrically
coupled in parallel.
[0140] 6. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coils are electrically
coupled in parallel, and at least two other coils are electrically
coupled in series.
[0141] 7. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coil pairs are
electrically coupled in parallel.
[0142] 8. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coil pairs are
electrically coupled in series.
[0143] 9. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coil pairs are
electrically coupled in parallel, and at least two other coil pairs
are electrically coupled in series.
[0144] 10. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a PCB layer surface
area, the coil on each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
having a coils surface area that is in a range of at least about
75% to about 99% of the PCB layer surface area.
[0145] 11. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
that are co-planar and symmetrically spaced apart about the axis,
and the coils in adjacent PCB layers, relative to the axis, are
circumferentially aligned with each other relative to the axis to
define symmetric stacks of coils in the axial direction.
[0146] 12. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator consists of a single electrical
phase.
[0147] 13. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator comprises at least two electrical
phases.
[0148] 14. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
for each electrical phase, and the coils for each electrical phase
are angularly offset from each other with respect to the axis
within each PCB layer to define a desired phase angle shift between
the electrical phases.
[0149] 15. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator comprises a single unitary
panel.
[0150] 16. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each coil is coupled to another coil with only
one via.
[0151] 17. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each coil pair is coupled to another coil pair
with only one via.
[0152] 18. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the via comprises a plurality of vias.
[0153] 19. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein said another via comprises a plurality of
vias.
[0154] 20. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the axial field rotary energy device is a
generator.
[0155] 21. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the axial field rotary energy device is a
motor.
[0156] 22. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the axial field rotary energy device comprises
two or more electrical phases and two or more external
terminals.
[0157] 23. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the coils are identical to each other.
[0158] 24. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coils are not identical to
each other and differ from each by at least one of size or
shape.
[0159] 25. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0160] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet; and
[0161] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprising a
printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of PCB layers that
are spaced apart in an axial direction, each PCB layer comprises a
coil, and the plurality of PCB layers comprise:
[0162] a plurality of coil layer pairs, the coils in each coil
layer pair are on different PCB layers, at least two of the coil
layer pairs are coupled together in parallel, and at least another
two of the coil layer pairs are coupled together in series.
[0163] 26. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator comprises at least two electrical
phases.
[0164] 27. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
for each electrical phase, and the coils for each electrical phase
are angularly offset from each other with respect to the axis
within each PCB layer to define a desired phase angle shift between
the electrical phases.
[0165] 28. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each coil consists of a single electrical
phase.
[0166] 29. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0167] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet;
[0168] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprising a
printed circuit board (PCB) having a first PCB layer and a second
PCB layer that are spaced apart from each other in an axial
direction, each PCB layer comprises a coil that is continuous, and
each coil has only two terminals for electrical connections; and
[0169] only one via to electrically couple the coils through one
terminal of each of the coils.
[0170] 30. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0171] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet;
[0172] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
printed circuit board (PCB) consisting of a single unitary panel
having at least two electrical phases, the PCB comprises a
plurality of PCB layers that are spaced apart in an axial
direction, each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils, each coil
has only two terminals for electrical connections, each coil is
continuous and uninterrupted between its only two terminals, each
coil consists of a single electrical phase, and one of the two
terminals of each coil is electrically coupled to another coil with
only one via to define a coil pair, each coil pair is electrically
coupled to another coil pair with another only one via;
[0173] the coils in each PCB layer are co-planar and symmetrically
spaced apart about the axis, and the coils in adjacent PCB layers
are circumferentially aligned with each other to define symmetric
stacks of coils in the axial direction; and
[0174] each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils for each
electrical phase, and the coils for each electrical phase are
angularly offset from each other with respect to the axis within
each PCB layer to define a desired phase angle shift between the
electrical phases.
[0175] 1. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0176] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet; and
[0177] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of stator segments coupled together about the axis, each
stator segment comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer comprising a coil, and each stator segment comprises only one
electrical phase.
[0178] 2. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator consists of only one electrical
phase.
[0179] 3. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of electrical
phases.
[0180] 4. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the coils are identical to each other.
[0181] 5. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
that are co-planar and angularly spaced apart from each other
relative to the axis.
[0182] 6. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each stator segment comprises a plurality of
PCB layers, each of which is configured to provide said only one
electrical phase.
[0183] 7. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer on each stator segment
comprises a plurality of coils that are co-planar and configured to
provide said only one electrical phase.
[0184] 8. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each coil comprises radial traces that extend
from about an inner diameter of the PCB to about an outer diameter
of the PCB.
[0185] 9. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each coil comprises a trace that is continuous
from an outermost trace portion to a concentric innermost trace
portion, and the coils comprise radial elements having linear sides
and turns.
[0186] 10. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments 9, wherein each coil comprises only linear traces that
are continuous from an outermost trace to a concentric innermost
trace, no trace of the PCB layers is non-linear, and said each coil
comprises corners to join the only linear traces.
[0187] 11. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments 0, wherein each PCB layer comprises a PCB layer surface
area, the coil on each PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils
having a coils surface area that is in a range of at least about
75% to about 99% of the PCB layer surface area.
[0188] 12. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments 1, wherein each PCB layer comprises a plurality of
coils that are co-planar and symmetrically spaced apart about the
axis, and the coils in adjacent PCB layers are circumferentially
aligned with each other relative to the axis to define symmetric
stacks of coils in an axial direction.
[0189] 13. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0190] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet;
[0191] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of stator segments coupled together about the axis, each
stator segment comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a
plurality of PCB layers each comprising a coil, the PCB layers are
spaced apart from each other in an axial direction, each of the
PCBs has an even number of PCB layers, the PCB layers comprise
layer pairs, each layer pair is defined as two PCB layers that are
electrically coupled together with a via, and each layer pair is
coupled to another layer pair with another via.
[0192] 14. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the PCB layers is electrically
coupled to another PCB layer in series.
[0193] 15. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the PCB layers is electrically
coupled to another PCB layer in parallel.
[0194] 16. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one layer pair is electrically
coupled to another layer pair in series.
[0195] 17. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one layer pair is electrically
coupled to another layer pair in parallel.
[0196] 18. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the layer pairs comprises two
PCB layers that are axially spaced apart from and axially adjacent
to each other.
[0197] 19. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the layer pairs comprises two
PCB layers that are not axially adjacent to each other.
[0198] 20. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the layer pairs is axially
adjacent to the layer pair to which said at least one of the layer
pairs is electrically coupled.
[0199] 21. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least one of the layer pairs is not axially
adjacent to the layer pair to which said at least one of the layer
pairs is electrically coupled.
[0200] 22. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the coils are identical to each other.
[0201] 23. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least two of the coils are not identical to
each other and differ from each by at least one of size, shape or
architecture.
[0202] 24. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0203] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet; and
[0204] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of stator segments and a plurality of electrical phases,
each stator segment comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having
at least one PCB layer with a coil, and each stator segment
comprises only one electrical phase.
[0205] 25. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0206] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a magnet;
[0207] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of stator segments coupled together about the axis, each
stator segment comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a
plurality of PCB layers each comprising coils, the PCB layers are
spaced apart from each other in an axial direction, each of the
PCBs has an even number of PCB layers, the PCB layers comprise
layer pairs, and each layer pair is defined as two PCB layers that
are electrically coupled together; and
[0208] the coils in each PCB layer are co-planar and angularly and
symmetrically spaced apart from each other about the axis, and the
coils in adjacent PCB layers are circumferentially aligned with
each other to define symmetric stacks of coils in the axial
direction.
[0209] 26. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator consists of only one electrical
phase, and the coils are identical to each other.
[0210] 27. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of electrical
phases.
[0211] 28. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each PCB layer is configured to provide only
one electrical phase.
[0212] 29. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the coils on each PCB layer on each stator
segment are configured to provide said only one electrical
phase.
[0213] 30. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the axial field rotary energy devices consists
of a single electrical phase.
[0214] 1. A module for an axial field rotary energy device,
comprising: [0215] a housing having coupling structures configured
to mechanically couple the housing to a second housing of a second
module, and electrical elements configured to electrically couple
the housing to the second housing;
[0216] a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing, and the rotor
comprises an axis and a magnet; and
[0217] a stator mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotor,
and the stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer comprising a coil.
[0218] 2. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the rotor
and the stator are located inside and surrounded by the
housing.
[0219] 3. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the rotor
comprises a plurality of rotors, the magnet comprises a plurality
of magnets, and the stator comprises a plurality of stators, and
each of the stators comprises a plurality of PCB layers, and each
PCB layer comprises a plurality of coils.
[0220] 4. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
module is configured to be directly coupled to a frame, and the
module is configured to be indirectly coupled to the second
module.
[0221] 5. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
housing comprises a side wall that orients the stator at a desired
angular orientation with respect to the axis.
[0222] 6. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
stator comprises a plurality of stators, and the side wall
comprises a plurality of side wall segments that angularly offset
the plurality of stators at desired angular orientations with
respect to the axis.
[0223] 7. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each side
wall segment comprises a radial inner surface having a slot formed
therein, the slot receives and maintains the desired angular
orientation of the stator with respect to the axis, and the slots,
collectively, hold outer edges of the stator at an air gap spacing
between the stator and the rotor.
[0224] 8. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
stator is air cooled and is not liquid cooled.
[0225] 9. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the PCB
layer comprises a plurality of PCB layers, each having a plurality
of coils, each coil has only two terminals, each coil is continuous
and uninterrupted between its only two terminals, and each coil is
electrically coupled to another coil with a via.
[0226] 10. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein two
coils are coupled together to define a coil pair, and each coil
pair is electrically coupled to another coil pair with another
via.
[0227] 11. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
coils in each coil pair are located on different PCB layers.
[0228] 12. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
coil is coupled to another coil with only one via, and each coil
pair is coupled to another coil pair with only one another via.
[0229] 13. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
stator comprises a plurality of stator segments, each of which
comprises a PCB.
[0230] 14. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
stator consists of only one electrical phase.
[0231] 15. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
stator comprises a plurality of electrical phases.
[0232] 16. A module for an axial field rotary energy device,
comprising: [0233] a housing having coupling structures configured
to mechanically couple the housing to a second housing of a second
module, and electrical elements configured to electrically couple
the housing to the second housing;
[0234] a plurality of rotors rotatably mounted to the housing, and
the rotors comprise an axis and magnets; and
[0235] a plurality of stators mounted to the housing coaxially with
the rotors, each stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)
having a PCB layer comprising a coil, the stators are electrically
coupled together inside the housing.
[0236] 17. A module for an axial field rotary energy device,
comprising: [0237] a housing having coupling structures configured
to mechanically couple the housing to a second housing of a second
module, and electrical elements configured to electrically couple
the housing to the second housing;
[0238] rotors rotatably mounted to the housing relative to an axis,
and each the rotor comprises magnets;
[0239] stators mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotors,
each of the stators comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having
PCB layers, and each PCB layer comprises coils; and
[0240] the housing comprises a plurality of side wall segments that
orient the stators at desired angular orientations with respect to
the axis, and angularly offset the stators at desired phase angles,
wherein the side wall segments comprise radial inner surfaces
having slots formed therein, the slots maintain the desired angular
orientation and axial spacing of respective ones of the stators,
and the slots, collectively, hold outer edges of the stators at
desired air gap spacings between the stators and rotors.
[0241] 18. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
rotors and stators are located inside and surrounded by the
housing; and further comprising:
[0242] a frame, the module is configured to be directly coupled to
the frame, and the module is configured to be indirectly coupled to
the second module.
[0243] 19. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
coil has only two terminals, each coil is continuous and
uninterrupted between its only two terminals, and each coil is
electrically coupled to another coil with a via.
[0244] 20. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
coil is coupled to another coil with only one via.
[0245] 21. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein two
coils are coupled together to define a coil pair, and each coil
pair is electrically coupled to another coil pair with another
via.
[0246] 22. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
module comprises at least one of:
[0247] the coils in each coil pair are located on different PCB
layers; or
[0248] each coil pair is coupled to another coil pair with only one
via.
[0249] 23. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator comprises a plurality of stator segments, and each of the
stator segments comprises a PCB.
[0250] 24. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator consists of only one electrical phase.
[0251] 25. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator comprises a plurality of electrical phases.
[0252] 26. A module for an axial field rotary energy device,
comprising: [0253] a housing having an axis; [0254] rotors
rotatably mounted to the housing about the axis, and each rotor
comprises a magnet;
[0255] stators mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotors,
each stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer comprising a coil, and each stator consists of a single
electrical phase; and wherein
[0256] selected ones of the stators are angularly offset from each
other with respect to the axis at desired phase angles, such that
the module comprises more than one electrical phase.
[0257] 27. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein the
housing comprises a side wall having a plurality of side wall
segments.
[0258] 28. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
side wall segment comprises a slot in an inner surface thereof, the
side wall segments engage and orient the stators at desired angular
orientations with respect to the axis, each stator is angularly
offset with respect to other ones of stators at the desired phase
angles, the stators seat in the slots in the side wall segments,
and the slots, collectively, hold outer edges of the stators at
desired air gap spacings between the stators and rotors.
[0259] 29. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator consists of only one PCB.
[0260] 30. The module of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator comprises two or more PCBs that are coupled together to form
each stator.
[0261] 1. A system, comprising:
[0262] a plurality of modules comprising axial field rotary energy
devices, the modules are connected together for a desired power
input or output, and each module comprises:
[0263] a housing having an axis, the housing is mechanically
coupled to at least one other module, and the housing is
electrically coupled to said at least one other module;
[0264] rotors rotatably mounted to the housing and each rotor
comprises magnets; and
[0265] stators, each comprising a printed circuit board (PCB)
having PCB layers comprising coils.
[0266] 2. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are identical to each other.
[0267] 3. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein at least
two of the modules differ from each other by at least one of: power
output, number of rotors, number of magnets, number of stators,
number of PCBs, number of PCB layers, number of coils or angular
orientation with respect to the axis.
[0268] 4. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are directly coupled to each other.
[0269] 5. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are indirectly coupled to each other.
[0270] 6. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein each
module comprises latches that mechanically secure the modules, and
the latches are symmetrically arrayed with respect to the axis.
[0271] 7. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein one of
the modules comprises a first module that is axially connected to
another module, and the first module differs structurally from said
another module.
[0272] 8. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are coaxial and mounted to keyed shafts that mechanically
couple the modules.
[0273] 9. The system of any of these embodiments, further
comprising an enclosure, and the modules are mounted and coupled
together inside the enclosure.
[0274] 10. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosures, each mechanically
coupled to at least one other enclosure, and electrically coupled
to said at least one other enclosure.
[0275] 11. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein each
stator consists of a single electrical phase, and selected ones of
the stators are offset from each other at desired electrical phase
angles with respect to the axis.
[0276] 12. The system of any of these embodiments, each stator
comprises a plurality of electrical phases.
[0277] 13. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein each
module comprises a single electrical phase, and the modules are
angularly offset from each other at desired electrical phase angles
with respect to the axis.
[0278] 14. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein each
module comprises a plurality of electrical phases, and the modules
are angularly offset from each other at desired electrical phase
angles with respect to the axis.
[0279] 15. The system of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are angularly aligned with each other relative to the axis,
such that all respective phase angles of the modules also are
angularly aligned.
[0280] 16. An assembly, comprising:
[0281] modules comprising axial field rotary energy devices, the
modules are mechanically and electrically connected to each other
for a desired power input or output, and each module consists of a
single electrical phase;
[0282] an enclosure inside which the modules are mounted and
coupled; and each module comprises:
[0283] a housing having an axis and mechanically coupled to at
least one other module, and electrically coupled to said at least
one other module;
[0284] rotors rotatably mounted to the housing and the rotors
comprise magnets; and
[0285] stators, each stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)
having PCB layers, and each PCB layer comprises coils.
[0286] 17. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are identical to each other.
[0287] 18. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein at
least two of the modules differ from each other by at least one of:
power output, number of rotors, number of magnets, number of
stators, number of PCBs, number of PCB layers, number of coils or
angular orientation with respect to the axis.
[0288] 19. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are directly coupled to each other.
[0289] 20. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are indirectly coupled to each other.
[0290] 21. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein each
module comprises latches that mechanically secure the module to
another module, and the latches are symmetrically arrayed with
respect to the axis.
[0291] 22. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein one of
the modules comprises a first module that is axially connected to
another module, and the first module differs structurally from said
another module.
[0292] 23. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are coaxial and mounted to keyed shafts that mechanically
couple the modules.
[0293] 24. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosures, each having coupling
structures that mechanically couple the enclosure to at least one
other enclosure, and electrical elements that electrically couple
the enclosure to said at least one other enclosure.
[0294] 25. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are angularly offset from each other at desired electrical
phase angles with respect to the axis.
[0295] 26. An assembly, comprising:
[0296] a plurality of modules comprising axial field rotary energy
devices, the modules are identical and interchangeably connectable
to each other for a desired power input or output, and the assembly
is a generator or a motor that consists of a single electrical
phase;
[0297] an enclosure inside which the modules are mounted and
coupled; and each module comprises:
[0298] a housing having an axis, coupling structures that
mechanically couple the housing to at least one other module, and
electrical elements that electrically couple the housing to at
least one other module;
[0299] a plurality of rotors rotatably mounted to the housing and
the rotors comprise magnets; and
[0300] a plurality of stators, each comprising a printed circuit
board (PCB) having a plurality of PCB layers, and each PCB layer
comprises a plurality of coils.
[0301] 27. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosures, each having coupling
structures that mechanically couple the enclosure to at least one
other enclosure, and electrical elements that electrically couple
the enclosure to said at least one other enclosure.
[0302] 28. The assembly of any of these embodiments, wherein the
modules are angularly offset from each other at desired electrical
phase angles with respect to the axis.
[0303] 29. A method of maintaining an axial field rotary energy
device, the method comprising:
[0304] (a) providing an enclosure having a plurality of modules,
each module comprising a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted to the
housing, the rotor comprises an axis and a magnet, a stator mounted
to the housing coaxially with the rotor, and the stator comprises a
printed circuit board (PCB);
[0305] (b) mechanically and electrically coupling the modules;
[0306] (c) operating the axial field rotary energy device;
[0307] (d) detecting an issue with a first module and stopping
operation of the axial field rotary energy device;
[0308] (e) opening the enclosure and disassembling the first module
from the enclosure and any other module to which the first module
is attached;
[0309] (f) installing a second module in the enclosure in place of
the first module and attaching the second module to said any other
module to which the first module was attached; and then
[0310] (g) re-operating the axial field rotary energy device.
[0311] 30. The method of any of these embodiments, further
comprising:
[0312] detecting an issue with a first stator in a first module and
stopping operation of the axial field rotary energy device;
[0313] opening the first module and disassembling the first stator
from the first module; [0314] installing a second stator in the
first module in place of the first stator; and then [0315]
re-operating the axial field rotary energy device.
[0316] 1. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0317] a housing;
[0318] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet;
[0319] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with a coil; and
[0320] a sensor integrated within the housing, wherein the sensor
is configured to monitor, detect or generate data regarding
operation of the axial field rotary energy device.
[0321] 2. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of
power, temperature, rate of rotation, rotor position, or vibration
data.
[0322] 3. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a Hall
effect sensor, encoder, optical sensor, thermocouple,
accelerometer, gyroscope or vibration sensor.
[0323] 4. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein:
[0324] the axial field rotary energy device is a motor;
[0325] the sensor is configured to provide information regarding a
position of the rotor in the motor; and
[0326] the sensor is mounted to the housing.
[0327] 5. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor includes a wireless communication
circuit.
[0328] 6. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit
operational data of the axial field rotary energy device to an
external device.
[0329] 7. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor is integrated with the PCB.
[0330] 8. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor is embedded directly in the coil
and is configured to be electrically powered directly by the
coil.
[0331] 9. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor is configured to be powered and
connected to the coil through a separate electrical connection that
is disposed on or within the PCB.
[0332] 10. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, further comprising a secondary coil integrated with
the PCB that is coupled to the sensor.
[0333] 11 The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the secondary coil is configured to utilize
magnetic flux developed during operation to provide power for the
sensor.
[0334] 12. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0335] a housing;
[0336] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet;
[0337] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with a coil; and
[0338] a control circuit mounted within the housing, wherein the
control circuit is coupled to the coil and comprises at least one
of an input coupled to receive a current flowing through the coil,
or an output coupled to provide the current flowing through the
coil.
[0339] 13. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the control circuit is integrated with the
PCB.
[0340] 14. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein:
[0341] the axial field rotary energy device is a generator; and
[0342] the control circuit comprises an input coupled to receive
the current flowing through the coil, and further comprises an
output coupled to generate an external power source.
[0343] 15. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein:
[0344] the axial field rotary energy device is a motor; and
[0345] the control circuit comprises an input coupled to receive an
external power source, and further comprises an output coupled to
provide the current flowing through the coil.
[0346] 16. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, further comprising a sensor integrated within the
housing, wherein:
[0347] the sensor is configured to provide information regarding a
position of the rotor in the motor; and
[0348] the sensor is mounted to the housing.
[0349] 17. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0350] a housing;
[0351] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet;
[0352] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with a coil;
[0353] a sensor integrated with the PCB; and
[0354] a secondary coil disposed on or within the PCB and coupled
to the sensor.
[0355] 18. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the sensor is configured to be powered and
connected to the coil through a separate electrical connection that
is disposed on or within the PCB; and the sensor is configured to
transmit operational data of the axial field rotary energy device
to an external device using the secondary coil.
[0356] 19. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the secondary coil is configured to utilize
magnetic flux developed during operation to provide power for the
sensor, and wherein the sensor is not otherwise connected to the
coil.
[0357] 20. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein:
[0358] the sensor comprises at least one of a Hall effect sensor,
encoder, optical sensor, thermocouple, accelerometer, gyroscope or
vibration sensor; and
[0359] the sensor includes a wireless communication circuit.
[0360] 1. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0361] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and a plurality of
magnets, each magnet extends in a radial direction relative to the
axis, and each magnet comprises a magnet radial edge;
[0362] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) layers each having a
plurality of coils, and each coil comprises a coil radial edge;
and
[0363] when radial edge portions of the magnets and coils
rotationally align relative to the axis, the magnet radial edges
and coil radial edges are not parallel and are angularly skewed
relative to each other.
[0364] 2. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is at least about 0.1
degrees.
[0365] 3. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is at least about 1
degree.
[0366] 4. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is not greater than about 25
degrees.
[0367] 5. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the magnet radial edges and coil radial edges
are leading radial edges or trailing radial edges of the magnets
and coils, respectively.
[0368] 6. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each of the magnet radial edges and coil
radial edges are linear, and no portions of the magnet radial edges
and coil radial edges are parallel when the radial edge portions of
the magnets and coils rotationally align with respect to the
axis.
[0369] 7. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein when the radial edge portions of the magnets
and coils rotationally align, at least some portions of the magnet
radial edges and coil radial edges are parallel to each other.
[0370] 8. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the magnet radial edges and coil radial edges
are not entirely linear.
[0371] 9. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0372] a rotor comprising an axis of rotation and magnets, and each
magnet has a magnet radial edge;
[0373] a stator coaxial with the rotor, the stator comprises a
plurality of stator segments coupled together about the axis, each
stator segment comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer comprising a coil, and each coil has a coil radial edge;
and
[0374] when radial edge portions of the magnets and coils
rotationally align relative to the axis, the magnet radial edges
and coil radial edges are not parallel and are angularly skewed
relative to each other.
[0375] 10. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is at least about 0.1
degrees.
[0376] 11. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is at least about 1
degree.
[0377] 12. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is not greater than about 25
degrees.
[0378] 13. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein said at least portions of the magnet radial
edges and coil radial edges are leading radial edges or trailing
radial edges of the magnets and coils, respectively.
[0379] 14. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each of the magnet radial edges and coil
radial edges are linear, and no portions of the magnet radial edges
and coil radial edges are parallel when said at least portions of
the magnets and coils rotationally align.
[0380] 15. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein when said at least portions of the magnets and
coils rotationally align, at least portions of the magnet radial
edges and coil radial edges are parallel to each other.
[0381] 16. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the magnet radial edges and coil radial edges
are not entirely linear.
[0382] 17. A module for an axial field rotary energy device,
comprising: [0383] a housing configured to mechanically couple the
housing to a second housing of a second module, and electrically
couple the housing to the second housing;
[0384] a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing, the rotor
comprises an axis and a magnet, and the magnet has a magnet radial
edge;
[0385] a stator mounted to the housing coaxially with the rotor,
the stator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with a coil, and the coil has a coil radial edge; and
[0386] when radial edge portions of the magnet and coil
rotationally align relative to the axis, at least radial edge
portions of the magnet radial edge and coil radial edge are not
parallel and are angularly skewed relative to each other.
[0387] 18. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the angular skew is at least about 0.1
degrees, and the angular skew is not greater than about 25
degrees.
[0388] 19. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the magnet radial edge and coil radial edge
are a leading radial edge or trailing radial edge of the magnet and
coil, respectively.
[0389] 20. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the magnet radial edge and coil radial edge
are linear, and no portions of the magnet radial edge and coil
radial edge are parallel when the radial edge portions of the
magnet and coil rotationally align.
[0390] 1. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0391] a housing;
[0392] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet;
[0393] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with a trace that is electrically conductive, the trace
comprises radial traces that extend in a radial direction relative
to the axis and end turn traces that extend between the radial
traces, and the trace comprises slits that extends through at least
some portions of the trace.
[0394] 2. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the slits are in only the radial traces.
[0395] 3. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each of the slits is linear.
[0396] 4. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each of the slits is only linear, and the
slits comprise no non-linear portions.
[0397] 5. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the trace is tapered in the radial direction
relative to the axis.
[0398] 6. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the trace comprises an outer width that is
adjacent an outer diameter of the PCB and in a plane that is
perpendicular to the axis, the trace comprises an inner width that
is adjacent an inner diameter of the PCB and in the plane, and the
outer width is greater than the inner width.
[0399] 7. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the trace comprises inner and outer opposing
edges, and entireties of the inner and outer opposing edges are not
parallel to each other.
[0400] 8. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein only the radial traces are tapered.
[0401] 9. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the trace comprises inner and outer opposing
edges that are parallel to each outer.
[0402] 10. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the end turn traces are tapered.
[0403] 11. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein the PCB layer comprises a PCB layer surface
area, the trace on the PCB layer comprises a trace surface area
that is in a range of at least about 75% to about 99% of the PCB
layer surface area.
[0404] 12. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0405] a housing;
[0406] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet; and
[0407] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with coils, each coil comprises traces, at least some of the
traces are tapered with inner and outer opposing edges that are not
parallel to each other, and the traces comprise an outer width that
is adjacent an outer diameter of the PCB and in a plane that is
perpendicular to the axis, the traces comprise an inner width that
is adjacent an inner diameter of the PCB and in the plane, and the
outer width is greater than an inner width.
[0408] 13. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, the coils comprise slits that extend through at least
some portions of the traces.
[0409] 14. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, the traces comprise radial traces that extend in a
radial direction relative to the axis and end turn traces that
extend between the radial traces.
[0410] 15. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein only the radial traces are tapered.
[0411] 16. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, further comprising slits only in the radial
traces.
[0412] 17. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein each of the slits is only linear, and the
slits comprise no non-linear portions.
[0413] 18. An axial field rotary energy device, comprising:
[0414] a housing;
[0415] a rotor mounted inside the housing, the rotor having an axis
of rotation and a magnet; and
[0416] a stator mounted inside the housing coaxial with the rotor,
the stator comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB
layer with coils, each coil comprises traces, at least some of the
traces are tapered, the traces comprise radial traces that extend
in a radial direction relative to the axis and end turn traces that
extend between the radial traces, and only the radial traces are
tapered.
[0417] 19. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, further comprising linear slits only in the radial
traces, the linear slits are only linear, and the linear slits
comprise no non-linear portions.
[0418] 20. The axial field rotary energy device of any of these
embodiments, wherein at least some of the tapered radial traces
comprise inner and outer opposing edges that are not parallel to
each other, the traces comprise an outer width that is adjacent an
outer diameter of the PCB and in a plane that is perpendicular to
the axis, the traces comprise an inner width that is adjacent an
inner diameter of the PCB and in the plane, and the outer width is
greater than an inner width.
[0419] This written description uses examples to disclose the
embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The
patentable scope is defined by the claims, and can include other
examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages
of the claims.
[0420] Note that not all of the activities described above in the
general description or the examples are required, that a portion of
a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more
further activities can be performed in addition to those described.
Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not
necessarily the order in which they are performed.
[0421] In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications
and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the
specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of invention.
[0422] It can be ad