Self-starting electromotor

Abstract

A self-starting electromotor having a stator and a rotor, the stator including at least one stator module of N toroid shaped electromagnets, the electromagnets arranged along an arc a predetermined distance apart defining a stator arc length. Each of the electromagnets has at least one gap. The rotor includes a disc adapted to pass through the at least one gap. The disc includes a plurality of permanent magnets spaced side by side about a periphery thereof and arranged so as to have alternating north-south polarities. The permanent magnets are sized and spaced such that within the stator arc length the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is N+1 to N, to where N is the number of electrical excitation phases applied to the electromagnets.

1 . A self-starting electromotor, comprising:
 a stator comprising at least one stator module of a plurality of toroid-shaped electromagnets, each of the electromagnets having a core defining a gap, each electromagnet adapted to respond to an electrical excitation phase to provide a magnetic flux through the gap, wherein each of the electromagnets are arranged along an arc a predetermined distance apart defining a stator module arc length wherein the gaps are aligned with each other; and   a rotor comprising a disc having a plurality of permanent magnets spaced side by side about a periphery thereof and arranged so as to have alternating north-south polarities, the permanent magnets adapted to pass through the gaps of the electromagnets, the permanent magnets being sized and spaced such that within the stator module arc length the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is N+1 to N, wherein N equals a number of electrical excitation phases applied to the electromagnets.   
     
     
         2 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , further comprising Hall-effect sensors, wherein the Hall-effect sensors are positioned on the at least one stator module and provide timing signals for controlling the selective energizing of the electromagnets. 
     
     
         3 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnets are selectively energized so as to provide four repeating commutation intervals. 
     
     
         4 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , wherein a control module controls the electromotor to operate as a motor in a first mode of operation and to operate as a generator in a second mode of operation. 
     
     
         5 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is based on a relationship of three to two and the electromotor is driven with two-phase electrical excitation. 
     
     
         6 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is based on a relationship of four to three and the electromotor is driven with three-phase electrical excitation. 
     
     
         7 . The electromotor of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of permanent magnets to electromagnets is based on a relationship of five to four and the electromotor is driven with four-phase electrical excitation.