Motor stator with reduced coil configuration

Abstract

A motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a segmented stator comprising magnetically isolated core segments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A motor for use in a machine, said motor comprising:
 a rotor rotatable about an axis; and   a segmented stator,   said stator including—
 a core comprising a plurality of arcuately arranged, magnetically isolated segments, and 
 wiring wound about each of the segments, 
 each of said segments including—
 a pair of spaced apart, generally radial arms, and 
 a yoke extending between and interconnecting the arms, 
 
 wherein each pair of adjacent segments is configured such that the flux flowing between each pair of segments is no greater than about 10% of the maximum flux flowing through either one of the corresponding pair of segments when the motor is in operation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The stator as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said stator including an interconnecting element extending between and connecting a pair of adjacent segments,   wherein the pair of segments and the interconnecting element are configured such that the flux flowing through the interconnecting element is no greater than about 10% of the maximum flux flowing through either one of the pair of segments when the motor is in operation.   
     
     
         3 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said segments being spaced apart.   
     
     
         4 . The motor of  claim 3 ,
 wherein an open unobstructed space is formed between adjacent segments.   
     
     
         5 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said wiring encircling each of the yokes.   
     
     
         6 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said motor having an even number of poles.   
     
     
         7 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said stator including 18 of said segments,   said rotor including 14 arcuately arranged permanent magnets positioned radially adjacent the stator to define a circumferential gap between the magnets and the stator.   
     
     
         8 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said stator including 18 of said segments,   said rotor including 14 arcuately arranged inner permanent magnets positioned radially inside the stator to define a circumferential gap between the inner permanent magnets and the stator,   said rotor including 14 arcuately arranged outer permanent magnets positioned radially outside the stator to define an outer circumferential gap between the outer permanent magnets and the stator.   
     
     
         9 . The motor of  claim 1 ,
 said motor having a pole:slot ratio of 14:12, 10:12, or an integer multiple thereof.