Title of Invention

REDUCED NOISE RELUCTANCE MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reduced noise reluctance machine comprising a stator defining a plurality of inwardly projecting stator poles, wherein the projecting stator poles defme inter-pole regions between the stator poles and a central bore, and where each stator pole terminates in a region defining a concave surface, where the concave surface has a given radius of curvature; at least one phase winding having a winding coil that is wound about at least one of the stator poles, where ponions of the winding coil are positioned in at least one inter-polar region, and where the portion of the winding coil has an outer surface facing the central bore; and a contoured top-stick positioned within the at least one inter-polar region on the outer surface of the portion of the winding coil, wherein the contoured top-stick has an outer concave surface where the radius of curvature of the top-stick's outer surface is substantially the same as the given radius of curvature

Full Text

RF.DUCRDNOISF RI'U,U( 1 AN( i MA(IIINI; MELD OF THF IN V ENTIO * This invention in genera! rehtes to reluctance m idiines ai c machine systems and, i-1 particular, to switched reluctance machines and machine systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the performance of a switched reluctance machine by reducing noise. BACKGROUND OFTKS INVENTION Reluctance machines are well known in the art. n general i reluctance machine is an electric machine in which torque is produced by the tendency of a movabl* part to move to a posilii n where the inductance of an excited winding is maximized (i.e. the tiuctance s minimized). In one type of reluctance machine the phase win i ngs are ; lergized at a controlled frequency. This type of reluctance machine is generally referred to a a synchronous reluctance machine. In another type of reluctance machine, circuitry' is provided to detei line the rosition of the machine's otor, and the windings of a phase are energized as a function of rotor 3 xsition. 1 his type of reluctance machine is generally referred to as a switched reluctance machine. / Ithough the description of the cuirent invention is in the context of a switched reluctance machine, the r r sent invention is applicable to all forms o\ reluctance machines, including synchronous and switch t \ relucta i;e motors and to other ni lehines that have phase winding arrangements similar to those of sv i ched rel jctance machines. The general theory of design and operation of switched reluctance machines is wdl known and discussed, for example in The Characteristics, Design aid Appl Nuremberg, Germany, June 21-24, 1993. As a switched reluctance motor (or generator) operates, r lagnetic flux is continuously in* leasing and decreasing in different parts o*' the machine. The

Documents:

2175-mas-1997-abstract.pdf

2175-mas-1997-claims duplicate.pdf

2175-mas-1997-claims original.pdf

2175-mas-1997-correspondance others.pdf

2175-mas-1997-correspondance po.pdf

2175-mas-1997-description complete duplicate.pdf

2175-mas-1997-description complete original.pdf

2175-mas-1997-drawings.pdf

2175-mas-1997-form 1.pdf

2175-mas-1997-form 26.pdf

2175-mas-1997-form 3.pdf

2175-mas-1997-form 4.pdf