BOULDER WIND POWER, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150318751 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEGMENTING A MACHINE - In some embodiments, a system includes a machine segment that includes multiple coils. Each coil is electrically isolated from the other coils in the machine segment, and each coil is electrically coupled to at least one electrical terminal to provide electrical access to the coil. Each electrical terminal provides electrical access to the coil to which it is electrically coupled such that the coil can be removably electrically coupled to an electrical circuit. The machine segment is also configured to be removably mechanically coupled to a second machine segment to form at least a portion of a stator or a portion of a rotor. | 11-05-2015 |
20150311756 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAGNETIC FLUX RETURN OPTIMIZATION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINES - A rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator includes a backing member formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material; a first magnetic pole having a first polarity; and a second magnetic pole having a second polarity, opposite the first polarity. The first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole are coupled to a first surface of the backing member such that the second magnetic pole is disposed, relative to the first magnetic pole, at a distance defined in a direction of a width of the backing member. A thickness of the backing member is varied along the width of the backing member to form a plurality of alternating first portions and second portions. The first portions include protrusions extending from a second surface of the backing member, opposite the first surface, such that the first portions are thicker than the second portions. | 10-29-2015 |
20150188391 | APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE - Apparatus and methods are described herein for providing a cooling system for an electromagnetic machine. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a structure for an electromagnetic machine including a first outer support member that is configured to support a conductive winding or a magnet and a second support member that is disposed at a non-zero distance from the first support member. An elongate structural member has a first end coupled to the first support member and a second end coupled to the second support member and extends between the first support member and the second support member. The elongate structural member defines an interior channel that extends between the first end and the second end of the elongate structural member. The channel is configured to convey a cooling medium therethrough to cool at least a portion of the electromagnetic machine. | 07-02-2015 |
20150188375 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING MACHINE WINDING CIRCULATING CURRENT LOSSES - In some embodiments, a system includes three conductors, each conductor being on a separate layer such that the layers are parallel to one another and stacked. Each conductor has a winding portion and a terminal portion. The conductors are configured such that at least one electrical interconnect electrically couples two adjacent conductors within the winding portion but the third conductor is electrically isolated from the other two conductors within the winding portion. Within the terminal portion all three conductors are electrically coupled. | 07-02-2015 |
20140268460 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTION IN A MULTI-PHASE MACHINE - In some embodiments, a system includes multiple coils of a multi-phase machine in which the coils are each associated with a different phase. Associated with each coil is a protective element such that each protective element is associated with a different coil. When its associated protective element is in a first configuration, a coil is part of an electrical circuit, and its associated protective element allows a first amount of current to flow through the coil. Its associated protective element allows a second amount of current to flow through the coil when its associated protective element is in a second configuration. When in the second configuration, the coil's associated protective element does not obstruct current flow through other coils that are not associated with the protective element. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262499 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING ELECTRICALLY INOPERATIVE ZONES ON LAMINATED COMPOSITE ASSEMBLIES - In some embodiments, a system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of an electrical conductor. Each portion is electrically coupled to the other two portions. The first, second, and third portions are configured such that substantially no current induced in and/or supplied to the first portion is conducted to the third portion of the electrical conductor. The third portion of the electrical conductor is also thermally coupled to the first and second portions of the electrical conductor. The third portion of the electrical conductor is configured to transfer thermal energy from the first portion of the electrical conductor to an edge portion of the laminated composite assembly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140175922 | SEGMENTED STATOR FOR AN AXIAL FIELD DEVICE - An axial rotary energy device including a segmented stator assembly having a plurality of segments arranged in an annular array. Each stator segment is constructed by stacking a plurality of PCB power conductor layers and a plurality of PCB series layers. Each layer having radial conductors extending from an inner via to an outer via. The vias electrically connect selected radial conductors of the series conductor layer and power conductor layer. Each power conductor layer includes a pair of positive and negative terminal vias for one phase of the electric current connected to selected outer vias. A daughter PCB layer electrically connects two adjacent segments together by having a first portion electrically connected to a negative terminal via located in one segment and a second portion electrically connected to a positive terminal via located in an adjacent segment together with a current conductor electrically connecting the two terminal vias together. | 06-26-2014 |
20140152136 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAGNETIC POLE RETENTION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINES - In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a magnetic support, a magnetic pole assembly, and a retainer. The magnetic support is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and is configured to be coupled to the magnetic support. The retainer is coupled to both the magnetic support and the magnetic pole assembly. The retainer is further configured to be in a first state during a first time period and a second state during a second time period, after the first time period, such that during the second time period, the coupling of the magnetic pole assembly to the magnetic support is maintained. | 06-05-2014 |
20140042868 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAGNETIC POLE AND BACK IRON RETENTION IN ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINES - In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a support member, a backing member, and a magnetic pole assembly. The support member includes a first coupling portion. The backing member is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and the magnetic pole assembly is configured to be coupled to the backing member. The magnetic pole assembly and/or the backing member include a second coupling portion configured to removably couple the backing member and the magnetic pole assembly collectively to the first coupling portion of the support member. | 02-13-2014 |
20140028149 | STRUCTURE FOR AN ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE HAVING COMPRESSION AND TENSION MEMBERS - A structure of an electromagnetic machine includes an outer support member configured to support a conductive winding or a magnet. The structure further includes an inner support member, a first elongate compression member, a second elongate compression member, and an elongate tension member. The first elongate compression member and the second elongate compression member each include a first end portion coupled to the outer support member and a second end portion coupled to the inner support member to resist radial and axial deflection of the outer support member relative inner support member. The elongate tension member includes a first end portion coupled to the first compression member and a second end portion coupled to one of the inner support or the second elongate compression member to resist rotational deflection of the outer support member relative to the inner support member. | 01-30-2014 |
20130214631 | FLUX FOCUSING ARRANGEMENT FOR PERMANENT MAGNETS, METHODS OF FABRICATING SUCH ARRANGEMENTS, AND MACHINES INCLUDING SUCH ARRANGEMENTS - Numerous arrangements for permanent magnets are disclosed that can focus the flux produced by the magnets. Depending on the particular application in which the disclosed designs and techniques are used, efficiency and reliability may be increased by minimizing flux leakage, increasing peak flux density, and shaping the flux fields to improve the effective coercivity of the flux focusing permanent magnet arrangement when loaded, and to achieve customized voltage and current waveforms. The disclosed magnet assemblies may be incorporated into a machine, such as a motor/generator, having windings and may be disposed for movement relative to the windings. The magnet assembly may be mounted on a support formed of one or more ferromagnetic materials, such as a back iron. The disclosed flux focusing magnet assemblies may be formed using a variety of manufacturing methods. | 08-22-2013 |
20130119802 | AIR GAP CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member that supports a magnetic flux carrying member and a second member that supports a magnetic flux generating member disposed for movement relative to the first member. An air gap control system is coupled to at least one of the first member or the second member and includes an air gap control device that is separate from a primary magnetic flux circuit formed between the first member and the second member. The air gap control device is configured to exert a force on one of the first and second members in response to movement of the other of the first and second members in a direction that reduces a distance between the first and second members to maintain a minimum distance between the first and second members and/or substantially center the one of the first and second members within the other. | 05-16-2013 |