Patent US6788164B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4153868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Unipolar dynamoelectric machine with variable resistance control
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1977-12-22
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Granted: 1979-05-08
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Expires: 1997-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A unipolar dynamoelectric machine with variable resistance control of machine current. The machine includes a stator, a rotor rotating within an opening in the stator, and a control member. The rotor also rotates about a portion of the control member. A first annular space exists between the control member and the rotor, and a second annular space exists between the rotor and stator. A field coil within the stator provides a magnetic field that may be used in machine control. A liquid metal is used to control the current level in the machine. A forcing device is used to control the amount of liquid metal contained within the first and second annular spaces. This controls machine resistance and current flow. Preferably, the amount of liquid metal in the first annular space is inversely proportional to rotor speed and that in the second annular space is directly proportional thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam M. Janotik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:46
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A unipolar dynamoelectric machine with variable resistance control of machine current, said machine comprising: a stator comprising a housing and a field coil said stator having an opening within it defining an axis and said field coil being helically wound and concentrically positioned with respect to said axis, said housing being made from a ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material in its portion near said field coil; a rotor journalled for rotation within said stator opening and about said axis, said rotor including a ferromagnetic and electrically conductive portion; a control member made from a material having some electrical resistance, said rotor portion rotating about said control member when said rotor rotates about said axis, said rotor portion being located between said control member and said housing portion, a first annular space being formed between said control member and said rotor portion, a second annular space being formed between said housing portion and said rotor portion, said first and second annular spaces being concentric about said axis, said second annular space being located radially outward of said first annular space; a liquid metal stored within said machine in a cavity therein defined at least in part by said stator and said rotor, and means for forcing said liquid metal to enter said first and second annular spaces, thereby , to provide electrical contact between said control member and said rotor portion and between said rotor portion and said stator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A unipolar dynamoelectric machine with variable resistance control of machine current, said machine comprising: a stator comprising a housing and a field coil said stator having an opening within it defining an axis and said field coil being helically wound and concentrically positioned with respect to said axis, said housing being made from a ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material in its portion near said field coil; a rotor journalled for rotation within said stator opening and about said axis, said rotor including a ferromagnetic and electrically conductive portion; a control member made from a material having some electrical resistance, said rotor portion rotating about said control member when said rotor rotates about said axis, said rotor portion being located between said control member and said housing portion, a first annular space being formed between said control member and said rotor portion, a second annular space being formed between said housing portion and said rotor portion, said first and second annular spaces being concentric about said axis, said second annular space being located radially outward of said first annular space; a liquid metal stored within said machine in a cavity therein defined at least in part by said stator and said rotor, and means for forcing said liquid metal to enter said first and second annular spaces, thereby , to provide electrical contact between said control member and said rotor portion and between said rotor portion and said stator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 1, wherein the amount of liquid metal within said annular spaces is controllably variable by said forcing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 1, wherein said forcing means includes an axially movable member in engagement with said liquid metal, axial movement of said axially movable member causing axial flow of said liquid metal into said annular spaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 3, wherein said axial flow of said liquid metal is in a substantially vertical direction and against the force of gravity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 2, wherein the amount of liquid metal in said first annular space is inversely proportional to the angular velocity of said rotor and wherein the amount of liquid metal in said second annular space is directly proportional to said angular velocity of said rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 5, wherein said cavity in which said liquid metal is stored is located between said housing and said rotor, wherein one of said annular spaces is separated from said cavity by said rotor, and wherein said rotor includes a passage interconnecting said cavity and said separated annular space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 5, wherein said forcing means comprises an axially expandable bellows of annular configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 6, wherein said forcing means comprises an axially expandable bellows of annular configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 7, wherein said stator includes a copper jacket, said copper jacket surrounding said field coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 9, wherein said stator includes an insulating material on said housing said insulating material covering the surface defining said opening except in the region thereof wherein said field coil and surrounding copper jacket are located, a voltage applied between said housing and said control member causing a current to flow through said control member, through said liquid metal in said first annular space, through said rotor portion, through said liquid metal in said second annular space and into said copper jacket or vice versa, depending upon the polarity of said voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dynamoelectric machine as in claim 10, wherein said cavity in which said liquid metal is stored is located between said housing and said rotor, wherein one of said annular spaces is separated from said cavity by said rotor, and wherein said rotor includes a passage interconnecting said cavity with said separated annular space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-07 | 1982-11-06 | 1983-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-07 | 1986-11-06 | 1987-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-07 | 1990-11-06 | 1991-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |