Multi-rotor, direct current electric motor

Claim 1

A multi-rotor, direct current, electric motor comprising: (a) a pair of proximal spaced rotors mounted for rotation about parallel rotary axes, the area between the closest spaced, opposed, circumferential surfaces of said rotors defining a center position containing a straight center line perpendicular to both rotary axes, (b) a plurality of radially disposed permanent magnets uniformly circumferentially spaced around the perimeter of each of said rotors, (c) said magnets on each rotor having outer poles of circumferentially alternating polarity, (d) means confining said rotors to rotary movement in opposite directions from each other so that poles of like polarity on opposite rotors oppose each other in said center position, (e) an electromagnet having a pole tip in said center position and intercepting said center line, and having magnetic shielding means projecting from said pole tip between the poles on opposite rotors trailing said center line, (f) means responsive to the rotation of said rotors energizing said electromagnet to alternately reverse the polarity of said pole tip as each pair of opposed poles moves past said center position to change said pole tip from a polarity opposite the polarity of said opposed poles to the same polarity as said opposed poles, and (g) said circumferential spacing between adjacent poles on each rotor being close enough that the pole next trailing said center line is attracted by said pole tip while the pole moving past said center line is repelled in the rotary direction of said respective rotor.