Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An electric motor including: a magnetic field means for producing a magnetic field having lines of flux extending in a first direction; a support capable of at least two dimensional motion in a plane relative to the magnetic field means and provided with a minimum of two electrically conductive paths, each path having a segment that extends through the magnetic field in a second direction so that interaction of an electric current flowing through a particular segment and the magnetic field produces a thrust force acting on the support via that segment; a first one of said segments located relative to a second one of said segments so that their respective thrust forces do not lie on the same axis; wherein the direction and magnitude of the respective thrust forces and thus the motion of the support relative to the magnetic field means can be controlled by varying the magnitude and/or phase relationship of electric currents flowing through the segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electric motor including: a magnetic field means for producing a magnetic field having lines of flux extending in a first direction; a support capable of at least two dimensional motion in a plane relative to the magnetic field means and provided with a minimum of two electrically conductive paths, each path having a segment that extends through the magnetic field in a second direction so that interaction of an electric current flowing through a particular segment and the magnetic field produces a thrust force acting on the support via that segment; a first one of said segments located relative to a second one of said segments so that their respective thrust forces do not lie on the same axis; wherein the direction and magnitude of the respective thrust forces and thus the motion of the support relative to the magnetic field means can be controlled by varying the magnitude and/or phase relationship of electric currents flowing through the segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electric motor according to claim 1, wherein the support is made of an electrically conductive material and is provided with a plurality of apertures disposed inboard of an outer peripheral edge of the support wherein the electrically conductive paths are constituted by the portions of the support that extend about the apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electric motor according to claim 2 wherein the support is in the form of a wheel having a central hub, spokes extending radially outwardly from the hub and an outer rim joining the spokes, wherein each aperture is defined by the space formed between adjacent spokes and sectors of the hub and rim between which adjacent spokes extend, and each conductive path comprises a pair of adjacent spokes and the sectors of the hub and rim between which the pair of adjacent spokes extend so that adjacent conductive paths share a common spoke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electric motor according to claim 3 further including induction means for inducing an electric current to flow through the electrically conductive paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electric motor according to claim 4, wherein the induction means is supported separately from the support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An electric motor according to claim 5 wherein the inductions means comprises a plurality of transformers each having a primary coil and a core about which the primary coil winds, and wherein the core of each transformer interlinks with adjacent apertures so that an electric current flow in the primary coil of a transformer can induce an electric current to flow the electrically conductive paths about the corresponding adjacent apertures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
An electric motor according to claim 5 wherein the induction means includes: a transformer having a core formed into a closed loop and provided with a plurality of windows through which respective spokes of the support pass, each window bound by opposed branches of the core that extend in the same plane as the support and opposed pairs of legs of the core that extend in a plane perpendicular to the support; and a plurality of primary coils, a primary coil wound about at least one of the branches of the core of each window; whereby in use, when an alternating current is caused to flow through the primary coils lines of magnetic flux are created that circulate about the windows in the core, the majority of the flux being shared in legs of the core between adjacent windows, and wherein said lines of magnetic flux circulating about a particular window induce a current to flow through the spoke passing through that window and the conductive paths containing that spoke.