Transverse and/or commutated flux system stator concepts

Abstract

Disclosed are transverse and/or commutated flux machines and components thereof, and methods of making and using the same. Certain exemplary stators for use in transverse and commutated flux machines may be configured with gaps therebetween, for example in order to counteract tolerance stackup. Other exemplary stators may be configured as partial stators having a limited number of magnets and/or flux concentrators thereon. Partial stators may facilitate ease of assembly and/or use with various rotors. Additionally, exemplary floating stators can allow a transverse and/or commutated flux machine to utilize an air gap independent of the diameter of a rotor. Via use of such exemplary stators, transverse and/or commutated flux machines can achieve improved performance, efficiency, and/or be sized or otherwise configured for various applications.

1 . An electrical machine, comprising:
 a partial stator assembly comprising:
 a flux concentrator; 
 a first magnet connected to a first side of the flux concentrator; and 
 a second magnet connected to a second side of the flux concentrator opposite the first side, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetically oriented such that a common magnetic pole is present on the first and second sides of the flux concentrator; and 
   a conductive coil at least partially enclosed by the partial stator assembly, wherein the conductive coil is configured with a single winding configuration, and wherein the electrical machine is at least one of a transverse flux machine or a commutated flux machine.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of the conductive coil to the thickness of the conductive coil is less than 20:1. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coil is configured to remove, via conduction, at least 70% of the heat generated in the conductive coil arising from interaction of the conductive coil with the partial stator assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronics board coupled to the conductive coil, wherein the length of the conductive coil from an edge of the partial stator assembly to an edge of the electronics board is less than two inches. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coil is at least partially enclosed by multiple partial stator assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive coil comprises a laminated material. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a multipath rotor coupled to the partial stator assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical machine comprises a plurality of partial stator assemblies and a plurality of conductive coils such that the electrical machine is a polyphase device. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical machine of  claim 1 , wherein the partial stator assembly extends along less than 10% of the circumference of the electrical machine. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing an electrical machine, the method comprising:
 coupling a conductive coil to a partial stator assembly in a single winding configuration; and   coupling a rotor to the partial stator assembly, wherein the electrical machine is at least one of a transverse flux machine or a commutated flux machine.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling an electronics board to the conductive coil. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the length of the conductive coil between the partial stator assembly and the electronics board is less than 2 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the rotor is a multipath rotor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein coupling the conductive coil to a partial stator assembly comprises coupling the conductive coil to a plurality of partial stator assemblies in a single winding configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein coupling the conductive coil to a partial stator assembly comprises:
 coupling a first conductive coil to a first partial stator assembly in a single winding configuration; and   coupling a second conductive coil to a second partial stator assembly in a single winding configuration.   
     
     
         16 . A method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
 coupling an electrical machine to a load, wherein the electrical machine comprises:
 a partial stator assembly; 
 a conductive coil configured with a single winding configuration; and 
 a rotor coupled to the partial stator assembly, wherein the electrical machine is 
 at least one of a transverse flux machine or a commutated flux machine; and 
   rotating the rotor to induce a voltage in the conductive coil.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical machine further comprises an electronics board coupled to the conductive coil, and wherein the length of the conductive coil between the partial stator assembly and the electronics board is less than 2 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the rotor is a multipath rotor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical machine comprises a plurality of partial stator assemblies, each coupled to the rotor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the rotating the rotor is responsive to a force applied to the rotor by at least one of: an engine in a portable generator, a propeller, or a rider of a bicycle.