Dual-stator switched reluctance motor and switched reluctance apparatus for hybrid vehicles

Abstract

An improved hybrid drive apparatus with a switched reluctance hub motor. The switched reluctance motor eliminates any drag caused by the existing magnetic fields of the motors used in the prior art by turning off the magnetic fields when not being used. It also is cleaner and more efficient to operate, as any magnetic road dust or debris attracted during operation is dropped or repelled when the magnetic fields are turned off. An improved switched reluctance motor may be used, with a stator ring and rotor ring designed so that the low reluctance flux path does not pass through the full diameter of the rotor or rotor bars. Dual stator rings may also be used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A switched reluctance motor, comprising:
 a first stator ring with an inner circumference;   a plurality of first stator poles located on the inner circumference of the first stator ring, said first stator poles actuated by magnetic coils to become electromagnets;   a second stator ring with an outer circumference;   a plurality of second stator poles located on the outer circumference of the second stator ring, said second stator poles actuated by magnetic coils to become electromagnets;   a rotor ring with a circumference, said rotor ring disposed between said first stator ring and said second stator ring; and   a plurality of rotor poles located on the circumference of the rotor, said rotor poles in close proximity to said first and second stator poles;   wherein a low reluctance magnetic flux path forms through pairs of first stator poles, pairs of second stator poles, and rotor poles proximal to said pairs of first and second stator poles, when said pairs of first and second stator poles are actuated; and   further wherein said low reluctance magnetic flux path forms through the section of said first stator ring between said pairs of first stator poles and through the section of said second rotor ring between said pairs of second rotor poles.   
     
     
         2 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein said low reluctance magnetic flux path does not pass through the center of the rotor. 
     
     
         3 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein said low reluctance magnetic flux path does not pass through the diameter of the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a two-phased motor. 
     
     
         5 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a three-phased motor. 
     
     
         6 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation of said pair of first stator poles and second stator poles pull the pair of rotor poles into alignment with said first and second stator poles. 
     
     
         7 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein pairs of first and second stator poles are sequentially actuated to cause the rotor ring to rotate. 
     
     
         8 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a variable speed motor. 
     
     
         9 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         10 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a wheel hub-mounted motor on a vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein there are 45 rotor poles and 30 first stator poles. 
     
     
         12 . The motor of  claim 11 , wherein every other stator pole is actuated at a particular time. 
     
     
         13 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein there are 60 rotor poles and 36 first stator poles. 
     
     
         14 . The motor of  claim 13 , wherein every third stator pole is actuated at a particular time. 
     
     
         15 . The motor of  claim 1 , wherein said motor is driven by a single phase variable frequency AC signal.