FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a motor / generator and more particularly to a surface permanent magnet motor / generator. The invention furthermore provides an outer magnet holding member of the surface permanent magnet motor / generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motors/generators commonly used for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa generally comprise a magnet holding structure and a coil holding structure.

Permanent magnet (PM) motor / generator is a synchronous motor / generator that uses permanent magnets and in which the rotor’s rotating speed is equal to the magnetic field’s rotating field. A PM motor / generator can be divided into two main categories: interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor/ generator; and surface permanent magnet (SPM) motor/ generator. As shown in Figure 1, a conventional IPM motor / generator (10) comprises of coils (12) wound on external steel member (14) and a magnet holding rotor member (18) having plurality of magnets (16) placed in interior portions of the magnet holding rotor member (18). The magnet holding rotor member (18) is placed within the external steel member (14).

SPM motor / generator can have two types of construction namely outer magnet carrier type construction and inner magnet carrier type construction. Referring to Figure 2, a conventional outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator (20) comprises an outer magnet holding member (22) to which plurality of permanent magnets (24) are attached and coils (26) placed on a steel member (28), which is placed within the outer magnet holding member (22). The permanent magnets (24) are spaced from one another by an air gap (30). Referring to Figure 3, a conventional inner magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator (40) comprises an inner magnet holding member (42) on which plurality of permanent magnets (44) are surface mounted and coils (46) which are wounded on an external steel member (48).

In a conventional SPM motor / generator, the permanent magnets are magnetized along the radial direction and are disposed so as to be alternatively placed in terms of their polarity. Reference in this regard may be made to U.S. Patent No. 9,742,335 which discloses an outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator comprising a stationary inner steel member carrying plurality of coils and an outer magnet holding member that is rotatable around the stationary inner steel member. There exists a small air gap between the outer magnet holding member and the stationary inner steel member. The stationary inner steel member is attached to a shaft. The outer circumference of the stationary inner steel member is provided with a plurality of slots in which concentrated coil elements are disposed. The slots essentially define protruding portions, around which coil elements are disposed. The outer magnet holding member is made of magnetic material, for example steel, and has plurality of magnets fixed on an inner surface. The magnets are arranged in an alternating diametric polarity i.e. N-S and S-N and are spaced from one another by a very small air gap. In this construction, the flux lines passes directly from the stationary inner steel member into the magnet via the air gap (as shown in Figure 4) and thereafter into the outer magnet holding member.

Referring to Figure 5, which illustrates various conventional constructions of the outer magnet holding member of the conventional outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator. In particular, Figure 5(a) illustrates flat magnets attached to a flat inner surface of the outer magnet holding member with air gap between two adjacently located magnets; Figure 5(b) illustrates flat magnets being placed in milled recesses provided on the inner surface of the outer magnet holding member; Figure 5(c) illustrates magnets being attached by hooks of a first type having a first level of spacing there between, the hooks being integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer magnet holding member and being made of the same material as that of the outer magnet holding member; Figure 5(d) illustrates magnets being attached by hooks of a second type having a second level of spacing there between (which is less than the first level of spacing as illustrated in Figure 5(c)), the hooks being integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer magnet holding member and being made of the same material as that of the outer magnet holding member. Figure 5(e) illustrates the magnets being attached by hooks of a third type having no spacing there between, the hooks not being integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer magnet holding member and the hooks being made of a non-magnetic material.

The disadvantages of SPM motor / generator are well known to a person skilled in the art. Also, it has been felt that the conventional constructions of the outer magnet holding member are riddled with one or more disadvantages as are generally known to a person skilled in the art.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved SPM motor / generator which address the disadvantages existing in the conventional SPM motor / generator. Also, an additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved outer magnet holding member using which the improved SPM motor / generator can be formed which addresses the disadvantages existing in the conventional constructions of the outer magnet holding member or the conventional SPM motor / generator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100), comprising a coil holding member (102) carrying plurality of coil elements (104) and an outer magnet holding member (106) placed such that magnetic field generated by the plurality of coil elements (104) is coupled to the outer magnet holding member (106) and there exists a rotational relationship between the coil holding member (102) and the outer magnet holding member (106).

In an aspect of the invention, the outer magnet holding member (106) comprises a yoke member (108); and a cylindrical structure (110) attached within the yoke member (108). In an embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical structure (110) comprises plurality of permanent magnets (112) and plurality of spacer members (114) placed alternatively. In an aspect of the invention, the permanent magnets (112) are polarized along a circumferential direction of the outer magnet holding member (106) and the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently placed permanent magnets (112) face each other.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an outer magnet holding member (106) that forms part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100), the outer magnet holding member (106) comprises: a yoke member (108); and a cylindrical structure (110) attached within the yoke member (108), the cylindrical structure (110) comprising plurality of permanent magnets (112) and plurality of spacer members (114) placed alternatively. In an aspect of the invention, the permanent magnets (112) are polarized along a circumferential direction of the outer magnet holding member (106) and the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently located permanent magnets (112) face each other.

In an aspect of the invention, the spacer members (114) are made of a magnetic material.

In another aspect of the invention, the yoke member (108) is made of a non-magnetic material.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a concave surface, a convex surface, and a planar surface.

In still another aspect of the invention, a rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a convex surface, and a planar surface.

In a further aspect of the invention, side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a convergent lines, divergent lines, and parallel lines.

In a further more aspect of the invention, the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a rod shaped configuration.

In a furthermore aspect of the invention, the plurality of spacer members (114) has a configuration / shape selected from a group comprising:
(a) a frustum,
(b) an inverted frustum,
(c) a rectangle,
(d) a triangle;
(e) an irregular pentagon;
(f) a convex front surface facing the coil member (102), a convex rear surface facing the yoke member (108) and concave side surfaces; and
(g) a head portion facing the coil holding member (102) and a shank portion facing the yoke member (108).

In a furthermore aspect of the invention, an inner surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another.

In a furthermore aspect of the invention, an outer surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another.

In an embodiment of the invention, the permanent magnets (112) can be made up of any of conventional magnetic material such as Ferrite, Ndfeb, etc. while the spacer members (114) can be made of any soft magnetic material such as Electrical steel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the coil holding member (102) may be provided with a laminated core onto which coil elements (104) may be wounded. In an embodiment of the invention, the coil holding member (102) may be provided with 1-phase coil winding or a multi-phase coil winding.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a sectional top view of a conventional interior permanent magnet motor / generator;
FIGURE 2 illustrates a sectional top view of a conventional outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator;
FIGURE 3 illustrates a sectional top view of a conventional inner magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator;
FIGURE 4 illustrates the magnetic flux flow path in the conventional outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator;
FIGURE 5 (a) to (e) illustrate various conventional constructions of outer magnet holding member of the conventional outer magnet carrier type SPM motor / generator;
FIGURE 6 illustrates a sectional top view of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 7 illustrates a sectional top view of the outer magnet holding member (106) that forms part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 8a illustrates a sectional top view of the cylindrical structure (110) that forms part of the outer magnet holding member (106) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 8b illustrates a sectional top view of the yoke member (108) that forms part of the outer magnet holding member (106) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 9 illustrates the magnetic flux flow path in the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 10 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 11 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 12 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 13 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 14 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 15 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 16 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 17 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 18 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 19 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 20 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 21 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 22 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 23 illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;and
FIGURE 24 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line (120) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Now referring to Figure 6, which is illustrates a sectional top view of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The OSPM motor / generator (100) comprises a coil holding member (102) carrying plurality of coil elements (104) and an outer magnet holding member (106) placed such that magnetic field generated by the plurality of coil elements (104) is coupled to the magnet holding member (106) and there exists a rotational relationship between the coil holding member (102) and the outer magnet holding member (106).

In an embodiment of the invention, the OSPM motor / generator (100) is of an outer rotor type i.e. the coil holding member (102) is retained in a stationary state while the outer magnet holding member (106) is allowed to rotate with respect to the coil holding member (102). Alternatively, the OSPM motor / generator (100) is of an inner rotor type i.e. outer magnet holding member (106) is retained in a stationary state while the coil holding member (102) is allowed to rotate with respect to the outer magnet holding member (106).

As can be best seen from Figures 7, 8(a) and 8(b), in an aspect of the invention, the outer magnet holding member (106) comprises a yoke member (108); and a cylindrical structure (110) attached within the yoke member (108). In an embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical structure (110) comprises plurality of permanent magnets (112) and plurality of spacer members (114) placed alternatively. In an aspect of the invention, the permanent magnets (112) are polarized along a circumferential direction of the outer magnet holding member (106) and the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently located permanent magnets face each other. In a further aspect of the invention, the spacer members (114) are made of a magnetic material. In a furthermore aspect of the invention, the yoke member (108) is made of a non-magnetic material.

In the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the flux flow path is entirely different from the flux flow path in the conventional path of a SPM motor / generator. Referring Figure 9 which shows the flux flow path in the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It can be seen that the flux lines passes through the spacer members (114) and into the permanent magnets (112). Also, it can be seen that the flux lines do not pass through the yoke member (108). Also, because the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently located permanent magnets (112) face each other, the flux lines gets concentrated while passing through the spacer members (114). Because of the above, the flux density in the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is substantially high as compared to the conventional SPM motor / generator.

The permanent magnets (112) in an embodiment can have a front surface facing the coil holding member (102), a rear surface facing the yoke member (108) and side surfaces connecting the front surface and the rear surface.

The front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a concave surface, a convex surface, and a planar surface; while the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a convex surface, and a planar surface; while the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a convergent lines, divergent lines, and parallel lines.

In an alternatively embodiment of the invention, the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a rod shaped configuration.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of spacer members (114) has a configuration / shape selected from a group comprising:
(a) a frustum,
(b) an inverted frustum,
(c) a rectangle,
(d) a triangle;
(e) an irregular pentagon;
(f) a convex front surface facing the coil member (102), a convex rear surface facing the yoke member (108) and concave side surfaces; and
(g) a head portion facing the coil member (102) and a shank portion facing the yoke member (108).

In an embodiment of the invention, an inner surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another while an outer surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another.

Some of the combinations of the configurations / shapes of the permanent magnets (112), the configurations / shapes of the spacer members (114) and shapes of the yoke member (108) are illustrated in Figures 10 to 23, which are being described hereinafter.

Now referring to Figure 10, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a concave surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of convergent lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a frustum configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 11, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a convex surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of convergent lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a frustum configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 12, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a concave surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a rectangle configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 13, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a rectangle configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 14, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a concave surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of divergentlines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has an inverted frustum configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 15, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of divergent lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has an inverted frustum configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 16, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the yoke member (108) has a planar surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a rectangular configuration/shape. In this example, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another while the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) is provided with recesses in which a part of the spacer member (114) is accommodated.

Now referring to Figure 17, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a planar surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has an irregular pentagon configuration / shape. In this example, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another while the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) is provided with recesses in which a part of the spacer member (114) is accommodated.

Now referring to Figure 18, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a planar surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has an irregular pentagon configuration / shape. In this example, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another while the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) does not have recesses.

Now referring to Figure 19, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of convergent lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a triangular configuration / shape. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 20, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a rod shaped configuration. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a convex front surface facing the coil holding member (102), a convex rear concave facing the yoke member (108) and a plurality of concave side surfaces. The rod shaped permanent magnets (112) are accommodated between the concave side surfaces of adjacently located spacer members (114). In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 21, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a convex surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of convergent lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a frustum configuration / shape. In this example, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section. In this embodiment, there is provided an additional cover element (116) which surrounds the yoke member (108). The additional cover element (116) need not be made of non-magnetic material and for instance may be made of steel member.

Now referring to Figure 22, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a planar surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a head portion facing the coil member (102) and a shank portion facing the yoke member (108). In this embodiment, the inner surface of the yoke member (108) has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another while the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a smooth circular cross-section.

Now referring to Figure 23, which illustrates a sectional top view of an outer magnet holding member (106) that may form part of the Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) in accordance with a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the coil holding member (102) has a planar surface, the rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets(112) facing the yoke member (108) has a planar surface, the side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration of parallel lines. The plurality of spacer members (114) has a head portion facing the coil member (102) and a shank portion facing the yoke member (108). In this embodiment, the inner surface as well as the outer surface of the yoke member (108) has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another.

The cylindrical structure (110) may be attached to the yoke member (108) using a variety of techniques. For instance, in an embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical structure (110) may be attached to the yoke member (108) using adhesive. In yet another embodiment as shown in Figure 24, which is a sectional view taken along the line (120); the cylindrical structure (110) may be attached to the yoke member (108) using fastening means (122). The fastening means (122) may preferably be used for attaching the cylindrical structure (110) to the yoke member (108) via the spacer members (114).

In an embodiment of the invention, a resin material may be used to attach /couple the cylindrical structure (110) and the yoke member (108).

In yet another embodiment, the cylindrical structure (110) may be attached to the yoke member (108) using other mechanisms described in detail in Applicant’s co-pending Indian Patent Application No. 201911023639.

The drawings the foregoing descriptions give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of process described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. In addition, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as the following claims.

Claims:

WE CLAIM:

1. An Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100), comprising:
a coil holding member (102) carrying plurality of coil elements (104); and
an outer magnet holding member (106) placed such that magnetic field generated by the plurality of coil elements (104) are coupled to the magnet holding rotor member (106) and there exists a rotational relationship between the with the coil holding member (102) and the outer magnet holding member (106); the outer magnet holding member (106) comprises:
a yoke member (108); and
a cylindrical structure (110) attached within the yoke member (108), the cylindrical structure (110) comprises plurality of permanent magnets (112) and plurality of spacer members (114) placed alternatively;
characterized in that:
the permanent magnets (112) are polarized along a circumferential direction of the outer magnet holding member (106) and the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently located permanent magnets (112) face each other.

2. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer members (114) are made of a magnetic material.

3. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the yoke member (108) is made of a non-magnetic material.

4. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the coil member (102) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a concave surface, a convex surface, and a planar surface.

5. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rear surface of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) facing the yoke member (108) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a convex surface, and a planar surface.

6. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein side surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a configuration selected from a group comprising a converging lines, diverging lines, and parallel lines.

7. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets (112) has a rod shaped configuration.

8. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacer members (114) has a configuration/shape selected from a group comprising:
(a) a frustum,
(b) an inverted frustum,
(c) a rectangle,
(d) a triangle;
(e) an irregular pentagon;
(f) a convex front surface facing the coil member (102), a convex rear concave facing the yoke member (108) and a plurality of concave side surfaces; and
(g) a head portion facing the coil holding member (102) and a shank portion facing the yoke member (108).

9. The Orthogonal Surface Permanent Magnet (OSPM) motor / generator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another and an outer surface of the yoke member (108) either has a smooth circular cross-section or has a circular cross section having multiple straight lines connected to one another.

10. An outer magnet holding member (106) comprises:
a yoke member (108); and
a cylindrical structure (110) attached within the yoke member (108), the cylindrical structure (110) comprises plurality of permanent magnets (112) and plurality of spacer members (114) placed alternatively;
characterized in that:
the permanent magnets (112) are polarized along a circumferential direction of the outer magnet holding member (106) and the permanent magnets (112) are placed such that like-polarity poles of two adjacently located permanent magnets (112) face each other;
the spacer members (114) are made of a magnetic material; and
the yoke member (108) is made of a non-magnetic material.

Dated this 01st day of October 2021

G. Deepak Sriniwas (IN/PA-508)
Agent for the Applicant