Electrical machine

1 . A stator for an electrical machine, the stator defining a central axis and having a first stator face facing parallel to the central axis and a second stator face facing parallel to the central axis, the first stator face and the second stator face facing in opposite directions, the stator comprising:

a plurality of ferromagnetic segments disposed about the central axis and separated from one another, each ferromagnetic segment having a first segment face facing parallel to the central axis and a second segment face facing parallel to the central axis, the first segment face and the second segment face of each respective ferromagnetic segment facing in opposite directions, wherein on the first stator face, the first segment faces of adjacent segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween and on the second stator face, the second segment faces of adjacent ferromagnetic segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween;

each of the foregoing gaps extending radially relative to the central axis, the gaps on the first stator face being circumferentially angularly offset relative to the central axis from the gaps on the second stator face; and

electrically conductive windings disposed about the segments and located in slots therebetween, the windings defining axes parallel to the central axis of the stator.

2 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein each ferromagnetic segment, when viewed radially inwardly toward the central axis of the stator, forms a “T” shape.

3 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein each ferromagnetic segment is identical or substantially identical in geometry.

4 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein for each ferromagnetic segment, one face of the pair of faces is larger than the other face of the pair of faces.

5 . A stator as recited in claim 4 , wherein:

a first ferromagnetic segment of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments has second and third ferromagnetic segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments adjacent thereto; and

the larger face of the first ferromagnetic segment faces in an opposite direction from the larger faces of the second and third ferromagnetic segments.

6 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein one face of each ferromagnetic segment at least partially overhangs at least one slot.

7 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ferromagnetic segments each consist of two parts affixed together.

8 . A stator as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ferromagnetic segments comprise laminations.

9 . An electrical machine comprising:

a stator, the stator defining a central axis and having a first stator face facing parallel to the central axis and a second stator face facing parallel to the central axis, the first stator face and the second stator face facing in opposite directions, the stator comprising:

a plurality of ferromagnetic segments disposed about the central axis and separated from one another, each ferromagnetic segment having a first segment face facing parallel to the central axis and a second segment face facing parallel to the central axis, the first segment face and the second segment face of each respective ferromagnetic segment facing in opposite directions, wherein on, the first stator face, the first segment faces of adjacent segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween and on the second stator face, the second segment faces of adjacent ferromagnetic segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween;

each of the foregoing gaps extending radially relative to the central axis, the gaps on the first stator face being circumferentially angularly offset relative to the central axis from the gaps on the second stator face; and

electrically conductive windings disposed about the segments and located in slots therebetween, the windings defining axes parallel to the central axis of the stator;

a first rotor disposed coaxially with the central axis for rotation relative to the stator and axially spaced from the stator by a first air gap; and

a second rotor disposed coaxially with the central axis for rotation relative to the stator and axially spaced from the stator by a second air gap.

10 . The electrical machine of claim 9 , wherein:

the first rotor comprises a first plurality of permanent magnets disposed opposite the windings of the stator; and

the second rotor comprises a second plurality of permanent magnets disposed opposite the windings of the stator.

11 . The electrical machine of claim 10 , wherein the first rotor and the second rotor are coupled to a common shaft for rotation therewith.

12 . A motor vehicle comprising the electrical machine of claim 9 .

13 . A motor vehicle comprising:

an electrical machine further including:

a stator for the electrical machine, the stator defining a central axis and having a first stator face facing parallel to the central axis and a second stator face facing parallel to the central axis, the first stator face and the second stator face facing in opposite directions, the stator comprising:

a plurality of ferromagnetic segments disposed about the central axis and separated from one another, each ferromagnetic segment having a first segment face facing parallel to the central axis and a second segment face facing parallel to the central axis, the first segment face and the second segment face of each respective ferromagnetic segment facing in opposite directions, wherein on the first stator face, the first segment faces of adjacent segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween and on the second stator face, the second segment faces of adjacent ferromagnetic segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments form gaps therebetween;

each of the foregoing gaps extending radially relative to the central axis, the gaps on the first stator face being circumferentially angularly offset relative to the central axis from the gaps on the second stator face; and

electrically conductive windings disposed about the segments and located in slots therebetween, the electrically conductive windings defining axes parallel to the central axis of the stator;

a first rotor disposed coaxially with the central axis for rotation relative to the stator and axially spaced from the stator by a first air gap; and

a second rotor disposed coaxially with the central axis for rotation relative to the stator and axially spaced from the stator by a second air gap;

a power inverter module coupled to the electrically conductive windings to energize the electrically conductive windings.

14 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein each ferromagnetic segment, when viewed radially inwardly toward the central axis of the stator, forms a “T” shape.

15 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein each ferromagnetic segment is identical or substantially identical in geometry.

16 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein for each ferromagnetic segment, one of the first segment face and the second segment face is larger in surface area than the other of the first segment face and the second segment face.

17 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 16 , wherein:

a first ferromagnetic segment of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments has second and third ferromagnetic segments of the plurality of ferromagnetic segments adjacent thereto; and

the larger segment face of the first ferromagnetic segment faces in an opposite direction from the larger segment faces of the second and third ferromagnetic segments.

18 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein one face of each ferromagnetic segment at least partially overhangs at least one slot.

19 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein exactly one face of each ferromagnetic segment at least partially overhangs at least one slot.

20 . A motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , wherein the ferromagnetic segments comprise metal laminations.