IP Library Granted Patent US 12,328,046
Granted Patent B2
US 12,328,046 · App. 17/972,747 · Granted Jun 10, 2025

Axial field rotary energy device having PCB stator and variable frequency drive

Inventors: Randal A. Lee (Austin, TX); Paulo Guedes-Pinto (Round Rock, TX); Ben Schuler (Austin, TX); Rich Lee (Liberty Lake, WA)
Assignee: INFINITUM ELECTRIC INC.
H02K3/26H02K1/2795H02K11/33H02K21/24H02P27/06H02K16/02H02K2203/03H02K2211/03H02K2213/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,328,046
App. No.
17/972,747
Granted
Jun 10, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An axial field rotary energy device or system includes an axis, a PCB stator and rotors having respective permanent magnets. The rotors rotate about the axis relative to the PCB stator. A variable frequency drive (VFD) having VFD components are coupled to the axial field rotary energy device. An enclosure contains the axial field rotary energy device and the VFD, such that the axial field rotary device and the VFD are integrated together within the enclosure. In addition, a cooling system is integrated with the enclosure to cool the axial field rotary energy device and the VFD.

Claims (21)

1. A system, comprising:

axial field rotary energy devices each having an axis, a sealed enclosure, a printed circuit board (PCB) stator, a sensor and rotors having respective permanent magnets (PM), and the rotors are configured to rotate about the axis relative to the PCB stator;

a variable frequency drive (VFD) comprising one or more of:

a rectifier module,

DC bus,

a communication (I/O) module, or

line inductors connected to the output of the inverter module; and

the inverter module,

a control module,

contactors coupled between the VFD and each of the axial field rotary energy devices and each contactor is configured to be independently controlled by the control module;

wherein

the VFD is electrically coupled to the axial field rotary energy devices, and the VFD separate from the sealed enclosures of the axial field rotary energy devices; and

the control module is configured to receive signals from the sensor located in each of the axial field rotary energy devices and relay a command to a respective contactor to disconnect a respective axial field rotary energy device, if the parameter monitored by the sensor exceeds a set threshold.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein

the I/O module is configured to convey to the control module an external command to stop one or more of the axial field rotary energy devices.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the VFD can selectively supply power to only one of the axial field rotary energy devices.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the VFD is connected directly to a direct current source.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the I/O module is configured to convey to the control module an external command to stop one or more of the axial field rotary energy devices.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the VFD can selectively supply power to only one of the axial field rotary energy devices.

Continuity (4)
Continuation 17147690 · Jan 13, 2021
Continuation In Part 16999837 · Aug 21, 2020
Provisional Application 62960974 · Jan 14, 2020
Related Publication 20230044158A1 · Feb 9, 2023
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