Magnetic Gears for Utility Actuation Gearbox Applications

Although published magnetic gear designs have been demonstrated in various and sundry academic settings, none are viable for industrial scale / military applications. Yet the technology remains enticing. The favored solution involves a topology that capitalizes on a cycloidal operation, but with axial flux that allows the objectionable forces to be canceled. This favored topology operates with a single air gap between torque generating MMF sources and allows for a pseudo drive topology using a transverse (i.e., radial) flux operating in the strong normal direction. Note that the novel solution proposed has never appeared in literature and is proprietary to this team. This team has designed and constructed 3 versions of the planetary gear, the topology that has received the greatest attention in the literature. Two weaknesses are inherent to the operating principle. (1) It employs two air gaps, and (2) the central structure must be laminated and sustain torques equal to the sum of those on the high and low speed shafts. This team has just completed the construction of its 2nd generation axial flux cycloid gear. This topology can realize much higher torque ratios without cogging, and can be made to balance the primary forces the bearings.