Closing motor energy storage motor

What is a compact motor?

Mohammad Imani-Nejad PhD ’13 of the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity (left) and David L. Trumper of mechanical engineering are building compact, durable motors that can operate at high speeds, making devices such as compressors and machine tools more efficient and serving as inexpensive, reliable energy storage systems.

What is a hysteresis motor?

In a conventional motor, the hysteresis effect creates an energy loss, so engineers work hard to minimize it. In a hysteresis motor, however, it’s a useful mechanism.

How does a motor work?

In a typical motor, a component called a rotor turns inside a stationary component called a stator. One of those components contains permanent magnets that have south and north poles. The other has wire coiled around it. Putting electricity through the coils creates magnetic fields that attract and repel the poles of the permanent magnets.

How does a motor turn electricity into movement?

Designing a motor to turn electricity into movement is tricky. In a typical motor, a component called a rotor turns inside a stationary component called a stator. One of those components contains permanent magnets that have south and north poles. The other has wire coiled around it.

Are self-bearing motors hysteresis motors?

While self-bearing motors are relatively new, hysteresis motors have a long history, with early designs proposed about 100 years ago. But Imani-Nejad believes he’s the first to combine the two concepts. To support his novel idea, he first formulated new theoretical models of the forces involved and the control algorithms required.

Could electric motors be revolutionized?

Devices from compressors to flywheels could be revolutionized if electric motors could run at higher speeds without getting hot and failing. MIT researchers have now designed and built novel motors that promise to fulfill that dream. Central to their motors are spinning rotors of high-strength steel with no joints or bolts or magnets.