Wisk Aero LLC

Kitty Hawk Corporation

Laura Weeks Shane

Diederik Marius

Geoffrey Alan Long

Robert Wayne Moore

Justin Char

Embodiments of a modular motor assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, a motor comprises a plurality of modular magnetic units, where each of the modular magnetic units includes at least one rotor and at least one stator. The motor further comprises a plurality of structural segments each adapted to support a stator of a corresponding one of the modular magnetic units, where each of the structural segments interlocks with a next structural segment to form a stack. A method of manufacturing a motor includes arranging a selected number of modular magnetic units, coupling the selected number of modular magnetic units to a shaft, coupling the selected number of modular magnetic units to respective structural segments, and forming electrical connections to apply three-phase voltage to stator windings of the modular magnetic units.

Modular motor assembly

Non-invasive rubbing detection for motors is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of detecting rubbing on a stator of a motor includes providing an electrical conductor on the stator, (the electrical conductor has a first end and a second end). The method further includes determining that there is rubbing on a surface of the stator, including by probing the first end and the second end to determine whether there is an electrical connection across the electrical conductor, and determining that there is rubbing on the stator if there is no electrical connection. In an embodiment, the electrical conductor is disposed on the surface of the stator by etching away conductive foil to form the electrical conductor, and providing the electrical conductor.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Laura Weeks Shane