| 摘要 |
A reconfigurable electric motor 10 includes a rotor 12 containing rotatable permanent magnets 16, 72 or non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces 70. The magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting pieces 70 have a first position producing a weak magnetic field 24a for asynchronous induction motor operation at startup and a second position producing a strong magnetic field 24b for efficient synchronous operation. The motor 10 includes a squirrel cage 32 for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting pieces 70 positioned to product the weak magnetic field 24a to not interfere with the startup. When the motor 10 approaches or reaches synchronous RPM, the permanent magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting pieces 70 rotate to produce a strong magnetic field 24b for high efficiency synchronous operation. The position of the magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting pieces 70 may be controlled by a centrifugal mechanism 40, or viscous damping 76 may delay rotation of the magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting pieces 70, or electrically controlled apparatus 80 may control positions of the magnets 16, 72 and / or shunting piece 70. |
