Axial flux motor mass reduction with improved cooling

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for an axial electric motor. The apparatus comprises, a stator having coils thereon for producing a magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the magnetic field, and an output shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor includes a magnetic and non-magnetic component. The non-magnetic component has a lower density than the magnetic component. One or both of the rotor components have apertures therein for ventilation and weight reduction. Permanent magnets are desirably mounted on the magnetic component of the rotor facing the stator and portions of the rotor behind the permanent magnets are hollowed out to be thinner than portions of the rotor between the permanent magnets. This reduces rotor weight without significantly affecting magnetic flux density in the rotor or motor torque.