Improvements in and relating to Homopolar Electric Machines

1,165,538. Homopolar machines. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO. Ltd. 9 Jan., 1967 [12 Jan., 1966], No. 1530/66. Heading H2A. A homopolar torque-converter employs a common working flux for both input and output rotors which comprise a small high-speed rotor 1 driven by an external motor, and a larger, low-speed rotor 2 providing power at outuut shaft 2a. Current generated by rotor 1 traverses both rotors in series, and a common field passing axially through core parts 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is generated by coil 3 which may be superconducting. The working flux is controlled by an axially movable core part 7. The rotor discs are of non-magnetic, conducting material, e.g. copper. Current generated at brushes 4a, 4b on disc 1 is arranged to pass twice radially of disc 2 through discs 2b, 2c on either side of a support 2d, and back through fixed discs 11, 12. This is achieved by an arrangement of brushes 5a, 5c engaging slip-rings 16, 18 connected through to the opposite rotor disc by alternate links 15, 17. The brush-gear may be simplified by mounting one set on one of the rotors.