About the
GEMINI TECHNOLOGY

The GEMINI Electric Motor derives its efficiency by making maximum use of all of the magnetic fields available in an electric motor. This additional energy is achieved by the patented process of using both sides of the energised coil, thus delivering additional power from electricity already passing through the energised coils. This simple design features 'H' shaped energised coils with permanent magnets positioned at BOTH ends of these coils.

The Gemini Electric Motor has a unique characteristic, which is that the motor does not draw high electrical currents (AMPS), even when under high torque loads. All other electric motors when subjected to high loads draw additional amps while the electric motor's efficiency and performance is reducing. 

We believe this unique characteristic in the Gemini Electric Motor is due to the permanent magnets being positioned at both ends of the energized coil, act to choke or restrict the electric current. This has the effect, that the Gemini Electric Motor while producing good torque and r.p.m. will if the load is so heavy it reduces the r.p.m. of the motor, the motor will reduce the amount of amps the motor draws.

The GEMINI operates on either AC or DC power sources and has the choice of either a carbon brush on a flat copper commutation system which was specially developed for this motor, or an electronic controller. This original design is ideally suited to an application where a very high power to weight ratio is required, such as a 'in -the-hub' wheel motor for use on a bicycle or in an electric vehicle. The simplicity of the design also makes it extremely suitable in countries and areas where only low tech repairs are available. Alternatively, in applications requiring it, the motor can operate with a high tech electronic commutation system. This type of system is best suited to stationary applications where greater levels of efficiency are required but does have exciting applications in the transport industry, for all types of vehicles for Land, Sea and Air.

The motor design allows for either the shaft or outer housing to turn, depending on the application. We have designed a 7:1 gearing which will be applied to in-hub situations such as electric bicycles / vehicles. This allows the energised rotor in side the motor to revolve at 1400rpm while turning the wheel hub at 200rpm. The gearing on a bike provides a speed control.

John Ettridge’s Gemini Electric Motor Technology

John Ettridge in collaboration with Tim Harwood M.A.

Electric motor technology has remained surprisingly static over the last 50 years. While there are a number of good reasons for conservatism in any design process, perhaps the most significant point is that it is only relatively recently permanent magnets have become cheap enough, and rugged enough, to be appropriate for motor design.

Up until the 1940s it was still customary to use electromagnets, as permanent magnets were not considered suitable for the demands of commercial applications. And it took even longer for magnets to be made available for low cost private experimentation. The result was an industry that became surprisingly fixed in its ways, for which innovation could only come from the outside.

While switched reluctance motors have found increasing popularity in recent years, as the advantage of high efficiency becomes more widely appreciated, the traditional prejudice of motor designers against permanent magnets, means this area of switched reluctance research is still relatively unexplored.

John Ettridge is an inventor who has invested the time required to pursue permanent magnet based switched reluctance design. His research began out of frustration with conventional designs, which it seemed to him were grossly inefficient, difficult to repair, and unimaginative.

Figure 1 is taken directly from the Ettridge patent, and illustrates the layouts pursued in the early stages of research. Subsequently a variety of alternative geometrical layouts were developed, optimized for specific applications and load scenarios. When the six coils are aligned with the permanent magnets, an input pulse is provided to the apparatus, that manifests a repulsion effect, pushing the stators away from the permanent magnets. The input voltage will determine the characteristics of the recession. The higher the input voltage, the greater the resultant mechanical force manifested.

While the use of permanent magnets in such a manner is innovative, the Ettridge technology features further levels of design optimization. Figure 2 illustrates how the conventional T shaped stator can be replaced with an H shaped stator. This enables both ends of an energized coil to be used to impart motion to the rotor section.

Figure 3 places the two stator designs side by side to highlight the novelty in design. The resultant increase in efficiency and improvement in power to weight ratio, means the overall effectiveness of the technology is greatly enhanced, without incurring a significant increase in manufacturing costs.

Independent support for this view was sought from Paul Chandler, Research Engineer of the Northern Territory Center for Energy Research, part of the Northern Territory University. He stated the following on July 18th 2000:

Permanent magnets require a complete flux path between the poles, and unless the motor provides a path for these vectors, the flux lines are completed through air. If lines of force permeate the apparatus in such a fashion, the result may be to cause drag upon the rotor, and reduce the efficiency of the device.

In a device such as an electric motor where fields are in a constant state of change, the net loss in performance from undirected lines of magnetic force can be significant. This is perhaps another reason why electrical engineers have avoided permanent magnets in motor design, as they introduce not only expense, but also additional design challenges.

The Ettridge solution to this issue illustrated in Figure 4, is to provide the motor with a magnetically permeable back plate, which acts to contain the magnetic lines of force of the permanent magnets. This ensures the magnetic signature of the technology is relatively clean, and the rotor action can function without excessive magnetic drag. It also means the magnetic fields have to cross only 2 air gaps, as opposed to a more conventional 4. Therefore, a further principal of the Ettridge motor technology, is the creation of a magnetic flux circuit.

A further development of the Ettridge technology, was the integration of a regenerative capability. Apparatus was developed that enabled current to be extracted from the motor while in operation, without placing a load upon the motor. While many motors feature an ability to draw energy from the motor while breaking or other low load scenarios, the Gemini motor can produce a real output at all times, even while under heavy load. This output can be fed back into the motor, or used to recharge the source, and augments the efficiency gains already apparent in the design. A number of different implementations exist for this method, and one is illustrated in Figure 5, taken from the patent.

Summary

The patented Ettridge Gemini electric motor technology features a number of innovative design characteristics, that are likely to become increasingly common in the next generation of electric motors. Not only can significant efficiency gains be realized, but more importantly for many applications, power to weight ratios can also be improved. With this in mind, it is likely the commercial popularity of electric motor technology will only increase in the years ahead.

GOLD MEDALS were Awarded for the :

Ettridge Commutator at the International Invention and New Products Exhibition held at Geneva, Switzerland, May 2004.

and for the:

Gemini Electric Motor at the INPEX 2004, The Invention Show, held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

International Patent Application number, PCT/AU01/00707, 13 June 2001