The reason for the second, counter rotating motor, is for stability, and hopefully to create an even more powerful field.
To drive the ring, I have found a washing machine motor which may serve my purpose. It is a permanent magnet stepper motor, but I would only require the spin capability. This motor is readily available from worn out
Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive clothes washing machines which are very popular, and available in many countries including the USA. These motors are very strong, and are seldom the reason for a machine being discarded. The motor is entirely electronically controlled. These discarded motors are also in demand for small wind and hydro power generators.
The
stator of this motor is comprised of 42 radial coils, forming a diameter of about 250mm.
The 42 coils are in a 3 phase configuration, each phase having 14 coils in series. I intend to cut these stators into individual coils, and reconfigure them into whatever diameter ring I settle on.
The
rotor is comprised of 14 magnets, each of which has 4 poles, set out N S N S, so the whole rotor therefor has 56 magnets alternating in the same way. I was going to attempt to cut these magnets into 4 individual magnets, and see if the poles remained the same, but I have found some early model rotors with
56 individual magnets, possibly rare earth type.
Proposed Layout