An ordinance platform with a variable reluctance electric motor is
provided. The motor has a stator integrated with a bearing race which is
fixably connected with the tank body. The bearing race provides the
function of a rotor and is fixably or integrally connected with the tank
turret. The rotor is vertically supported by the stator for rotational
movement by a plurality of ball bearings. The stator is formed having a
plurality of individual phase segments which are arranged in an annular
array. Each of the stator phase segments is provided with a phase winding
and a plurality of stator pole teeth. The stator phase windings are
connected individually to respective driver circuits so as to essentially
create a plurality of individual stators about the rotor. The rotor race
is formed and is provided with a plurality of rotor pole teeth which are
disposed adjacent the stator pole teeth. Thus, when the phase windings of
the individual stator phase segments are energized, the moveable race
(integrated with the rotor and connected with the gun turret) is rotated
relative to the stationary race (integrated with a stator and connected
with the tank body), without any intermediate coupling device such as
gears, belts and the like.
