The present invention generally relates to power generation equipment and more particularly to a device and method for controlling the operating temperature of electrical power generating equipment.
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric power from sources of kinetic and potential energy. In general, there are seven fundamental methods of directly transforming other forms of energy into electrical energy.
For example, static electricity was the first form discovered and investigated. In general, static electricity is an excess of an electrical charge trapped on the surface of an object. A static electricity charge is created when two objects are rubbed together and at least one of the surfaces has a high resistance to electrical current. Since materials are all constructed from atoms, and atoms are constructed from protons in their nuclei and electrons in their shells, static electricity requires the electrons to move from one object to the other while in contact. When the objects are then separated the charge imbalance remains. The charge imbalance can be discharged from either object by connecting, or placing the object, in suitable proximity to a ground. While static electricity was the first type discovered and investigated it has found very few commercial uses other than Van de Graaff and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators.
Electrochemistry, involving the direct transformation of chemical energy into electricity, has found important uses mostly in portable and mobile applications. Currently, most electrochemical power comes from closed electrochemical cells, e.g. batteries, which are generally utilized more for storage than for power generation. However, open electrochemical systems, e.g. fuel cells, have been the subject of a great deal of research and development. Fuel cells can be used to extract electrical power from natural or synthetic fuels which may include alcohol or gasoline. However, electrolytic hydrogen has been the primary fuel of recent technological advances.
Photoelectric involves the transformation of light into electrical energy, e.g. solar cells. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly to electricity. Although sunlight is free and abundant, solar electricity is still usually more expensive to produce than large-scale mechanically generated power due to the cost of the panels. Until recently, photovoltaics were most commonly used in remote sites where there is no access to a commercial power grid or as a supplemental electricity source for individual homes and businesses.
Thermoelectric involves the direct conversion of temperature differences into electricity. Current devices include thermocouples, thermopiles and thermionic converters. A thermoelectric device creates a voltage when there is a different temperature on opposite sides or ends of a piece of material. At the atomic scale, an applied temperature gradient causes charge carriers in the material to diffuse from the hot side of the material to the cold side. This effect can be used to generate electricity, measure temperature or change the temperature of objects. Because the direction of the heating and cooling is determined by the polarity of the applied voltage, thermoelectric devices are often utilized as temperature controllers.
Piezoelectric develops electricity from the mechanical strain of electrically anisotropic molecules or crystals. The piezoelectric state is understood as the linear electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and the electrical state in crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry. The piezoelectric effect is a reversible process in that materials exhibiting a direct piezoelectric effect, also exhibit the reverse piezoelectric effect upon the application of an electrical field. Piezoelectricity is found in a number of applications such as the production and detection of sound, generation of high voltages, electronic frequency generation, microbalances and ultrafine focusing of optical assemblies.
Nuclear transformation involves the creation and acceleration of charged particles. Examples include betavoltaics and alpha particle emission. Betavoltaics are, in effect, a form of battery which uses energy from a radioactive source emitting beta particles, e.g. electrons. Unlike most nuclear power sources which use nuclear radiation to generate heat, which is then used to rotate a turbine, betavoltaics use a non-thermal conversion process; converting the electron-hole pairs produced by the ionization trail of beta particles traversing a semiconductor. The primary use for betavoltaics is for remote long term uses requiring low voltage.
Electromagnetic induction transforms kinetic energy into electricity. Electromagnetic induction produces electric current across a conductor moving through a magnetic field. It underlies the operation of generators, transformers, induction motors, synchronous motors, and solenoids. This is the most used form of electrical power generation and is based on Faraday's law. Faraday formulated that electromotive force (EMF) produced around a closed path is proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic flux through any surface bounded by that path. In practice, this means that an electric current will be induced in any closed circuit when the magnetic flux through a surface bounded by the conductor changes. Almost all commercial electrical generation is done using electromagnetic induction, in which mechanical energy is utilized to rotate an electrical generator. There are numerous ways of developing the mechanical power including heat engines, hydro, wind and tidal power.
While these devices and systems have met with success in several industries and scientists, the prior art has failed to meet the needs and expectations of the public at large. Electrical power is generally very expensive to produce and distribute and is replete with harmful environmental impacts. For example, the amount of water usage is of great concern for electrical generation systems, especially as populations and therefore demands continue to increase. Steam cycle electrical plants require a great deal of water for cooling. In addition, most electricity today is generated using fossil fuels. The fossil fuel is burned to produce steam which is used to turn a steam turbine. Alternatively, the fossil fuel is used to operate an internal combustion or heat cycle engine. The engine is then used to rotate the turbine. Fossil fuel supplies are finite and emissions to the atmosphere from burning the fossil fuel are significant. The estimated CO2 emission from the world's electrical power industry is estimated at 10 billion tons yearly. The carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect, and thus to global warming. Depending on the particular fuel being burned, other emissions may be produced as well. Ozone, sulfur dioxide, NO2, as well as particulate matter are often released into the atmosphere. Still yet, heavy elements such as mercury, arsenic and radioactive materials are also emitted.
Thus, the present invention provides a new device and system for generating electrical power which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art electrical generation systems. The generation system of the present invention not only provides for relative portability, it also permits power generation without the need of fossil fuels. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides rotary motion which may be utilized to rotate additional generators, alternators, machinery, or provide propulsion to automobiles or the like.
Briefly, the invention involves a system and method for generating electrical power. The system includes an electromagnet positioned with one pole directed toward a like pole of a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is preferably mounted for oscillating movement toward the pole of the electromagnet. A control system for the electromagnet is provided to supply direct current (DC) power in the form of square wave pulses which coincide with the position of the permanent magnet. Power is collected upon the collapse of the magnetic field within the electromagnetic magnet. In some embodiments, the present device is supplied in the form of a reciprocating engine which provides rotary motion in addition to the electrical power generated.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an electrical power generation device.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power.
It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a power generation system that utilizes certain aspects of thermo electric power generation to aid in the development of electrical power.
It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a power generation system that utilizes a highly polarized permanent magnet placed in close proximity to a metallic magnon gain medium (MMGM) and a control system for supplying energy pulses to the MMGM and electromagnet in the form of EMF.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
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The high voltage system (HVDC) 104 is preferably a plurality of batteries 130 and capacitors 132. In a most preferred embodiment the array of batteries 130 comprises ten 12V DC batteries 134 hooked up in series to provide a total of 120V DC power 136 to the electromagnetic coils. The array of capacitors 132 preferably comprises about twelve 10,000 Pico Farad capacitors 138. The capacitors are generally constructed and arranged to smooth the draw on the batteries to provide extended run times, reduce heat build-up in the batteries 134 and provide a smoother power signal to the coils. The positive polarity of the battery array 140 connects to the line side of a single pole single throw switch which acts as the main power switch 142 and can either energize or shut down all of the 120V DC supplied components throughout the HVDC system. From the load side of the main power switch 142, the 120 v DC positive polarity is divided into two separate HVDC supply legs 144, 146. A first leg 144 connects to the collector 149 of the first insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) 148 supplying power to coil bank 1150, including coils 1 and 4156, 158, while the second leg 146 connects to the collector 151 of the second IGBT 152 supplying power to coil bank 2154, including coils 2 and 3160, 162.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second IGBTs 148, 152 are MITSUBISHI part no. CM1200DC 34N and are each rated at 1,700 Volts 1,200 Amps. The first and second IGBTs 148, 152 are configured to include dual switching (two channels) capability and can be operated either independently, in tandem, or in an alternating pattern. When two IGBTs are utilized, Channel one 164, 166 respectively of each IGBT provides independent switching of the coil banks 1 & 2. It should also be noted that while the preferred embodiment includes two IGBTs, more or less IGBTs may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. From the Channel one 164 emitter of the first IGBT 148 the 120 v DC power passes through blocking diode 168; and from the Channel 1166 emitter of the second IGBT 152 the 120 v DC power passes through a blocking diode 170. Diodes 168 and 170 are preferably power diodes, VISHAY part no. SDIIOOC16 B-PUK, rated at 1400 Amp 1600 Volts. Diode 168 is connected to coil bank 1150, and diode 170 is connected to coil bank 2154. Diodes 168 and 170 prevent any back EMF caused by a failure in fly-back diodes 172 or 174 from reaching the first or second IGBTs.
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Referring to the firing system 100, the Fiber Optically Interfaced IGBT Driver 200,202 is constructed and arranged to control the opening and closing of the IGBT gates, thus switching on or off the HVDC power to the coil banks. Power supplied to the IGBT driver board 200, 202 is a filtered and conditioned 15 v DC 0.5 Amp. via shield twisted pair wires 124 extending from power supplies 112, 114. The IGBT Driver 200, 202 is also constructed and arranged to include features that can be incorporated as torque power output IC Controller/Sensors that allow the shift from a push-push system between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets to a system that pushes on one coil bank while the other coil bank pulls (attracts) thus adding more torque to the power stroke. Shifting from a push-push mode to a push-pull mode may be accomplished on the fly.
High voltage DC switching is accomplished by two high voltage, high amperage insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) 148, 152 and are preferably HVIGBT MODULES MITSUBISHI part no. CM1200DC 34N, each rated at 1700 volts 1200 amps. Each IGBT is controlled by a driver board 200, 202 that is fiber optically interfaced to a respective TB opto-coupler component 184, 186 located in the low voltage power modulator and pulse controller. Each IGBT gates power to a respective coil bank or cylinder independently of other IGBTs being utilized. Each electromagnetic coil bank 150, 154 preferably include a flyback diode 204, 206 across its positive and negative connection. It has been found that VISHAY part no. SDI500030L B-PUK is rated at 1600A 3000V diodes, and is suitable to eliminate flyback. Flyback is the sudden voltage spike seen across the inductive load presented by the coil banks when its supply voltage is abruptly changed by the systems pulsing and switching frequency. From each coil bank the high voltage DC continues through another isolation diode 208, 210, preferably VISHAY part no. SD1500030L B-PUK 1600A 3000V. Isolation diodes 208, 210 are to be considered legacy components; their primary function is to isolate the magnetic coil banks from one another. Isolation diodes 208, 210 connect to a common copper buss 212 which connects to the negative terminal of the high voltage DC 120V Power Supply battery array.
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The present system comprises a highly polarized permanent magnet (PM) 16 adjacent to or in close proximity to a metallic magnon gain medium (MMGM), e.g. the core 24. The magnetic field imparted on the adjacent MMGM forms a localized spin accumulation, also known as a spin bias, or accumulation of non-equilibrium electrons. Since the spin accumulation in the MMGM is greatest in close proximity to the magnet, a spin diffusion gradient is formed through the length of the MMGM. Due to the elements present in the MMGM and the Fermi energies associated with the elements within the MMGM, the spin diffusion gradient sets up a preferred direction for the movement of magnon waves in the MMGM (magnon bias). The coil 28 that surrounds the MMGM is energized; preferably with DC square wave pulses from the firing system 100. The DC pulses provide an EMF in the direction of the interface between the PM and MMGM. Since the PM has already exerted a magnetic field great enough to spin polarize electrons in the nearby MMGM, equilibrium electrons (the ones that have not been spin biased) within this spin diffusion zone are already under EMF from the PM that brings them close to the spin-flip transition point (as described by the Zeeman Effect and Paschen Back Effect). The introduction of DC pulsed current at specific frequencies, voltages and currents provides the extra current needed to accomplish the spin-flip transition so that electron pairs in equilibrium (equal spin up and spin down) become non-equilibrium and become spin polarized for the duration of the square wave pulse. This is known as the spin-flip transition, and it takes place in the MMGM when the coil is energized. Magnon waves are already present due to the ambient heat in the atmosphere, the room or any location where the power generation apparatus resides. Therefore, magnon waves are present in the MMGM since it is at approximately the same temperature as the environment surrounding it. By nature, magnon waves are randomly oriented and cause random lattice vibrations between the atoms in any solid, including the MMGM. Magnon waves are present in any material that is warmer than absolute zero. When the coil around the MMGM turns on, inducing a magnetic field with sufficient intensity to exceed the localized Zeeman energy or “spin-flip transition energy” for equilibrium electrons in the metal atoms in the MMGM, electrons in these become spin biased and absorb a magnon to conserve energy during the spin flip. Therefore, with sufficient current delivered to the coil, the MMGM can saturate causing the maximum number of electrons to become spin biased and absorb magnons in the MMGM. As the square wave pulse falls to zero thus de-energizing the coil, normal spin relaxation occurs within the MMGM allowing substantially all of the magnons absorbed to be released at the same time, as a large percentage of the electrons in the MMGM flip back to their original spin orientation. Since all the magnons are dumped at once, they create an avalanche effect much like photons in a laser. When all of these magnons waves are released at the same time they are released toward the permanent magnet due to the polarization force of the magnet creating a spin bias or gradient in the MMGM, thus creating a preferred direction for the magnons to travel when they are released. As the magnons saturate or overload the MMGM with magnon waves in one direction, they collide with the end of the material at the point where the MMGM ends and the PM is positioned (known as the interface). The collapse of the magnetic field and the magnon bias direction is responsible for annihilating magnon waves through wave collision at the interface. When the magnon waves are destroyed, heat is destroyed making the temperature of the material drop. Since energy cannot be created or destroyed per the laws of thermodynamics, the ambient heat energy that caused the original randomly moving magnons in the MMGT core is converted back to a forceful spin wave in the MMGT “core”. This spin wave is propagated through the MMGT core as a strong electromagnetic pulse that can be collected via classical induction by the coil around the MMGT core. Once collected, the electrical power can be stored and applied to perform useful work.
It has also been discovered during experimentation that the temperature of the electromagnet(s), core(s) and an external assembly operating from the power generated by the present device can be manipulated by the application of specific tones, generated by varying the square wave power inputs to the coils. In these experiments, the external assemblies comprised electrolysis systems being operated by the power generation device. In these combined systems, the present power producing device was equipped with various sensors including, but not limited to, temperature sensors, voltage sensors, amperage sensors, and pressure sensors. The sensors were secured to measuring and recording equipment including an Astro-Med R TMX-18 portable data recorder as well as various video devices directed at mechanical gauges and the reaction within the electrolysis tank. The TMX is available from Astro-Med Inc. of 600 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick R.I. 02893. Sweeps of various square wave patterns were supplied to the power producing device. Thereafter, the data was analyzed whereby correlations were found between power production and temperature within the system. The tones, e.g. frequencies of the square wave which produced desirable cooling or power production were then fed back into the power producing device as a constant or narrow band sweep signal to increase the desired effect. During this process it was discovered that specific frequencies caused cooling in the electrolysis portion of the system while other frequencies caused cooling in the electromagnet coils and cores of the electromagnets. Due to the speed in which the heat was eliminated, it is believed that this phenomenon is due to magnon conversion and/or annihilation around that portion of the system. Temperature drops of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit were observed to occur in 1 to 2 seconds in the coils and cores which have an included mass of about 20 pounds.
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This system also has application for driving fusion and/or LENR reactions which are extremely prone to runaway heat related failures. The present system can be utilized to cool or throttle the fusion or LENR reaction in the same manner as the electrolysis reaction to prevent the unwanted runaway failures related to excessive heat production. In operation, the system can monitor the heat production of the fusion or LENR reactions and vary the frequency of the pulse being supplied to the coil(s) assembly to provide a periodic or constant cooling cycle to the reaction. The excess heat is converted to electrical power which can be directed away from the system for useful work or can be redirected into the system for use by the reaction. The present system may also have application for refrigeration and heating systems whereby the power generation could be utilized for heat while the magnon conversion/destruction could be utilized for cooling or refrigeration.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/191,114, filed Jul. 10, 2015, entitled “Device and Control System for Producing Electrical Power”. The present invention also claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/147,353, filed Jan. 3, 2014, entitled “Device and Control System for Producing Electrical Power”, which claims priority U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/748,974, filed Jan. 4, 2013, entitled “Device and Control System for Producing Electrical Power”, which claims priority as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/454,839, filed Apr. 24, 2012, entitled, “Magnetically Powered Reciprocating Engine And Electromagnet Control System”, which issued May 21, 2013 to U.S. Pat. No. 8,446,112, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/701,781, filed Feb. 8, 2010, entitled, “Magnetically Powered Reciprocating Engine And Electromagnet Control System”, which issued May 29, 2012 to U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,690. The contents of each of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62191114 | Jul 2015 | US | |
61748974 | Jan 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14147353 | Jan 2014 | US |
Child | 15205533 | US |