Patent Grant
9006914
The present invention relates to an AC current generator device and method therefor, for generating an AC current by means of magnetic levitation.
The following prior art is believed to be the current status of the art:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,049 describes a magnetic bearing for centering a first body relative to a second body. However, this prior art does not relate to generation of an electric current.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,852 describes a system for stabilizing a magnetic element levitated in a magnetic field. A movement of the magnetic element from a stability location is sensed and a response is forwarded to a control circuit for compensating the destabilization movement. This prior art describes magnetic levitation devices but does not relate to utilizing magnetic levitation for the generation of electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,238 describes systems for suspending an object in a magnetic field. This prior art describes magnetic levitation devices but does not relate to utilizing magnetic levitation for the generation of electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,282 describes a magnetic levitation apparatus using permanent magnets and electromagnets. Position and motion sensors provide signals for a compensation circuit for levitating an object. This prior art describes magnetic levitation devices but does not relate to utilizing magnetic levitation for the generation of electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,394,183 describes an apparatus for generating an electric current by means of a mechanically supported lodestone core surrounded by concentric spheres. The inner sphere is constructed of magnetic material and the outer sphere of ferrogel/piezoelectric crystals for detecting movement of the inner sphere relative to the lodestone core. The piezoelectric relative movement thereof and generates electricity. This prior art does not utilize magnetic levitation for the generation of electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,076 describes an electric current generator including a rotor coupled to a shaft for rotating within an external coil.
These prior art do not describe utilizing magnetic levitation for the generation of electricity. Magnetic levitation offers a relative cost-effective method for generating electricity. Magnetic levitation avoids, for example, using bearing and axles which generate heat and other mechanical losses due to, for example, friction.
Thus, there is an unmet need in the art for an electric current generator utilizing magnetic levitation for generating an electric current.
The present invention seeks to present to an AC current generator device and method therefor, for generating an AC current. The AC current generator includes, inter alia, a stator and a rotor. The stator includes, inter alia, an outer shell and the rotor includes, inter alia, an inner core. The stator encloses an evacuated chamber and the rotor is contained within the evacuated chamber.
A plurality of ferromagnets is attached to an inner surface of the stator and a plurality of diamagnets is attached to the outer surface of the rotor. The ferromagnets and the diamagnets have the same magnetic polarity. Thus, each member of the plurality of ferromagnets and each member of the plurality of diamagnets have a magnetic north polarity or each member of the plurality of ferromagnets and each member of the plurality of diamagnets members have a magnetic south polarity.
The rotor is suspended within the outer shell by magnetic levitation.
The physical properties of the rotor, including the weights of the inner core and the plurality of diamagnets are selected, such that the net repulsive magnetic force between the rotor and the stator balances gravitational effects. Typically, the rotor, including the inner core and the plurality of diamagnets, are located at rest at a stability location within the evacuated chamber of the stator. At least one magnetic flux detection unit is located within the magnetic field generated by at least one member of the plurality of ferromagnets. Disturbing the rotor from the stability location towards the magnetic field generates a change in the magnetic flux which is detected by magnetic flux detection units. An AC current is generated in the magnetic flux detection units by the change in the magnetic flux. Typically, an AC/DC rectifier is coupled, either wirelessly or wirely, to the magnetic flux detection unit and rectifies the AC current into a DC current.
In the present invention, the outer shell is typically of a geometrical shape which is selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped and the inner core is typically of a geometrical shape which is selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped.
In order to generate an electric current, the rotor is disturbed from the stability location, by applying an external force to the AC generator, such as a user agitating the generator. Alternatively, the generator is incorporated into a floating body, such as a ship, such that the wave motion of the sea disturbs the rotor from the stability location, resulting in the generator generating an AC current.
Preferably, the members of the plurality of ferromagnets and the members of the plurality of diamagnets are disc-shaped magnets. Additionally or alternatively, the inner surface of the outer shell and/or the outer surface of the inner core are at least partially covered, doped, immersed, impregnated, soaked, coated, painted with a magnetic powder in accordance with the AC current generation requirements and the requirement that the predetermined magnetic polarity of the inner surface of the outer shell and/or the outer surface of the inner core have the same magnetic polarity.
Additionally, typically, the inner core and the plurality of diamagnets have a uniform mass distribution. If the inner core and the plurality of diamagnets have a non-uniform mass distribution, the randomness of the motion of the rotor is increased. It is appreciated that the net magnetic field generated by the plurality of ferromagnets is appropriately selected in order to counterbalance the non-uniform mass distribution of the inner core and the mass of the plurality of diamagnets.
There is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an AC current generator including a stator including an outer shell of non-magnetic material enclosing an evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of ferromagnets attached to an inner surface of the outer shell, a rotor including at least one inner core of non-magnetic material located at a stability location within the evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of diamagnets attached to an outer surface of the inner core, and at least one magnetic flux detection unit located within at least one magnetic field generated by at least one group of ferromagnets of the plurality of ferromagnets. Displacing the rotor from the stability location towards the at least one group of ferromagnets generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention further including at least one rectifier unit electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic flux detection unit rectifying the AC current into a DC current the electrical coupling is selected from the group consisting of wireless coupling, wire coupling and any combination thereof.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer shell is selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a geometrical shape of the at least one inner core is selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention each member of the plurality of ferromagnets includes a disc-shaped ferromagnet.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention each member of the plurality of diamagnets includes a disc-shaped diamagnet.
Typically, the outer shell of non-magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, antimony, copper, gold, lead, magnesium, platinum, silver, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium and zinc and/or any combination thereof.
Typically, the at least one inner core of non-magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, antimony, copper, gold, lead, magnesium, platinum, silver, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium and zinc and/or any combination thereof.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member of the plurality of ferromagnets includes a first predetermined magnetic polarity and each member of the plurality of diamagnets includes a second predetermined magnetic polarity.
The first predetermined magnetic polarity is a north magnetic polarity and the second predetermined magnetic polarity is a north magnetic polarity. Alternatively, the first predetermined magnetic polarity is a south magnetic polarity and the second predetermined magnetic polarity is a south magnetic polarity.
There is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for generating an AC current including providing a stator including an outer shell of non-magnetic material enclosing an evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of ferromagnets attached to inner surface of the outer shell; providing a rotor including an at least one inner core of non-magnetic material located at a stability location within the evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of diamagnets attached to an outer surface of the at least one inner core, and providing at least one magnetic flux detection unit located within at least one magnetic field generated by at least one group of ferromagnets of the plurality of ferromagnets. Displacing the rotor from the stability location towards the at least one group of ferromagnets generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. further including rectifying the AC current into a DC current by at least one rectifier unit electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic flux detection unit.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member of the plurality of ferromagnets includes a disc-shaped ferromagnet and each member of the plurality of diamagnets includes a disc-shaped diamagnet.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member one of the plurality of ferromagnets includes a first predetermined magnetic polarity and each member of the plurality of diamagnets includes a second predetermined magnetic polarity.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first predetermined magnetic polarity is a north magnetic polarity and the second predetermined magnetic polarity is a north magnetic polarity. Alternatively, the first predetermined magnetic polarity is a south magnetic polarity and the second predetermined magnetic polarity is a south magnetic polarity.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one magnetic flux detection unit includes a solenoid.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further including generating a ferromagnetic surface on the outer shell by at least one of the following: covering the outer shell with a magnetic powder, doping the outer shell with a magnetic powder, immersing the outer shell with in a magnetic powder, impregnating the outer shell with a magnetic powder, soaking the outer shell with a magnetic material, coating the outer shell with a magnetic powder, painting the outer shell with a magnetic powder in accordance with the first predetermined magnetic polarity.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further including generating a diamagnetic surface on the inner shell by at least one of the following: covering the inner shell with a magnetic powder, doping the inner shell with a magnetic powder, immersing the inner shell with in a magnetic powder, impregnating the inner shell with a magnetic powder, soaking the inner shell with a magnetic material, coating the inner shell with a magnetic powder, painting the inner shell with a magnetic powder in accordance with the second predetermined magnetic polarity.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further including at least one superconducting element attached to the outer surface of the at least one inner core.
Still in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one magnetic flux detection unit includes a solenoid.
Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member of the plurality of ferromagnets includes at least one of the following materials cobalt, ferrites, iron, magnetite, NdFeB, Barium Ferrite, Samarium Cobalt, AlNiCo magnets and lodestone.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member of the plurality of ferromagnets is bonded to the inner surface of the outer shell and the diamagnets are bonded to the at least one inner core by at least one of the following bonding agents structural acrylic, cyanoacrylate, and epoxy adhesives and any combination thereof.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each member of the plurality of diamagnets includes at least one of the following materials bismuth and superconducting material, the superconducting material is selected from the group consisting of Niobium-Titanium, bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) and yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO).
A preferred embodiment of the current invention is described hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings:
Reference is now made to
Alternatively, the geometrical shape of the outer shell is selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped. Additionally or alternatively, the geometrical shape of the inner core is selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a pyramid and a parallelepiped.
Reference is now made to
The inner core 14 includes, inter alia, a plurality of diamagnets 32 attached to an outer surface 34 of the inner core 14. The inner core 14 is also typically constructed of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminium, antimony, copper, gold, lead, magnesium, platinum, silver, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium and zinc and any combination thereof. Preferably, each diamagnet 36k=1 . . . L of the plurality of diamagnets 32 is disc-shaped and includes a diamagnetic material, such as bismuth or a superconducting material, such as Niobium-Titanium, bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) and yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO). Each diamagnet 36k=1 . . . L is typically bonded to the outer surface 34 of the inner core 14 by a bonding agent, such as, structural acrylic, cyanoacrylate, and epoxy adhesives.
It is appreciated that the total number of ferromagnets N does not necessarily the same as the total number of diamagnets L.
It is appreciated that selecting a superconductor magnet for attaching inner core 14, requires coupling the superconducting magnet to the requisite ancillary cooling equipment, as is known in the art.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
It is appreciated that the weight of the rotor 7, including the weights of the inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, is selected such that the net magnetic repulsive force generated between that the plurality of ferromagnets 22 and the plurality of diamagnets 34 overcomes gravitational effects, as is known in the art. In a situation, in which the net magnetic repulsive force between that the plurality of ferromagnets 22 and the plurality of diamagnets 34 overcomes the gravitational effects, the rotor 7, including the inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, is at rest and the rotor 7 is located at the stability location 38 (
At the stability location 38, in which the rotor 7, including, inter alia, the inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, is at rest, the net dipole moments of the ferromagnets 24i=1 . . . N is at least equal to the net dipole moments of the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, such that the effects of the gravitational field are counterbalanced.
Reference is now made to
The units 25, 48, 50 and 52 are electrically coupled, wirelessly and/or wirely, to an AC/DC rectifier 66.
On applying a perturbation to the AC current generator 10, such as applying an external force to the generator 10, the rotor 7, including inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, deviates from the stability location 38 and the rotor 7 follows the force gradient in the direction of the applied external force. The inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L are displaced, for example, towards the at least one magnetic flux detection unit 25.
The displacement of the rotor 7 from the stability location 38 towards the group of ferromagnets 27 generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field 29 thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit 25. The AC current is applied to the rectifier 66.
Due to the magnetic repulsion forces between the portion 27 of the ferromagnets and the diagments 36k=1 . . . L, the rotor 7 is repulsed and the inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L move back towards the stability location 38.
Typically, the rotor 7 overshoots the stability location 38 and moves towards a second group of magnetic fields, for example, the magnetic field 56 and due to the change in flux in the unit 50, an AC current is generated in the magnetic flux detection unit 50. The rotor 7 is repulsed by the magnetic field 56 in a direction towards the stability location 38.
The rotor 7 again, typically, overshoots the stability location 38 and the process of repulsion by the magnetic field group is repeated. The change in the magnetic flux generates an AC current. It is appreciated that the motion of the rotor 7 is random and variable and depends on the direction of the applied force gradient.
Due the net magnetic repulsion forces between the rotor 7 and the magnetic field groups 29, 54, 56 and 58 and the overshooting of the stability location 38, a process of repulsion and overshooting is produced and an AC current is generated in the magnetic flux detection units 25, 48, 50 and 52. The frequency of the AC current depends on the number of times the rotor 7 is repulsed by the relevant magnetic field group per second.
It is appreciated that in the evacuated chamber 16, the air resistance to the displacement of the rotor 7 is reduced. However, due to the generation of eddy currents in the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L, frictional drag effects and induction heating are generated within the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L and repulsive forces to the movement of the rotor 7 are generated. The frictional drag and heating effects limit and restrain the motion of the rotor 7 until the rotor 7 comes to a rest, typically, at the stability location 38.
It is appreciated that the external force applied to the generator 10 must be of sufficient strength so as to overcome the magnetic repulsion force between the ferromagnets 24i=1 . . . N and the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L and to deviate the rotor 7 from the stability location 38 towards the outer shell 12.
A typical external force is generated by a user of the AC current generator 10, agitating the generator 10 and disturbing the inner core 14 and the plurality of diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L from the stability location 38.
Additionally or alternatively, the generator 10 is incorporated into a floating body, such as a ship or a electrical wave generator, such that the wave motion of the sea deviates the inner core 14 and the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L from the stable location 38 and an AC current is generated in the unit 25.
It is appreciated that the rotor 7 may be initially displaced towards any member of the group of ferromagnets 27, 60, 62 and 64.
The displacement of the inner core 14 and the diamagnets 36k=1 . . . L within the magnetic field groups 27, 60, 62 and 64 results in a change in the magnetic flux in the units 25, 48, 50 and 52, an AC current, such as a half sinewave AC current, is generated. The AC current is applied to the rectifier 66 which rectifies the AC current to a DC current, as is known in the art.
It is appreciated that if an AC current is required, the generated AC current bypasses the rectifier 66 and is applied to an AC smoothing circuit, as is known in the art.
Additionally or alternatively, the diamagnets 24i=1 . . . L includes at least one superconducting element, as constructed from such as Niobium-Titanium. It is appreciated that the at least one superconducting element is coupled to the required cooling apparatus, as in known in the art.
In the foregoing description, embodiments of the invention, including preferred embodiments, have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20120169069 A1 | Jul 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60812615 | Jun 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 12304524 | US | |
| Child | 13343737 | US |
