Patent Application
20250030308
Transportation systems, such as marine vessels, use a variety of different power sources. Most transportation systems use fossil fuel-based engines to propel and electronically power the transportation systems. Such fossil fuel-based engines create emissions are generally deemed “environmentally unfriendly.” As an example, marine vessels generally use diesel engines for powering propulsion, thrusters, and electrical systems of the marine vessels. However, diesel engines are inefficient, expensive to operate, cause vibrations throughout the vessels, and produce undesirably high emissions. In most cases, marine vessels that are parked offshore use diesel power to maintain the marine vessels in a stationary, idling position as well as powering the electrical and electronic equipment of the marine vessels. It is common for active shipping ports, such as those in Singapore, to have several hundred marine vessels parked offshore while waiting for dock space, and such idling is very expensive and produces extremely high emissions. Similar situations exist for other transportation systems, such as automobiles, buses, trains, and airplanes.
Consequently, a variety of transportation vehicles, such as marine vessels, have begun using rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries, however, are expensive and use rare Earth minerals, which have negative consequences for the environment from which the rare Earth minerals are mined. Moreover, rechargeable batteries tend to have limited range and are time consuming to recharge. Further, rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan and include hazardous waste materials that result in dangerous pollution when discarded. Another limiting factor of rechargeable batteries is that heat can damage the batteries or other electrical equipment used to support the rechargeable batteries. As such, there is a need for a power source that does not produce high emissions, is less expensive to operate, has a long lifespan, does not result in pollution when discarded, is less affected by elevated temperatures, is able to be recharged faster with lower risk of a catastrophic event, and includes rare Earth minerals that are more readily available than those used for rechargeable batteries.
One such rechargeable power source is a flywheel. Because of the amount of energy needed to power a marine vessel or other transportation vehicle, high amounts of electrical energy output from flywheels, such as 500 kilowatt-hours or higher, may be utilized to minimize footprint. However, large flywheels can have a number of limitations, such as heat generation, weight, precision and stabilization tolerances due to the use of magnetic levitation, and so on. Such flywheels also have magnetic coupling challenges due to misalignments when vibration and other external forces are applied to the flywheels. Additionally, the large flywheels with heavy rotors present dangers in the event of a catastrophic event (e.g., malfunction, transportation vehicle crash, etc.) that could potentially cause the rotor to escape from a housing of the flywheel. A rotor that is spinning at a high speed (e.g., 30 KHz) may cause catastrophic damage to people or property (e.g., cut through a hull of a marine vessel). As such, there is a need for an energy storage system that avoids such limitations and challenges of large flywheels.
To overcome the inefficiencies and emissions of fossil fuel-based engines and challenges of large flywheels used in transportation systems, an energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells that store kinetic energy by use of a rotating, levitating mass to collectively provide large amounts of electrical energy therefrom. The kinetic cells may use air bearings to support the levitating mass in a frictionless state while rotating. In an embodiment, the air bearings may be aerodynamic air bearings that enable the mass to self-levitate when rotating, thereby enabling the energy storage unit to be transported without the kinetic cells being charged, thereby simplifying shipping or otherwise transporting the energy storage unit. The kinetic cells may be operated at high speeds (e.g., over 200,000 revolutions per minute (200K RPMs), such as 235K RPMs or 960 meters per second) so that the large amounts of electrical energy (e.g., over 250 watt-hours (Wh) per kinetic cell) may be stored. In an alternative embodiment, the kinetic cells may be operated at higher speeds, such as 500K RPMs, 1M RPMs, or otherwise. In an embodiment, 1,000 or more kinetic cells may be housed on a single structure, thereby storing large amounts of kinetic energy and supplying large amounts of electrical energy (e.g., 250 Kilo Watt-hours (KWh), 1 MWh, etc.) when charged. And, because the individual kinetic cells may be small (e.g., about 10 cm (less than 4-inches high) and are housed within very strong casings and canisters, risk of damage to equipment and people resulting from a catastrophic failure of a kinetic cell or transportation vehicle crash is minimal.
Moreover, by using kinetic cells that are relatively small, the ability to use common sized kinetic cells in different numbers and configurations of frames and housings may enable adoption into and powering of transportation vehicles of all types and sizes, such as electric bicycles, scooters, automobiles, trucks, boats, marine vessels, and airplanes, may be possible. Additionally, mobile power plants, power supplies, uninterruptable power supplies, or otherwise, may be provided by the energy storage unit with the kinetic cells. The individual kinetic cells may be charged relatively quickly (e.g., each within a minute and thousand(s) within an hour). Hence, charging some or all of the kinetic cells in an energy storage unit is relatively fast as compared to other forms of rechargeable energy devices (e.g., lithium-ion batteries). The speed at which an entire energy storage system with 1,000 kinetic cells may be charged is dependent upon the amount of electrical power available to be delivered simultaneously to the kinetic cells. More specifically, the amount of time to charge each of the 1,000 kinetic cells may be based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, amount of electrical power to be delivered to the kinetic cells, size of the electrical conductors, electrical conductors and devices in the energy storage unit, and so on.
One embodiment of an energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells configured to be charged by rotating a levitating mass and discharged by generating electrical power utilizing the rotating, levitating mass. A structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells, and an electrical bus may be connected to the kinetic cells to conduct electrical signals to and from the kinetic cells to respectively charge and discharge the kinetic cells.
An energy storage device may include a rotor including a mass and configured to be levitated and rotated, a stator, and a casing disposed around the rotor and stator, and configured to seal the rotor and stator therein.
One embodiment of a system may include an electrical power system configured to conduct electrical power to electrical equipment. At least one energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells configured to be charged by rotating a levitating mass and discharged by generating electrical power utilizing the rotating levitating mass. A structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells. At least one electrical conductor, such as a bus, may be connected to the kinetic cells of the at least one energy storage unit. The electrical conductor(s) may be configured to conduct electrical signals to and from the kinetic cells of the energy storage unit(s) to respectively charge and discharge the kinetic cells of the respective at least one energy storage unit, the at least one electrical conductor further in electrical communication to conduct electrical power from the at least one storage unit to the electrical power system. The system may be a marine vessel or other transportation vehicle. Alternatively, the system may be a charging station. Still yet, the system may be a residential property, commercial property, military equipment or property, or otherwise.
One method of charging and discharging an energy storage unit may include applying an electrical signal to charge multiple kinetic cells contained in the energy storage unit by rotating a levitating mass contained within each kinetic cell. An electrical power signal may be generated utilizing the rotating levitating mass, thereby discharging the rotating, levitating mass. The electrical power signal may be conducted to an electrical power system.
Another embodiment of an energy storage unit including a flywheel, including a stator assembly, a rotor assembly positioned radially within the stator assembly, and including multiple rotor magnets, the rotor assembly utilizing an air bearing aligned with a central axis of the stator assembly to rotate about a central axis. A coil of one or more conductive wires may be axially wrapped around the stator assembly. Circuitry may be in electrical communication with the coil, and be configured to selectably (i) apply a voltage to the coil to cause a motor magnetic field to cause at least one of the rotor magnets of the rotor assembly to rotate the rotor assembly within the stator assembly, (ii) receive a generator magnetic field from the rotor magnets while the rotor assembly is rotating, and (iii) conduct an electric current induced on the coil by the magnetic field from the coil to at least one electrical conductor.
Another embodiment of an energy storage unit may include a stator defined by an internal wall, an external wall, a first end, and a second end. A rotor may be defined by an internal wall, an external wall, a first end, and a second end. The external wall of the rotor may be disposed within the internal wall of the stator such that an air bearing is formed within an air gap therebetween. A coil may extend longitudinally around the stator and rotor, and configured to collect magnetic energy generated when the rotor is rotating. A first base may be connected to the first end of the stator, and a second base may be connected to the second end of the stator. The first and second bases may seal the rotor within a cavity defined by (i) the internal wall of the stator, (ii) the first base, and (iii) the second base.
One embodiment of a method of manufacturing an energy storage unit may include forming a flywheel including forming a stator assembly having a tubular shape. A rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor magnets may be formed. The rotor assembly may be disposed radially within the stator assembly. An air bearing that enables the rotor assembly to rotate in a contactless manner may be formed. A coil of one or more conductive wires may be axially wound around the stator assembly with the rotor assembly disposed therein.
One embodiment of operating an energy storage unit may include applying a direct current (DC) voltage to a coil configured to cause a magnetic field to drive rotation of a rotor assembly (i) inclusive of a plurality of permanent magnets and (ii) disposed within a stator assembly of a flywheel to rotate, the rotation of the rotor assembly being facilitated by an air bearing between the rotor assembly and stator assembly. Application of the DC voltage to the coil may be stopped. An electric current may be generated in response to a rotating magnetic field produced by the rotating permanent magnets of the rotor assembly passing through the coil. The electric current may be output from the energy storage unit, such as to an inverter electrically coupled to a power bus or other electrical conductors.
The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
To provide for clean, rechargeable energy for use in powering transportation systems and operating as power plants, an energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells that store kinetic energy by use of a rotating, levitating mass to collectively provide large amounts of electrical energy therefrom. A kinetic cell may be a device configured with a rotating, levitating mass with energy charged orbits (ECOs), where the ECOs maintain kinetic energy (rotational momentum) of the rotating, levitating mass that is convertible to electrical energy using an electromagnetic generator. The electromagnetic generator may be a brushless DC motor, for example. Kinetic cells may be aggregated and supported by a cabinet or other structure. The kinetic cells may be operated independent of one another and be individually or group addressable so as to charge and discharge each one or in a group. In an embodiment, electrical switches may be disposed on a power bus to enable charging and discharging of one or more kinetic cells. Alternatively, each of the kinetic cells may include electrical switches that are selectably turned ON and OFF to enable respective kinetic cells to be charged (increase to full energy charged orbits) and discharged (draw electrical power from the kinetic cells). It should be understood that non-network addressed kinetic cells may be utilized and the kinetic cells may be charged and discharged in the aggregate (e.g., some or all kinetic cells charged, discharged, or kinetic energy maintained in parallel).
The kinetic cells of an energy storage unit may have the same or different specifications (e.g., size, structure, materials, functionality, etc.). The kinetic cells may use air bearings to support the levitating mass in a frictionless state. Being frictionless means that substantially all friction due to contact of components in a kinetic cell while operating is substantially eliminated. Being substantially eliminated may mean that low amounts of air friction of the air bearing may exist. Air bearings have a coefficient of friction u, which is resistance to motion between the surface and the substrate when an air film is present. The coefficient is a very low value for aerodynamic bearings and estimated to be from 0.0 to 0.0001 (as compared to plain bearings having a coefficient of 0.1 and rolling bearings of 0.001). A certain amount of air friction may exist due to operating in 1 ATM. In an embodiment, the air bearings may be aerodynamic air bearings that enable the mass to self-levitate when rotated, thereby enabling the energy storage unit to be transported without the kinetic cells being charged and not be damaged. The use of aerodynamic air bearings avoids the need for forced air to be provided to the kinetic cells. Rather than using air, other gases, such as an inert gas (e.g., Nitrogen, Hydrogen, etc.) or combination of gases, may be used to potentially further reduce air friction. In an alternative embodiment, the kinetic cells may have aerostatic air bearings that use forced air to levitate the rotating mass.
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Depending on the size of the barge 100, upwards of 300 or more energy storage units 102 may be positioned on the barge and be used for storing kinetic energy and delivering electrical power by the kinetic cells. Each of the energy storage units 102 may be charged fast (e.g., within 60 minutes) and store significant kinetic energy that may be utilized to output electrical power (e.g., 250 KWh or higher per energy storage unit depending on a number of kinetic cells and configuration of the kinetic cells). Charging some or all of the energy storage units 102 on the barge 100 may be performed very fast (e.g., 60 minutes with parallel charging to a few hours for sequentially charging groups of energy storage units 102 depending on the configuration of the electrical power grid and available supply of electrical power). In addition, energy from the onboard energy storage units 102 may be used to power electrical thrust system(s) used to propel the barge 100 or maintain the barge 100 in a stationary or parked position.
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In an embodiment, each of the kinetic cells 402 may be configurable with unique network addresses so each of the kinetic cells 402 may be independently controlled (e.g., charged or discharged). In another embodiment, some or all of the kinetic cells 402 may have common network addresses. For example, groups of the kinetic cells 402 may be commonly accessed without network addresses and accessible turning first switches ON and second switches OFF to apply electrical power to the kinetic cells 402 for charging and then first switches OFF and second switches ON for discharging the kinetic cells 402. In yet another embodiment, electrical switches (see
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The energy storage unit 400′ may be configured to support the horizontally oriented kinetic cells 402′, but otherwise configured the same or similar to that of the energy storage unit 400 (
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The input electrical charging power signals 612i2 may range from 5V DC to 1,100V DC or higher depending on driving circuitry of the kinetic cells 602, such as shown in
To charge selected kinetic cells 602, switch control signals 614 may be generated by the software 608 being executed by the processor(s) 606 and communicated via electrical conductor 616 to multiple electrical conductors 618a-618n (collectively 618) on which electrical switches 620a-620z (collectively 620) may be arranged. The kinetic cells 602 may be disposed along electrical conductors 618 and arranged relative the switches 620 so that one or more of the kinetic cells 602 may be selectably charged and discharged, as further described herein. In an alternative embodiment, rather than having switches disposed along the electrical conductors 618, switches may be positioned in or with the kinetic cells 602 (e.g., integrated into housings or fixtures of the kinetic cells 602). In an embodiment, a multiplexer (not shown) may be used to apply the switch control signals 614 to selected electrical switches 620 to turn ON and OFF the switches 620. It should be understood that the electrical conductors 618 and switches 620 may be arranged such that entire rows, columns, regions, etc., may be selectably charged and discharged (or kinetic energy maintained), thereby enabling the energy storage unit 600 to be flexibly controlled and efficiently managed. For example, portions of the kinetic cells 602 may be charged and preserved as reserve electrical energy. As another example, some portions of the kinetic cells 602 may be charged while other portions of the kinetic cells 602 are being discharged.
In operation, the switch control signals 614 may be used to turn ON or OFF one or more of the switches 620 to enable charging, discharging, or maintaining charge of the kinetic cells 602. The switch control signals 614 may be digital or analog. If digital, the signals may include network addresses or be used to identify switch(es) to toggle from OFF to ON and vice versa. For example, rather than using network addresses, “crossbar” locations may be utilized (i.e., switches along a 1D, 2D, or 3D grid may be arranged as “crossbar” locations depending on the configuration of the switches 616 and kinetic cells 602). If the kinetic cells 602 are arranged in two-dimensions, then identification of switches in 2D (x,y) coordinates may be made. If the kinetic cells 602 are arranged in three-dimensions (see
As shown, sensor data 622 may be digital data that is fed back to the controller 604. The sensor data 622 may include sensor information from the kinetic cells 602, such as speed of rotation (e.g., from a zero-spin rate to a maximum spin rate), estimated amount of remaining charge, time since last charge, status (e.g., spinning or not spinning), error code, and so on. In an alternative embodiment, rather than being digital, the sensor data 622 may be analog signals and the controller 604 may convert the analog signals to digital data. The sensor data 622 may also include electrical signals, such as current and/or voltage, measured along one or more of the electrical conductors 618. The sensor data 622 may be used for initial testing (e.g., prior to applying electrical power) and for feedback control during operations. The sensor data 622 may be communicated on the same or different communications channels as the switch control signals 614.
In an embodiment, when some or all of the kinetic cells 602 are at least partially charged (i.e., spinning or rotating), the controller 604 may selectably turn OFF and ON certain switches 620 to conduct electrical signals 6120, which may result in electrical signal 612T being cumulative or total amount of electrical power as discharged by the selected individual kinetic cells 602 (as controlled by setting the switches 620 to respective ON and OFF states). It should be understood that electrical device(s) (e.g., adders or nodes) may be disposed along the electrical conductors 618 to generate the total electrical signal 612T. The total electrical signal 612T may be communicated to an electrical system, such as an electrical system of a marine vessel, automobile, or otherwise, as previously described.
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The predetermined amount of electrical energy may be 250 Wh or higher based on a number of factors, including rate of rotation, configuration of electromagnetics (e.g., materials, spacing, number of windings, etc.), and so on. It should be understood that the dimensions and other electromagnetic characteristics of the components 700 may increase or decrease the amount of electrical energy stored while the rotor 704 is rotating about the stator 702. In an embodiment, the rotor 704 and stator 702 may be formed of steel. In an embodiment, the rotor 704 and/or stator 702 may be formed of another material, and be formed of the same or different materials for performance or other purposes.
The rotor 704 may be a self-levitating Kingsbury or other aerodynamic bearing by configuring at least one feature on the surface(s) (see, for example,
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The canister 714 may be attached to and surround the outer casing 706, thereby preventing rotation of the casing 706 with respect to the canister 714 and providing added protection in the event of a catastrophic malfunction of the components 700. In an embodiment, the internal atmospheric pressure may be one atmosphere (1 ATM). Alternative atmospheric pressures may be possible. The canister 714, therefore, may be configured to provide 40 Kilo pounds-per-square-inch (KSI), thereby ensuring utmost protection given the rates of speed of the rotor 704. It should be understood that the strength of the canister 714 may vary depending on a number of functional and utilization criteria. For example, rather than providing about 40 KSI protection from damage, the canister 714 may provide 10 KSI to 100 KSI or more protection. If, for example, the size of the stator 702, rotor 704, and casing 706 increase, then the size and strength of the canister 714 may also increase. As shown, a sidewall 716 may have a length of about 4.8-inches (about 12.2 cm) and diameter of the canister 714 may be about 2.6-inches (about 6.62 cm). It should be understood that alternative dimensions and configurations of the canister 714 may be utilized in accordance with the principles described herein. The canister 714 may have tapered portions 718a and 718b (collectively 718) at the top and bottom, but alternative shapes may be utilized. In an embodiment, a fixture, such as fixture 408 of
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The rotor 904 includes the first tubular component 908 formed of electrical steel with embedded magnets 909 inserted into slots with close distance to stator inductors or coils 916. The rotor 904 includes a second tubular component 910 and a thin layer of copper foil 912 to reduce eddy current in the second tubular component 910 formed of carbon fiber or other similar material.
The casing 906 does not rotate and may have an inner layer formed of graphite or other material that is in air-relation with an air bearing 911. The casing 906 may include feed zones 907a and 907b (collectively 907) that maintain air that is used to create a near-field air boundary layer in the air bearing 911 when the rotor 904 is rotating. The size and number of feed zones 907 may be defined by the air bearing 911. The casing may further include a portion of stainless-steel enclosure that provides for strength of the casing. On the outside of the casing 906, a canister 914, which may form part of the casing 906 or be independent thereof may be used. The canister 914 may be formed of Kevlar EXO, and be considered a “jacket” to the casing 906. The canister 914 is meant to prevent the rotor 904 or any portion thereof from exiting the kinetic cell 900.
The ferrite inside the coils provides high magnetic permeability in combination with low electrical conductivity to reduce eddy currents in the ferrite cores. The kinetic cell 900 may include ferrite inside coils 916 to enhance flux density and reduce eddy currents. In this embodiment, a stator (not shown) may be disposed within the rotor 904 such that the rotor 904 spins between the casing 906 and the stator.
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As understood, to cause the rotor of the kinetic cell to rotate, signals are applied to the coils by the motor driver 1008, as provided in TABLE I. In an embodiment, a 15 KHz signal may be applied to the coils to charge or spin up the rotor (e.g., up to or higher than 250K RPM), thereby creating and storing kinetic energy by the rotor. While the rotor is charged, when magnets of the rotor (see, for example, rotor 904 of
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A computing system (not shown) may be used to control operation of the switches 1308 and energy storage units 1304 on the electrical power system 1302. A smart metering system (not shown) including electrical meters (e.g., smart meters) may be configured to monitor amount of time, electrical power, or otherwise that is transferred to and from the electrical power system 1302 and/or individual energy storage units 1304. A computing system may interface with the smart meters to track customers of the electrical power system 1302 and generate information for billing of the customers, where the customers may be marine vessels, land customers, marine platforms, or otherwise.
As further shown, an electrical connector 1310 may be in electrical communication with one or more of the electrical conductors 1306 to enable another electrical connector (not shown) of an electrical conductor (not shown) that connects directly to another marine vessel, for example, a charging buoy, or any other power distributor. The electrical conductors 1306 and switches 1308 may be configured as an electrical network, such as an electrical grid, and a controller 1312 may be configured to control the switches 1308 to cause electrical power to be output by the energy storage units 1304 and onto the electrical network to flow to the electrical connector 810 to supply power from the barge 1300. The controller 1312 may be configured to cause electrical power to flow from the energy storage units 1304 to the electrical power system 1302 without disrupting available electrical power being supplied by the electrical power system 1302. In an embodiment, the controller 1312 ensures that another set of energy storage units are connected prior to disengaging power from the connector 1310.
In an embodiment, a smart meter 1314 may be configured to measure electrical power drawn from the connector 1310, time of power draw by another electrical power system (e.g., on a marine vessel), and identifier of the other electrical power system. The collected data by the smart meter 1314 may be communicated to a system, such as a remote server, for processing and invoicing thereby. Alternative devices and processes for performing manual, semi-automatic, and automatic data collection and invoicing may be utilized, as well. In an embodiment, a timer of the smart meter 1314 or elsewhere may be utilized to time a duration of power draw by the other electrical power system, and that time may be used as part of an invoice as part of or in addition to the power draw. Moreover, rather than simply measuring time of power draw, an amount of time that the other electrical power system is connected to the electrical connector 1310 may be collected and treated as a separate charge or part of the charge of the electrical draw. If the barge 1300 is an active barge or marine vessel, then the power drawn from the energy storage units 1304 may be used to supply electrical power to electrical equipment and electrical propulsion device(s) and system(s).
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As further shown, multiple smart meters 1414a-1414f (collectively 1414) may be disposed at the charging buoy 1400. The smart meters 1414 may be configured to measure electrical power usage by respective marine vessels and/or other systems 1412 when connected to and receiving electrical power from the respective electrical conductors 1410. In addition to the smart meters 1414, a smart meter 1416 may be positioned at the marine platform 1404 and be configured to measure electrical power drawn therethrough from the energy storage units 1406 by the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412. The smart meters 1414 and/or 1416 may be configured to measure and collect various parameters, including electrical power usage, amount of time the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412 are drawing electrical power from the charging buoy 1400, identifiers of the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412, and so on such that a remote server 1418 may process the data for billing owners or operators of the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412 or other purpose. As shown, the smart meters 1414 may be configured to communicate measured and/or collected data and communicate that data 1420 via a satellite 1422 for relay via a terrestrial network 1424, such as the Internet, to the server 1418 for processing. The identifiers of the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412 may be collected in a number of ways, such as wirelessly (e.g., remotely sensed or communicated from the marine vessels and/or other systems 1412 prior to the electrical power being turned ON), manually (e.g., entered into the respective smart meter), or otherwise.
The server 1418 may further be configured to provide management functionality for the marine platform 1404 and energy storage units 1406 either independently or in conjunction with a monitoring system (not shown), such as a local controller, on the marine platform 1404. The management functionality may include monitoring charge status of each of the energy storage units 1406. As the kinetic energy and, consequently, potential electrical power, of the energy storage units 1406 depletes naturally or through supplying power to another electrical system, the server 1418 may be configured to monitor and identify the change and current status of the energy storage units 1406. Prediction software may be utilized to predict an amount of time remaining for each of or a collective number of the energy storage units 1406. The server 1418 may provide a notification to an operator of an estimated time that a new marine platform (e.g., power station barge) is needed to replace the existing marine platform 1404 so that electrical power supply is not disrupted. Alternatively, rather than sending a new marine platform with energy storage units 1406, a charging system may be sent to the marine platform 1404 to recharge the kinetic cells of the energy storage units 1406. Alternative ways of charging the energy storage units 1406 may be utilized. The estimation of remaining time may be dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, scheduling of marine vessels or other systems that are to be powered by the energy storage units 1406 of the marine platform 1404. In an embodiment, the energy storage units 1406 may be charged using off-shore wind turbine(s) or other non-carbon producing system or carbon-producing system that is local or remote from the energy storage units 1406.
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The stator 1502 may include (i) an outer casing 1512 formed by material, such as carbon fiber, which is non-reactive to magnetic fields, and in the shape of a tube. An outer structure 1514 may be formed by graphite with a diameter that radially fits within the outer casing 1512, and be used to define an outer wall of an air bearing 1516. As understood in the art, neither carbon fiber nor graphite form eddy currents within magnetic fields (i.e., non-reactive to magnetic fields or eddy currents formed thereby), thereby avoiding negatively impacting rotation of the rotor 1504 while spinning. In an embodiment, the outer structure 1514 may define a feed gap 1518 to enable air for the air bearing 1516 to be stored and drawn into the air bearing 1516 when the rotor 1504 spins. It should be understood that alternative materials that enable the components to perform the same or similar functions may be utilized.
The rotor 1504 may include an outer casing 1520 that may be formed of carbon fiber that may define an inner structure of the air bearing 1516. The rotor 1504 may include permanent magnets (see, for example,
In one embodiment, the air bearing 1516 disposed between the stator 1502 and rotor 1504 may be about 0.1 mm with an inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) tolerance of less than about 0.03 mm as it has been determined that inner diameter and outer diameter tolerances of between about 0.05 mm and about 0.1 mm create too much resistance during operation of the rotor 1504. In an embodiment, a length of the rotor 1504 may be the same as a diameter of the rotor 1504 (i.e., L=πr2) to avoid a gyro effect or forces that resist angular rotation of the flywheel 1500. The term “about” means to be within +/−10%. In an embodiment, the feed gap 1518, if included as part of the air bearing 1516, may extend diagonally, as opposed to longitudinally, along the wall of the outer structure 1514 of the air bearing 1516, as a diagonal feed gap 1518 has been found to significantly reduce or avoid creating a periodic “speed bump” during rotation of the rotor. The feed gap 1518 may, in an embodiment, be in the shape of an inverted trapezoid (e.g., 2 mm opening at the surface with 1 mm width at a depth of 1 mm with V-shaped angular walls). Alternative shapes and dimensions may be utilized, as well, to provide the same or similar functions as the feed gap 1518. In another embodiment, the air bearing 1516 does not include the feed gap 1518 (or any other feed gap), but rather utilizes the small space of the air bearing 1516 and highly polished surfaces of the outer structure 1514 and outer casing 1520 to operate efficiently enough to avoid the use of the air bearing 1516. The base 1506b is shown without winding slots 1510 of
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The bases 1506 may define openings 1508 that may be used to enable fastening members (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) to secure the bases 1506 to a structure and/or one another when the bases 1506 are secured to the stator 1502 and rotor 1504. For example, bolts may extend through opposing openings 1508, which may or may not have threads defined by the bases 1506 within the openings 1508, and the bolts may optionally extend into structures (not shown) in which the flywheel 1500 is positioned. In addition, in an embodiment, wiring slots 1510a/1510c and 1510b/1510d (collectively 1510) may be configured to enable winding wire or coils to be extended therethrough when wrapped about the flywheel 1500 for use in driving the rotor 1504 to rotate to store potential energy and drawing electrical power from the rotation of magnets of the rotor 1504 relative to the winding wire (see, for example,
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In an embodiment, the startup magnets 1602 may include one or more permanent magnets that have opposite poles facing the outer casing 1620 of the flywheel 1600. The startup magnets 1602 may cause the rotor magnets to be positioned in directions that allows for the rotor assembly 1604 to be activated when electrical signals are applied to motor/generator electromagnetic coils, as further described herein, as opposed to the rotor magnets facing directions that magnetic fields generated by the motor/generator electromagnetic coils are unable to initiate spinning the rotor assembly. The startup magnets 1602 may have a low amount of magnetic strength that is sufficient to attract the rotor magnets, but low enough to enable a small amount (e.g., 5V) of electrical energy flowed through the winding coils may cause magnetic attraction to the rotor magnets to be broken. Moreover, the magnetic strength may also be small enough that has minimal or no impact in rotation of the rotor assembly to avoid loss of efficiency of the flywheel (e.g., less than about 0.5% over 24 hours).
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The IGBT transistor 1806, in an embodiment, may not include a diode between the collector line 1826 and emitter line 1824 to avoid causing a spike in energy resulting from a reactive voltage. To prevent a voltage spike resulting from reactive voltage of the flywheel 1804, represented as a coil 1828 to represent energy storage of a flywheel, a diode 1830 (e.g., P600S) may be electrically connected in parallel with the coil 1828. A high-power line 1832 may be used to drive or charge up the flywheel 1804. The high-power line 1832 may operate as described in
In an embodiment, two switches 1834a and 1834b (collectively 1834) may be utilized to control operation operating the flywheel 1834a in (i) a motor charging mode (motor state) or (ii) generator mode (generator state). In particular, when the switches 1834 are closed, the motor charging mode of the flywheel 1804 may have DC voltages ranging from 5V to 1,100V DC may be applied to the flywheel 1804. Using the IGBT gate driver 1808, the drive signal 1820 may be applied while the rotor of the flywheel 1804 is spinning with a particular magnet being magnetically opposed to a magnetic field created by coils of the flywheel 1804 so as to magnetically push the rotor to spin to a maximum amount, which may be upwards of over 200K RPM or more. When the switches 1834 are open, the motor generator mode may draw electrical energy from the spinning flywheel 1804 in the form of AC that may be electrically conducted to a converter and/or inverter to convert the AC from the flywheel 1804 into an electrical signal of a system with which the flywheel 1804 is being used to supply. Each of the energy storage devices 1800 may operate or be configured the same or similar to one another. A controller, such as controller 604 of
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One embodiment of an energy storage unit may include multiple kinetic cells configured to be charged by rotating a levitating mass and discharged by generating electrical power utilizing the rotating, levitating mass. A structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells. An electrical bus may be connected to the kinetic cells to conduct electrical signals to and from the kinetic cells to respectively charge and discharge the kinetic cells.
A housing may be supported by the structure and configured to enclose the kinetic cells therein. The structure and housing may define a cabinet. The structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells in vertical alignment with one another. The structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells in rows and columns. The kinetic cells may include at least one air bearing that levitates the mass. The air bearing(s) may include at least one aerodynamic air bearing that enables the mass to self-levitate when rotating. The levitating mass may be a rotor that rotates around a stator. A casing may surround the rotor. The rotor and stator may have an air bearing disposed therebetween, where the rotor and casing may have an air bearing disposed therebetween.
The air bearing(s) may have a clearance below about 0.7 mm. The air bearing(s) may operate at air pressures of 1 atmosphere. The casing may be formed of stainless steel. Height and diameter of the casing may be approximately the same. End walls may be connected to the casing and stator to form a closed, limited passive air chamber. The casing may be carbon fiber. The rotor may be an electrical steel iron alloy or ferrite. Each of the kinetic cells may have unique network addresses so as to be individually network addressable. A number of the kinetic cells may be more than 10 kinetic cells. A number of the kinetic cells may be more than 100. A number of the kinetic cells may be at least 1000.
A maximum dimension of the kinetic cells may be less than about 4-inches (about 10 cm) long. The kinetic cells may include ferrite inside coils to enhance flux density and reduce eddy currents. The kinetic cells may be configured as brushless DC motors. The energy storage unit may include a driver configured to apply a 15 kHz charging signal to charge the kinetic cells. The driver may be configured to charge the kinetic cells to above 200,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). The kinetic cells may be collectively configured to output at least 200 KWh of electrical energy. Each kinetic cell may be configured to output at least 200 Wh of electrical energy.
In an embodiment, multiple electrical switches may be configured to enable the kinetic cells to be selectably charged and discharged. One or more electrical conductors may be in selective electrical communication with an electrical system inclusive of a propulsion device. A canister may surround each of the kinetic cells. The canister may be formed of Kevlar®, such as Kevlar EXO™ from DuPont.
Another embodiment of an energy storage device may include a rotor including a mass configured to be levitated and rotated, a stator, and a casing disposed around the rotor and stator, and configured to seal the rotor and stator therein.
The rotor may include multiple magnets, and wherein the stator may include multiple coils electromagnetically coupled to the magnets that generate electricity when the rotor is rotated. The rotor and stator may be configured to generate an air bearing that causes the rotor to be levitated when the rotor is rotated. The air bearing may be an aerodynamic air bearing that causes the mass to self-levitate when rotating. The rotor may encircle and rotate around the stator. The casing may have a wall that encircles the rotor. The casing may further include end walls that extend between the stator and casing, thereby encasing the rotor within a hollow region defined by the end walls and wall of the casing that forms a donut-shaped casing that forms a closed, limited passive air chamber.
The rotor may be encircled by the stator. The casing may be formed of carbon fiber. The rotor may be formed of electrical steel alloy or ferrite. The rotor and stator may further be configured to generate an air bearing between one another, thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance between the rotor and stator while the rotor is rotating, where the rotor and casing may further be configured to generate an air bearing between one another, thereby maintaining a substantially constant distance between the rotor and casing while the rotor is rotating.
The air bearings have an air gap clearance below about 0.7 mm. The air bearings may operate at air pressures of 1 atmosphere. The casing may be formed of stainless steel. The height and diameter of the casing may be approximately the same.
The device may further include electronics that are configurable with a unique network address so as to be individually network addressable. A maximum dimension of the rotor and stator may be less than about 4-inches (about 10 cm). Ferrite may be disposed inside the coils to enhance flux density and reduce eddy currents. The configuration of the rotor and stator may define a brushless DC motor. The rotor and stator may be configured to be rotated in response to a 15 kHz charging signal being received. The rotor may be configured to rotate at least 200,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). Rotation of the rotor may enable 250 Wh of electrical energy to be output.
The device may further include a canister formed of Kevlar® that encloses the casing. The Kevlar may be Kevlar® EXO™ from DuPont. The mass may include 1 pole pair of magnets, and wherein the stator includes coils, and wherein the magnets and coils are electromagnetically coupled with one another to cause an electric current to be generated when the rotor rotates relative to the stator.
One embodiment of a system may include an electrical power system configured to conduct electrical power to electrical equipment, at least one energy storage unit, including multiple kinetic cells configured to be charged by rotating a levitating mass and discharged by generating electrical power utilizing the rotating levitating mass. A structure may be configured to support the kinetic cells. At least one electrical conductor may be connected to the kinetic cells of the energy storage unit(s), the electrical conductor(s) may be configured to conduct electrical signals to and from the kinetic cells of the energy storage unit(s) to respectively charge and discharge the kinetic cells of the respective energy storage unit(s), the electrical conductor(s) may be further in electrical communication to conduct electrical power from the storage unit(s) to the electrical power system. The electrical equipment may include electric thrusters to propel the system in water.
One embodiment of a method of charging and discharging an energy storage unit may include applying an electrical signal to charge multiple kinetic cells contained in the energy storage unit by rotating a levitating mass contained within each kinetic cell. An electrical power signal may be generated by collectively utilizing the rotating levitating masses, thereby discharging the rotating, levitating masses. The electrical power signal may be conducted to an electrical power system.
Applying an electrical signal may include applying an alternating current (AC) electrical signal that, when applied to the kinetic cells when at a zero-spin rate, causes rotors of the kinetic cells to self-levitate by forming an air bearing. The process may further include causing the electrical signal to be selectably applied to the rotating masses, thereby causing a portion of the kinetic cells to be charged. Moreover, the process may cause a portion of the kinetic cells to discharge, thereby generating the electrical power signal from the collective portion of the kinetic cells being discharged.
Another embodiment of an energy storage unit may include a flywheel that includes a stator assembly. A rotor assembly may be positioned radially within the stator assembly, and include multiple rotor magnets. The rotor assembly may utilize an air bearing aligned with a central axis of the stator assembly to rotate about a central axis. A coil of one or more conductive wires may be axially wrapped around the stator assembly. Circuitry may be in electrical communication with the coil, and be configured to selectably (i) apply a voltage to the coil to cause a motor magnetic field to cause at least one of the rotor magnets of the rotor assembly to rotate the rotor assembly within the stator assembly, (ii) receive a generator magnetic field from the rotor magnets while the rotor assembly is rotating, and (iii) conduct an electric current induced on the coil by the magnetic field from the coil to at least one electrical conductor.
In an embodiment, the stator assembly may include a tubular internal wall and a tubular external wall, where the rotor assembly may include a tubular external wall, and wherein the air bearing is defined between the internal wall of the stator assembly and external wall of the rotor assembly.
The rotor assembly may further include a tubular internal wall, and the rotor may further include a rotor shaft including an external wall, the rotor shaft, having a central axis coaxial with the central axis of the stator assembly and the rotor assembly. The rotor shaft may extend laterally through the tubular internal wall of the rotor assembly, a space defined between the external wall of the rotor shaft and the internal wall of the rotor assembly defining a second air bearing.
The energy storage unit may further include an air bearing tube fixedly positioned in a center region of the rotor assembly and defining the tubular internal wall, where the air bearing tube and the rotor shaft may be formed of the same material. The material of the air bearing tube and the rotor shaft may be ceramic. The ceramic may be alumina.
The energy storage unit may further include a first base defining a first end wall of the flywheel, and a second base defining a second end wall of the flywheel. The rotor shaft may be fixedly connected to the first and second bases so as to enable heat conducted from the rotor shaft to be transferred thereto. The first and second bases may be formed of the same material as the rotor shaft. The first and second bases may define an indentation sized to frictionally fit (i) each end of the rotor shaft and (ii) adhesive utilized to fixedly connect the first and second bases to each of the respective ends of the rotor shaft.
The energy storage unit may further include a first pair of levitation magnets, and a second pair of levitation magnets. Each of the first and second pair of levitation magnets may be disposed on opposite ends of the rotor assembly and configured to levitate the rotor assembly from the respective first and second bases. The first and second pairs of levitation magnets may be circular.
The first and second bases may include circular grooves that are concentric with the indentation of the respective bases, where a first levitation magnet of the first pair of levitation magnets is fixedly connected within the circular groove of the first base. A first levitation magnet of the second pair of levitation magnets may be fixedly connected within the circular groove of the second base. A second levitation magnet of the first pair of levitation magnets may be fixedly attached to the rotor assembly to a first end of the rotor assembly. A second levitation magnet of the second pair of levitation magnets may be fixedly attached to a second end of the rotor assembly. A magnetic pole of the levitation magnet of the first pair of levitation magnets may match a magnetic pole of the second levitation magnet of the first pair of levitation magnets that faces the rotor assembly. A magnetic pole of the first levitation magnet of the second pair of levitation magnets may match a magnetic pole of the levitation magnet of the second pair of levitation magnets that faces the rotor assembly.
The matching magnetic pole of the first pair of levitation magnets may be a north magnetic pole, and the matching magnetic pole of the second pair of levitation magnets is a south magnetic pole.
Each of the first and second bases may define a second groove concentric with the first groove and the indentation, and the stator assembly may be tubular and define first and second end walls having circular profiles configured to be fixedly connected to the respective first and second bases within the second grooves, thereby enclosing the rotor within a tubular cavity defined by the stator assembly and first and second bases at each end of the stator assembly. The cavity may be at ambient air pressure.
The circuitry may include at least one switch that, when in a motor state, enables the rotor assembly of the flywheel to be charged by increasing rotational speed thereof, and, when in a generator state, enables the rotor assembly of the flywheel to be discharged by drawing electric current from the coil, thereby causing the rotor assembly to be slowed.
The coil may include an input conductor portion and an output conductor portion. Additionally, an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) may be electrically coupled to a first end of the coil such that a voltage applied to the input conductor portion of the coil (i) enables a current to flow through the IGBT and cause the rotor assembly to charge when in an ON state, and (ii) prevents the current to flow through the IGBT when in an OFF state.
The electronics may include driver electronics configured (i) to sense rotation of the rotor assembly and (ii) to apply a magnetic drive signal to the coil to cause a magnetic field to be applied to the rotor assembly for a portion of a rotation of the rotor assembly. The electronics may further include a Hall sensor approximate the stator assembly, and be configured to sense a magnet of the rotor assembly. The electronics may further include startup magnets disposed proximate the stator assembly to cause the rotor assembly to retain the rotor magnets in a startup position that enables the circuitry to initiate rotation of the rotor assembly. The startup magnets may include a pair of startup magnets that are disposed on opposite sides of the stator assembly. The rotor magnets may be two in number, where a first rotor magnet and a second rotor magnet have opposite magnetic poles and the startup magnets being configured to attract the respective first and second rotor magnets that have opposite poles that face the startup magnets.
Another embodiment of an energy storage unit may include a stator defined by an internal wall, an external wall, a first end, and a second end. A rotor may be defined by an internal wall, an external wall, a first end, and a second end. The external wall of the rotor may be disposed within the internal wall of the stator such that an air bearing is formed within an air gap therebetween. A coil may extend longitudinally around the stator and rotor, and configured to collect magnetic energy generated when the rotor is rotating. A first base may be connected to the first end of the stator, and a second base may be connected to the second end of the stator. The first and second bases may seal the rotor within a cavity defined by (i) the internal wall of the stator, (ii) the first base, and (iii) the second base.
The first and second bases may define inside walls with respective circular grooves. A pair of ring magnets may be positioned in and retained by the respective grooves, where the ring magnets have magnetic poles that repel corresponding ring magnets positioned at ends of the rotor such that the rotor is axially suspended within the cavity by the pair of ring magnets, thereby causing the rotor to be contactless when at rest and when rotating within the stator.
The rotor may include a casing having a tubular shape and defining a center hollow region. A first magnet may have an arcuate shape and be disposed within the hollow region. A second magnet may have an arcuate shape and be disposed within the cavity. A set of magnet brackets may be disposed radially between the first and second magnets to maintain radial separation therebetween. The casing may be a carbon fiber material. The first and second magnets may be ferrite magnets.
The energy storage unit may further include a rod having a side wall surface. A tube may be configured to be disposed around the rod, where the tube defines an inner wall and an outer wall. The tube, when disposed about the rod, may form a second air bearing between the sidewall surface of the rod and inner wall of the tube. The inside walls of the first and second bases may further define respective cavities that, when the first and second bases are connected to the stator, are axially aligned in an opposition with one another.
The first and second magnets may be arc-shaped and substantially identical to one another. The first and second magnets may have opposite magnetic polarity. The rod and tube may be formed of the same material. The material may ceramic, such as alumina. The first and second bases may be formed of the same material as the rod, thereby enabling heat to be transferred from the rod to the respective bases when the rotor is spinning.
One embodiment of a method of manufacturing an energy storage unit may include forming a flywheel including forming a stator assembly having a tubular shape. A rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor magnets may be formed. The rotor assembly may be disposed radially within the stator assembly. An air bearing that enables the rotor assembly to rotate in a contactless manner may be formed. A coil of one or more conductive wires may be axially wound around the stator assembly with the rotor assembly disposed therein.
Forming an air bearing may include forming an air bearing between an external wall of the rotor assembly and an internal wall of the stator assembly. A first base may be connected to one end of the stator assembly so as to define a first end wall of the flywheel. A second base may be connected to the other end of the stator assembly to define a second end wall of the flywheel such that the stator assembly, first base, and second base define a cavity within which the rotor assembly rotates. The cavity may be at ambient air pressure.
An air bearing tube may be connected within a center portion of the rotor assembly. A rotor shaft may be inserted through the air bearing tube such that a space between the rotor shaft and air bearing tube may define a second air bearing. The rotor shaft may be fixedly connected to the first and second bases so as to enable heat conducted from the rotor shaft to be transferred thereto.
The process may further include electrically connecting circuitry with the coil to control electricity to (i) apply a voltage to the coil to cause a motor magnetic field to cause at least one of the rotor magnets of the rotor assembly to rotate the rotor assembly within the stator assembly, (ii) receive a generator magnetic field from the rotor magnets while the rotor assembly is rotating, and (iii) conduct an electric current induced on the coils by the magnetic field from the coils to at least one electrical conductor external from the energy storage unit.
One embodiment of operating an energy storage unit may include applying a direct current (DC) voltage to a coil configured to cause a magnetic field to drive rotation of a rotor assembly (i) inclusive of a plurality of permanent magnets and (ii) disposed within a stator assembly of a flywheel to rotate, the rotation of the rotor assembly being facilitated by an air bearing between the rotor assembly and stator assembly. Application of the DC voltage to the coil may be stopped. An electric current may be generated in response to a rotating magnetic field produced by the rotating permanent magnets of the rotor assembly passing through the coil. The electric current may be output from the energy storage unit.
Applying a direct current voltage to a coil configured to cause a magnetic field to drive a rotor assembly inclusive of a plurality of permanent magnets may include applying a direct current voltage to a coil configured to cause a magnetic field to drive a rotor assembly inclusive of two permanent magnets, the two permanent magnets having matched physical shape and weight. The process may further include sensing rotation of the rotor assembly, and causing the DC voltage to be applied in response to determining that the magnetic field is aligned with one of the permanent magnets to cause the rotor assembly to rotate. Causing the DC voltage to be applied may include driving a gate voltage of a transistor electrically coupled in series with the coil to enable current to flow through the transistor and coil. Driving a gate voltage of a transistor may include driving a gate voltage of an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Applying a DC voltage may include applying a DC voltage ranging from 5 volts to 1100 volts. Stopping application of the DC voltage to the coil may include switching at least one switch to change from a motor mode in which the rotor assembly is being driven to spin to a generator mode in which the electric current is being generated by the rotation of the rotor assembly and permanent magnets thereof.
Causing rotation of the rotor assembly may further include driving rotation of the rotor assembly by utilizing a second air bearing between (i) a rotor shaft that extends along a central axis of the rotor and stator and (ii) an air bearing tube that is fixedly connected to the rotor assembly for form an internal wall thereof. Driving rotation of the rotor assembly by utilizing a second air bearing may include driving rotation of the rotor assembly by utilizing a second air bearing in which an internal wall of the air bearing tube and an external wall of the rotor shaft opposing the internal wall of the air bearing tube are circular and independent of any indentations or grooves. Driving rotation of the rotor assembly by utilizing a second air bearing may include driving rotation of the rotor assembly by utilizing a second air bearing that has about a 0.01 mm spacing.
The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Although process flow diagrams may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed here may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented in software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. A code segment or machine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to and/or in communication with another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these systems and methods is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods were described without reference to the specific software code being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the systems and methods based on the description here.
When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed here may be embodied in a processor-executable software module which may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media includes both computer storage media and tangible storage media that facilitate transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory processor-readable storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory processor-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used here, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Application No. 63/467,891 filed on May 19, 2023; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63467891 | May 2023 | US |
