Patent Application
20250022643
The present disclosure relates generally to machines that transfer motion or energy, such as rotational or vertical motion.
Researchers in various industries are constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency of machines or components of their machines. Even a small improvement in the amount of energy output from a system given the same input to the system can realize important gains in speed, energy, and cost-effectiveness of various industrial processes. Many of these machines involve simple mechanics that transfer motion and/or convert motion into energy. Often, a rotational motion or a vertical motion is involved, and the machine is working against inertia, gravity, and friction and losing efficiency throughout the process due to these effects.
A perfect machine with no energy losses would produce an energy output/input ratio of 1. This type of “unity” machine is not achievable with current technology. However, it is greatly desirable to improve this ratio.
Examples of devices and industries that could greatly benefit from even a small improvement in reduced energy loss or an increase in output/input ratio include, for example, windmills, watermills, generators, energy storage, flywheel devices, motors, engines, automotive vehicles, bicycles/tricycles, and boats.
Long-lasting physical forces such as magnetism and gravitational forces, can be incorporated in machines. However, attempts to leverage these forces to achieve a substantial increase in energy output when the entire system is considered have been met with little success.
Magnets can attract or repel, but also have opposing forces that are difficult to shield or keep out of the way of negatively influencing the movements of the machine. Similarly, gravity, of course, only assists motion and energy in one direction, and directly opposes it in the opposite direction. Various attempts of converting potential energy to kinetic energy and using the kinetic energy to regenerate the potential energy have been made; however, extracting tangible benefits from this approach have been limited.
The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein.
Clockface notation is used herein. When the rotation is clockwise, typical clockface notation identifies the positioning and when the rotation is counter-clockwise, a counter-clockface notation identifies the positioning. Thus, when a range of, e.g., 6 to 9 o'clock is stated herein, this should be interpreted as being 6 to 9 o'clock for clockwise rotation, and 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock (by standard clockwise clockface notation) for counterclockwise rotation. The use of this notation is meant to cover the same upward motion of the wheel/rotor whether the direction of rotation is clockwise or counterclockwise.
The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an improvement in motion or energy transfer efficiency by incorporating long-lasting external energy sources of gravity and magnetism. By providing a magnetic “lift-assist” in a particular geometric configuration an improvement in output energy can be obtained. For example, improvements in the output/input energy ratio can be on the order of 10% or more. The systems and method disclosed herein improve efficiency of rotational and inclined linear lift devices and other mechanisms.
In an embodiment, a motion transfer system includes: a wheel, configured to rotate vertically around a center axis of rotation, the wheel including a rim with a permanent magnetic array arranged on the rim that forms a magnetic array around the wheel; and a lift assist assembly including a permanent magnetic assembly configured to exert a magnetic repelling force against the permanent magnetic array in at least a portion of an area including 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock.
In an embodiment, a motion transfer system includes: a first arm having a first magnetic rotor and a second magnetic rotor on each end of the first arm, and a second arm having a first magnetic rotor and a second magnetic rotor on each end of the second arm. The first arm and second arm are coupled with a sliding mechanism to a hub and are configured to rotate vertically about a central axis. The first and second arm are configured to slide radially to a maximum outer radius and a minimum inner radius as they rotate about the central axis. A lift assist assembly is also part of the system and it includes a permanent magnet assembly, and is configured to exert a magnetic repelling force against the first and second magnetic rotors on the first and second arms in at least a portion of an area including 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock.
In an embodiment, a method for transferring motion, includes the steps of applying a starting force to begin rotation of a magnetic rotor rotating vertically on a horizontal axis; and applying a magnetic repelling force against the magnetic rotor in at least a portion of an area of the rotation including 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock.
A motion transfer system includes: a piston aligned for linear motion and moveable between a top and a bottom vertical position; a first wheel with a first coupling arm rotatably coupled to the first wheel and rotatably coupled to the piston, a piston magnet coupled to the piston; and a rebound magnet aligned with the bottom vertical position of the piston magnet so as to exert a repelling magnetic force on the piston magnet at the bottom vertical position. The system is configured such that the piston moves up and down as the first wheel rotates.
A travel system includes: a ramp, including a series of stator magnets under a ramp surface, oriented along a diagonal parallel with the ramp surface or plus or minus 20% parallel with the ramp surface; and a ramp vehicle, including first and second wheels in contact with the ramp surface, the first and second wheels each having one or more wheel magnets configured to interact with and be repelled by the stator magnets when the ramp vehicle is in contact with the ramp, the one or more wheel magnets being configured to lessen the weight of the ramp vehicle on the ramp surface.
Various technologies pertaining to a highly efficient motion transfer machine are discussed, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It is to be understood that the functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components.
Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. In addition, the articles “a”, “an” and “the”, as used in this application and the appended claims, should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
The present disclosure describes improvements in efficiency in energy output/input in a motion transfer machine. This is done by the use of a gravitational force to produce kinetic energy which is recycled for potential energy with the assistance of a magnetic force to overcome the gravitational force on the vertical ascension to achieve overall energy gains. An additional benefit is the reduction of friction due to the magnetic equilibrium at a portion of the motion, leaving air resistance and electromagnetic drag, potentially further improving efficiency.
Adjusting for various magnetic moments in a series of magnets to produce a consistent field with low resistance to a magnetic object entering the field, in particular, from an object with a rotational motion (magnetic rotor) is difficult. A magnetic material responds to exterior magnetic fields and produces its own magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field it produces at a given time is proportional to the magnitude of its magnetic moment. In addition, when the magnet is put into an external magnetic field, produced by an exterior magnet, it is subject to a torque tending to orient the magnetic moment parallel to the field. The amount of this torque is proportional both to the magnetic moment and the external field. A magnet may also be subject to a force driving it in one direction or another, according to the positions and orientations of the magnet and source. If the field is uniform in space, the magnet is subject to no net force, although it is subject to a torque. To make an efficient rotational device with multiple magnets, the magnetic moments at various positions should be tailored to enhance propulsion or at least neutralize friction, the torque on the moving magnet due to these magnetic fields must be managed as well. Merely consistently spacing and dimensioning magnet stators along a rotational pathway of a magnetic rotor does not address all these considerations. It results in a repulsion/attraction force where the rotor first interacts with the magnet stators, does not account for other repulsion interactions, and does not sufficiently aid in the most needed area of lifting force.
Through significant research, trial, and error, it was determined that an “initial pickup” geometry designed for placement just after 6 o'clock (see
In an embodiment, a magnetic rotor is fitted with a linear sliding arm mechanism, making it capable of moving radially. Through significant research, trial, and error, a geometry of stator magnets was determined to apply magnetic force, in the 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock range, on the magnetic rotor to slide the magnetic rotor on the sliding arm mechanism diagonally up towards the center of the rotational axis and concurrently slide a second end out in the 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock range. This has the effect of reducing the torque required to rotate the system and further increasing efficiency of the system.
When the magnetic stator is positioned properly against a magnetically repelling rotor and optionally amplified with stronger magnets/magnetic force behind it, the system can exhibit a lift assist feature that conventional wheel contact, meshing gears, or otherwise friction-inertia cannot accomplish alone. A ramp-up feature reduces both the magnetic friction-inertia of having intersecting flux lines (arcs-rounds), but also the regular stress/friction on the shafted bearings for the most efficient application of “work” where it is needed most. By amplifying the crest of the magnetic field in strategic locations and layering the magnetic field into a ramp-like structure, the magnetic force can, in a first embodiment, exert an efficient lift on a rotating mass, e.g., a flywheel, gear, turbine, planetary/epicyclic or sun and planet gear/system, sprocket, pulley, cam, crankshaft counterweight device, gyroscope, or wheel at or near the moment when the potential energy of the rotor is low and the kinetic energy is low. This achieves measurable efficiency gains. In a second embodiment, such an approach can directionally move via a linear slide shaft mechanism the magnetic rotor into a mechanical advantage position with high efficiency/minimal work.
Other embodiments are also provided that leverage these teachings to efficiently transfer rotational motion into vertical or other types of motion or energy. The resulting energy efficient devices can provide efficiency gains to power generation systems using centrifugal force and/or flywheel/gear-train enhanced systems have to expend less initial combustion, pneumatic, steam, hydraulic, hydrogen, fluid/waterjet, sonic, nuclear, electrical, or other energy for power generation.
An embodiment of a lift assisted rotational motion transfer system 1 is shown in
In the system 1, a wheel 10 with a center axis 12 of rotation is suspended above a base surface (not shown). The axis 12 of rotation can be suspended so that it is freely able to spin on the axis on one or both sides of the wheel 10, or could be suspended from an interior support placed between a front and back surface of the wheel. Ball bearings and lubrication can be employed at the rotational axis 12 and can be used to improve (reduce) friction losses. Other methods of suspension could also be used including a magnetic bearing that levitates the axis 12. (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,102, incorporated herein by reference.)
Around the outer rim 13 of the wheel 10 are a plurality of permanent wheel magnets 14 that form a circular magnetic array producing a magnetic field around the wheel 10. These wheel magnets 14 are secured to the outer rim 13 by adhesive or mechanical coupling. The wheel 10 has a radius 11 extending to the outer surface of the wheel magnets 14. In an embodiment, the wheel magnets 14 could also be a magnetic strip. In an embodiment, they are oriented in the same direction (north or south) and are spaced equally apart. In an embodiment, they may be arranged to form a Halbach array (discussed further below). In an embodiment, the wheel magnets 14 may be arranged so that a portion of the wheel 10, e.g., 1 to 30 degrees, or 5 to 10 degrees of the 360-degree circle is free of a magnet. In an embodiment, there may be a disruption in the consistent field in this area of the wheel. The disruption in the field provides potential for electromagnetic monitoring of the rotation. In addition, in an embodiment, one or more magnets can be angled and configured as a weighted cam/counterweight, such as in various portions (e.g., crankpin journals) of a camshaft. In an embodiment, wheel magnets 14 are only attached at the end of blade, e.g., a windmill blade, instead of being consistently patterned on a wheel 10.
A lift assist assembly 20 magnetically influences the wheel magnets 14. The lift assist assembly 20 is located between 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock on the system (lower-left quadrant in
In an embodiment, the support layers 41, 42, 43, 44 are made of a rigid thermoplastic that provides stability and is not deformed by the magnetic forces at work in the system. In other embodiments, other non-ferromagnetic materials may be used. The coupling can be mechanical, e.g., with a screw or bolt running through the stator magnets 30 and into the support and/or with an adhesive. The strength of the coupling should be sufficient to withstand the magnetic forces at work in the system without the stator magnet being moved. In an embodiment, the support layers 41, 42, 43, 44 are coupled to each other, e.g., by a bolt extending through each of them.
In an embodiment, the bottom layer 31 extends through the outer and middle areas 35, 36 at an angle parallel to a line extending from 9 to 3 o'clock relative to the wheel, which may also be perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational force of the earth (straight down, as determined by a plumb bob). In an embodiment, two of the vertical layers (e.g., 30, 33, or 33, 32) of the lift assist assembly 20 partially horizontally overlap (or flow over) a lower layer (e.g., 32 or 31) and strengthen a portion of a magnetic field of the bottom layer 31.
In the inner area 37, the bottom support layer 41 is bent downward at a negative slope, i.e., as the bottom support layer 41 extends toward the vertical mid-line of the wheel 10 (in this case, a line extending through from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock) the bottom support layer 41 drops lower. The stator magnets 30 follow the curvature or downward slope of the bent bottom support layer 41. In particular a top surface of the stator magnets 30 slopes downward as the lift assist assembly 20 extends toward the vertical mid-line of the wheel 10. In an embodiment, this downward slope is −1 to −6 (negative meaning dropping), that is 1 to 6 units of downward vertical distance for every 1 unit of horizontal distance (toward the vertical mid-line of the wheel 10, such as −2 to −5, or −2.5 to −4.5. In an embodiment, the average angle of negative slope from horizontal of this first area 137 is 4 to 28 degrees, such as 6 to 24, or 8 to 23 degrees. In an embodiment, the inner area 37 of the bottom support layer 41 has a curvature with a section that is parabolic, such as, for example, a section or the entire inner area 37 following the shape of the second order polynomial y=0.936+0.1291429x−0.06285714x2 (Equation I) in the range of x=1 to 5, where the top surface of the bottom support layer 41 and the top layer of the stator magnets 30 at the beginning of the inner area 37 are defined as y=1.
In the middle area 36, there are two layers of stator magnets 30 with a magnetic field oriented to push the wheel magnets 14 upward, with at least one overlapping stator magnet 30 that reinforces the strength of the magnetic field, such that the magnetic field is stronger than in the inner area 37. The middle area may be slightly sloped downward as the lift assist assembly 20 extends toward the vertical mid-line of the wheel 10. Slope may be, for example following the same slope as in Equation I with the same variables listed above, or as modified by a factor 0.7 to 0.99, such as 0.75 to 0.95, or 0.8 to 0.9.
In the outer area 35, there are three or (as shown) four layers of stator magnets 30 with a magnetic field oriented to push the wheel magnets 14 upward, with at least two overlapping stator magnets 30 that reinforce the strength of the magnetic field of the bottom layer 31, such that the magnetic force is stronger than in the inner area 37 and the middle area 36. More than four layers can also overlap in this area, e.g., 5 to 20, or 6 to 15, or 7 to 10. Here there are two magnet stators 30 oriented to strengthen the magnetic field in each of the vertical layers 31, 32, 33, providing a strong push upward at a vertical column centered outside of the radius of rotation of the wheel at 9 o'clock, such as 1 to 6 inches, 1.5 to 4 inches, or 2 to 3 inches outside the outer radius of rotation of the wheel 10—the distance to the vertical column following a horizontal line outward at 9 o'clock. These distances are for a wheel 10 with a radius of 6 inches. For larger or smaller scale embodiments, the horizontal distance to the column from the 9 o'clock outer radius of the wheel 1 may be, for example, 0.167 to 1 times the radius of the wheel (r), such as 0.25r to 0.75r the radius of the wheel, or 0.33r to 0.5r. In an embodiment, the stator magnets 30 in this vertical column are the strongest area of the magnetic field of stator magnets 30 and provide the strongest column of influence on the wheel 10. In an embodiment, the outer area 35 can be twice to five times as strong as the inner area 37, e.g., 2.5 to 4 times as strong or 2.75 to 3.5 times as strong.
In an embodiment, the lift assist assembly 20 can, instead of using individual stator magnets 30, be poured to approximate the same magnetic field as described above, wherein each of the horizontal areas 37, 36, 35 progressively increase in strength. In an embodiment, the top surface of the poured magnet can have a curvature with at least two inflection points, one each in the middle and inner horizontal areas 36, 37, and, for example, may correspond to a cross-section following the shape of the fifth order polynomial y=2.989939−0.273184x+0.7291161x2−0.4820018x3+0.09897075x4−0.006619098x5 (Equation II) in the range of x=0 to 6.
In an embodiment, the only magnetic influence on the system 1 is exerted in the area of from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock, such as 6:01 to 8:55, or 6:05 to 8:30 o'clock. and/or the only magnets acting on the system 1 are in an arc around the axis 112 of from 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock, such as 6:01 to 7:55, or 6:05 to 7:30 o'clock. This is opposed to and distinct from magnetic lifts on linear, non-inclined, or non-rotational systems.
In a particular embodiment of the system 1 described above in
In an embodiment, the sliding coupling mechanism at the central hub 150 for the first magnetic rotor 131 is close in axial distance to the second magnetic rotor 141, such that both first and second magnetic rotors 131, 141 can be magnetically influenced by the same lift assist assembly 160 approximately equally after rotation, even though they are axially spaced. The first and second arms 110, 120 can be placed at 90-degree angles from each other. Effort should be made to configure the device to isolate the rotors 131, 141 and/or arms 110, 120 from magnetically interfering with each other. In an embodiment, this can be done by spacing the arms 110, 120 out axially. For example, there may be a 2-to-100-inch axial gap (e.g., 4 to 30, or 5 to 8 inches) between a first arm 110 and second arm 120, or additional arms.
The lift assist assembly 160 in this embodiment includes permanent stator magnets 164 that intrude into the radius 105 blocking the maximum extension of the first and second arms 110, 120 and exerts a magnetic repelling force on the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 in at least a portion of an arc including 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock, 6:30 to 7:30, or 6:45 to 7:15. In an embodiment, the portion of the arc can include 6:10 to 8:55 o'clock. In an embodiment, the portion of the arc can include 6:10 to 8:55 o'clock.
The permanent stator magnets 164 form a permanent magnet assembly (which can also be formed by a poured or cast continuous magnet) configured to exert a magnetic repelling force against the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141. In an embodiment, the lift assist assembly 160 could set outside the radius 105 but magnetic forces would have to be increased in an inefficient manner to do so. The lift assist assembly 160 is configured to begin lifting the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 at just after 6 o'clock and pushing them as far as they will travel into the central hub 150 at about 7 o'clock, so that the opposite end of the rotor is fully extended at about 1 o'clock. In an embodiment, the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 will be fully pushed upwards at 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock.
In an embodiment, once first arm 110 has ascended to at or near its full extension at or after 1 o'clock, there could be an upward sloping (i.e., sloping up as it extends toward the axis 112 control cradle for the rotor in the lower left quadrant, (in
In an embodiment, the lift assist assembly 160 has four differently angled areas of stator magnets 164, which could also be a poured magnet to smooth out curves. These are secured to a support, either underneath or on the side, and configured to be at particular angles relative to the axis 112 and magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141.
An optional first or “pickup” area 137 (See
The second area 136 gently begins the sliding action pushing the arms 110, 120 up towards 12 to 1 o'clock, such as 12:10 to 12:50, or 12:15 to 12:45. In an embodiment, the second area 136 has an overall less negative slope (as it heads to the right) than the first area 137 and the third area 135. In an embodiment, the angle of the third area 135 may be 35 degrees from horizontal, plus or minus 10 or 15 degrees, or 45 degrees from horizontal, plus or minus 5 or 15 degrees.
The third area 135 has a more negative slope (as it heads to the right) than the second area 136 and is generally facing toward 2 to 2:55 o'clock, such as 2:10 to 2:45, or 2:15 to 2:30. In an embodiment, the angle of the third area 135 may be 70 degrees from horizontal, plus or minus 10 or 20 degrees, or 77 degrees from horizontal plus or minus 5 or 15 degrees.
The third area 135 pushes the arms 110, 120 in (toward the axis 112) more strongly than the first area 137, and also intrudes into the radius 105. The magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141, are also being pushed up by the second area 136 stator magnets 164 at least at the beginning of the third area 135.
The fourth area 134 is present in some embodiments and finishes the sliding motion, pushing the arms 110, 120, and magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 into the central hub 150 and into full extension out to the radius 105. Stator magnets 164 here are angled toward 12:15 to 1:15 o'clock, such as 12:45 to 1:10 o'clock, or 12:55 to 1:05 o'clock. Stacked or stronger magnets may be used in the fourth area 134, such as 2 to 6 times, 2.5 to 5 times, or 2.8 to 3.5 times that of the strength of the magnets in the other areas. In an embodiment, neodymium magnets may be used in the fourth area. Other embodiments may utilize additional one or more magnets in the same or different areas, with the same or different angles, to push or pull the rotors into extended/interior positions. In other embodiments, an arc or channel 901 is utilized for keeping the rotors in extended/interior positions.
It should be understood that the first, second, third, and fourth areas 137, 136, 135, 134 can be longer or shorter configured in accordance with the radius of motion of the rotor head. In an embodiment, there are supplemental magnets 135A and 136A (shown in broken lines) to amplify the field in these areas. This can also be accomplished with stronger magnets in these areas.
In an embodiment, the top surface of a poured magnet for the first, second, third, and fourth areas 137, 136, 135, 134 can have a curvature with at least three inflection points, one each in the first, second or third, and fourth 137, 136, 135, 134 areas. The general shape of the top surface may, for example, correspond to a cross-section following the shape of the fifth order polynomial y=16.37376−2.678644*x−5.960459*x{circumflex over ( )}2+3.416238*x{circumflex over ( )}3−0.6577951*x{circumflex over ( )}4+0.04238311*x{circumflex over ( )}5 (Equation III) in the range of x=0 to 6.
To demonstrate the effect of the fourth area 134,
In an embodiment, the lift assist assembly 160 is configured to smoothly and with as little pushing against the direction of rotation as possible, push the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 up and toward the axis 112 in the lower left quadrant with the resulting push out away from the axis 112 into the upper right quadrant. The strength and geometry of the magnets of the lift assist assembly 160 (particularly in the fourth area 134) can be configured to smoothly push and hold the rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 near the axis 112 in the lower left quadrant. At or just after 3 o'clock there is a gravity transition (meaning that their travel will be determined by gravity) of the magnetic rotors 130, 131, 140, 141 just as their potential energy is optionally strategically amplified in the third and fourth areas 135, 134. An extended (elongated) area 134 as depicted in
In an embodiment, as shown in
As can be seen in
The system 100 can also have additional sliding arms, e.g. 3 to 1000, 4 to 100, or 5 to 10. By extending the system axially and adding additional rotors and stators, additional scale can be gained. In an embodiment, the sliding arms can have a telescoping mechanism. For example, the telescoping mechanism can allow extension of the ends of the sliding arms to a radial distance even further (e.g., 1 to 2 times) than the opposite end retracts toward the axis 112. The length of the arms can vary, to a distance of, e.g., 0.1 mm to 200 meters, such as, for example 1 mm to 1 meters, 10 mm to 1 meter, or 0.5 meters to 50 meters, whether telescoping or not.
In an embodiment (with rotational movement dynamics shown in
The two-stage embodiment has the advantage of increasing the torque on the system from about 3 o'clock to about 6 o'clock compared to the system of
The telescoping mechanism itself can be implemented as a shaft within a hollow shaft slidably coupled with ball bearings or rollers, e.g., a sliding drawer mechanism.
The second lift assist assembly provides the majority of the lift assistance on the magnetic rotor of the partially extended shaft or the tucked in telescoping arm. In this configuration the first lift assembly is lower and earlier in the rotation than the second lift assist assembly.
In another embodiment, the rotation of a two-stage lift assist with a telescoping arm system is shown in
The rotor head 180 can be made of a non-magnetic or weakly magnetic metal, such as anti- or non-ferromagnetic materials, e.g., copper, graphene, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, composites, plastics, or polymers, such as, DELRIN, nylon, polyamide-containing polymers (with Mn over 500,000 g/mol to 1,000,000 g/mol), acetal plastic, or polycarbonate. As shown best in
The front magnet 197 can be toroidal or with a round or polygonal shape mounted at the outer leading edge 195 of the magnetic rotor 130. It can be mounted, for example, at a 10 to 50 degree angle relative to the long axis 199 of the first arm 110, such as 10 degree to 45 degrees, or 15 degrees to 25 degrees. The outer leading edge 195 of the magnetic rotor 130 may be on a regular 60 degree hexagonal angle as shown in
The rear magnet 185 is mounted on the trailing edge 198 of the magnetic rotor 130, and its outer face is oriented in the direction of the face of the trailing edge 198, which may be on a 45-degree angle as shown in
In an embodiment, multiple magnets are not needed, and a single shaped magnet can be used instead. A toroidal magnet with a rounded (side) or flat (bottom) surface facing to the outside (radial) direction may be used in an embodiment.
The types of magnets used herein may be selected along with the parameters of the system. As used herein, the term magnet is used for objects that produce a persistent magnetic field even in the absence of an applied magnetic field. This includes ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials.
Ceramic, or ferrite, magnets are made of a sintered composite of powdered iron oxide and barium/strontium carbonate ceramic. These magnets are non-corroding but brittle and must be treated like other ceramics. Alnico magnets are made by casting or sintering a combination of aluminum, nickel and cobalt with iron and small amounts of other elements added to enhance the properties of the magnet. Sintering offers superior mechanical characteristics, whereas casting delivers higher magnetic fields and allows for the design of intricate shapes.
Injection-molded magnets are a composite of various types of resin and magnetic powders, allowing parts of complex shapes to be manufactured by injection molding. The physical and magnetic properties of the product depend on the raw materials, but are generally lower in magnetic strength and resemble plastics in their physical properties.
Flexible magnets are composed of a high-coercivity ferromagnetic compound (usually ferric oxide) mixed with a plastic binder. These can be extruded as a sheet and passed over a line of powerful cylindrical permanent magnets.
Rare earth metals of the lanthanum series have a partially occupied f electron shell (which can accommodate up to 14 electrons). The spin of these electrons can be aligned, resulting in very strong magnetic fields, and therefore, these elements are used in compact high-strength magnets where their higher price is not a concern. Examples of these types of rare-earth magnets are samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) magnets.
Very recent advances have been made in mining and processing rare earth neodymium magnets. A new method of sintering neodymium magnet material developed by NITTO DENKO exploits an “organic/inorganic hybrid technology” to form a clay-like mixture that can be fashioned into various shapes. Through this process, control a non-uniform orientation of the magnetic field in the sintered material can be leveraged to locally concentrate the field. This can improve the performance of the devices disclosed herein and increase efficiency even further.
In a method for transferring motion, steps include: applying a starting force to begin rotation of a magnetic rotor rotating vertically on a horizontal axis; and applying a magnetic repelling force against the magnetic rotor in at least a portion of an arc of the rotation including 6 to 9 o'clock, such as 6 to 7 o'clock, or ranges mentioned above. Then the rotational motion can be converted to other motion or energy can be extracted from the rotation of the magnetic rotor.
Energy can be supplied to the system to begin or maintain motion other than through the permanent magnets by various methods, for example, falling water (such as through a waterwheel), wind power (such as through a windmill), solar, steam, electric, pneumatic, manual, heat (e.g., Stirling engine, fossil fuel combustion), or nuclear power.
Each of the motion transfer devices disclosed above can be used to transfer rotational motion, and various mechanical devices can be used convert into a desired directional motion. Energy can be extracted and used or stored from the systems disclosed herein by, for example, steam generation, heat generation, flywheel energy storage, electric energy, such as generated by current induced from moving the rotor magnets through a wire coil, and batteries to store the energy.
In various embodiments, weight and RPM of the rotor can influence the operation of the device and the energy input and output. In an embodiment, the rotating mass can be a store of energy. The rotating mass eventually either returns energy to the system, or something converts the stored energy to some other form of energy. The conversion might be with a friction source, converting to heat energy. Eddy current could be induced by applying conductors in the magnetic field of the rotating magnets to the side or periphery of the rotating magnets, thereby providing direct electrical power output. Optimum placing of such can be done with reference to Faraday's law. The energy output could be stored and could be used, e.g., for the smoothing of cylinder pulses in an engine flywheel.
In an embodiment, a large-scale windmill coupled to a power grid could utilize the systems disclosed herein. The windmill could be placed near an earthen hill (man-made or natural), where the stator magnets would be placed on the earthen structure, a man-made scaffolding structure, and/or a combination thereof using prefabricated materials. The rotors or wheel could be aerodynamically configured, e.g., by adding angled blades, to be moved by prevailing winds. A side reinforcement could also be located on the slope or a substructure to connect to the windmill tower at an angle to stabilize it further against any additional forces caused by the sliding rotors of one of the embodiments disclosed herein.
In an embodiment, a lift assist system as described herein can be applied to a crankshaft in an engine cylinder. In particular, it can be applied at the bottom of the cylinder and assist the crankshaft in moving up in its rotational cycle. Variable timing controlled for example by a vehicle engine control unit can be applied to, e.g., electromagnetic pulses, or magnetic blockers (to block permanent magnets), or ratchet catch and release mechanisms can be utilized to further enhance timing of the systems disclosed herein.
If the permanent magnets are too strong, this could cause too much force pushing on the magnetic rotors. Doing more than is necessary in a direction that does not support the rotation will cause unneeded friction against this axis of rotation and/or for the second embodiment, unneeded (unbalanced) vibration, or instability.
In an embodiment, a Halbach array (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,880, incorporated herein by reference) can be used to improve the magnetic field effect of the systems described above. A Halbach array is a special arrangement of permanent magnets that augments the magnetic field on one side of the array while cancelling the field to near zero on the other side. The field is twice as large on the side on which the flux is confined (in the idealized case). There is no stray field produced (in the ideal case) on the opposite side. This helps with field confinement.
A Halbach array is achieved by having a spatially rotating pattern of magnetization. This is done by lining up magnets in a magnetization pattern where the components of magnetization are π/2 out of phase with each other (or 90 degrees). Thus, a series of magnets arranged linearly and each successive magnet field being oriented 90 degrees in the same direction (e.g., clockwise) from the previous magnet's field presents a Halbach array.
In an embodiment, air can be pumped out of the vicinity of the system to eliminate air drag further increasing efficiency of the system. In embodiment, the pressure in the system may be very low, but non-zero, such as 1.0×10−17 torr to 25 torr, 1.0×10−9 to 1.0×10−1, or 0.001 to 1 torr.
In an embodiment, the systems disclosed herein can be integrated with an electromagnetic suspension system or an electrodynamic suspension system to reduce friction along the range of motion of the system. In an embodiment, electromagnetic propulsion coils or another type of magnetic linear motor can be added to maintain motion, such as to maintain motion at a constant or desired velocity. In an embodiment, these principles can be used to provide a magnetic bearing for rotation or keep the moving parts in a magnetic field to reduce friction. In an embodiment, electromagnetic propulsion can be used to impart sufficient energy and motion to reach peak vertical height. This is distinct from the permanent magnets disclosed in the lift assist assemblies and magnetic rotors disclosed above.
In an embodiment, one or two sets of magnets operate in coordination to provide extremely low friction movement. A first set disposed in a static track, e.g., housed in the central hub 150, repels the moveable object, e.g., a rotor, against gravity and the walls of the hub 150, and is configured to hold it in a stable hovering state for low friction movement. A second set is configured in a manner to move the object along the track, e.g., with electromagnetic control to reverse directions and fine-tune timing of sliding events in the system as needed. The second set can be coupled to the moving object (rotor) or the static track e.g., hub 150, on or along the track.
A brief/timed electrical or electromagnetic pulse/surge (or another form of energy, e.g., combustion, pneumatic, hydraulic, hydrogen, steam, fluid/waterjet, sonic, nuclear or otherwise hybrid power boosted) at strategic sections, e.g., a pulling force at 12:01 to 2 o'clock, to pull the arm up could allow for even greater weights to be carried by the arms of the system or greater radii to be traversed by the arms of the system. Hybrid power may include eddy current generated from the movement of the magnets through the system and then the stored energy is applied in a quick pulse as, for example, an electromagnetic pull in a strategic section to further the travel motion of the system. These enhancements could provide a superior mechanical advantage, improving the power to weight ratio of the system (more torque or power with less overall weight).
In other embodiments, the technology disclosed herein can be applied to flywheel, gear, turbine, planetary/epicyclic or sun and planet gear/system, sprocket, pulley, gyroscope, cam, or crankshaft counterweight devices.
In an embodiment of a travel system, as depicted, for example, in
A roof 1625 is over a portion of the wheeled ramp vehicle 1601. The roof 1625 may be coupled to the ramp 1605 through a sidewall 1630. The roof 1625 serves to hold the wheeled ramp vehicle in magnetic communication with the ramp 1605. In some embodiments a roof 1625 can be omitted, e.g., if the wheeled ramp vehicle 1601 is sufficiently held to the track and at least 3 wheels are present for lateral balance and support. The arrangement is designed to minimize friction by constructing an undulating magnetic flux on which the ramp vehicle 1601 can travel across and when at a minimal speed, mainly hit the high points of the undulating surface. This was experimentally determined to be energetically advantageous (see Examples below). The concept is akin to sliding an object up a ramp, versus sliding it up stairs, where the object is long enough to hit at least two of the vertices of the stairs. There is less friction to slide the object up the stairs than there is in sliding up a ramp.
Stator magnets 1610 are configured to interact with, i.e., be placed in proximity to and in range of the magnetic field of the magnets on the first and second wheels 1620, 1622 of the ramp vehicle 1601. In the embodiment shown, the stator magnets 1610 are oriented with a pole facing upward. The first and second wheels 1620, 1622 are configured to have a wheel surface that contacts the ramp surface 1612. The “wheel magnets” are fixed facing generally downward to oppose the poles of the stator magnets 1610. By repelling the stator magnets 1610, one or more wheel magnets are configured to lessen the weight of the ramp vehicle 1601 on the ramp surface 1612. The wheel magnets comprise the magnets on the first and second wheels 1620, 1622, and these may be the same or similar to the rotors of
A connecting arm 1615 couples the first wheel 1620 and second wheel 1622, via a first axis 1626 and a second axis 1627. A first hub 1651 and second hub 1652 house the axle and are coupled to the wheel magnets 1685, 1696, 1697, 1665, 1676, 1677. In an embodiment, one or more connecting arms 1615 or another coupling structure attaches three, four, or more wheels (e.g., wheels sufficient for bilateral symmetry-balance) to form the magnetic wheeled ramp vehicle 1601 for movement along the inclined ramp 1605.
In another embodiment, the same or similar wheel with magnets all around may be used as in
As shown in
The inclined slope or ramp (e.g., 30+/−10, 45+/−10, 15+/−10 degrees) embodiment, utilizes similar principles disclosed for the rotary motion embodiments of
In an embodiment the ideal slope for a push-pull force inclined ramp was determined to be about 30 or 33 degrees, which was determined with trial-and-error to be superior to 45 degrees (akin to 10:30 or 1:30).
In an embodiment, one or more of the first and second wheels 1620, 1622 can be releasably coupled to a reverse gear and wheel mechanism. The first and/or second wheel can be removed from contact with the ramp surface 1612, and a reverse wheel can be put into contact with the ramp surface 1612. The first and second wheels 1620, 1622 still spin, but this motion is translated though gears to a reverse wheel, which upon contact with the ramp surface 1612 causes the wheeled ramp vehicle 1601 to be driven in a reverse direction. The ramp vehicle 1601 will roll downhill with a gravity assisted minimized effort as opposed to an incline or even a flat surface. A flywheel could also be used to store the energy accumulated from the downhill travel.
In another embodiment, the technology disclosed herein incorporates a rebounding lift assist assembly for a vertical drop piston and dual wheel design (optionally without any comingled/meshed gears). A single-wheel embodiment can also be utilized. In an embodiment, the lift assist assembly can have a one-way clutch gear associated with a drive-crankshaft for gear-trained power amplification-generation.
In an embodiment, a lift assist mechanism 290, 291 as disclosed above can optionally be used on each of the outer (and opposite) bottom corners of the wheels 210, 211, to impart lifting force to the encourage rotation of the wheels 210, 211 of the system 200. In another embodiment, the sliding arm rotation system of the motion transfer system 100 (mentioned above) with a matching lift assist assembly 160 can be used in place of or in conjunction with the wheels 210, 211 disclosed in
At the bottom of the piston arm 205 a first piston magnet 235 is secured. The first piston magnet 235 may also be coupled to another location on the piston 205. This piston magnet 235 interacts with a rebound magnet 241 centered under the piston magnet 235 and separately secured to a base. The rebound magnet 241 is aligned with the bottom vertical position of the piston magnet 235 and the piston magnet 235 and rebound magnet 241 are configured with the same pole facing each other for repulsion. At the bottom end of the piston stroke, magnetic fields of the piston magnet 235 and rebound magnet 241 repel and push the magnet 235 and piston arm 205 up. In this embodiment, the rebound magnet 241 is coupled to a spring 262. The spring 262 may be coupled and extend underneath the rebound magnet 241 as shown, but other configurations are also possible with the spring extending sideways or even suspended above the rebound magnet 241. When the rebound spring 262 is compressed by motion of the piston arm 205 and attached piston magnet 235 down, the resulting kinetic energy coupled with the magnetic repulsion between the optimally spaced piston magnet 235 and rebound magnet 241 will result in a rebound force pushing up on the piston arm 205/piston magnet 235.
The spring 262 is optional, as there will be some upward rebound force just from the magnetic field repulsion from even a stationary rebound magnet 241. The spring 262 or other springs disclosed herein, can be a metallic or composite spring, and can be a coil spring, volute spring, hollow tubing spring, arc spring, or a leaf spring. In other embodiments the spring, can be replaced with another type of rebound mechanism, such as a pneumatic compressor spring, an elastomeric band, a magnetic spring, or some other absorber/discharger of energy. In an embodiment the spring other rebound mechanism can be tunable to adjust timing of the oscillations of the system, to the effect that the spring 262 is tuned to be in place after a pushing event when the piston magnet 235 comes back on its downward stroke. The springs disclosed in
As described above, the piston arm 205, which can be comingled-conjoined with gears and/or weighted, as joined to the first and second wheels 210, 211 can then be brought back up to its “ready” kinetic start position by both the associated magnetic lift assist as well as the “free” energy from the magnetic repulsion at the bottom coupled with an industrial spring-loaded push up. One or more of the above concepts relating to rotary lift assist assemblies 20, 160 can also be incorporated to act on the rotating gears.
In an embodiment, at the top end of the piston arm 205 a second piston magnet 236 is attached and above the top end of the piston arm 205 a second spring 260 is separately anchored with a second rebound magnet 261 disposed thereon. The second spring 260, second piston magnet 236, and second rebound magnet 261 are all optional. In an embodiment it is efficient that the rebound magnet 241 and second rebound magnet 261 are of approximately equal, e.g., plus within 5% or 10% size and/or strength.
The piston arm 205 is held in generally upright alignment while allowing for angled up and down movement. As shown the piston arm 205 is secured in piston arm stabilizer bracket 208, allowing for the approximately vertical, but optionally angled, up-and-down motion of the piston arm 205. Other mechanisms, such as a pin in channel, could also be used to allowed for the same type of movement keeping the piston aligned in a track for linear motion.
In an embodiment, a one-way clutch and/or gear mechanism can be coupled to the wheels 210, 211 or the piston arm 205, and can be used to prevent unwanted backwards rotation. The one-way clutch or other mechanism for allowing one-way rotation and preventing opposite direction rotation is utilized in the embodiments disclosed below.
In an embodiment, additional weight can be added to piston arm 205 to provide additional downward force, as well as counterweights for wheels 210, 211. The piston arm 205, first wheel 210, and/or second wheel 211 can be coupled to one or more pulleys, linkage, lever, or gear to transfer energy out of the system 200. In an embodiment, a flywheel may be coupled to the system to store energy.
In
The modified system 1800 utilizes a lever arm 1870 that extends from the wheel 1810 at an offset location that will not interfere with the travel of the coupling arm 1822. This location may be on the opposite side of the wheel 1810 from the side the coupling arm 1822 is on. The lever arm 1870 is rotatably coupled at a pivot point 1872 to a second arm 1871 in a bar linkage configuration. The second arm 1871 is rotatably coupled to a rebound magnet 1841 at a pivot point 1873.
In
The modified system 1900 utilizes a pulley system with a line including a first portion 1981 and a second portion 1982. The first portion 1981 is coupled to a first anchor point 1985 on a lever arm 1980 and/or lever magnet 1986 at an end of the lever arm 1980. The first portion 1981 extends up to a pulley 1983, then the second portion 1982 extends from the pulley 1983 to a second anchor point 1973 that is coupled to a rebound magnet 1941 on a spring 1962.
The lever arm 1980 extends from the wheel 1910 at a location that will not interfere with the travel of the coupling arm 1922. This location may be on the opposite side of the wheel 1910 from the side the coupling arm 1922 is on. The lever arm 1980 may be weighted to provide additional potential energy and tune the system 1900 for proper oscillation.
Various mechanical, pneumatic, or electronic mechanisms could be used to tune the timing of the lever drop to aid in properly timing the oscillations of the modified systems 1800, 1900.
For the systems of
The embodiments of
Various other machines can be used in conjunction with the systems disclosed herein such as a rocker-slider function generator, rack-and-pinion four bar linkage, multiple-bar linkage mechanism, gear five-bar linkage, slider-crank mechanism, wheel and crank mechanism, RTRTR mechanism, a Crawford conicograph, an outward/inward folding deployable mechanism, and Grashof type four-bar kinematic inversion mechanism.
In embodiments, a lift assist system can be used in vertical alignments to assist all such machines in overcoming gravity on the upward motion of their traveling parts. Non-vertical or horizontal plane motion could also be aided by the lift assist systems disclosed herein. The teachings from, e.g.,
Working examples of the devices shown in
The experiment was conducted by dropping a two-pound weight 1202 on a string 1204 to start the motion of the wheel 1201 twelve times. The string 1204 was connected to and looped around an offset crossbow cam 1206, the cam 1206 being attached to the end of the shaft beyond the pillow bock bearing housing 1208 supporting the magnet wheel 1201. See
Twelve runs were conducted in the same manner, with Example 1 averaging a run time of 2:28 and Example 2 averaging a run time of 2:52 (a 24 second improvement) with high and low runs not part of the average. More details are shown with rotations per minute (RPMs) in Table 1.
In Examples 3 and 4, twelve runs were conducted with the system of
The rotors of the device of
In a system constructed according to
The test ramp included stator magnets 1610 as shown in
Multiple instances of consistent pull-force was applied to the bottom of the hanging scale to replicate work required to propel the apparatus upward. Examples 6 and 7 were found to be significantly superior to Examples 8 and 9. After much trial and error, front magnets 1685 and 1665 were determined to be at an ideal angle to deflect up and over each magnetic round/flux/“step” to the next one in a substantially consistent flux, and no areas were void of flux). The front magnet and second front magnet 1696, 1697 and 1676, 1677 help create the same magnetic round/flux/float that works so well in the device of
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. The term “consisting essentially” as used herein means the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the material or method. If not specified above, any properties or measurements mentioned herein may be determined by applicable ASTM standards, or if an ASTM standard does not exist for the property, the most commonly used standard known by those of skill in the art may be used.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/285,380, filed Dec. 2, 2021. That prior application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/051630 | 12/2/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63285380 | Dec 2021 | US |
