This invention relates to an electric generator based on flowing magnetic ferrofluid or magnetic nanoparticle fluid. This magnetised fluid is contained in a conduit and moves through coils of insulated copper thereby generating usable current. The idea was to make an inexpensive power generator with no moveable solid mechanical components driven by a temperature differential that required no pump and used the sun as the heat source and the earth as a heat sink that could eventually eliminate the need for fossil fuels to generate electricity. The idea was to contain the magnetised ferrofluid in a closed circuit and to provide a device which is simple to construct, inexpensive, non-polluting, non-destructive to the earth and easy to manufacture. Another idea was to allow the ferrofluid to travel on a continually curved surface and thereby increase the spin of the magnetic dipoles of the ferrofluid or magnetic nanoparticles. A diamagnetic material is strategically placed in the conduit or around the conduit or in the material of which the conduit is made to increase repulsion of magnetic dipoles and therefore assist in increasing their kinetic energy. These objectives are attained in the invention described here in and will be useful for a magnetic fluid power generator and also as a power source for micro and nano electromagnetic systems. The present invention is demonstrated by providing 4 embodiments of a temperature and magnetically driven magnetic nano particle generator. The different embodiments show the paths of the magnetic ferrofluid travelling through a constantly curving surface; the said embodiments also show an additional number of magnets, magnetic assemblies or source of magnetising the fluid. References are:
PATENTS
4064409 This patent utilises flow of magnetised ferrofluid through a temperature difference.
It is different from mine because: it uses venturi action, the ferrofluid goes into a reservoir; in my invention there is no reservoir for the ferrofluid and therefore no disruption to the fluid flow. My invention has no angular configuration in conduit where fluid flows; in my invention the ferrofluid moves continuously through a magnetic field; in my invention the magnetic field distribution is different; the path of motion of the magnetic particles is different and temperature differential is applied differently; in my invention the conduit has a special configuration; in my invention the conduit is also hermetically sealed and contains paramagnetic or magnetic nanoparticle fluid; in my invention there is no vapour stage of magnetic nanoparticle fluid
5632093—mechanical vibrations are converted into electric energy; in my invention no external vibrations are required
6489694—external movement of tire causes a change in mechanical form; in my invention there is no external movement
7105935—in my invention there is no external pump; in my invention vortex generation is induced by the shape and configuration of the conduit, by the shape and position of the heat sink and heat source, as well as the shape of the conduit carrying ferrofluid or magnetic nanoparticles fluid.
The main objective of this invention is to provide a method of generating electrical power. The system is comprised of a closed loop of conduit carrying ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particle fluid. The ferrofluid moves by convection currents which are driven by a temperature differential. The convection currents are changed by the application of a magnetic field positioned to optimise the movement of the ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particle fluid. The movement of the magnetic dipoles within the ferrofluid changes the flow pattern of the convection currents. The conduit is wrapped with insulated copper conducting wire forming part of the induction circuit. As the ferro fluid moves it produces a time-varying magnetic flux through the coil forming part of the induction circuit where usable current is produced. The conduit forms a closed circuit and in the first embodiment the inside diameter of the conduit remains the same in the closed circuit loop. The conduit is hermetically sealed. The ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particle fluid is heated by a heat source such as the sun, atmosphere or water and is cooled by a heat sink such as the earth, ice or water. The conduit is arranged in a helicoidal shape around the cool conducting cone surrounding the magnet and then is positioned under the cool plates under the magnet and then the conduit moves in a curved path toward the heat sink. In this embodiment the conduit has the same internal diameter throughout. The conduit is surrounded by a conductor near the heat source before it spirals around the cones again. Another objective of this invention is to optimise the flow pattern of the ferrofluid or nano magnetic particle fluid by utilising shaped conduits; by utilising more than one magnet or magnet assembly; by utilising curved surfaces; by utilising a weaving of the conduit around more than one magnet; by utilising different shaped magnets; by utilising different cross-section of conduit; by utilising different cross-sectional variation of the conduit along its length.
Diagram 1 shows one embodiment of the invention. Diagram 1 part 1 shows a cone-shaped conductor as shown in Diagram 5 part 4 placed around the outside surface of a magnet as shown in Diagram 5 part 2. The conical conductor is then wrapped with a non-conducting conduit in a helicoidial configuration as shown in Diagram 1 part 2. The last coil of the conduit moves under the cool magnet and conducting plate as shown in Diagram 1 part 3. The coil is touching the conducting plate and may be encased in a conducting material at location shown in Diagram 1 part 4. The conducting material touching or encasing the conduit is connected to a cylindrical conductor Diagram 1 part 5 which leads to the earth or a heat sink as shown in Diagram 1 part 6. A conductor as shown in Diagram 1 part 7 maximises the surface area exposed to the cool body or cool earth. The conduit is bent to emerge from the heat sink in a curved path as shown in Diagram 1 part 8. The conduit then passes into a sleeve (Diagram 1 part 10) which is a conductor which absorbs heat from the heat source ins
Diagram 1 part 11 as shown. The conduit then is wrapped around the top part of the cone shaped conductor in Diagram 1 part 9 before spiralling down the cone again. The conduit is filled with ferrofluid or a magnetic nano particle fluid and hermetically sealed. Diagram 1 part 12 shows the conduit wrapped with insulated conducting wire as part of the induction circuit as shown in the Diagram 1 part 13 and also in schematic Diagram 6.
The shape of the conduit in Diagram 1 is shown to be circular as shown in Diagram 2 part 1 which is a cross-section of the conduit. Diagram 2 part 2 shows the material of the conduit.
Diagram 2a part 1 shows another possible cross-section of the conduit.
Diagram 3 shows a 3D view of the conduit length wise where Diagram 2 part 2 is the insulated conductor wrapping the coil and part of the induction circuit.
Diagram 2 part 1 contains ferrofluid or magnetic nanoparticles. Diagram 2 part 3 shows the shape of the conduit.
Diagram 4 is a partial vertical cross-section view of the coils of the conduit. Diagram 4 part 1 as well as Diagram 5 part 4 shows a conductor cone which is on the outside of the magnet or magnet assembly. Diagram 4 part 2 shows a conductor cone on the outside of the conduit. Diagram 4 part 3 shows conducting plates or conductive encasement.
Diagram 5 is a partial 3D view of the arrangement of the magnets. Diagram 5 part 4 shows the conical conductor surrounding the magnet assembly. Diagram 5 parts 3 show conducting plates between the magnets. A cylindrical conductor passes through the centre of the magnets as shown in Diagram 5 part 1. The magnet rests on conducting plates (not shown to scale) which are attached to the cylinder as shown in Diagram 5 part 6. This cylinder leads to a plate in the ground as shown in Diagram 5 part 7.
Diagram 6 is schematic of the induction circuit.
Diagram 7 shows an alternate cross-section of conduit made up of conducting material Diagram 7 part 1 & 2 and made up of insulating material Diagram 7 part 3 & 4.
Diagram 8 shows a 3D view of a tubular cylinder that maximises heat transfer into the heat sink. The conducting material is located as shown in Diagram 8 part 1 & 2.
Diagram 9 is an additional embodiment of my invention. Diagram 9 parts 1 & 2 show the heat source which encompasses the outside edges of the conduit. Diagram 9 parts 3 & 4 show the heat sink which is liquid and is included in the centre of the cylinder through the magnets. Diagram 9 part 5 shows the thermally conductive liquid in another portion of the tube.
Diagram 10 is an alternate conduit section. Diagram 10 parts 2 & 3 show the tubular conductors placed in line with the conduit and having the same internal diameter of the conduit so as to not cause any disruption of fluid flow. Diagram 10 part 1 shows a section of the conduit which is connected to the rest of the conduit spiralling around the magnet. Diagram 10 part 4 shows the heat source. Diagram 10 part 5 shows the heat sink.
Diagram 11 shows vertical cross-section of another possible embodiment of my invention. Diagram 11 part 1 shows magnets. Diagram 11 part 2 shows conduit. Diagram 11 part 3 shows conduit. Diagram 11 part 4 shows heat source. Diagram 11 part 5 heat sink. Diagram 11 part 6 shows coil spirals down clockwise. Diagram 11 part 7 shows coil spirals up anticlockwise, (any spiral directions may be reversed).
Diagram 12 shows horizontal cross-section of Diagram 11. Diagram 12 part 1 shows the magnets and magnet arrangement. Diagram 12 part 2 shows the conduit carrying the ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particles. Diagram 12 part 3 shows the coil spiralling down with a wider diameter at the top looking down. Diagram 12 part 4 shows coil spiralling upward with a wider diameter at the bottom. The positioning of part 3 and 4 in Diagram 12 may be reversed.
Diagram 13 shows another embodiment of my invention and is a horizontal cross-section of my invention. Diagram 13 part 1 shows magnets or magnet arrangement. Diagram 13 part 2 shows the conduit carrying the ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particles woven around the magnetic cores. Diagram 13 part 3 shows the heat sink in the core of the magnets. Diagram 13 part 4 shows extra magnets placed outside the heat source. Diagram 13 part 5 shows positioning of the heat source next to the outside of the conduit carrying the ferrofluid or nanomagnetic particles.
Electric power generator, motors, energy harvester, power source for miniaturised technologies, micro electrical mechanical systems, nano electrical mechanical systems, energy sensor, power utilising waste heat.