Patent Application
20160376910
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a power generating apparatus and more particularly to a power generating apparatus that utilizes the rotation of a magnet in proximity to a coiled wire to generate electricity.
State of the Art
Faraday's Law of Induction teaches that changing the magnetic environment in proximity to a coil of wire cases a voltage to be induced in the coil. In other words, when a magnet is moved into a coil of wire, the magnet changes the magnetic field and magnetic flux through the coil and a voltage will be generated in the coil as a result. Electricity can therefore be generated by changing the magnetic field that is in proximity to a coil of wire.
Conventional electric generators lack in the ability to utilize a renewable energy source to operate a power generator that utilizes Faraday's Law to produce electricity. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved power generating apparatus in order to fully utilize a Faraday's Law based electricity generation system.
The present invention relates to a power generating device that utilizes magnetic fields to induce electricity in a coiled wire by rotating a magnet with respect to the coiled wire. The magnet rotates in response to forced air that engages a rotor device.
An embodiment includes a power generating apparatus comprising: a body portion having an inner volume, the body portion comprising an intake on one end of the body portion and an outlet on an opposing end of body portion; a rotor operatively coupled within the body portion, wherein the rotor comprises an aperture extending from one end to an opposing end, such that the aperture is in fluid communication with the intake and outlet of the body portion; a stator including coiled wire coupled within the body portion and around the rotor, wherein the rotor rotates with respect to the coiled wire; magnets coupled to the rotor proximate the coiled wire; and a plurality of helical fan blades coupled on outer edges directly to an inner surface of the rotor and extend along the length of the rotor, wherein inner edges of the plurality of helical fan blades extend into the aperture of the rotor and within the aperture of the rotor, the inner edges of the plurality of fan blades defining an opening that is coaxial with the aperture of the rotor, wherein: ram air is directed by the intake of the body portion through the aperture of the rotor, a portion of the ram air engaging the plurality of helical fan blades and the remaining portion flowing through the opening; the plurality of helical fan blades rotate in response to the air travelling through the aperture of the rotor; the rotor rotates in response to rotation of the at least two helical fan blades; the magnets rotate in response to rotation of the rotor; and the magnetic field changes in response to rotation of the magnets to create electricity in the coiled wire of the stator.
Another embodiment includes a power generating apparatus comprising: a body portion having an inner volume, the body portion comprising an intake on one end of the body portion and an outlet on an opposing end of body portion, wherein the intake includes a Venturi form; a rotor operatively coupled within the body portion, the rotor having an aperture extending therethough; a stator comprising a coiled wire coupled in a stationary position within the body portion and around the rotor, wherein the rotor rotates with respect to the stator; magnets coupled to the rotor proximate the coiled wire; and multiple helical fan blades coupled on outer edges directly to the rotor and inner edges of the multiple helical fan blades extending into the aperture of the rotor and defining an opening coaxial with the aperture of the rotor, wherein ram air enters the intake and a portion of the ram air engages the multiple helical fan blades to rotate the rotor and a remaining portion of the ram air flows through the opening, wherein electricity is generated in response to rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator.
Yet another embodiment includes a method of using a ram air power generating apparatus; the method comprising: directing ram air through an intake of a power generator, the power generator comprising: a body portion having an inner volume, the body portion comprising an intake on one end of the body portion and an outlet on an opposing end of body portion; a rotor operatively coupled within the body portion, wherein the rotor comprises an aperture extending from one end to an opposing end, such that the aperture is in fluid communication with the intake and outlet of the body portion; a stator including coiled wire coupled within the body portion and around the rotor, wherein the rotor rotates with respect to the coiled wire; magnets coupled to the rotor proximate the coiled wire; and a plurality of helical fan blades coupled on outer edges directly to an inner surface of the rotor and extend along the length of the rotor, wherein inner edges of the plurality of helical fan blades extend into the aperture of the rotor and within the aperture of the rotor, the inner edges of the plurality of fan blades defining an opening that is coaxial with the aperture of the rotor; rotating a rotor in response to a portion of the ram air engaging the plurality of helical fan blades and a remaining portion of the ram air flowing through the opening; rotating magnets coupled to the rotor and proximate a stator comprising a coiled wire coupled around the rotor in response to the air engaging the more than one helical fan blade, wherein the magnets rotate with respect to the coiled wire; changing the magnetic field induced on the coiled wire; and generating electricity in the coiled wire in response to changing the magnetic field induced on the coiled wire.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and:
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a power generating device that utilizes magnetic fields to induce electricity in a coiled wire by rotating a magnet with respect to the coiled wire. The magnet rotates in response to forced air that engages a rotor device. Embodiments of the present invention utilize the Faraday's Law in order to generate electricity, but do so by utilizing a ram-air intake.
Referring to the drawings,
Body portion 12 includes an inner volume. Within the inner volume, power generator 10 includes a stator 14 comprising a coiled wire, coiled around a rotor 18. The rotor18 includes an aperture 19 extending from one end of body portion 12 to the opposing end, wherein the aperture 19 comprises a rotor axis 17. Accordingly, an aperture extends through intake 24, body portion 12 and outlet 26, such that air can pass through power generator from intake 24 through outlet 26.
The power generator 10 comprises a plurality of helical fan blades 22. Each fan blade 22 includes an outer edge 21 and an inner edge 23. The outer edge 21 of fan blade 22 is coupled directly to an inner surface of rotor 18 wherein the inner edge 23 of each fan blade 22 extends into the aperture 19 of the rotor. The helical fan blades 22 extend in a helical shape from one end of the rotor 18 to the opposing end of the rotor 18, wherein each fan blade 22 is substantially equally spaced from the adjacent fan blades 22. The space between the adjacent fan blades 22 allows for air to flow through the spaces.
The inner edge 23 of the plurality of fan blades 22 extending into the aperture19 of the rotor 18 define an opening 40 extending through the length of the rotor 18, wherein the opening 40 comprises an axis 42. The opening 40 may be coaxial with the aperture of the rotor 18, wherein the axis 42 of the opening 40 is aligned with the rotor axis 17.
Fan blades 22 that form opening 40 provide for an “inverse ducted” fan blade design, which is a clean tube (of optimum length) with a radial array of helical blades 22 that are attached to the inner circumference of the rotor 18 allowing for an open hole 40 in its center (optimum diameter). The central hole 40 allows for a portion of ram air to travel unimpeded at high velocity through the aperture 19 of the rotor 18 while surrounding ram air impacts the turbine fan blades 22.
The faster air moving through the center hole 40 creates a lower pressure zone bordering the blades 22 that pulls slower air impacting the blades 22 down through the center hole 40. The effect is increased efficiency at high RPM's by keeping the ram air in the power generator 10 at a lower pressure than using conventional central axis geometry or devices, such as a shaft, which would increase impedance (and decreasing efficiency) with increasing RPM's. By having an unimpeded central flow of air, this also decreases the cross-section of air impacting the system, decreasing overall drag.
An external component such as, but not limited to, a manifold, an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, lights, or any other electrical device may be coupled to the power generator 10. It is contemplated that such a power generator 10 may be utilized on electric vehicles to increase the range of travel between charges by charging the batteries of the electric vehicles, with hybrid cars to provide power directly to the electric motor or hybrid motor, and any other possible use of such a power generator 10, including without limitation all electronic devices on a vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. For example and without limitation, a train, an RV, a bus, a boat, a plane, and any vehicle may utilize power generator 10 to power components on the vehicle, such as lights in a passenger compartment, kitchen items and the like.
In this configuration, air flowing through the aperture 19 of the rotor 18 includes a portion of air that engages the fan blades 22 and another portion that flows through opening 40. Rotor 18 includes bearings 20 coupled on opposing ends wherein rotor 18 rotates with respect to coiled wire 14 because of the function of the bearings 20 in response to air flowing through aperture comprising a portion of air that engages the fan blades 22 and creating force traveling along the helical surfaces of the fan blades 22 to rotate the fan blades 22 and thereby rotate the rotor 18. The rotor 18 is a shaft-less rotor and the power generator 10 is therefore lacking a central shaft. Power generator 10 further includes magnets 16 coupled to rotor 18, wherein magnets 16 are in close proximity to coiled wire 14. Rotation of rotor 18 rotates magnets 16 such that the magnetic field proximate to coiled wire 14 is changed and thereby induces a voltage through coiled wire 14.
In operation, power generator 10 is coupled to a vehicle, with intake 24 of power generator 10 facing in a direction of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle travels, ram air is directed into intake 24. According to embodiments, intake 24 is a ram-air intake. Further, air intake 24 maybe a Venturi form, such as, but not limited to a funnel shape, tapered, or the like, wherein the flow of the ram-air through the intake 24 has a Venturi effect as air flows from a larger opening through a more constricted opening in order to increase the speed of the air flow. As air is directed into intake 24, the air travels through aperture 19 of rotor 18 at a speed greater than when entering the intake 24. As the air travels through aperture 19, a portion of the air engages fan blades 22 and rotates rotor 18 and the remaining portion of the air flows through the opening 40 defined by the inner edges 23 of the fan blades 22. The air exits at outlet 26. In some embodiments, the aperture 19 may also be tapered so that the air speed increases as it travels over the fan blade 22. This increase in air speed increases the speed of rotation of the fan blades 22. As the rotor 18 rotates, the magnetic field is changed and electricity generated in the coiled wire 14. The electricity flows through wires to an external component.
Referring further to the drawings,
According to some embodiments, fan blades 22 may be a helical fan blades. Each helical fan blade 22 extends from one end of rotor 18 to the opposing end, wherein each helical fan blade 22 is one single unit extending as a twisted blade through aperture 19 such that air travelling through aperture 19 engages each fan blade 22 through the entire length of aperture 19.
Referring again to the drawings,
Body portion 62 includes an inner volume. Within the inner volume, power generator 60 includes a stator 64 comprising a coiled wire, a rotor 68, a rotating member 71 and a multiple fan blades 72 coupled around the rotating member 71, wherein the fan blades 72 are evenly distributed around the rotating member 71.
The rotor 68 may be concentrically coupled to the rotating member 71 with axle 70, which includes bearings 73. This coupling allows the rotating member 71 and the rotor 68 to rotate together about the axle 70. The axle 70 extends in a direction transverse to the direction of the flow of ram air that enters the power generator 60. The stator 64 is coupled in a stationary position between the rotating member 71 and the rotor 68.
Power generator 60 further includes magnets 66 coupled to rotor 68, wherein magnets 66 are in close proximity to the coiled wire of stator 64. Rotation of rotor 68 rotates magnets 66 such that the magnetic field proximate to coiled wire of the stator 64 is changed and thereby induces a voltage through the coiled wire of the stator 64.
In operation, power generator 60 is coupled to a vehicle, with intake 74 of power generator 60 facing in a direction of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle travels, ram air is directed into intake 74. According to embodiments, intake 74 is a ram-air intake. Further, air intake 74 maybe a Venturi form, such as, but not limited to a funnel shape, tapered, or the like, wherein the flow of the ram-air through the intake 74 has a Venturi effect as air flows from a larger opening through a more constricted opening in order to increase the speed of the air flow. As air is directed into intake 74, the air engages fan blades 72 and rotates the rotating member 71 around the stator 64 and rotates the rotor 68 within the stator 64. The air exits at outlet 76. As the rotor 68 rotates, the magnetic field is changed by the rotating of magnets 66 and electricity is generated in the coiled wires of the stator 64. The electricity flows through wires to an external component.
According to embodiments, the power generating apparatus 10 may further include a fan (not shown) for cooling the components of the power generating apparatus 10. In other embodiments, the ram air may be redirected for cooling purposes, or a portion of the ram air entering the intake 24 may be directed for cooling purposes.
According to other embodiments, the power generating apparatus 10 may include stents (not shown), wherein the stents extend through the body portion 12 in proximity to the bearings 20. The stents allow for maintenance of the bearings 20, such as applying additional grease and the like.
Further still, according to embodiments, the power generating apparatus 10 may include a screening device (not shown), wherein the screening device is operatively coupled to the intake 24. The screening device may be a mesh coupled over the opening of the intake 24, wherein the mesh inhibits debris, bugs and the like from entering the power generating apparatus 10. This operates to decrease the opportunity of damage to internal components that may be caused by debris, bugs and the like entering therein.
Referring further to the drawings,
The method 50 may further include directing power to an external component. This step of directing power to an external component may include directing electricity to a rechargeable battery, to an engine, a manifold or the like, including without limitation, any electric device on a vehicle that needs a supply of electricity to operate.
The method 50 may further include generating an air flow that engages the fan blade of the power generator, which may include, for example, displacing, or otherwise moving, the generator in the air to generate the flow of air that engages the fan blade. Such movement of the generator may be produced by operatively coupling the power generator to a motorized vehicle. Accordingly, the method 50 may further include operating a motorized vehicle to generate the air flow that engages the fan blade.
In some embodiments, power generator 10 may further be used as a ram-air intake of a vehicle, wherein once the air exits outlet 26, it is directed to the air intake of the engine in order to improve efficiency of the engine. In at least this way, power generator 10 has a second function when coupled to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine.
Additionally, while it is shown that the present invention is used with air or ram air, it is also contemplated that the power generating apparatus may operate in any type of fluid, such as water and the like, wherein the fluid travels through the power generating apparatus in the same manner as the air. In this way, the power generating apparatus may operate in any fluid.
Accordingly, the components defining any power generating apparatus may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a power generating apparatus. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof
Furthermore, the components defining any power generating apparatus may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application entitled “Power Generating Apparatus,” Ser. No. 14/334,275, filed Jul. 17, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Power Generating Apparatus,” Ser. No. 61/847,474, filed Jul. 17, 2013, now pending, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61847474 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14334275 | Jul 2014 | US |
| Child | 15257426 | US |
