CN117581042A

CN117581042A - System and method for generating, transmitting, amplifying and/or storing

Info

Publication number: CN117581042A
Application number: CN202280043055.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 埃翁·弗伦奇; 格伦·埃德蒙兹; 安德鲁·弗伦奇
Original assignee: Green Laboratory Intellectual Property Agent Private LLC
Current assignee: Green Laboratory Intellectual Property Agent Private LLC
Priority date: 2021-06-16
Filing date: 2022-06-16
Publication date: 2024-02-20

Abstract

A machine (101) comprising a vertically rotatable shaft (4 b) suspended by magnets (5) in order to minimize friction losses. The magnets (5) are arranged on the machine body (7) and/or on the shaft (4 b) of the machine (101) so as to exert a repulsive force, so that the rotation shaft (4 b) rises against the force of gravity. The machine (101) may additionally or alternatively comprise a magnetic bearing (6), a variable inertia flywheel (24), a magnetic transmission (29) and/or a magnetic clutch (19). The magnetic actuator (29) may comprise an arrow-shaped magnet (28).

Description

System and method for generating, transmitting, amplifying and/or storing

Technical Field

The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating, transmitting, amplifying and storing. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for transferring energy within a machine from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft by magnetically induced rotation for amplifying energy using a magnetically levitated flywheel, and/or for driving a machine with amplified inductive energy by magnetically induced rotation.

The invention also relates to a magnetic bearing assembly for use in a machine incorporating the magnetic bearing assembly, to a magnetic clutch device that may be incorporated in a machine, and to a fluid-filled flywheel that may be incorporated in a machine, each of which may be used alone or in combination.

Background

Any reference herein to known prior art does not constitute an admission that such prior art is widely known to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention relates at the priority date of this application, unless indicated to the contrary.

Conventional machines experience significant energy losses due to friction, heat loss, etc., due to the transmission, coupler, or bearing devices contained therein. In recent years, attempts have been made to incorporate magnets in machines in an attempt to minimize these losses, however, these attempts have been largely unsuccessful.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is intended to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the problems described above.

In one broad form, the invention relates to a machine comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and disposed substantially vertically, the machine comprising:

a pair of magnets adapted to cooperate with each other so as to exert a repulsive force between the magnets and thereby levitate at least a portion of the rotatable shaft.

In an example embodiment, at least one of the magnets is a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

Preferably, the pair of magnets are annular magnets.

Preferably, the machine further comprises a rotatable mass positioned on the rotatable shaft.

Preferably, the rotatable mass is a flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

Preferably, the rotatable mass comprises an energy harvesting device.

Preferably, the energy harvesting device comprises any one or a combination of the following:

an electric coil device through which an electric current is induced to flow when the device is rotated; and

a rotatable layshaft that rotates by the repulsion or attraction of magnets embedded therein.

Preferably, the rotatable shaft is rotated by a drive mechanism including, but not limited to, a motor, a generator, a wind turbine, or a magnetic coupler device.

Preferably, the machine further comprises a magnetic gear.

Preferably, the machine further comprises one or more flywheels embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets, the flywheels being adapted to rotate along said rotatable shaft.

Preferably, the pair of magnets are embodied as magnetic bearings adapted to align the rotatable shaft in a substantially vertical position, the magnetic bearings comprising:

an upper magnetic bearing portion; and

a lower magnetic bearing portion adapted to cooperate with the upper magnetic bearing portion to exert a repulsive force on the upper magnetic bearing portion and thereby levitate at least a portion of the rotatable shaft.

Preferably, the upper magnetic bearing portion is associated with a rotatable shaft.

Preferably, the lower magnetic bearing portion is associated with a shaft bore of the machine body.

Preferably, the upper magnetic bearing is convex, conical or similarly curved, and the lower magnetic bearing has a complementary shape, such as concave, hemispherical, conical or other complementary curved shape.

In another broad form, the invention relates to a magnetic bearing assembly configured to support a rotatable shaft disposed substantially vertically within a shaft bore of a machine body, the magnetic bearing comprising:

a first magnetic bearing portion associated with the shaft bore of the machine body; and

a second magnetic bearing portion associated with the rotatable shaft;

wherein the bearing portions are magnetized to apply a repulsive force between the bearing portions such that the rotatable shaft is suspended within the machine body.

Preferably, the magnetic bearing portion has a complementary annular/ring shape such that the rotatable shaft is rotatably balanced within the bore of the machine body.

Preferably:

one end of one of the bearing portions is shaped to include any one of a linear or non-linear tapered end section, a converging or diverging end section, a convex or concave end section, a conical or hemispherical end section, or any other shaped end section; and, in addition, the processing unit,

The other of the bearing portions is shaped to have a compatible shape such that adjacent surfaces of the bearing are complementary to each other.

Preferably, each of said magnetic bearing portions comprises a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

Preferably, each magnetic bearing portion is embedded within, or integrally formed with, or fitted to, a rotatable shaft located in a shaft bore of the machine.

In another broad form, the invention relates to a machine comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being substantially vertically disposed and adapted to rotate with a shaft bore of a machine body, the machine comprising:

a magnetic bearing assembly, the magnetic bearing assembly comprising:

a first magnetic bearing portion associated with the shaft bore of the machine body; and a second magnetic bearing portion associated with the rotatable shaft,

wherein, in use, the magnetic bearing portions exert a repulsive force between the magnetic bearing portions such that the rotatable shaft is suspended within the machine body.

Preferably:

the shape of the other of the bearing portions is a compatible shape such that adjacent surfaces of the bearing are complementary to each other.

Preferably, the machine further comprises a rotatable mass positioned on the rotatable shaft above the bearing assembly.

Preferably, the rotatable mass is implemented as one or more flywheels embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

Preferably, the rotatable mass comprises an energy harvesting device.

a rotatable auxiliary shaft that rotates by repulsion or attraction of a magnet embedded in the rotatable auxiliary shaft when the flywheel rotates.

Preferably, the rotatable shaft is rotated by a drive mechanism including, but not limited to, a motor, a generator, a wind turbine or a magnetic coupler device.

Preferably, the machine further comprises a magnetic gear.

In another broad form, the invention relates to a magnetic clutch device adapted to induce rotation of a second shaft by rotation of a first shaft, the magnetic clutch device comprising:

a first engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the first shaft, the end of the first shaft being magnetically embedded with a first magnet; and

and a second engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the second shaft, the end of the second shaft being embedded with a second magnet.

Preferably, the magnetic clutch device further comprises a mixture comprising:

magnetic particulate materials such as iron filings; and

liquid parts such as oil.

Preferably, the magnetic clutch device further includes:

an asynchronous state in which the magnetic particulate material and the liquid portion are randomly arranged in the mixture; and

a synchronized state in which the magnetic particulate material and the liquid portion are magnetically aligned in the mixture.

In an example embodiment, each of the first magnet and the second magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

In another broad form, the invention relates to a fluid-filled flywheel adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the flywheel having a substantially curved shaped body, the flywheel comprising:

an upper region having a first radius;

a lower region having a second radius less than the first radius; and

a fluid material within the body,

such that upon rotation of the flywheel, the fluid material is adapted to move between:

a resting state in which the flywheel does not rotate and the fluid is substantially in the lower region;

a transitional state in which the flywheel begins to rotate and the fluid is located intermediate the lower region and the upper region; and

a rotational state in which the flywheel is rotating and the fluid is substantially in the upper region.

Preferably, the flywheel is substantially concave, inverted parabolic, or other curved shape.

Preferably, the fluid material comprises one or a combination of the following:

small solid particulate materials such as sand;

Semi-solid; and

thin or thick fluids such as water, oil or mercury.

Preferably, the fluid filled flywheel is fitted to a rotatable shaft which is rotated by a drive mechanism.

Preferably, the drive mechanism comprises a motor, a generator, a wind turbine, a magnetic coupler device or any other drive mechanism.

Preferably, the magnetic coupler device comprises:

one or more magnetic means adapted to be rotated by rotation of one or more primary magnetic means fitted to the primary drive shaft being rotated.

Preferably, the fluid-filled flywheel is an energy harvesting device.

a rotatable layshaft that rotates by the repulsion or attraction of magnets embedded in the flywheel.

Preferably, the fluid-filled flywheel's counterweight fluid may be regulated by pumping and sucking the counterweight fluid from the top or bottom of the fluid-filled flywheel.

In another broad form, the invention relates to a system for torque amplification, power generation, transmission and/or storage, the system comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and disposed substantially vertically, the system comprising any one or a combination of:

A pair of magnetic bearings adapted to align a rotatable shaft in a substantially vertical position, the pair of magnetic bearings comprising:

a magnetic bearing is arranged on the upper part; and

a lower magnetic bearing adapted to cooperate with the upper magnetic bearing to exert a repulsive force on the upper magnetic bearing and thereby levitate at least a portion of the rotatable shaft;

a magnetic clutch device adapted to induce rotation of a second shaft by rotation of a rotatable shaft, the magnetic clutch device comprising:

a first engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of a rotatable shaft, the end of the rotatable shaft being magnetically embedded with a first magnet; and

a second engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of a second shaft, the end of the second shaft having a second magnet embedded therein; and

a fluid-filled flywheel mounted on a rotatable shaft, the flywheel being positioned substantially above the pair of magnets, the flywheel having a body of substantially curved shape, the flywheel comprising:

an upper region having a first radius;

a lower region having a second radius less than the first radius; a fluid material within the body,

In another broad form, the invention relates to a system for torque amplification, power generation, transmission and/or storage, the system comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and disposed substantially vertically, the system comprising:

a rotatable mass fitted on a rotatable shaft, the rotatable mass being a flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets;

one or more rotatable countershafts; and

one or more rotatable secondary masses fitted on respective one or more rotatable secondary shafts, each of the one or more rotatable secondary masses being a flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets,

wherein the rotatable mass causes rotation of the one or more rotatable countershafts by repulsion between permanent magnets and/or electromagnets embedded in the rotatable mass and the one or more rotatable countershafts.

Preferably, the sun gear-shaped flywheel comprises one or more first magnets protruding from, or located at or near, the outer periphery of the sun gear-shaped flywheel.

Preferably, the planetary gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more second magnets protruding from or located at or near the outer periphery of the planetary gear shaped flywheel.

Preferably, the planet ring gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more third magnets protruding from or located at or near the inner periphery of the planet ring gear shaped flywheel.

Preferably, each of the one or more first magnets, the one or more second magnets, the one or more third magnets is in the form of an arrow-shaped prism comprising one or more magnetic vertical surfaces.

Preferably, the magnetic vertical surfaces interact to allow the planet ring gear shaped flywheel and the sun gear shaped flywheel to cause rotation of one or more of the planet gear shaped flywheels, thereby causing rotation of the first stage layshaft.

Preferably, the planet ring gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more fourth magnets protruding from or located near or at the outer periphery of the planet ring gear shaped flywheel.

Preferably, one or more fourth magnets of a planetary ring gear shaped flywheel interact with one or more fourth magnets of another planetary ring gear shaped flywheel, or with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets embedded in the rotatable mass, to cause rotation of the rotatable countershaft.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which other features, embodiments and advantages may be obtained, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by a motor;

FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing and amplifying energy generated by a motor;

fig. 3 shows a close-up view of part a of the device of fig. 2;

fig. 4 shows a close-up view of part B of the device of fig. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the top portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, showing an example embodiment of the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the first stage secondary flywheel;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the primary flywheel and first stage secondary flywheel of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by the motor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by two wind turbines;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the top portion of the apparatus of FIG. 8, showing an example embodiment of the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the first stage secondary flywheel;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the primary flywheel and first stage secondary flywheel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the top portion of the apparatus of FIG. 8, showing another example embodiment of the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the first stage secondary flywheel;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the primary flywheel and first stage secondary flywheel of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus for levitating a shaft of a machine, more particularly a magnetic bearing device;

fig. 14 shows a side view of the apparatus of fig. 13 in ghost;

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 13 taken along section D1;

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 13 taken along section D2;

FIG. 17 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus for directing rotation from a first shaft to a second shaft, more particularly a magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device;

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the example embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 17 in a first position, in section E1, with the first axis positioned away from the apparatus;

FIG. 19 shows a side view of the example embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 17 in a second position, in section E1, with the first shaft positioned in contact with the apparatus;

FIG. 20 shows a side view of another example embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 17 in a first position, cross-section E1, in which the first shaft is positioned in contact with the apparatus and the second shaft is de-energized;

FIG. 21 shows a side view of another example embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 17 in a second position, cross-section E1, in which the first shaft is positioned in contact with the apparatus and the second shaft is energized;

FIG. 22 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention, showing a flywheel;

FIG. 23 shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 22 in a first position of the apparatus with the flywheel weight material when the shaft is stationary;

FIG. 24 shows a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 22 in a first position, wherein the flywheel weight material is in a second position of the apparatus as the shaft rotates;

FIG. 25 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment showing the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the primary pinion shaped flywheel, which are modified versions of the primary flywheel and the primary secondary flywheel of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by a motor, and further showing an example embodiment of the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the primary pinion type flywheel of FIG. 25, and the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel; and

FIG. 27 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by a motor, wind turbine or hydro-generator, and showing the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel of FIG. 26 being magnetically induced to rotate by rotation of the main drive shaft; and

fig. 28 is a perspective view showing in detail an arrow-shaped magnet used in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 25 to 27.

Detailed Description

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same features unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In fig. 1, a first embodiment of a power storage and amplification device (100) is shown, comprising three component parts (50, 51 and 52). The first component part (50) comprises a motor or any other drive mechanism (2), a main drive shaft (4 a) and at least one main magnetic transmission (1 a). The motor (2) is connected to the main drive shaft (4 a) and rotates the main drive shaft (4 a). The main magnetic transmission (1 a) is fitted to the main drive shaft (4 a) and rotates when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates.

The second component part (51) comprises a first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and at least one first stage secondary magnetic transmission (1 b), the first stage secondary magnetic transmission (1 b) being implemented as a heavy flywheel, the operation of which will be described below.

Two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b) and/or magnetic bearings (6 a, 6 b) may interconnect the shaft with the support/base structure (7). Bearings (6 a, 6 b) may be embedded within the support/base structure (7) to receive the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and align the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) in a substantially upright position to minimize rotational friction, as shown in fig. 1.

The first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is configured to utilize energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a), wherein the transfer of energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a) to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the primary magnetic transmission (1 a) and the first stage secondary magnetic transmission (1 b). In other words, when the primary drive shaft (4 a) rotates, the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) is rotated by the interaction of the primary magnetic transmission (1 a) with the attractive and repulsive forces of the primary secondary magnetic transmission (1 b).

The first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b) is also fitted with an upper magnetic ring (5 a) and a lower magnetic ring (5 b), wherein the magnetic rings (5 a, 5 b) are typically positioned at the lower half of the first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b), but may also be positioned at the upper half of the first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b). More specifically, the lower magnetic ring (5 b) is positioned above and adjacent to the lower bearing (6 b) and the support structure/base structure (7) and is of opposite polarity to the upper magnetic ring (5 a) such that the upper magnetic ring (5 a) is repelled away from the lower magnetic ring (5 b) and levitated along the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). In this embodiment, the upper magnet ring (5 a) also suspends the two additional secondary magnetic transmissions (1 c), resulting in the additional secondary magnetic transmissions (1 c) being substantially weightless relative to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). The rotation of the additional secondary magnetic drive (1 c) reduces the requirements for rotational energy and/or speed, thus increasing the rotational inertia and energy storage of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b).

In an example embodiment, in which the additional secondary magnetic transmission (1 c) is a heavy flywheel, the heavy flywheel may drive a generator or any other device, either immediately or in the future, with energy stored in the heavy flywheel, with rotational inertia. Although fig. 1 shows the heavy duty flywheel connected to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the heavy duty flywheel may also be connected adjacent to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b).

The third component part (52) of the apparatus (100) comprises a secondary drive shaft (4 c), a (or any number of) secondary magnetic transmission (1 d) and an alternator/generator/battery/apparatus (3). Similarly, the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is configured to extract energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), wherein the transfer of energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) to the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the two additional secondary magnetic transmissions (1 c) and the second stage secondary magnetic transmission (1 d). In other words, when the first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b) rotates, the second-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 c) is rotated by interaction of the attractive and repulsive forces of the two additional auxiliary magnetic gears (1 c) with the second-stage auxiliary magnetic gear (1 d).

The rotational energy of the secondary drive shaft (4 c) of the second stage can be used to drive an alternator/generator (3) and use this energy to generate electricity.

In fig. 2, a second embodiment of a power storage and amplification device (101) is shown, comprising two component parts (60 and 61) and a further optional component part (62). The first component part (60) comprises a motor or any other energy or driving force (2), a voltage source (9), a main drive shaft (4 a) and one (or any number of) main flywheels (10 a). The motor (2) is connected to the main drive shaft (4 a) such that the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates when the motor (2) is operated. The main flywheel (10 a) is fitted to the main drive shaft (4 a) and rotates when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates.

The second component part (61) of the apparatus (101) comprises a first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), two (or any number of) first stage secondary flywheels (10 b), one (or any number of) additional rotatable mass (8), two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b), a support/base structure (7) and two bearings (6 a, 6 b). As shown in fig. 2, the bearings (6 a, 6 b) are embedded within the support/base structure (7) and are adapted to receive the secondary drive shaft (4 b) and to align the secondary drive shaft (4 b) to a substantially upright position, thereby minimizing rotational friction. Alternatively, the lower bearing (6 b) and the two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b) may be replaced with a magnetic bearing (22), as shown in fig. 13 to 16, and will be described below.

The first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is configured to utilize energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a), wherein the transfer of energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a) to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the first stage secondary flywheel (10 b). In other words, when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates, the first-stage sub-drive shaft (4 b) is rotated by the interaction of the attractive force and repulsive force of the main flywheel (10 a) with the first-stage sub-flywheel (1 b).

In fig. 3, the magnet (21) is embedded in the primary flywheel (10 a) and the primary secondary flywheel (10 b). As shown, the magnet (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) is positioned opposite the magnet (21) of the first stage secondary flywheel (10 b), i.e. the south pole of the magnet (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) is adjacent to the south pole of the magnet (21) of the lower first stage secondary flywheel (10 b), while the north pole of the magnet (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) is adjacent to the north pole of the magnet (21) of the upper first stage secondary flywheel (10 b). The magnet (21) may be in the form of a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

While fig. 3 shows a magnetic configuration of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the primary secondary flywheel (10 b), it will be apparent to the skilled person that the configuration is not limited to flywheels and may also be incorporated into other types of magnetic transmissions (1 a, 1 b).

Fig. 5 and 6 further illustrate an example embodiment of a primary flywheel (10 a) and a first stage secondary flywheel (10 b) with diamond magnets (21). One skilled in the art will appreciate from a review of WO 2006/105617 A1 that the drive transmission may also take on a variety of shapes and configurations, including elliptical and circular magnets.

As seen in fig. 5 and 6, when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the clockwise direction (14), the magnet (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) and the magnet (21) of the first-stage sub-flywheel (10 b) repel and attract each other, thereby rotating the first-stage sub-drive shaft (4 b) in the counterclockwise direction (15). Alternatively, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that reverse rotation will also apply to rotation of the primary drive shaft (4 a) in a counter-clockwise direction (14) and rotation of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) in a clockwise direction (15).

Referring again to fig. 2, the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) may also be fitted with an upper magnet ring (5 a) and a lower magnet ring (5 b), wherein the magnet rings (5 a, 5 b) are typically positioned at the lower half of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), but may alternatively or additionally be positioned at the upper half of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). More specifically, the lower magnetic ring (5 b) is positioned above and adjacent to the lower bearing (6 b) and the support structure/base structure (7), and the lower magnetic ring (5 b) is opposite in polarity to the upper magnetic ring (5 a) such that the upper magnetic ring (5 a) is repelled away from the lower magnetic ring (5 b) and levitated along the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), as can be seen in fig. 4. In this embodiment, the upper magnet ring (5 a) also floats the additional rotatable mass (8) (which may include another machine component) such that the additional rotatable mass (8) is weightless relative to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). The rotation of the additional rotatable mass (8) reduces the requirements for rotational energy and/or speed, thus increasing the rotational inertia and energy storage of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b).

In example embodiments in which the additional rotatable mass (8) is one or more heavy flywheels, the heavy flywheels may drive a generator or any other device, either immediately or in the future, with energy stored in the heavy flywheels, with rotational inertia. Although fig. 2 shows the flywheel connected to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the flywheel may also be connected adjacent to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b).

Another optional component part (62) of the device (101) shown in dashed lines in fig. 2 comprises a coil (11) and an energy storage means (12). A coil (11) is wound around the additional rotatable mass (8) of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) such that when the additional rotatable mass (8) with a magnetic field rotates, an electrical current is induced in the coil (11). The induced current may then be stored in an energy storage device (12) electrically connected to the coil (11).

In fig. 7, a third embodiment of a power storage and amplification device (102) is shown, comprising three component parts (70, 71 and 72). The first component part (70) is not fully shown in fig. 7, the first component part (70) comprising a motor or any other energy or driving force (2), a voltage source (9), a main drive shaft (4 a) and one (or any number of) main flywheels (10 a). The motor (2) is connected to the main drive shaft (4 a) such that the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates when the motor (2) is operated. The main flywheel (10 a) is fitted to the main drive shaft (4 a) and rotates when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates.

The second component part (71) of fig. 7 comprises one (or any number) of first stage secondary drive shafts (4 b), two (or any number) of first stage secondary flywheels (10 b), three additional secondary flywheels (10 c), additional rotatable mass (8), two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b), a support structure/base structure (7) and two bearings (6 a, 6 b). As shown in fig. 7, the bearings (6 a, 6 b) are embedded within the support/base structure (7) and are adapted to receive the secondary drive shaft (4 b) and to align the secondary drive shaft (4 b) to a substantially upright position so as to minimize rotational friction. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in fig. 13 to 16, the lower bearing (6 b) and the two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b) may be removed and/or replaced by a magnetic bearing (22).

The first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is configured to utilize energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a), wherein the transfer of energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a) to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the first stage secondary flywheel (10 b). In other words, when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates, the first-stage sub-drive shaft (4 b) is rotated by the interaction of the attractive force and repulsive force of the main flywheel (10 a) and the first-stage sub-flywheel (1 b), as shown in fig. 3, 5 and 6, and the description thereof has been discussed above.

The first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b) is also provided with an upper magnetic ring (5 a) and a lower magnetic ring (5 b), wherein the magnetic rings (5 a, 5 b) are usually positioned at the lower half of the first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b), but can also be positioned at the upper half of the first-stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b). More specifically, the lower magnetic ring (5 b) is positioned above and adjacent to the lower bearing (6 b) and the support structure/base structure (7), and the lower magnetic ring (5 b) is opposite in polarity to the upper magnetic ring (5 a) such that the upper magnetic ring (5 a) is repelled away from the lower magnetic ring (5 b) and levitated along the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), as can be seen in fig. 4. In this embodiment, the upper magnet ring (5 a) also floats any machine components above it, including the additional rotatable mass (8) and the additional secondary flywheel (10 c), causing the components, including the additional rotatable mass (8) and the additional secondary flywheel (10 c), to be all weightless relative to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). The rotation of the additional rotatable mass (8) and the additional secondary flywheel (10 c) reduces the requirements for rotational energy and/or speed, thus increasing the rotational inertia and energy storage of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b).

In example embodiments in which the additional rotatable mass (8) and the additional secondary flywheel are both heavy flywheels, the heavy flywheels may drive a generator or any other device, either immediately or in the future, using energy stored in the heavy flywheels, using rotational inertia. Although fig. 7 shows the flywheel connected to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the flywheel may also be connected adjacent to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b).

The third component part (72) of the apparatus (102), shown on the right side of fig. 7, comprises a secondary drive shaft (4 c), two (or any number of) secondary flywheels (10 d) of the second stage, which may be used to power the alternator/generator/battery/device (3) or to drive the alternator/generator/battery/device (3). Similarly, the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) may be configured to extract energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), wherein the transfer of energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) to the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the three additional secondary flywheels (10 c) and the second stage secondary flywheel (10 d). In other words, through operations similar to those shown in fig. 3, 5 and 6 and the descriptions thereof already discussed above, when the first-stage sub-drive shaft (4 b) rotates, the second-stage sub-drive shaft (4 c) is rotated through interaction of the attractive and repulsive forces of the three additional sub-flywheels (10 c) with the two second-stage sub-flywheels (10 d).

The rotational energy of the secondary drive shaft (4 c) of the second stage may be used to drive an alternator, generator and/or other machine (3) or to store the generated electrical energy in a battery. A switch (26) may optionally be included to use rotational energy of the secondary drive shaft (4 c) of the second stage only when required.

In fig. 8, a fourth embodiment of a power storage and amplification device (104) is shown, comprising three component parts (80, 81 and 82). The first component part (80) of fig. 8 comprises two (or any number) wind turbines or any other energy or driving force (16), two main drive shafts (4 a) and two (or any number) main flywheels (10 a). Each wind turbine (16) is connected to a respective main drive shaft (4 a) and rotates the respective main drive shaft (4 a) when the turbine (16) is turned by external wind. The main flywheels (10 a) respectively fitted to the main drive shafts (4 a) each rotate when their corresponding main drive shafts (4 a) rotate.

The main drive shaft (4 a) may also be mounted below the wind turbine (16) or be placed underground below the wind turbine (16) or other drive means.

The second component part (81) of the apparatus (104) comprises a first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), one (or any number) of first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheels (1 b/10 b), magnetic coupler means (19), flywheels (18), two ring magnets (5 a, 5 b), a housing (17), a support structure/base structure (7) and a bearing (6) embedded within the support structure/base structure (7).

The primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) may be configured to utilize energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a), wherein the transfer of energy from the primary drive shaft (4 a) to the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) is facilitated by the magnetic interaction of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b). In other words, when the primary drive shaft (4 a) rotates, the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) is rotated by the interaction of the primary flywheel (10 a) with the attractive and repulsive forces of the primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (10 b).

Fig. 9 and 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a magnetic interface portion of the device (103) of fig. 8, referred to herein as portion C. In fig. 9 and 10, magnets (21) are embedded in the primary flywheel (10 a) and the primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b). The magnet (21) may be in the form of a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet. An example embodiment of a primary flywheel (10 a) and a first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) is shown, with diamond magnets (21). Furthermore, the primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) may be cylindrical, with the magnet (21) positioned around the curved surface of the primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from a review of WO 2006/105617 A1 that the drive transmission may also take on a variety of shapes and configurations, including elliptical and circular magnets.

As can be seen in fig. 9 and 10, when the left main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the clockwise direction (20) and the right main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the counter-clockwise direction (20), the magnets (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) repel and attract each other with the magnets (21) of the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b), thereby rotating the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) in the counter-clockwise direction (15), but may also rotate in the clockwise direction (15), depending on the position of the magnets (21). Assuming that a counter-clockwise direction (15) does occur for the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the skilled person will also understand that counter-rotation will apply to rotation of the left and right main drive shafts (4 a) in counter-clockwise and clockwise directions (20) respectively and rotation of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) in clockwise direction (15).

Fig. 11 and 12 show another alternative example embodiment of part C. In fig. 11 and 12, each of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) includes a top portion (1 a '/10a', 1b '/10 b') and a bottom portion (1 a "/10a", 1b "/10 b") in which the magnet (21) is embedded. The magnet (21) may be in the form of a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet. An example embodiment of a primary flywheel (10 a) and a first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) is shown, with diamond magnets (21). Those skilled in the art will appreciate from a review of WO 2006/105617A1 that the drive transmission may also take on a variety of shapes and configurations, including elliptical and circular magnets. The top part (1 a '/10 a') of the primary flywheel (1 a/10 a) and the top part (1 b '/10 b') of the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) are conical, the magnet (21) being positioned in a raised/inclined position with respect to its drive shaft (4 a, 4 b), while the bottom part (1 b '/10 b') of the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) is cylindrical in shape.

As can be seen in fig. 11 and 12, when the left main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the clockwise direction (20) and the right main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the counter-clockwise direction (20), the magnets (21) of the main flywheel (10 a) repel and attract each other with the magnets (21) of the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b), while the magnetic fields of the top portions (1 a '/10a ', 1b '/10b ') interact with the magnetic fields of the bottom portions (1 a '/10a ', 1b '), respectively, thereby rotating the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) in the counter-clockwise direction (15), but may alternatively rotate in the clockwise direction (15), depending on the position of the magnets (21). Assuming that a counter-clockwise direction (15) does occur for the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the skilled person will also understand that counter-rotation will apply to rotation of the left and right primary drive shafts (4 a) in counter-clockwise and clockwise directions (20) respectively and rotation of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) in clockwise direction (15).

While fig. 11 and 12 show embodiments of the primary flywheel (10 a) and the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) having a conical top portion (1 a '/10a', 1b '/10 b') and a flat or cylindrical bottom portion (1 a "/10a", 1b "/10 b"), it will be apparent to the skilled person that the primary flywheel (10 a) and the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) may also be merely conical.

It is also obvious to the skilled person that the magnetic interaction of the part C can also function with the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) removed and that the magnet (21) is instead embedded in the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). The skilled person will also appreciate that the magnets (21) may be embedded in the wind turbine (16) instead of in the main magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 a/10 a).

Returning to fig. 8, the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) may also be fitted with an upper magnetic ring (5 a) and a lower magnetic ring (5 b), wherein the magnetic rings (5 a, 5 b) are typically positioned at the lower half of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), but may also be positioned at the upper half of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). More specifically, the lower magnetic ring (5 b) may be positioned above and adjacent to the bearing (6) and the support structure/base structure (7), with the lower magnetic ring (5 b) being opposite in polarity to the upper magnetic ring (5 a) such that the upper magnetic ring (5 a) is repelled away from the lower magnetic ring (5 b) and levitated along the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and the housing (17). In this embodiment, the upper magnet ring (5 a) also floats the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b), thereby weightlessness of the first stage secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) and the housing (17) relative to the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). The primary secondary magnetic transmission/flywheel (1 b/10 b) rotates in suspension under the repulsive effect of a pair of magnetic rings (5 a, 5 b), thus increasing the rotational inertia and energy storage of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b).

In alternative example embodiments, the magnetic ring (5 a, 5 b) and the bearing/lower bearing (6, 6 b) are combined into part D, which may be used with the magnetic bearing (22) or replaced by the magnetic bearing (22) to rotate the first stage secondary drive shaft substantially frictionless.

As shown in fig. 13 to 16, the magnetic bearing (22) includes a top magnet (22 a) and a bottom magnet (22 b). The bottom magnet (22 a) of the magnetic bearing (22) is positioned inside the support/base/body structure (7) of the machine and opposite the top (22 a) of the magnetic bearing (22), i.e. the north pole of the bottom magnet (22 b) is adjacent to the north pole of the top magnet (22 a) and repels the top magnet (22 a) away from the bottom magnet (22 b). This floats the drive shaft (4 b). The top magnet (22 a) and the lower magnet (22 b) may be in the form of permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

In some example embodiments, it may be desirable to tighten or loosen the magnetic bearing (22). Thus, an adjustment mechanism may be provided to achieve this. For example, a threaded rod or thread on the shaft may be used to tighten or loosen the magnetic bearing components together by tightening or loosening bolts disposed on one or both sides of the threaded rod/shaft.

While the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) has been illustrated as being used with a magnetic bearing (22), it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that other shafts (4) may be used with a magnetic bearing (22). In alternative example embodiments, the bottom magnet (22 b) is not fitted on the shaft (4) and/or the shape of the top magnet (22 b) may be convex, conical or similar curved shape, while the bottom magnet (22 a) has a complementary shape, such as concave, hemispherical cavity, conical cavity or other complementary curved shape, to ensure compatibility and substantially vertical alignment of the shaft (4).

Referring again to fig. 8, the third component part (82) of the apparatus (100) shown on the bottom side of fig. 8 includes the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c), the magnetic coupler arrangement (19) and the alternator/generator (3). Similarly, the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is configured to extract energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), wherein the transfer of energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) to the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is facilitated by the magnetic coupler arrangement of the second component part and the magnetic coupler arrangement (19) of the third component part. This means that when the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) rotates, the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is rotated by the interaction of attractive and repulsive forces of the magnetic coupling means (19) connected to the first stage secondary drive shaft and the second stage secondary drive shaft, the two additional secondary magnetic transmissions (1 c). The coupler means (19) may also be optionally connected to a switch (26) to transfer energy from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) to the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) only when required.

While the fourth embodiment discloses a flywheel (18) and a housing (4) in the second component part, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) may be directly connected to the magnetic coupler device (19) without the flywheel (18), and that the housing may be replaced by an additional rotatable mass (8) and/or one or more additional first stage secondary flywheel/magnetic transmission devices (10 c/1 c), which may also direct and/or transfer rotational energy to the second stage drive shaft (4 c) as shown in the second and third embodiments of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, the flywheel (18) and the magnetic coupler device (19) are combined into a part E, which may also be used in addition to or instead of the magnetic coupler and the magnetic clutch device (19), as shown in fig. 17 to 21. As shown in the cross-section E1, the magnetic coupler and clutch device (19) comprises a mixture (23) of iron filings or any other magnetic particle material (23 a) and a liquid part (23 b), which may be oil or other similar fluid. In fig. 18 and 19, an example form of a magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device (19) is shown, comprising two permanent magnets attached to the end of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and the end of the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c), respectively.

In fig. 18, a first position is shown in which the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) rotates in the direction (15) but away from the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19), while the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) is stationary and in contact with the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19). When the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device (19) is in contact with the rotating first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b), the scrap iron (23 a) begins to move in place in the mixture (23) in order by the action of the magnet, moving toward the center of the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device (19) in the liquid portion (23 b), as shown in the second position of fig. 19. The iron pieces (23 a) enhance the magnetic field and thus cause the secondary drive shaft (4 c) of the second stage to rotate in the same direction (15') as the secondary drive shaft (4 b) of the first stage. As the scrap iron (23 a) slowly transitions to the final form, the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch arrangement (19) provides a soft start for the secondary drive shaft (4 c).

In fig. 20 and 21, an example form of a magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch arrangement (19) is shown, comprising permanent magnets attached to respective ends of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and electromagnets attached to respective ends of the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c).

In fig. 20, a first position is shown in which the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) rotates in the direction (15) and is in contact with the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19), while the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c), which is also in contact with the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19), is stationary due to the electromagnet not being switched on. When the electromagnet of the secondary drive shaft (4 c) is turned on, the scrap iron (23 a) starts to move in place within the mixture (23) toward the center of the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device (19) in order, while the liquid portion (23 b) moves to the outer region of the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch device (19), as shown in the second position of fig. 21. In the final form, the scrap iron (23 a) is connected together and rotates the secondary drive shaft (4 c) in the same direction (15') as the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b). As the scrap iron (23 a) slowly transitions to the final form, the magnetic coupler and magnetic clutch arrangement (19) slowly increases and provides a soft start for the secondary drive shaft (4 c). It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that all different combinations of permanent magnets and/or electromagnets may be used together with the magnetic coupling and the magnetic clutch device (19).

While the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) and the second stage secondary drive shaft (4 c) have been used for the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19), it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other shafts (4) may be used for the magnetic coupling and magnetic clutch device (19).

Fig. 22-24 depict a low moment of inertia starter flywheel, referred to herein as an alternative flywheel (24), designed for use with any machine, including the machines (100, 101, 102, 103) of fig. 1, 2, 7, and 8. In fig. 22, the alternative flywheel (24) is shown as having a curved shape, such as a concave body shape or an inverted parabolic shape, with a bottom region (24 a) of minimum radius and a top region (24 b) of maximum radius. The flywheel (24) contains a material (25) that may be composed of small solid particulate material, semi-solid, and a dense or thin fluid such as water, oil, and/or mercury, so that the material may move within the flywheel housing.

In fig. 23, a side view of a section F1 is shown, wherein the flywheel weight material (25) is located at the bottom region (24 a) of the alternative flywheel (24) when the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) is stationary. When the first stage secondary drive shaft 4b begins to rotate, the flywheel material (25) begins to move upward toward the top region (24 b) of the alternative flywheel (24) until it reaches the top region (24 b) of the alternative flywheel (24), as shown in fig. 24.

Before start-up, the flywheel material (25) is located at a lower position within the flywheel housing and close to the rotation axis/shaft. At start-up, the flywheel has a low moment of inertia and its inertia increases progressively as the flywheel material (25) moves towards the top region (24 b) and away from the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) or axis. During this process, the center of gravity is low.

The flywheel material (25) may be regulated by filling or evacuating the flywheel material (25) in the flywheel (24). In one example, this may be achieved by the top or bottom of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b). This allows the weight of the alternative flywheel (24) to be changed by pumping and sucking flywheel material (25) from the alternative flywheel (24) during operation of the alternative flywheel (24).

While the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) has been used in an alternative flywheel (24), it will be apparent to the skilled person that other shafts (4) may be used in alternative flywheels (24).

Although not shown, the present invention may also be housed in a vacuum vessel to effectively/substantially eliminate air friction and prevent external forces from interfering with its intended operation. In other embodiments, the invention may also be housed within a gyroscope. In other embodiments, the present invention may also be located underground to prevent any external forces from interfering with its intended operation.

In other embodiments, the main drive shaft may also be powered by an electrical pulse system rather than a motor. In other embodiments, the motor used can also be pulsed on and off as needed or in a short time to maintain the speed of the flywheel/magnetic drive, if desired.

In some embodiments, a device may be used to use the unused energy of the primary shaft for the secondary shaft by magnetically induced rotation, to amplify the induced unused energy using a magnetically levitated flywheel or other rotating mass with a force amplifying function, and to drive one or more generators or other machines with the amplified induced unused energy by magnetically induced rotation.

It will be appreciated that a machine produced in accordance with the present invention may comprise a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and arranged substantially vertically, and that the machine may include any one or combination of the features described above, namely a pair of magnetic bearings, a magnetic clutch arrangement and/or a fluid-filled flywheel.

The skilled person will appreciate that the apparatus and systems (100, 101, 102, 103) described in the first to fourth embodiments may be further modified to arrange the first stage secondary and primary flywheels to form a transmission arrangement.

As shown in fig. 25, the primary flywheel and the first stage secondary flywheel have been modified to a primary gear-shaped flywheel (29 a) and a first stage secondary gear-shaped flywheel (29 b), each flywheel (29 a,29 b) including one or more magnets (28) protruding from the peripheral edge of the flywheel (29 a,29 b). The magnet (28) may be arrow-shaped. Each magnet (28) may have the same magnetic polarity at its free end such that when the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates in the clockwise direction (14), the arrow-shaped magnet (28) of the main gear-shaped flywheel (29 a) repels the magnet (21) of the first stage pinion-shaped flywheel (29 b), thereby rotating the first stage auxiliary drive shaft (4 b) in the counter-clockwise direction (15). For the flywheel (29 a,29 b) an arrangement may also be realized in which the magnet (28) may attract, resulting in a stable rotation of the drive shaft (4 a, 4 b). Alternatively, the skilled person will appreciate that reverse rotation will also apply to rotation of the primary drive shaft (4 a) in a counter-clockwise direction (14) and rotation of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) in a clockwise direction (15). The "arrow-shaped" nature of the magnets may also facilitate any contact or interaction of the magnets so that if a magnet is in contact with an adjacent magnet, movement is not impeded. A plate or protective housing may also be used to prevent the magnets from striking in the event of overload.

Furthermore, fig. 26 shows another embodiment of a system and device for storing, amplifying energy generated by a motor (3), wherein flywheels (29 a, 29b, 29 c) are arranged in a magnetic planetary gearbox arrangement. Similar to fig. 25, one or more arrow-shaped magnets (28) may protrude from the peripheral edges of the main gear-shaped flywheel (29 a) and the first stage pinion-shaped flywheel (29 b), the main gear-shaped flywheel (29 a) and the first stage pinion-shaped flywheel (29 b) now functioning as a sun gear and a planet gear, respectively, and having the same magnetic polarity at their free ends to repel each other, thereby causing the four first stage pinion-shaped flywheels (29 b) to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (15) when the main gear-shaped flywheel (29 a) rotates in a clockwise direction (14). There may be any number of planet gears.

Conversely, the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) includes one or more magnets (28) protruding inwardly from the inner peripheral edge. In alternative embodiments, one or more magnets (28) may protrude outwardly from the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c). The magnet (28) may be arrow-shaped. The primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) is attached and suspended along the primary drive shaft (4 a) by a ring magnet (5 a, 5 b), such as in fig. 1-4 and 7, or a magnetic bearing (22), such as in fig. 13-16, but is configured to rotate in the opposite direction (30) when the primary drive shaft (4 a) rotates.

The primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) may also have the same magnetic polarity at the free end of one or more of its magnets (28) to fix the primary pinion flywheel (29 b) in the correct position by repulsion so that it interacts with the primary pinion flywheel (29 a). For the flywheel (29 a, 29b, 29 c), an arrangement may also be realized in which the magnet (28) may attract, resulting in a stable rotation of the drive shaft (4 a, 4 b). The primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) is further adapted to cause rotation of the primary pinion flywheel (29 b) in the clockwise direction (15) by magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion as the primary planet ring gear flywheel (29 c) rotates in the clockwise direction (30). Thus, an increase in the speed of the first stage secondary drive shaft (4 b) can be achieved by such a magnetic planetary gearbox arrangement of the apparatus and system (104).

While four first stage pinion shaped flywheels have been disclosed in fig. 26 and 27, it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that any number of first stage pinion shaped flywheels and main gear shaped flywheels, as well as main planetary ring gear combined flywheels of different internal shapes, may be used.

While in this embodiment the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel rotates in the opposite direction, one skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other variations in which the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel rotates in the same direction as the primary gear type flywheel, i.e., the apparatus or system further includes a secondary stage pinion type flywheel located between the primary stage pinion type flywheel and the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel.

Alternatively, the skilled person will appreciate that reverse rotation is also applicable to rotation of the primary drive shaft (4 a) in a counter-clockwise direction (14) and rotation of the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) in a clockwise direction (15).

In other alternative example embodiments, the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) may also be driven by magnetic means external to the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel, either by repulsion or attraction, or by electronic or other pulsed means. In alternative example embodiments, other planetary gearboxes may be added to form a larger gearbox or an automatic gearbox or drive train.

In particular, other embodiments of the invention may disclose the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) as further comprising one or more magnets protruding from its peripheral edge. The planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) may transfer rotational energy to other planetary gear box arrangements, which may be another planetary ring gear combination flywheel with or without a planetary gear and sun gear inside the other planetary ring gear combination flywheel (which may be similar to the first stage pinion flywheel (29 b) and the main gear flywheel (29 a), respectively), or to other drive shafts, or to additional ring gear combination flywheels and other additional ring gear combination flywheels concentrically surrounding the ring gear combination flywheel (29 c), wherein some of the additional ring gear combination flywheels have planetary gears and/or sun gears.

In other example embodiments, the main planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c), whether with or without planetary gears, may be the only flywheel driven by a small motor from the outer edge. This results in a reduced thickness of the system, allowing the system to be fitted in a suitcase or under the floor of an automobile. Such a system will have no flywheel, i.e. no additional rotatable mass (8), and all the weight of the system will come from the suspended main planetary ring gear combined flywheel (29 c), making the system very small in size.

While the embodiment of fig. 26 and 27 has been described with the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) suspended and the other sun and planet gear flywheels (29 a, 29 b) fixed, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the opposite approach could be taken, i.e. the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) is fixed to the primary drive shaft (4 a) and the other sun and planet gear flywheels (29 a, 29 b) suspended along their respective drive shafts (4 a, 4 b).

In addition, the magnet (28) of fig. 25 to 28 may be formed in other shapes to achieve the same purpose. Furthermore, the magnets may also be permanent or electromagnetic.

According to alternative embodiments, the primary planet ring gear combined flywheel (29 c) may not be attached to the primary drive shaft (4 a), but rather be suspended along the primary drive shaft (4 a) by ring magnets (5 a, 5 b) such as in fig. 1-4 and 7 or magnetic bearings (22) such as in fig. 13-16. In this example embodiment, when the first stage pinion shaped flywheel (29 b) rotates in the clockwise direction (15), the primary planet ring gear combination flywheel (29 c) is also adapted to rotate in the clockwise direction (30) by magnetic repulsion or magnetic attraction.

FIG. 27 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus and system for storing, amplifying and using energy generated by a motor, wind turbine or hydro-generator. The device (105) comprises a main flywheel (10 a) adapted to rotate with the rotation of the main drive shaft (4 a), the main drive shaft (4 a) being rotated by a motor, a wind turbine or a hydro-generator. The main flywheel (10 a) comprises one or more magnets (21) located near or at the peripheral edge of the main flywheel (10 a), wherein the magnets (21) may be arrow-shaped magnets (28). In one form, the main flywheel (10 a) may include the overall system and apparatus (104) of fig. 26 and 27, with the magnets (21, 28) located at the peripheral edge of the planetary ring gear combination flywheel (29 c).

Furthermore, a plurality of ring gear combined flywheels serving as first stage secondary flywheels (10 b) may be positioned around the primary flywheel (10 a). The first stage sub-flywheels (10 b) each have a magnet (21, 28), the magnets (21, 28) being positioned near or at the peripheral edge of the first stage sub-flywheels (10 b), more specifically at the peripheral edge of a planetary ring gear combination flywheel within each of the first stage sub-flywheels (10 b).

When the main drive shaft (4 a) rotates, the main flywheel (10 a) rotates (14, 30). The magnets (21, 28) of the primary flywheel (10 a) repel the magnets (21, 28) of the primary secondary flywheel (10 b) to rotate the primary secondary flywheel (10 b) in a clockwise direction (15, 31), which ultimately rotates the primary secondary drive shaft (4 b) to which the primary secondary flywheel (10 b) is connected. For the flywheel (10 a, 10 b) an arrangement may also be realized in which the magnet (28) may attract, resulting in a stable rotation of the drive shaft (4 a, 4 b). Alternatively, the skilled person will appreciate that reverse rotation is also applicable to rotation of the primary flywheel (10 a) in a clockwise direction (14, 30) and rotation of the primary secondary flywheel (10 b) in a counter-clockwise direction (15, 31). In some forms, the "arrow-shaped" nature of the magnets may also facilitate any contact or interaction between the magnets such that the magnets do not impede movement when in contact with adjacent magnets.

In some forms, the first stage secondary flywheel (10 b) may be positioned partially above or below the primary flywheel (10 a) in order to take advantage of the shape and arrangement of the magnets of the primary flywheel and the magnets of the first stage secondary flywheel of fig. 5 and 6.

The embodiment of fig. 27 may be used to increase the rotational output of the main drive shaft. This may be used in applications such as generators, water pumps, and air conditioning, by having each of the first stage secondary flywheels include different sized gears to allow for the regulation of energy transfer, amplification, output, and/or storage to provide different temperature or humidity levels.

As a first example, the embodiment of fig. 27, or other embodiments disclosed in this specification, may be used in an air conditioning system for a building, where different amounts of hot/cold air need to be supplied to different heights/sections of the building to achieve a desired temperature level of the building.

As another example, the embodiment of fig. 27 or other embodiments disclosed in this specification may be used in irrigation systems where different fields need to be supplied with different amounts of water so that maximum crop yield may be achieved and/or a healthy level of soil may be maintained.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the arrow-shaped magnet (28) according to fig. 25 to 27. As shown, one or more magnets (28) may be arrow-shaped prisms and extend downward to form a magnetic vertical surface (28') at a free end thereof. When the main gear shaped flywheel (29 a) is rotated by the main drive shaft (4 a) and the motor (3), the magnetic vertical surfaces (28') may interact with each other to rotate the first stage pinion shaped flywheel (29 b) and the main planet ring gear combined flywheel (29 c).

As disclosed in the specification, the present invention encompasses various means which may be included in the present invention, alone or in combination, to make or approximate a machine desired. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments described in the specification may be used in many different types of machines, alone or in combination.

Whenever used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in the sense of "open", i.e. in the sense of "comprising", and is therefore not limited to its sense of "closed", i.e. in the sense of "consisting only of … …". The corresponding meanings apply also to the corresponding terms "comprising", "including" and "having" when they occur.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be apparent to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be included within the present invention.

Claims

1. A machine comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and disposed substantially vertically, the machine comprising:

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnets is a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of magnets are annular ring magnets.

4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a rotatable mass positioned on the rotatable shaft.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the rotatable mass comprises one or more flywheels embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

6. The machine of claim 4 or 5, wherein the rotatable mass comprises an energy harvesting device.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the energy harvesting device comprises any one or a combination of:

an electrical coil device through which an electrical current is induced to flow when the device is rotated; and

A rotatable layshaft that rotates by repulsion or attraction of magnets embedded in the rotatable layshaft.

8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotatable shaft is rotated by a drive mechanism including, but not limited to, a motor, a generator, a wind turbine or a magnetic coupler device.

9. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a magnetic transmission.

10. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising one or more flywheels embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets, the flywheels being adapted to rotate along the rotatable shaft.

11. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a magnetic bearing adapted to align the rotatable shaft in a substantially vertical position, the magnetic bearing comprising:

an upper magnetic bearing portion; and

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the upper magnetic bearing portion is associated with the rotatable shaft.

13. A machine according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the bottom magnetic bearing portion is associated with a shaft bore of the machine body.

14. A machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the upper magnetic bearing is of convex, conical or similar curved shape and the lower magnetic bearing has a complementary shape, such as a concave, hemispherical cavity, conical cavity or other complementary curved shape.

15. A magnetic bearing assembly configured to support a substantially vertically disposed rotatable shaft within a shaft bore of a machine body, the magnetic bearing comprising:

a second magnetic bearing portion associated with the rotatable shaft;

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the magnetic bearing portion has a complementary annular/ring shape such that the rotatable shaft is rotatably balanced within the bore of the machine body.

17. The assembly of claim 15 or 16, wherein:

18. The assembly of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein each of the magnetic bearing portions comprises a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein each magnetic bearing portion is embedded within, or integrally formed with, or fitted to, the rotatable shaft in a shaft bore of the machine.

20. A machine comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being substantially vertically disposed and adapted to rotate with a shaft bore of a machine body, the machine comprising:

a magnetic bearing assembly, the magnetic bearing assembly comprising:

a second magnetic bearing portion associated with the rotatable shaft,

21. The machine of claim 20, wherein the magnetic bearing portion has a complementary annular/ring shape such that the rotatable shaft is rotatably balanced within the bore of the machine body.

22. The machine of claim 20 or 21, wherein:

23. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein each of the magnetic bearing portions comprises a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

24. The machine of any one of claims 20 to 23, further comprising a rotatable mass positioned on the rotatable shaft above the bearing assembly.

25. The machine of claim 24, wherein the rotatable mass is implemented as one or more flywheels embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

26. A machine as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the rotatable mass comprises an energy harvesting device.

27. The machine of claim 26, wherein the energy harvesting device comprises any one or a combination of:

28. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27 wherein the rotatable shaft is rotated by a drive mechanism including, but not limited to, a motor, generator, wind turbine or magnetic coupler arrangement.

29. The machine of any one of claims 20 to 28, further comprising a magnetic transmission.

30. A magnetic clutch device adapted to induce rotation of a second shaft by rotation of a first shaft, the magnetic clutch device comprising:

a first engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the first shaft, the end of the first shaft magnetically embedded with a first magnet; and

a second engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the second shaft, the end of the second shaft having a second magnet embedded therein.

31. The magnetic clutch device of claim 30, wherein the magnetic clutch device further comprises a mixture comprising:

magnetic particulate materials such as iron filings; and

liquid parts such as oil.

32. The magnetic clutch device of claim 31, wherein the magnetic clutch device further comprises:

an unsynchronized state in which the magnetic particulate material and the liquid portion are randomly arranged in the mixture; and

33. The magnetic clutch device according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein each of the first and second magnets is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

34. A fluid-filled flywheel adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the flywheel having a substantially curved shaped body, the flywheel comprising:

an upper region having a first radius;

a lower region having a second radius less than the first radius; and

a fluid material within the body,

a rest state in which the flywheel does not rotate and the fluid is substantially in the lower region;

a transitional state in which the flywheel begins to rotate and the fluid is intermediate the lower region and the upper region; and

35. The fluid-filled flywheel of claim 34 wherein the flywheel is substantially concave, inverted parabolic or other curved shape.

36. The fluid-filled flywheel of claim 34 or 35 wherein the fluid material comprises one or a combination of:

small solid particulate materials such as sand;

semi-solid; and

thin or thick fluids such as water, oil or mercury.

37. The fluid-filled flywheel of any one of claims 34 to 36 wherein the fluid-filled flywheel is fitted to a rotatable shaft that is rotated by a drive mechanism.

38. The fluid-filled flywheel of claim 37, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor, a generator, a wind turbine, a magnetic coupler device, or any other drive mechanism.

39. The fluid-filled flywheel of claim 38 wherein the magnetic coupler arrangement comprises:

40. The fluid-filled flywheel of any one of claims 34 to 39, wherein the fluid-filled flywheel comprises an energy harvesting device.

41. The machine of claim 40, wherein the energy harvesting device comprises any one or a combination of:

a rotatable layshaft that rotates by repulsion or attraction of magnets embedded in the flywheel.

42. The fluid-filled flywheel of any one of claims 34 to 41 wherein the counterbalance fluid of the fluid-filled flywheel is adjustable by pumping and sucking the counterbalance fluid from the top or bottom of the fluid-filled flywheel.

43. A system for torque amplification, power generation, transmission and/or storage, the system comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and being disposed substantially vertically, the system comprising any one or a combination of:

a pair of magnetic bearings adapted to align the rotatable shaft in a substantially vertical position, the pair of magnetic bearings comprising:

a magnetic bearing is arranged on the upper part; and

A magnetic clutch device adapted to induce rotation of a second shaft by rotation of the rotatable shaft, the magnetic clutch device comprising:

a first engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the rotatable shaft, the end of the rotatable shaft magnetically embedded with a first magnet; and

a second engagement portion adapted to connect the magnetic clutch device to an end of the second shaft, the end of the second shaft having a second magnet embedded therein; and a fluid-filled flywheel mounted on the rotatable shaft, the flywheel being positioned substantially above the pair of magnets, the flywheel having a body of substantially curved shape, the flywheel comprising:

an upper region having a first radius;

a lower region having a second radius less than the first radius; and

a fluid material within the body,

44. A system for torque amplification, power generation, transmission and/or storage, the system comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to rotate and being disposed substantially vertically, the system comprising:

a rotatable mass fitted on the rotatable shaft, the rotatable mass being a flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets;

one or more rotatable countershafts; and

one or more rotatable secondary masses fitted on the respective one or more rotatable secondary shafts, each of the one or more rotatable secondary masses being a flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets,

wherein the rotatable mass causes rotation of the one or more rotatable secondary shafts by repulsion of permanent magnets and/or electromagnets embedded in the rotatable mass and the one or more rotatable secondary masses.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the rotatable mass and/or the one or more rotatable secondary masses comprise:

a sun-gear-shaped flywheel fitted on a respective one of the rotatable shaft or the one or more rotatable countershafts;

one or more planetary gear shaped flywheels fitted on respective ones of the primary lay shafts; and

a planetary ring gear shaped flywheel fitted on a respective one of the rotatable shaft or the one or more rotatable countershafts.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the sun gear-shaped flywheel comprises one or more first magnets protruding from an outer periphery of the sun gear-shaped flywheel or located at or near the outer periphery of the sun gear-shaped flywheel.

47. The system of claim 45 or 46, wherein the planetary gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more second magnets protruding from or located at or near an outer periphery of the planetary gear shaped flywheel.

48. The system of any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the planetary ring gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more third magnets protruding from or located at or near an inner periphery of the planetary ring gear shaped flywheel.

49. The system of claim 48 when dependent on claims 46 and 47, wherein each of the one or more first magnets, the one or more second magnets, the one or more third magnets is in the form of an arrow-shaped prism comprising one or more magnetic vertical surfaces.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the magnetic vertical surfaces interact to allow the planetary ring gear-shaped flywheel and the sun gear-shaped flywheel to cause rotation of the one or more planetary gear-shaped flywheels to cause rotation of the first stage layshaft.

51. The system of any one of claims 45 to 50, wherein the planetary ring gear shaped flywheel comprises one or more fourth magnets protruding from or located at or near the outer periphery of the planetary ring gear shaped flywheel.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the one or more fourth magnets of the planetary ring gear shaped flywheel interact with one or more fourth magnets of another planetary ring gear shaped flywheel or with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets embedded in the rotatable mass to cause rotation of the rotatable countershaft.