EP2422434A2

EP2422434A2 - Energy conversion device

Info

Publication number: EP2422434A2
Application number: EP10767758A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David J. Hochberg; Greg Peterson
Original assignee: Dynamic Energy Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Dynamic Energy Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2009-04-22
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Also published as: KR20120030999A; CN102460919A; BRPI1013866A2; CA2759260A1; WO2010124075A3; WO2010124075A2; EP2422434A4; MX2011011131A

Abstract

An energy conversion device for converting one form of input energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy, into an output energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy using stationary and moveable magnetic components. One of the stationary or movable parts may be a winding and the other may be a piston comprised of a complex magnet having an axial magnetic component responsive to the oppositely disposed axial magnets, and a radial magnetic component responsive to the radial magnetic source to generally maintain the piston in a floating position within the elongated channel between two magnets disposed at opposite ends of the winding.

Description

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional application serial number

61/171,641 filed on April 22, 2009 bearing the title Kinetic Energy Conversion Device and all disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure is related generally to energy conversion devices capable of inputting electrical and/or mechanical energy and outputting electrical and/or mechanical energy. In particular, the energy conversion device is adapted for converting one form of input energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy, into an output energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy using a stationary and moveable magnetic component.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] At least two nested magnetic components, such as toroidal magnetic components are provided, one active component creating a magnetic field and one passive component, from which the energy of the field is converted to mechanical energy or visa versa through relative movement between the active and passive component. The passive component may be a magnetic piston and the active component may be a coiled electrical winding.

[0004] For conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, external forces, originating from source of kinetic energy such as walking, running, driving, typing, or the movement of air or water, or the expansion or contraction of a fluid, may cause a floating magnet to oscillate relative to a winding or coil. For example, mechanical energy from wind, hydro or other moving fluid or from mechanical activity may be used to cause relative movement between the piston and the winding and energy generated by the relative motion may be transferred from the winding to and stored as electrical energy by an electrical storage device such as a battery or a capacitor. For conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy, electrical energy from an external source causes the winding to create a magnetic field which causes the floating magnet to move. The mechanical energy is used directly or stored by a mechanical energy storage device such as a flywheel.

[0005] In one exemplary device, a winding or coil defines a longitudinal axis. Two fixed magnets, one disposed at each end of the longitudinal axis, act on a magnetic piston movably disposed relative to the winding and displaceable along the longitudinal axis. The relative motion between the piston and the winding may be horizontal or vertical or at any angle therebetween.

[0006] In another exemplary device, the energy conversion device has an elongated channel defined by a radial magnetic source, a winding disposed coaxial with the radial magnetic source, two oppositely disposed axial magnets in fixed locations at opposing ends of the elongated channel and a piston disposed therebetween. The radial axial magnets may be rare earth magnets such as neodymium magnets.

[0007] In another exemplary device, a passive toroidal component is significantly larger than an active toroidal component.

[0008] In still another exemplary device, the piston may be a complex magnet having an axial magnetic component responsive to the oppositely disposed axial magnets, and a radial magnetic component responsive to the radial magnetic source to generally maintain the piston in a floating position within an elongated channel defined by the winding or coil. The opposing magnetic fields of the oppositely disposed axial magnets confine the floating piston within the channel and increase the number and speed of the oscillations. A cylinder may be provided defining the channel and may be wrapped tightly with a toroidal copper winding defining the winding. As the piston passes through the winding, its movement creates a moving magnetic field that is converted into electrical current flowing through the winding.

[0009] Additional magnets may be configured around the cylinder allowing the piston to float freely, reducing friction between the piston and the walls of the cylinder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Some configurations of the energy conversion device will now be described, by way of example only and without disclaimer of other configurations, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure IA is a schematic representation of an energy conversion device;

[0012] Figure IB is a schematic representation of an alternative energy conversion device;

[0013] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a first example of an energy conversion device, with internal magnetic components shown in phantom line;

[0014] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the energy conversion device of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof;

[0015] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the energy conversion device of Figures 2 and 3 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3;

[0016] Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second example of an energy conversion device, with internal magnetic components shown in phantom line;

[0017] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the energy conversion device of Figure 5 taken along line 6-6 thereof; and

[0018] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the energy conversion device of Figures 5 and 6 taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6.

[0019] Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative complex piston for the energy conversion devices of Figures 1 through 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary energy conversion devices are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent alternative configurations of energy conversion devices, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to provide a better illustration and explanation of a configuration. The configurations set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to otherwise limit the device to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description.

[0021] Referring to Figure IA, schematically illustrating a generalized energy conversion device 10, the arrangement of the magnetic and electromagnetic components of energy conversion device 10 will be described. In particular, energy conversion device 10 includes a radial magnetic source 12 disposed coaxially with a winding such as a toroidal winding 14. In the exemplary structure illustrated, radial magnetic source 12 surrounds toroidal winding 14. Together, radial magnetic source 12 and a toroidal winding 14 define a longitudinal axis 16 as well as an elongated channel 18 for a piston 20 to reciprocate along longitudinal axis 16. Radial magnetic source 12 has an outer circumferential surface 22 having a first polarity and an inner circumferential surface 24 having an opposite polarity to outer circumferential surface 22. As described below, radial magnetic source 12 may, for example, be a single elongated toroidally shaped magnet or may be a plurality of bar-shaped magnets disposed radially about toroidal winding 14. In some applications, the energy conversion device may be used without a radial magnetic source 12.

[0022] Piston 20 comprises a disk-shaped axial magnet 28 having a first surface 30 of a first polarity and a second surface 32 of an opposite polarity to that first surface 30. Piston 20 further comprises a toroidally-shaped radial magnet 34 surrounding axial magnet 28 and having an outer circumferential surface 36 of a first polarity and an inner circumferential surface 38 of a second polarity opposite the polarity of surface 38. Inner circumferential surface 38 engages an outer circumferential surface 40 of axial magnet 28. Radial magnet 34 interacts with radial magnetic source 12 to maintain piston 20 axially centered in channel 18. This will occur whether the inner circumferential surface 24 of radial magnetic source 12 has the same polarity or the opposite polarity as the outer circumferential surface 36 of radial magnet 34, since the forces will be approximately equal in all directions, but piston 20 will be less likely to tilt relative to longitudinal axis 16 due to any imbalance of forces if these surfaces have opposite polarity.

[0023] It should be noted that all of the magnets used in the energy conversion device may be rare earth magnets, such as neodymium magnets, to provide the desired strength combined with a low weight. Alternative choices for the neodymium material are described later herein.

[0024] A disk-shaped axial magnet 44 is disposed at one longitudinal end of channel

18. Axial magnet 44 has a first surface 46 facing towards first surface 30 of axial magnet 28 of piston 20 and having the same polarity as first surface 30 so as to repel piston 20. Axial magnet 44 has a second surface 48 disposed opposite to first surface 46 and having the opposite polarity as first surface 46. A disk shaped axial magnet 50 is disposed at the other longitudinal end of channel 18. Axial magnet 50 has a surface 52 facing towards second surface 32 of axial magnet 28 of piston 20 and having the same polarity as second surface 32 so as to repel piston 20. Axial magnet 50 has a second surface 54 disposed opposite to first surface 52 and having the opposite polarity as first surface 52.

[0025] Therefore, as depicted in Figure IA, axial magnets 44 and 50 cooperate with axial magnet 28 of piston 20 and radial magnetic source 12 cooperates with radial magnet 34 of piston 20 to maintain piston 20 floating in a fixed position within channel 18 unless disturbed by an external force. Furthermore, if any event causes a repositioning of piston 20 relative to any of the magnet components 12, 44, or 50, the net magnetic forces upon piston 20, taking also into account the force of gravity on piston 20, will cause piston 20 to oscillate within channel 18 along longitudinal axis 16 until it is restored to a balanced stationary position. As piston 20 oscillates, toroidal winding 14 generates electrical energy from the moving magnetic field. Since piston 20 is free floating within channel 18, no energy is lost to friction between solid bearing surfaces.

[0026] Energy conversion device 10 further includes another toroidal winding 60 disposed adjacent axial magnet 50. Toroidal winding 60 may be selectively energized to temporarily upset the balance of forces acting on piston 20 so as to initiate or assist the oscillation of piston 20. It will be appreciated that oscillation of piston 20 may additionally or alternatively be initiated or assisted by mechanical action causing piston 20 to move relative to the other magnetic components 12, 44 and 50, or alternatively causing any of the magnetic components 12, 44 and 50 to move relative to piston 20. It will further be appreciated that relative motion between piston 20 and toroidal winding 14 will establish a current in toroidal winding 14 which may be used as a source of electrical power. [0027] Figure IB schematically illustrates an alternative generalized energy conversion device 10a in which the arrangement of the magnetic and electromagnetic components are similar to those described above except that piston 20a and axial magnets 44a and 50a are ring- shaped. In this arrangement, piston 20a is disposed outside of the radial magnetic source 12 and the toroidal winding 14 and axial magnet 50a is disposed outside of toroidal winding 60 . Piston 20a is composed of an inner ring-shaped radial magnet 34a and an outer ring-shaped axial magnet 28a. Axial magnets 44a and 50a interact with axial magnet 28a and radial magnetic source 12 interacts with radial magnet 34a according to the same principles as the similarly numbered components of the generalized energy conversion device 10 of Figure IA described above.

[0028] It should be noted that a plurality of toroidal windings are provided. One or more passive toroidal windings are provided to create an output current as a function of the motion of the piston. One or more active toroidal windings are provided to create a magnetic field opposing the magnetic field of the piston. The passive toroidal winding is significantly larger than the active toroidal winding. The energy created by the piston interacting with the passive toroidal winding may be transferred to and stored in an electrical device such as a battery or capacitor. The active toroidal winding may use the electrical energy previously created by the moving piston magnets interacting with the passive toroidal winding.

[0029] Referring now to Figures 2-4, a first exemplary energy conversion device 10' will be described.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, toroidal winding 14 is wound about and supported by a tube 64 formed of a suitable non-conductive material such as plastic. As shown only in Figure 4, toroidal winding 60 may also be wound about and supported by tube 64. An inner surface 66 of plastic tube 64 defines channel 18 for piston 20.

[0031] As best shown in Figure 4, energy conversion device 10' is provided with an outer housing 70 having a cylindrical wall 72 closed at one end by a flat wall 74 and attachable at another end with a cover 76 to form an enclosure for the magnetic components of energy conversion device 10'. Axial magnet 44 is affixed to cover 76. Axial magnet 50 is affixed to base 74 inside of outer housing 70. Piston 20 is shown spaced away from toroidal winding 14 so as to avoid loss of energy to friction between components. However, piston 20 may be proportioned with a sufficiently large diameter relative to the inner diameter of toroidal winding 14 to restrict airflow between the portions of channel 18 on either side of piston 20. To prevent air pressure buildup on ether side of piston 20 from inhibiting the motion of piston 20, housing 70 may be provided with openings, not shown, permitting airflow to on either end of channel 18.

[0032] Wires 78 (see Figures 2 and 4) for powering toroidal winding 60 extend through apertures 80 in cylindrical wall 72 to an external power source 82, as shown in Figure 4. Power source 82 may be selectively connected to toroidal winding 60 through a switch 84, which may be a manual switch or may be a switch activated automatically, such as by a microprocessor, when it is desired to introduce a temporary magnetic imbalance to piston 20 to initiate or assist in the oscillation of piston 20. Wires 86 (see Figures 2 and 4) connected to toroidal winding 14 similarly extend through apertures 88 in cylindrical wall 72 to an electrical load 90, as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, wires 86 may be replaced by a wireless power transmission system.

[0033] Energy conversion device 10' may be configured to provide either alternating current or direct current output. Electrical load 90 may be one or more electrical devices capable of consuming the power, one or more storage devices used to store power for later use, or a power distribution system. Exemplary storage devices for electrical load 90 include batteries, flywheels, capacitors, and other devices of capable of storing energy using electrical, chemical, thermal or mechanical storage systems. Exemplary electrical devices for electrical load 90 include electric motors, fuel cells, hydrolysis conversion devices, battery charging devices, lights, and heating elements. Exemplary power distribution systems electrical load 90 includes residential circuit breaker panel, or an electrical power grid. Electrical load 90 may also include intermediate electrical power conversion device capable of converting the power to a form useable by electrical load 90 such as an inverter.

[0034] While power source 82 and electrical load 90 are schematically illustrated as independent of energy conversion device 10', either or both may be integrated with energy conversion device 10' or connected with energy conversion device 10' in some manner. In particular, one or both may alternatively be affixed to outer housing 70 or cover 76 or mounted within a compartment formed on outer housing 70 or cover 76. Still another alternative would be for the power source 82 or electrical load 90 to incorporate cover 76. Furthermore, while power source 82 and electrical load 90 are schematically illustrated as being tangentially located relative to longitudinal axis 16, either or both may be advantageously located along longitudinal axis 16 for some implementations. Thus, for example, but not illustrated, cylindrical wall 72 of outer housing 70 may extend beyond wall 74 to provide a compartment for the storage of a power source 82 or electrical load 90, such as cylindrical batteries, a radio, or a light. Additionally or alternatively, cover 76 may be provided with a compartment or attachment feature for a power source or an electrical load.

[0035] Energy conversion device 10' may use six equally spaced bar magnets 12a through 12f disposed about the periphery of toroidal winding 14 as a radial magnetic source. An inner wall 92 of outer housing 70 holds the array of bar magnets in their desired spaced apart relationship.

[0036] Energy conversion device 10' may therefore be assembled, as shown in Figure

4, by inserting piston 20 into outer housing 70, sliding tube 64 carrying toroidal windings 14 and 60 and piston 20 into outer housing 70, and then attaching cover 76 to close outer housing 70.

[0037] Housing 70 may be provided with appropriate legs or mounting points, not shown, if desired, for selectively supporting energy conversion device 10' in a horizontal position, a vertical position, or both. If the intent is to operate energy conversion device 10' with longitudinal axis 16 vertically disposed, then it may be desirable to select an axial magnet 50 that is stronger than axial magnetic component of piston 20 and to select an axial magnet 44 that is weaker than axial magnetic component of the piston 20 to adjust for the gravitational force on piston 20.

[0038] Referring now to Figures 5-7, a second exemplary energy conversion device

10" will be described. Energy conversion device 10" is similar to energy conversion device 10' except as described below.

[0039] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, toroidal winding 14 is wound about and supported by a cylindrical wall 94 of an inner housing 96. Inner housing 96 is formed of a suitable non-conductive material. Inner housing 96 has a flat wall 98 (see Figures 5 and 6) closing one end of cylindrical wall 94 and an annular flange 100 extending from cylindrical wall 94. Cylindrical wall 94 of inner housing 96 defines channel 18 for piston 20. Axial magnet 44 is affixed to flat wall 98 within inner housing 96. [0040] An outer housing 70" having a cylindrical wall 72' {see Figure 7) joined to a flat base 74' provides a partial enclosure for the magnetic components of energy conversion device 10" in a manner similar to outer housing 70 {see Figures 2, and 4) of energy conversion device 10', except that instead of a cover 76, the open end of outer housing 70" {see Figures 5 and 7) is closed by annular flange 100 of inner housing 96.

[0041] Energy conversion device 10" further differs from energy conversion device

10' in that, instead of using six bar magnets, energy conversion device 10" uses an elongated toroidal magnet 104 fitted into outer housing 70" as a radial magnetic source. Energy conversion device 10" further differs from energy conversion device 10' by having a support 106 {see Figure 6) extending from the cylindrical wall 72" to selectively support energy conversion device 10" on a horizontal surface. It will be appreciated that, unlike energy conversion device 10' which is designed to advantageously use the force of gravity on piston 20, energy conversion device 10" may be positioned at any orientation from zero to ninety degrees relative to a horizontal plane and, if desired, support 106 may be omitted. As shown, toroidal winding 60 may be wound about axial magnet 50. Alternatively, not shown, toroidal winding 60 may be wound about cylindrical wall 94 of inner housing 96 or around a spool.

[0042] Energy conversion device 10" may therefore be assembled, as shown in Figure

7, by sliding toroidal magnet 104 and piston 20 into outer housing 70", inserting inner housing 96 into outer housing 70", and then attaching annular flange 100 to outer housing 70".

[0043] Energy conversion devices 10, 10a, 10' and 10" may be used as a generator, a motor, a pump, a compressor, an engine, or an electrical power transformer. When used as a transformer, electrical power may be input to toroidal winding 60 and electrical power may be output from toroidal winding 14. When used as a generator, mechanical power may be input by reciprocably moving the outer housing 70 or 70" along axis 16 and electrical power may be output from toroidal winding 14. The mechanical motion may be provided, for example, by any source that is capable of oscillating the housing along longitudinal axis 16, such as ocean waves, wind, reciprocating fuel burning engines or manual activity. Alternatively, mechanical motion may be imparted to the piston 20 or 20a. For example, the two ends of housing 70 or 70" may have openings, not shown, to allow the movement of air into the channel 18 on one side of the piston and out of the channel 18 on the other side of the piston such as to impart movement to the piston as a result of pressure differential across the piston. The output of the energy conversion device can be configured to be direct or alternating current.

[0044] When used as a motor, electrical power, for example from power lines, solar, wind, or stored energy, may be input to toroidal winding 60 or through toroidal winding 14 to cause vibration or reciprocal motion of piston 20 or 20a and a reactionary motion of outer housing 70 or 70". Mechanical power may be harnessed through a coupling to piston 20 or 20a or alternatively through using or harnessing the reciprocal motion or vibration of the outer housing 70 or 70", which may occur in reaction to the motion of piston 20 or 20a. When used as a pump or compressor, suitable valve passageways, not shown, may be provided to permit piston 20 or 20a to pump air or another fluid or to compress a fluid.

[0045] An energy conversion device may be configured as a single stage having a single set of axial magnet 50, a single set of toroidal windings 14 and 60, a single radial magnetic source 12, and a single piston 20 or 20a, as described above. Alternatively, a compound energy conversion device, not illustrated, may have multiple stages, each with at least its own piston, which may operate in series, in parallel, or independently. When constructed with multiple stages, the individual stages may share components, such as outer or inner housings. The multiple stages may be axially aligned with each other such as, for example, by having multiple stages similar to energy conversion device 10, 10a, 10' or 10" extending sequentially along longitudinal axis 16 or by having one or more ring-type energy conversion devices 10a disposed concentrically about a central energy conversion device 10, 10a, 10' or 10". Alternatively, multiple energy conversion devices may be connected electrically or mechanically in parallel or in series.

[0046] Refer now to Figure 8 illustrating an alternative complex magnet 120 formed of a plurality of magnetic segments 122a — 122f enclosed in a ring 124. Complex magnet 120 may be a radial neodymium ring magnet of the type sold by Engineered Concepts, 1836 Canyon Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216, owned by George Mizzell in Birmingham, Alabama, and offered for sale under the name SuperMagnetMan, for example, as parts number RR0060N, RR0090N , or, RROlOOS. Complex piston 120 may be used in any of the energy conversion devices 10, 10a, 10' or 10". [0047] Applicant's have determined experimentally that such magnets have the property of having an axial magnetic component such as to effective presenting a north pole on one face 126 and a south pole on an opposite face not shown while also having a radial component presenting a first pole, such as a north pole on first arcuate face 128, and an opposite pole, such as a south pole, on a second arcuate face surface 130.

[0048] In particular, complex magnet 120 may be manufactured using multiple magnet sections 122a-f which are created individually and then assembled into ring 124. Ring 124 may be comprised of aluminum and have an outer cylindrical wall 132 and at least one annular wall 134 for engaging the magnetic sections. Annular wall 134 may have a centrally located aperture 136 for use in mounting complex magnet to other components, such as a shaft, when required for some applications. When used with energy conversion device 10a, shown in Figure IB, aperture 136 will be large enough to clear coil or winding 14 as well as radial magnetic source 12, if a radial magnetic source is used.

[0049] For example, an acceptable complex piston has been manufactured using ten separate N42 diametric magnet segments. For some applications, a weaker complex piston may be suitable made from N40 or N32 segments, since it is easier to assemble using weaker magnet segments. It has been suggested experimentally that such variables as the gauss strength, strength and length of the piston 120 magnetic field, as well as the speed (oscillations) of the radial magnet be maximized. The addition of a second radial magnet also appears experimentally to be helpful. However, from experiments to date, it appears that the most important variables to maximize are the gauss strength and radial magnetic strength and therefore a piston made from N52 may be desirable.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the energy storage device described above may be acting in concert with and providing an input, either primary or secondary, to an individually circuited system such as a residential home fuse panel fed by a commercial power grid or to a hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, wave, or any other type of electrical power generation grid such as used for private and/or public power consumption. The device may be a singular entity or multiple entities combined as units in series, parallel or independently to provide increased output. The device may be capable of acting in concert with an electrical device capable of calculating and regulating the input energy to the active toroid 60 such that the piston motion is maintained. The device may, acting in concert with an electrical device capable of calculating and regulating the input energy to the active toroid (60), e.g., an electronic control module capable of being programmed, reading input signals and generating output signals based on the input signals such that the piston motion is decelerated, stopped and reversed with minimum input energy to the active toroid.

[0051] A control algorithm may be provided capable of deriving piston deceleration and acceleration and calculating the required toroidal energy needed to accelerate the piston to its required velocity and generating a current and voltage input signal for the active toroid. The algorithm would minimally require input signals consisting of piston travel at three different positions, e.g., using Hall affect sensors, each sensed position being past the piston mid-travel point along the longitudinal axis toward a horizontal magnet, calculating the time between the three pulses to derive velocity and deceleration for two time periods, calculating the deceleration rate as a function of piston position, calculating the point at which the piston will stop, determining the force necessary to accelerate the piston to the desired initial velocity, calculating the required toroid force required, generating a current command signal (for a fixed voltage) and measuring the acceleration as the piston travels in the opposite direction along its longitudinal axis and adjusting the toroidal power level to maintain the required piston target velocity by measuring the time required to travel between the three points.

[0052] The energy conversion device may be adapted to, in concert with control algorithms, to minimize the input energy into the active toroid. The control algorithm may maintain the following relationship: Fti_n> F_p -F_Mh where F_ti_n is the active toroid force in a direction opposite that of the piston force 20 proportional to input voltage and current, F_p is the piston force, and F_Mh is the force of the horizontal magnet opposing the piston force F_p such that a piston traveling along its longitudinal axis is decelerated as it approaches a horizontal magnet (such as magnet 50), stops instantaneously and then is accelerated by the active toroid 60, (see Figure IA) at a predetermined, empirically developed rate by the applied force F_t;_n, acting in concert with the repelling force of the horizontal magnet 50, towards the upper horizontal magnet 44.

[0053] Acting in concert with a stationary magnet or magnets 44 and 50 (as shown in

Figure 7) the longitudinal axis of this device, including these magnets, can be oriented from 0 - 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane, displaced a finite distance from the vertical mid- point whose primary force fields are oriented 90 degrees from the radial magnets, said magnets located such that their fields interact with the radial magnets along the vertical axis of the radial magnets as shown in the exemplary device of Figures 1 - 7. This magnet or magnets can be positioned either internal to the stationary radial magnets (as illustrated) or external to the stationary radial magnets, i.e, the magnet has a larger ID than the stationary radial magnet OD using a ring type magnet configuration.

[0054] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many configurations and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. For example, it will be appreciated that relative motion between the piston and the winding may be caused by any mechanical action such as wind, hydro (wave, current or vertical drop energy), or mechanical input from moving or bouncing objects. Alternatively, the energy conversion device may transmit power to a device or devices capable of utilizing the electrical output of the toroid without using intermediate storage. These devices include, but are not limited to, electric motors, fuel cells, hydrolysis conversion devices, battery charging devices, lights, and heating elements. Alternatively, the piston may be directly displaced by a fluid acting directly on a face of the piston, such as moving air or water, a combustible fuel expanding against one face of the piston, or a fluid expanding or contracting in response to a temperature change.

[0055] Still another variation is providing the energy conversion device within a portable electronic device to directly provide power to the device or to charge a battery within the device. Such energy conversion devices may generate power from intentional or incidental movement of the device by a person carrying the portable electronic device or a vehicle in which the portable electronic device is carried, such as by shaking the device along the longitudinal axis of the energy conversion device. For such applications, the energy conversion device may be proportioned as a standard cylindrical battery, such as standard A, B or C batteries, and may further be provided with output and input features comparable to such batteries so that they may be substituted for such batteries or placed in series with such batteries in the portable electronic device. Alternatively, the energy storage device may be proportioned to substitute for two or more such batteries. Alternatively, a combination system of a rechargeable battery and an energy conversion device may be incorporated into a self recharging battery pack for installation in a portable electronic device. The self recharging battery pack may be proportioned and fitted with appropriate electrical connectors to substitute for one or more conventional batteries. Such self recharging battery packs may be provided with an indicator to indicate when the battery is charged or a control system to allow power to be drawn from the battery only when the battery is charged above a predetermined threshold.

[0056] Features shown or described in association with one configuration may be added to or used alternatively in another configuration. The scope of the device should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future configurations. In sum, it should be understood that the device is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.

[0057] All terms are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as "a" and "the," should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An energy conversion device comprising:

a coiled electrical winding defining a longitudinal axis; and

a complex piston having an axial magnetic component and a radial magnetic component disposed along the longitudinal axis and adapted to be longitudinally displaceable therealong to move relative to the winding.

2. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of fixed axial magnets disposed at locations along the longitudinal axis proximate opposite ends of the winding.

3. The energy conversion device of claim 2, wherein the fixed axial magnets each present a repelling polar face to the axial magnetic component of the complex piston.

4. The energy conversion device of claim 1 , further comprising a radial magnet system disposed coaxially with the coiled electrical winding, said radial magnet interacting with the radial magnetic component of the complex piston to float the piston relative to the longitudinal axis.

5. The energy conversion device of claim 4, wherein the radial magnet system presents a repelling polar face to the radial magnetic component of the complex piston.

6. The energy conversion device of claim 4, wherein the radial magnet system comprises a plurality of bar magnets disposed radially about the longitudinal axis of the complex piston.

7. The energy conversion device of claim 4, wherein the radial magnet system comprises a toroidally shaped magnet disposed about the complex piston.

8. The energy conversion device of claim 8, wherein the complex piston comprises a toroidally shaped radial magnet and a disk shaped axial magnet disposed within the toroidally shaped radial magnet.

9. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the complex piston comprises a disk shaped piston disposed within the coiled electrical winding.

10. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the piston comprises a toroidally shaped magnet disposed about the complex piston.

11. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the complex piston comprises a cylindrically shaped piston disposed outside of the coiled electrical winding.

12. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the complex piston comprises a toroidally shaped radial magnet and an axial magnet disposed within the toroidally shaped radial magnet.

13. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the complex piston comprises multiple magnet segments creating both radial and axial magnetic fields constrained by an outer ring.

14. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion device further includes a device selected from a pump, a motor, a generator, a compressor and an engine.

15. The energy conversion device of claim 1 further having mechanical energy input device receiving energy from a a moving fluid.

16. The energy conversion device of claim 1 further having mechanical energy output device imparting mechanical energy to a fluid.

17. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device electrically coupled to the winding.

18. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device mechanically coupled to the piston.

19. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage device selected from a battery, a capacitor and a flywheel.

20. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is disposed vertically.

21. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the winding and the magnets, the housing having radial openings proportioned to allow a fluid to displace from the cylinder as the piston travels along the longitudinal axis.

22. The energy conversion device of claim 1, wherein the piston displacement is caused by at least one of fluid motion, fluid contraction and fluid expansion.

23. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising a controller having a control algorithm adapted to manage the operation of the energy conversion device.

24. The energy conversion device of claim 1 , wherein the magnets are rare earth magnets.

25. The energy conversion device of claim I₅ wherein at least one of the magnets is comprised of plurality of segments of neodymium magnets.

26. The energy conversion device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of compound pistons.

27. The energy conversion device of claim 1 wherein the piston is formed of at least one ofN32, N40 andN52.

28. An energy conversion device comprising:

a housing having a cylindrical chamber defining two ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween;

a coiled electrical winding disposed in the cylindrical chamber along the longitudinal axis;

a pair of axial magnets, one disposed at each end of the chamber;

a radial magnet system disposed in the chamber along the longitudinal axis; and

a complex piston disposed within the housing and adapted to be longitudinally displaceable along the longitudinal axis relative to the winding, the complex piston comprising an axial magnetic component repelled by the axial magnets and a radial magnetic component repelled by the radial magnet system.

29. The energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein piston displacement is caused by at least one of fluid motion against the piston, fluid contraction against the piston, fluid expansion against the piston, an electrical current through the winding, direct mechanical input to the housing and direct mechanical input to the piston.

30. The energy conversion device of claim 28, further comprising a controller having a control algorithm adapted to manage the operation of the energy conversion device.

31. The energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein the magnets are rare earth magnets.

32. The energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein the complex piston comprises a toroidally shaped radial magnet and a axial magnet disposed within the toroidally shaped radial magnet.

33. The energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein the complex piston comprises a plurality of magnet segments, each segment creating both radial and axial magnetic fields.

34. The energy conversion device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of magnet segments, are constrained in a toroidal configuration by an outer ring.

35. The energy conversion device of claim 28, further comprising an energy storage device selected from a battery, a capacitor and a flywheel.