GB2391919A

GB2391919A - A machine for conserving energy

Info

Publication number: GB2391919A
Application number: GB0316416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Androo Bennett-Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2003-07-14
Publication date: 2004-02-18
Also published as: GB0316416D0; GB0216134D0

Abstract

A machine 24 has a guide track 26 comprising a horizontal divergent rail section 28, and a vertically oriented return rail section 30. The return rail section 30 is shaped to control and return the hubs 10 to the start of the divergent rail section 28. A tri-hub rotor assembly 32 is mounted on the guide track 26 and has three hubs 34, 36, 38 connected to each other by equilateral linkage 40. The equilateral linkage 40 is connected to each of the hubs 34, 36, 38 by a bearing arrangement (not shown). The bearing arrangement may be a magnetic bearing in the form of concentric ring magnets. Periodically, energy is input in order to maintain rotation of each hub 34, 36, 38 about the guide track 26 and an initiation energy input is provided in order to precipitate rotation of the hubs 34, 36, 38 along the guide track 26. Normally, the hubs 34, 36, 38 are associated with means for generating electrical current as a result of such rotation.

Description

2391 919

li 1 Machine The present invention relates to machines, particularly but not exclusively to machines which conserve energy when required Any machine inevitably suffers from energy losses due to friction.

5 Flywheels have previously been used to store energy by means of their inherent inertia. However, a significant amount of this energy is dissipated by friction heat losses in the bearings. This is undesirable in terms of energy wastage and the consequent associated cost.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine 10 comprising a rotor and a track having a rail section, the rotor comprising one or more hub element configurable upon the track to consecutively fall along said rail section, whereby the hub element as it falls along said rail section motivates the or each other hub element towards the rail section to conserve present energy and limit further energy input to maintain motion of the rotor.

15 Typically, the rail section is divergent.

Preferably, the track is a closed loop. Possibly, the track is formed about a pivoted beam.

Preferably, the rotor has two or more hubs connected together by a linkage. Preferably the rotor has several hubs. The linkage connecting the 20 several hubs may be equilateral. The linkage may be connected to each hub by a bearing arrangement. Preferably the rotor has a geared drive system for driving the hubs.

Preferably each hub has two points of support on the track. Preferably each hub is provided with a flywheel.

e I Preferably energy is provided periodically under normal operating conditions and may be provided once for every rotation of the rotor. A start up energy input may be provided continuously until the rotor is rotating at a desired speed. Preferably the energy input is provided via control means.

5 The control means may be a computer. Feedback may be provided from the rotor to the control means and may relate to the rotational speed of the rotor.

The energy input may be provided from a solar panel. Preferably the energy input is provided by a drive electromagnet on one of the hub or the casing creating a magnetic field which repels one or more drive magnets on the

10 other of the hub or casing in a direction of rotation of the hub. Alternatively the energy input may be provided by a first drive electromagnet on the hub; and a second drive electromagnet on the casing. I Preferably at least one electromagnet is provided on the rotor, the or each electromagnet passing through a magnetic field when the rotor is

15 rotating to induce an electrical output current in the or each electromagnet. I Alternatively at least one permanent magnet may be provided on the rotor to induce an electrical output current in an electromagnet when the rotor is rotating. Preferably the or each electromagnet is located on a respective hub, and/or on the flywheel. Alternatively the or each electromagnet may be; 20 located between two hubs on the linkage. Preferably the output current is induced when the or each electromagnet falls along the divergent rail section, and may be induced throughout the rotational cycle of the rotor. I Possibly, there is a magnetic interaction between the rotor and track to ensure association therebetween. Typically, the track is formed from a 25 ferromagnetic material such as steel.

A plurality of rotors may be mounted on a shaft, the hubs of each rotor rotating around a respective track.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

l Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an energy transfer system; Fig 2a shows a top schematic view of the energy transfer system of Fig. 1; Fig. 2b shows a side schematic view of the energy transfer system of 5 Fig. 1; Figs. 3a-c shows side views of hubs suitable for use in the energy transfer system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of a machine according to the present invention incorporating an energy transfer system according to Figs. 1 10 and 2; Fig. shows a schematic side view of the machine of Fig. 4 illustrating the position of a rotor assembly at various points throughout its rotational cycle; Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of a rotor assembly according to a 15 second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 shows a side view of a hub assembly for use in a machine according to the present invention; Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view through the hub assembly of Fig. 7 when mounted in casing; 20 Fig. 9 shows an end view of the hub assembly of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 shows a bearing connection for mounting a hub assembly to a casing;

Fig. 11 shows a side view of part of a rotor assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 shows a side view of part of a rotor assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 5 Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view along lines A-A of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 shows a partial side view and partial cross-section of a hub assembly of the rotor assembly according to Fig. 12; Fig. 15 shows a side view of a single hub assembly of Fig. 23; Fig. 16 shows an end view and partial cross-section of the hub 10 assembly of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 shows a side view of and partial cross-section of the hub assembly of the rotor assembly according to Fig. 12; Fig. 18 shows an end view and partial cross-section of part of a machine having the rotor assembly of Fig. 12; 15 Fig. 19 shows a side view of part of the machine of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 shows a perspective partial cross-sectional view through a machine according to Fig. 18, having modified hubs; Fig. 21 shows a schematic illustration of the energy transfer relating to one hub of a machine according to Figs. 12 to 20; 20 Fig. 22 shows a cross-sectional view through a machine having a rotor assembly with a central hub; and

Fig. 23 shows a schematic cross-section of a pivoted beam machine in accordance with the present invention employing a single rotor assembly.

Figs. 1 and 2 show an energy transfer system or divergent rail section comprising a spherical hub 10 resting on first narrow spaced ends 12 of two 5 divergent guide rails 14 having horizontal top surfaces 16 and second wider spaced ends 18. Through their respective contact areas with each other, the divergent guide rails 14 and inclined curved contact surfaces of the hub 10 effectively present an inclined ramp, with high central contact at the narrow ends 12 of the rails 14 and low side contact with the wider spaced ends 18 of 10 the rails 14. Thus, the hub 10 has potential energy at the narrow end 12 of the rails 14. If the hub 10 is released or initiation energy provided it will move and roll along the guide rails 14 dropping down between the divergent rails 14 as it moves. The centre of gravity of the sphere thus becomes lower as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2b where the dotted line represents the line 15 described by the centre of gravity of the hub 10. The hub 10 thus loses potential energy and gains kinetic energy and, at least initially, accelerates along the rails 14. In effect, the rails 14 on either side of the hub 10 engage a spiral contact path as the hub 10 rolls down between the divergent rails 14.

In a practical arrangement a number of hubs 10 and at least one 20 divergent rail section are provided. Each hub 10 sequentially falls along the rail section to drive the other hubs 10 back towards the rail section, normally on a closed track including the divergent rail section. The track might have a parallel section to lead the hubs 10 from the wider spaced end 18 back to a higher position on the narrow spaced end 12, or the track may have several 25 diverging sections one after the other. Thus, the energy of motion of at least one hub 10 is conserved by movement of at least one other hub 10 to a position of greater potential energy in relation to the track and in particular the divergent rails 14.

The hub 10 need not be spherical, but could have any geometric 30 features which enable a conversion of potential to kinetic energy to be

-'is obtained when it is rolled between two divergent rails 14. Figs. 3ac show some examples of suitable hub shapes. Fig. 3a shows a hub 10a having a cylindrical middle portion 20 and two hemispherical side portions 22 for contact with rails 14. Similarly Fig. 3b shows a hub 10b having a cylindrical 5 middle portion 20b and two conical side portions 22b. Fig. 3c shows a hub 10c having a cylindrical middle portion 20c and two funnel shaped side portions 22c.

The conversion from potential to kinetic energy is even possible when the rails 14 themselves are inclined from the first ends 12 up to the second 10 ends 18 provided the centre of gravity of the hub 10 is still able to fall due to a drop in the contact areas between the hub 10 and divergent rails 14.

The contact between the hub 10 and the rails 14 is a two point contact which minimises friction. The potential energy of one hub 10 free on the rails 14 may be sufficient to overcome this friction. However, normally several 15 hubs 10 will be linked together and these hubs 10 will transfer energy between each other. With several hubs 10 it will be understood that each hub 10 will be at a different position. Thus, through the linkage between them, some hubs 10 will act as a drag for a hub 10 about to fall along the divergent rail section. If a hub 10 is given sufficient momentum, friction and drag will be 20 broken and the hub 10 will skid along the guide rails 14, thus reducing the overall friction losses even further.

The rails provide in association with respective hubs an approximation of a down slope for the hub 10. However, it will be appreciated that through use of a pivoted beam such a down slope may be achieved through alternate 25 rocking of the beam about a central pivot point. In such circumstances, rails arranged in a track around the beam may not be divergent and simply associated with the hub such that the hub rotates across the rails in rotation about the track as the beam is alternatively rocked about the central pivot.

Such an arrangement is an effective beam engine, whereby initial energy 30 input as a result of beam rocking initiates rotation of the hub or hubs about

l the track and this rotation of the hubs about the track is perpetuated by lever moment action of the hubs upon the track relative to the beam pivot. Clearly, periodically further energy input may be required to continue hub rotation about the track but nevertheless there will be general energy conservation.

5 Similarly, rocking of the beam about the pivot may drive movement along parallel tracks between sections of divergent rails.

In order to retain hub rotation on the track generally there will be a magnetic interaction between that hub and the track. For such purposes' the track will generally be made from a ferromagnetic materials such as steel and 10 as indicated later, the hub normally incorporates permanent or electromagnets for such magnetic interaction with the track in order to maintain association between them.

Fig. 4 shows a machine 24 having a guide track 26 comprising a horizontal divergent rail section 28 as described above, and a vertically 15 oriented return rail section 30. The return rail section 30 is shaped to control and return the hubs 10 to the start of the divergent rail section. A tri-hub rotor assembly 32 is mounted on the guide track 26 and has three hubs 34, 36 and 38 connected to each other by equilateral linkage 40. The equilateral linkage 40 is connected to each of the hubs 34, 36, 38 by a bearing arrangement (not 20 shown). The bearing arrangement may be a magnetic bearing in the form of concentric ring magnets.

In use, when the tri-hub rotor assembly 32 is set in motion starting from the position shown in Fig. 4, the hub 34 rolls along the diverging rail section 28 thus gaining kinetic energy. At the same time hub 36 loses potential 25 energy and gains kinetic energy as it descends the return rail section 30. The momentum gained by hubs 34 and 36 is transferred via the equilateral linkage to hub 38 to enable it to return along the return rail section 30 to the start of the divergent rail section 26. The beam is rocked back and the process is then repeated with hub 38 rolling along the divergent rail section 26. The line

To a described by the centre of gravity of each hub 34, 36, 38 is indicated at 42 in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 illustrates the positions of the hubs 34, 36, 38 at various points in the rotational cycle of the rotor assembly 32.

5 Although the friction between the rotating hubs 34, 36, 38 and the guide track 18 is very low, periodic energy input will be required to keep the rotor assembly 32 rotating around the track 18. The amount of energy input will be dependent on the frictional losses, any work taken from the machine and the speed at which it is desired to rotate the hubs 34, 36, 38 or rotor 10 assembly 32. As discussed previously, in order to initially set the hubs 34, 36, 38 or rotor assembly 32 in motion at a desired speed on the guide track 18, an activation energy input will be required. Such energy input, whether activation or for sustaining motion, could be provided from any source such as a solar panel or compressed air. The energy input may be controlled by 15 means such as a computer program to activate electromagnets in an activation sequence at specific times. The activation sequence for the electromagnets would be triggered by an interaction between the equilateral linkage and a central hub. Where the guide track is on a pivoted beam, the periodic energy input may be provided by tilting of the beam to maintain a 20 "driving slope" for the hub down the track. Furthermore, the additional driving energy may be provided by varying the magnetic interaction between the track and hub.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a rotor assembly 44 having hubs 46, 48 and 50, joined by equilateral linkage 52. Each of the hubs 46, 48, 50 25 is provided with a flywheel 54, 56, 58 to provide inertia which adds to the potential to accumulate energy in the machine and smooth rotary motion.

Fig. 7 shows a hub assembly 60 which may be used as a rotor or joined by linkage to further hubs to form a rotor assembly to be used in a machine according to the present invention. The hub assembly 60 comprises

- a hub 62 having a flywheel 64. The flywheel 64 has magnets 66 spaced at intervals as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 9. These magnets 66 are arranged such that their polarity does not face radially outwardly of the hub 62, but at an angle of around 30 to a radius of the hub 62. At each end of the hub 62 there is fixedly mounted an armature 68 in the form of an electromagnetic coil. The hub assembly 60 is further provided with an axle 69 having bearings 70 for electrical connection with a casing.

Fig. 8 shows the hub assembly 60 mounted in a casing 72. A guide track 73 is provided in the casing 72 to guide the hub 62 as illustrated in Fig. 104. An electromagnet 76 is located in the casing 72 diametrically opposite the rails 74 for interaction with the magnets 66 on the flywheel 64. Permanent magnets 78, 80 are located in the casing for interaction with the armature 68 and run the full length of the diverging rail section 28 of the track 26.

Contacts 82 are provided for electrical connection with bearings 70.

15In use, in order to keep the hub assembly 60 rotating, electrical energy is provided to the electromagnets 76 to create a polarity gradient. This causes a repulsion between the electromagnet 76 and the magnet 66 which, as a result of the orientation of the magnet 66, has a tangential component relative to the flywheel 64 giving the flywheel momentum in a specific 20 rotational direction. This energy boost" can be given at the required frequency for maintaining rotation of the hub assembly 60 at a desired speed.

At start up a greater energy input will be required to overcome the inertia of the hub assembly 60 and to accelerate it up to its desired operating speed.

If output is required from the machine then electromagnets 68 are 25 connected to an output load. The rotation of the hub assembly 60 and thus the armatures 68 within the field of magnets 78, 80 will induce an output

current from the armatures 68. This will cause the hub assembly 60 to slow down if the output required and frictional heat losses are greater than the input, but the hub assembly 60 may keep rotating for a considerable period of

) time. The rotating tri-hub assembly 60 thus effectively acts as an energy store, with energy being progressively released as energy to sustain rotation.

It will be appreciated that previously flywheels have stored energy due to their inertia and hence momentum. This energy has mostly been 5 dissipated by frictional heat losses. The present invention, although having some inherent inertia, stores energy by successive movement of the hubs along the preferably divergent rails between relative levels of potential energy.

Each successive fall of a hub liberates kinetic energy to continue rotation and to motivate other hubs to a higher potential energy position on the preferably 10 divergent rail section, potential energy which can then be liberated to continue -

movement. Clearly, the machine cannot be completely frictionless but nevertheless the value of energy lost or wasted is significantly reduced by the dynamic or transient energy storage provided by each hub's potential.

Fig. 10 shows details of an axle arrangement usable in Fig. 8 for 15 carrying electrical current to and from the rotating hub assemblies 60. The axle 84 is hollow and provided with a conductive inner surface 86 and a conductive outer surface 88. A ball bearing 90 may be located between the end of the axle 84 and a conductive groove 92 in the wall of the casing to provide low friction electrical contact with the inner surface 86. Energy input 20 is provided (as shown by arrows) through the inner surface 86 to the electromagnetic coil of the associated hub and flows out over the outer surface of the axle 88.

Fig. 11 shows a rotor assembly 100, having two hub assemblies 102 (only partially shown for clarity) joined by linkage 104. Each hub assembly 25 102 is provided with a gear wheel 106, the two gear wheels 106 being connected by a drive chain 108. The drive chain 108 has the effect of transferring rotary motion and flywheel inertia (flywheel not shown) between the hub assemblies 102. Use of the drive chain 108 improves the transfer of energy between the hub assemblies 102, although the friction of the rotor

) assembly 100 when rotating on a guide track (not shown) will inevitably be increased. Fig. 12 shows a rotor assembly 100' generally identical to that of Fig. 11 except that it has three hub assemblies 102. The same reference 5 numerals have been used where appropriate. A drive chain 108' is connected to three drive wheels 106 to transfer energy between the three hub assemblies 1 02.

Figs. 13 to 17 show the rotor assembly 100' in more detail. Fig. 13 shows bearings 110 located between the gear wheels 106 and the linkage 10 104', to allow the hub assemblies 102 to rotate freely with respect to the linkage 104'.

Figs. 14 to 17 show the hub assembly 102 having a hub 112 and a flywheel 1 14. Magnets 116 are spaced around the periphery of the flywheel 114. At each end of the hub 112 there is fixedly mounted an armature 118 15 (only one shown). An electromagnet 120 is located on each side of the flywheel 116 and comprises multiple windings around the outer rim of the flywheel 116. As the rotor assembly 100' rotates, the armature 118 and electromagnet 120 pass through a magnetic field created in a casing (not

shown) and an electromotive force is created. At the outer end of each 20 armature 1 t 8 is a commutator 122 and an electrical contact 124. At the inner end of each armature is a guide 126 for cooperation with a track in a casing as will be described below.

Figs. 18 and 19 show the hub assembly 102 located on a downwardly sloping divergent rail section 128 of a guide track in a casing 130.

25 Electromagnets 132 are located along the length of the divergent rail section 128 to provide "booster' energy to the hub assembly 102. Fig. 19 illustrates one of the hubs 1 12 on a rail 134 of the divergent rail section 128.

l l \. Fig. 20 shows a slightly modified rotor assembly 100" mounted in a casing 140. The rotor assembly 100" is basically identical to rotor assembly 100' except for the shape of the hubs 112" and the lack of gear wheels and drive chain, and corresponding reference numerals have thus been used.

5 The casing 140 comprises a central chamber 142 having divergent rails 134.

The rotor assembly 100" is generally located in this chamber 142, apart from the armatures 118 which are located in channels 144 extending from the chamber 1 42.

The rotor assembly 100 is guided in its rotation by means of grooves 10 126 running along corresponding tracks 146 on the casing 140. Further grooves 148 are provided for electrical contact with electrical contacts 124 on the hub assemblies 102". Lightly sprung carbon bars (not shown) are provided along the divergent rail sections to contact the top and bottom surfaces of the commutator 122 and may be situated at the outer ends of the 15 commutators. Commutator contact may be continuous. Magnets 150, 152 and 154, which may be electromagnets are located around the periphery of the casing for cooperation with magnets 116, electromagnets 120 and armatures 1 18 respectively. Alternatively magnets 150, 152 and 154 may be located along the divergent rail section only.

20 Fig. 21 shows a schematic layout of a machine according to Figs. 12 to 20 showing the flow of electrical current through the machine. Energy generated in a photovoltaic panel 172 is stored in batteries 173. A computerized switching mechanism 174 is provided to control energy input to the rotor assembly 100'. The switching mechanism t74 provides either start 25 up energy or "boosts energy to the rotor assembly as described previously.

Energy generated by the armatures 154 and windings 120 is stored in battery 166 and can be drawn off by an external load.

Fig. 22 shows a tri-hub rotor assembly 160 having a central hub 162 which can be used to transfer electrical energy to and from flywheels 164.

30 Batteries 166 are provided in the casing 168 for storing energy from an

energy input source as described earlier, and for powering the electromagnets 170 to provide the rotor assembly 1 60 with an energy "boost".

The casing 168 may be hermetically sealed in a vacuum to increase flywheel inertia. 5 As indicated above, a machine may be provided in accordance with the present invention of a so called pivoted beam type. Fig. 23 is a schematic side cross section of such a pivoted beam machine. Thus, a beam 201 is provided with a pivot 202 located centrally upon that beam 201. Thus, the beam 201 can tilt and rotate in the direction of arrowheads 203 about the 10 pivot 202. The beam 201 takes the form of a box within which a track 204 is located upon which a hub 205 is allowed to rotate. As indicated previously, there is a general magnetic interaction between the hub 205 and the track 204 to ensure association throughout a complete cycle of rotation about the track 204.

15 In operation, the beam 201 will initially be tilted by an initiation force such that the track 204 creates a slope upon which the hub 205 is caused to descend with rotation of the hub 205 through that descent. The track 204 is configured either with a divergent relationship or with rails of the track 204 in a substantially parallel relationship with the potential energy released through 20 downward rotation of the hub 205 along the track irrespective of its configuration. It will be understood that periodically energy as a driving force will be applied to the beam 201 in order to maintain rotation of the hub 205 despite friction losses etc. Nevertheless, the continuous rotation of the hub 205 along the rails of track 204 ensures that more efficient use of input 25 energy in terms of electrical energy generated by rotation of the hub 205. In short, rocking of the beam 201 in association with the configuration of the track 204 acts to maintain rotation of the hub 205 for electrical energy generation or powered rotation of the hub 205.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope 30 of the present invention. For example, any suitable arrangement may be

I provided to supply the energy "boost" to the rotor assembly. Likewise any i other suitable arrangement may be provided for inducing output current from the rotating rotor assembly. Feedback on the operational conditions of the rotor may be provided to control the energy "boost".

5 The configuration of the guide track is not limiting, provided there is a divergent guide section and the hubs can return to the higher potential end of the guide section, normally through a return guide section, to enable the rotor assembly to rotate. Any number of hubs may be provided on the rotor and any number of rotor assemblies may be mounted in respective guide tracks 10 within the machine. When a plurality of rotor assemblies are used they may be mounted at spaced intervals on a single shaft for synchronized rotation.

The hubs of each of the rotor assemblies may be arranged to be out of phase with the hubs of each of the other rotor assemblies. This means that the time at which the output current of each rotor assembly is induced is staggers 15 relative to that of the other rotor assemblies. If the output currents are then combined, the result will be a relatively smooth output current. Alternatively output may be taken directly from the shaft.

The materials used for the guide track and the hub assemblies will affect the frictional losses in the system and will be selected accordingly. The 20 precision with which the guide track and the hub assemblies are manufactured will also affect the frictional losses. The greater the number of hub assemblies, the greater the number of contact points and the greater the frictional losses will be.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to

25 those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to andlor shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

J Claims

1. A machine comprising a rotor and a track having a rail section, the rotor comprising one or more hub elements configurable upon the track to consecutively fall along said rail section, whereby the hub element as it falls 5 along said rail section motivates the or each other hub element towards the rail section to conserve present energy and limit further energy input to maintain motion of the rotor.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail section is divergent.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the track is a 10 closed loop.

4. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the track is formed about a pivoted beam.

5. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rotor has two or more hubs connected together by a linkage.

15

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rotor has three hubs.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the linkage connecting the three hubs may be equilateral.

8. A machine as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the linkage is connected to each hub by a bearing arrangement.

20

9. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rotor has a geared drive system for driving the hubs.

10. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each hub has two points of support on the track.

11. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each hub is provided with a flywheel.

12. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein energy is provided periodically under normal operating conditions and may be provided 5 once for every rotation of the rotor.

13. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a start up energy input may be provided continuously until the rotor is rotating at a desired speed.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the energy input is provided 10 via control means.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control means is a computer.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein feedback may be provided from the rotor to the control means and may relate to the 15 rotational speed of the rotor.

17. A machine as claimed in claim 12 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the energy input is provided from a solar panel.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 12 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the energy input is provided by a drive electromagnet on one of the 20 hub or the casing creating a magnetic field which repels one or more drive

magnets on the other of the hub or casing in a direction of rotation of the hub.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 12 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the energy input is provided by a first drive electromagnet on the hub and a second drive electromagnet on the casing.

20. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one electromagnet is provided on the rotor, the or each electromagnet passing through a magnetic field when the rotor is rotating to induce an electrical

output current in the or each electromagnet.

5

21. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least one permanent magnet is provided on the rotor to induce an electrical output current in an electromagnet when the rotor is rotating.

22. A machine as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the or each electromagnet is located on a respective hub, and/or on the flywheel.

10

23. A machine as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the or each electromagnet may be located between two hubs on the linkage.

24. An electrical machine as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the output current is induced when the or each electromagnet falls along the rail section, and may be induced throughout the rotational cycle of the rotor.

15

25. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of rotors may be mounted on a shaft, the hubs of each rotor rotating around a respective track.

26. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a magnetic interaction between the rotor and track to ensure association there 20 between.

27. A machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein the track is formed from a ferromagnetic material such as steel.

28. A machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings.

l

29. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.