IE86243B1 - Dynamic magnetic movement generator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for efficiently generating relative movement, and hence electricity, by utilising the inherent stored magnetic energy in a plurality of magnets, arranged in a fixed base and moveable structure, whose interacting magnetic flux fields and force fields are controlled and varied by means of precise predetermined characteristics of movement, in order to activate the magnetic forces and effect relative movement between, for example, rotor and stator, in a rotary motor. The characteristic movements of activation may include adjusting the physical positioning or proximity or separation between magnets in order to vary the interacting forces, or to effect a suitable separation between magnets for efficient reversal of magnetic polarity to occur through physical rotation, both translation and rotation being accomplished by mechanically advantageous means. Electromagnets may be included to form a generator, or a generator may be included to form a motor-generator set, to generate electricity.

Description

Field of the Invention The invention refers to a system of dynamic magnetic movement generation and its methods of activation, consisting of a predominance of permanent magnets which, when activated appropriately, produce relative movement between activation magnets and movement magnets.

Background of the invention Electric motors have changed very little over the past 50 years, increasing in efficiency from conventional single armature types to more recent double armature types proposed by John Patrick Ettridge, Cedric Lynch and Helmut Schiller which propose to increase power output and torque. In an attempt to improve the efficiency of the electric motor, a new type of motor (system of movement generation) is described herein in which permanent magnets predominate. This invention describes a system of magneto-mechanical-based (dynamic magnetic) movement generated by activation elements (mechanisms) such as permanent magnets and also describes methods of activation by polarity reversal (of said activation elements/magnets). An activation method with mechanical or electrical advantage may improve overall efficiency and it is therefore an objective of the invention to describe such a system of dynamic magnetic movement generation and its methods of activation.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a system of dynamic magnetic movement generation, with accompanying activation methods, the system comprising the following steps: 1. Provision of magnetic elements arranged in close proximity, for example, movement elements as rotor and activation elements as stator in an electro-magnetic motor (or as gears?, or linear). -22. Magnetic element polarity reversal mechanisms (methods), i.e. activation, by physical and/or electronic methods. 3. Efficient activation (using) methods with mechanical advantage to overcome the innate magnetic forces. 4. Sequential operation of appropriate elements and control and timing of activation by mechanical, electronic or other methods.

The following is a description of how activation and movement elements are configured in close proximity.

This invention consists of a juxtaposition of a plurality of identical (similar) or non-identical (dissimilar) round, curved or polygonal-shaped movement elements each separated by a specific gap and arranged in a linear or curved path, adjacent to which, in a localised or general way, along one side or both sides of the path, there is a juxtaposition of a plurality of identical (similar) or non-identical (dissimilar) round, curved or polygonal-shaped activation elements each separated by a specific gap. Activation of appropriate adjacent and/or nonadjacent activation elements on one or both activation element paths in a sequential manner will cause the movement elements to move in a selected direction. Methods of activation may include, but are not limited to, mechanical, electromechanical, micro-electromechanical, electromagnetic, magneto-electronic, electronic, piezoelectric, hydraulic, pneumatic, internal combustion-driven piston, or other. Movement elements may be constant or dynamic (with regard to reversal of magnetic polarity) polarity permanent magnets, high temperature superconducting electromagnets, or other. Activation elements may be constant or dynamic polarity permanent magnets, either physically static or reversible to enable magnetoelectronic or physical reversal, respectively, of magnetic polarity, or high-temperature superconducting electromagnets, or other. Dynamic refers to polarity reversal, either through physical movement, or perhaps electronically, to change current direction, or to reverse quantum electron spin, or other. Activation and/or movement elements may be single or dual layer, for example, back-to-back halbach array rectangular elements of variable magnetic flux direction for confinement and strengthening of flux density. Each activation element may have its own individual raising and lowering mechanism so that it can be operated in the appropriate sequence, and at the appropriate time and at the appropriate rate to produce controlled timing between activation of appropriate elements. The rate of rotation of activation elements may also be controlled. The force producing movement may be controlled by varying the separation between activation elements and movement elements. Elements may be coated to prevent sticking or to prevent damage in the event of -3accidental contact. The device may be of any scale, from micro-miniature to many kilometres, for example. A conventional generator may be placed in parallel with the invention to efficiently generate power. Activation elements may include electromagnets in parallel and/or as generative elements to generate electricity.

Round magnets may have diametrally magnetised poles, or quarter cylinders poles, or similar. These activation elements may thus have multiple magnetic poles around their circumference. The magnetic manufacturing process may be tailored to produce magnetic domains and flux lines which are parallel (not radial) and perpendicular to the dividing line between poles.

For square or rectangular or other polygonal-shaped permanent magnets, the poles are arranged along the thickness of the magnet in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, the manufacturing process may be tailored to produce flux lines which are oriented as required, that is, not necessarily at right angles to the magnet surface but for instance, at an angle in the activation elements toward the preferred direction of movement, and rearward directed in the movement element, producing a shear force between magnets in close proximity. During the manufacturing process, magnetic domains and direction of flux lines may be controlled and varied at angles other than straight north to south, and this variation may be along the movement direction of the magnet and/or along the lengthwise direction of the magnet.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more easily understood from the following description of some instances thereof given by way of example only in reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate in a step-like fashion a sample movement generation sequence, which may in reality be in discrete steps or as a more continuous movement than their static nature depicts.

Fig. 1: Position 1:- At rest, before movement.

Fig. 2: Intermediate position as activation and movement occurs.

Fig. 3: Position 2:- At rest after movement. -4Figs. 4 & 5 illustrates two sample activation methods, i.e. polarity reversal mechanisms, for round and rectangular magnets Figs. 6 to 12 Illustrates various sample activation methods, i.e. polarity reversal 5 mechanisms.

Description of the Instances Referring to Fig 1, movement element 7 is attracted to activation elements 1,2,4, and 5 (i.e. the upper part of movement element 7 is attracted to the lower parts of activation elements 1 and 2, and the lower part of movement element 7 is attracted to the upper parts of activation elements 4 and 5, and is stationary, for the purposes of this illustration.

In this instance, when appropriate activation elements 1, 3, 4 and 6 undergo reversal of polarity, i.e. are activated, movement element 7 is repelled by activation elements 1 and 4 and attracted to activation elements 3 and 6, as illustrated in Fig 2. The parts of movement element 7 which are in close proximity to activations elements 1 and 4 are repelled from said activation elements and as movement element 7 moves away from these activation elements , it moves towards activation elements 3 and 6 and the parts of movement element 7 which move in closer proximity to activation elements 3 and 6 are attracted to said activation elements.

In drawing 3, movement element 7 is attracted to activation elements 2, 3, 5 and 6, and is stationary, for the purposes of this illustration.

As a tangible instance of an activation method, round activation elements may be rotated insitu by electronic motors, and rectangular activation elements may be mechanically activated (reversed physically and in polarity) by raising the activation element using a screw drive to a sufficient distance away from the movement element so that it can be rotated through 180 degrees and then lowered to its original height above the movement element by reversing the motorised screw drive. Square activation elements are raised similarly a small distance before rotating and than lowering, also by means of a motorised screw drive and a motor to rotate the activation element around its lengthwise axis. De-activation of the activation elements square or rectangular or other polygonal shape may be accomplished by raising them away from the surface of the movement element for instance by means of a mechanical screw drive, powered by an electric motor. -5Detaii of an Instance: motor and piston driven square/rectangular activation element:- quote Fig. Label numbers.

For the instance of a square or rectangular or other polygonal activation element, an 5 electromagnetic motor rotates the activation element when mounted on the shaft at the end (or ends) of the magnet, and another similar electromagnetic motor, perhaps with smaller diameter concentric piston ring (crankshaft), raises and lowers the activation element since sq crankshaft on this motor is connected by a connecting rod to the central shaft of the motor which rotates the magnet, and said shaft moves along a slot or groove in a direction joining the centres of both motors. The smaller diameter crankshaft, compared to the motor diameter, imparts a mechanical advantage to the activation method. The motors may be geared to provide a torque and speed improvement, for instance using a planetary gear drive (e.g. 10 to 1 advantage). The activation element drive motor may be conventional motor, or of the type described herein, or magneto-electronically controlled or other.

A control mechanism for appropriate timing and sequencing of activation is required for operation and speed control.

An alternative raising and lower method is by a motor-operated mechanical screw drive, which essentially consists of a low friction nut and bolt arrangement on either side of the magnetic element, with a motor on the head of the bolt (screw), and the nut being attached to the shaft of the magnetic element, and with the head of the bolt free to rotate but otherwise fixed in place in relation to the magnetic element, the screw rotates and the attached magnetic element is raised and lowered. The relatively large perimeter of the motor when compared to the distance the bolt moves perpendicular to it during one revolution imparts a mechanical advantage to the movement.

For rotating activation elements the direction of rotation is anticlockwise on the left hand side of the movement element, and clockwise on the right hand side of the movement element,. for the selected direction of movement to be to the right, and the direction of rotation is clockwise on the left hand side of the movement element, and anticlockwise on the right hand side of the movement element, for the selected direction of movement to be to the left.

Detail of an Instance: Magneto-Electronic Activation (pole reversal):35 The activation elements and/or movement elements may be magneto-electronic devices and may be magneto-electronically controlled, i.e. their magnetic polarity may be reversed in-situ by electronic switching circuitry, similar to a sequence of electronically switchable magnetic -6bits, which provides the activation method for an electromagnetic motor. The switching may be in such small discrete steps as to appear to be a continuous wave-like reversal of polarity along the direction of movement. [?A wave may build up and increase in length and power along the direction of movement to propel a conventional permanent magnet in the selected direction. Then as a second magnet approaches, the flux wave reverses in polarity, and the sequence begins anew except with reversed polarity.] Activation elements may be activated in-situ magneto-electronicaily in a discrete or distributed manner in the selected direction of movement. For instance, columnar magnetic elements running the height of the activation {or movement) element which may be electronically switched between their two states by means of a grid of interconnecting wires or other. Elements may be Teflon coated for reduced friction in contact, and to provide a fixed distance between activation elements and movement elements. Other low friction coatings are also possible.

Detail of an Instance:- An activation element may be raised and lowered by an hydraulic method whereby the shaft of the element is securely attached to a plunger in an hydraulic piston at either ends of the magnetic element. This would require hydraulic fluid and a source of fluid pressure to move the plunger, for instance, using compressed air, and valves to control fluid flow, and electronic timing and control circuitry.

Detail of an Instance: Piezoelectric An activation element may be rotated and/or raised and lowered by means of a piezoelectric motor, with appropriate signal conditioning circuitry to facilitate operation.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an instance in which two activation elements are positioned on either side of the movement element and along the direction in which the movement element moves. Activation elements and movement elements may be in single or parallel rows along their lengthwise axis. This instance of the system of movement may easily be extended to allow three, four or more activation elements along one or both sides of the movement element. Appropriate activation elements are then the two (or one) elements along both (or one) sides of the movement element near the end of the movement element aft to the direction of movement and just above and below the movement element near its aft end.

The invention is not limited to the instances described, but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the claims. -7The following are some of the advantages of the invention: 1. The innate magnetic characteristics of permanent magnets are utilised to provide the force that produces movement for an efficient movement generator. 2. The use of electromagnets is minimised due to the predominance of permanent magnets, thus reducing power input and increasing efficiency when compared to a conventional motor. 3. Advantageously, polarity reversal of permanent magnets may be achieved either by physically flipping or rotating them, or electronically switching them. 4. Efficient activation mechanisms with mechanical advantage reduce work required to reverse magnetic polarity and thus produce movement.

. Specific instances of efficient “lever” activation mechanisms include, but are not limited to, (a) motorised screw drive, (b) motorised crankshaft and piston, (c) compressed air and hydraulics, (d) piezoelectric motor, (e) other. 6. Magneto-electronic switching of magnetic polarity allows static, in-situ, polarity reversal, as well as continuous wave-like polarity reversal.

The invention is not limited to the instances described, but may be varied in construction and 20 detail within the scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

1. A drive system for generating relative movement between magnetic 5 elements, the system comprising, a plurality of driving magnetic elements, which are permanent magnets and are located on a stationary base, 10 a sliding magnetic element which is a permanent magnet and is free to traverse back and forth along a predefined path with respect to the stationary base, whereby relative movement is generated between the driving magnetic 15 elements and the sliding magnetic element by magnetic forces between the magnetic elements which either attract or repel the sliding magnetic element towards or away from a portion of the plurality of driving magnetic elements respectively, 20 characterised in that, the system further comprises an activating m&ans to intermittently vary a physical characteristic of the driving magnetic elements such as to intermittently alter the magnetic forces between the driving magnetic 25 elements and the sliding magnetic element so as to cause the sliding magnetic element to be attracted or repelled towards or away from a portion of the plurality of driving magnetic elements and consequently slide back or forth along the predefined path on the stationary base, 30 wherein, the activating means is driven by an external power source and uses mechanically advantageous means to vary of the physical characteristic of the driving magnetic elements. -92. A drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the mechanically advantageous means comprises a lever.

2. 3. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, the 5 mechanically advantageous means comprises a screw.

3. 4. A drive system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the mechanically advantageous means comprises an inclined plane. 10 5. A drive system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the mechanically advantageous means comprises a crankshaft and piston. 6. A drive system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the mechanically advantageous means comprises hydraulic or pneumatic means. 7. A drive system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the mechanically advantageous means comprises an electric motor or other mechanism. 8. A drive system as claimed in claim any preceding claim, wherein, the 20 activating means retracts the driving magnetic elements away from a starting location adjacent the sliding magnetic element, rotates the driving magnetic elements causing a reversal of the polarities of the driving magnetic elements relative to polarity of the sliding magnetic element, and returns the driving magnetic elements to their starting locations. 9. A drive system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the activating means rotates the driving magnetic elements in situ, thus causing a reversal of the polarities of the driving magnetic elements relative to polarity of the sliding magnetic element. 10. A drive system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the activating means retracts a portion of the driving magnetic elements away from a starting location adjacent the sliding magnetic element which lessens the effect of magnetic attraction between the driving magnetic elements and the -10sliding magnetic element causing cause the sliding magnetic element to be attracted or repelled towards or away from that portion of the plurality of driving magnetic elements.

4. 5 11. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claim s, wherein the plurality of driving magnetic elements are arranged adjacent the predefined path of travel. 12. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the predefined

5. 10 path of travel is linear.

6. 13. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the predefined path of travel is arcuate.

7. 15 14. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the physical characteristic of the driving magnetic elements is the location of the driving magnetic elements. 15. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the physical 20 characteristic of the driving magnetic elements is the orientation of the driving magnetic elements.

8. 16. A drive system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the physical characteristic of the driving magnetic elements is the orientation and 25 location of the driving magnetic elements.