JP2024066261A - Ortho-radial induction generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a novel ortho-radial induction generator.SOLUTION: A power generator (10) comprises: a rotor (50); at least one magnetic bridge element (51) that is arranged so as to rotate around a rotational shaft (X) of the rotor (50) in accordance with the rotation of the rotor (50); at least one inductance unit for guiding an activation power in accordance with a relative movement of the magnetic bridge element (51) against an inductance unit (61) within an influence range of the magnetic bridge element (51) to be moved; and at least one flow path unit (40) that is for conveying a fluid flow to the rotor (50) in order to operate the rotor (50).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1a

Description

The present invention relates to a generator for generating electrical energy.

A generator or motor-generator is an electrical machine that converts mechanical kinetic or motion energy in an ortho-radial manner into electrical current.

The generator comprises a rotor, a number of magnetic elements or magnets, and a number of inductance coils. The magnetic elements and inductance coils may be arranged in the generator in a variety of ways, but the basic principle of operation of the generator is that at least one magnetic element and at least one of the inductance coils are rotated relative to one another, thereby inducing an electromotive force, i.e., a voltage, in the at least one inductance coil in response to the at least one inductance coil rotating in the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic element upon rotation of the rotor. The induced voltage in the at least one inductance coil generates a current in response to connecting the at least one inductance coil to a closed electrical circuit.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel orthoradial induction generator.

The invention has the features of the independent claims.

The present invention is based on the idea of using a fluid flow to directly operate the rotor of a generator, and the rotor is arranged to rotate relative to the flow passage unit in a floating bearing manner.

The advantage of the present invention is that the very low coefficient of friction of the solution results in a high coefficient of efficiency for the generator, as the kinetic energy of the fluid flow is directly converted into rotational motion of the generator rotor with minimal energy loss.

Some embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a generator. FIG. 1b is a schematic top view of the generator of FIG. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the generator of FIGS. 1A and 1B taken along line AA of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the generator of FIGS. 1a and 1b taken along line BB of FIG. 1a. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a rotor and an inductance unit. FIG. 2b is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the rotor according to FIG. 2a; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an example of a combination of a magnetic bridge element and an inductance unit comprising an induction coil and a magnetic element. FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of a flow passage unit of the power generation unit. FIG. 3b is a schematic side view of the flow path unit of FIG. 3a; FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the flow path unit of FIGS. 3a and 3b taken along line CC in FIG. 3a. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the flow path unit of FIGS. 3a to 3c as viewed obliquely from above.

For clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form. Like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures.

1 is a schematic side view of the generator 10, FIG. 1b is a schematic top view of the generator 10 of FIG. 1a, FIG. 1c is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the generator 10 of FIGS. 1a and 1b along line A-A of FIG. 1b, and FIG. 1d is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the generator 10 of FIGS. 1a and 1b along line B-B of FIG. 1a. Although FIGS. 1a to 1d disclose only one possible embodiment of the generator 10, other embodiments of the generator 10 according to the disclosed solution are also possible. It is hereby notified that the terms "above" the generator 10 or any part thereof, "below" the generator 10 or any part thereof, and "beside" the generator 10 or any part thereof are intended to indicate only the position or attitude of the generator 10 or any part thereof in the attached drawings. The position of the generator 10 in actual use can be freely selected.

The generator 10 has an axial direction X and a first end 10a and a second end 10b in the axial direction X. The axial direction X also indicates the central axis of the generator 10. The radial direction R of the generator 10 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X. The generator 10 comprises a frame 20 and a power generation unit 30 supported by the frame 20. The power generation unit 30 is intended to convert the kinetic energy of at least one fluid flow (fluid flow) supplied to the generator 10 into electrical energy.

The frame 20 has an axial direction that is substantially aligned with the axial direction X of the generator 10. The axial direction of the frame 20 and the central axis of the frame 20 may therefore also be indicated by the reference X. The frame 20 comprises a first end plate 21 at a first end 10a of the generator 10 and a second end plate 22 at a second end 10b of the generator 10. The second end plate 22 is therefore spaced apart from the first end plate 21 in the axial direction X of the generator 10. The first end plate 21 provides the first end 20a of the frame 20, and in the illustrated embodiment of the generator 10, provides the first end 10a of the generator 10. The second end plate 22 provides the second end 20b of the frame 20, and in the illustrated embodiment of the generator 10, provides the second end 10b of the generator 10.

The frame 20 may further include a plurality of support rods 23, four in total in the illustrated embodiment, extending substantially parallel to the axial direction X between the first end plate 21 and the second end plate 22. The support rods 23 fix the first end plate 21 and the second end plate to each other such that the first end plate 21, the second end plate 22 and the support rods 23 provide a space 24 for accommodating the power generating unit 30.

The power generating unit 30 has an axial direction that is substantially aligned with the axial direction X of the generator 10. Therefore, the axial direction of the power generating unit 30 and the central axis of the power generating unit 30 may also be indicated by the reference symbol X. In the axial direction X, the power generating unit 30 has a first end 30a that faces the first end 10a of the generator 10 and a second end 30b that faces the second end 10b of the generator 10. The radial direction R of the power generating unit 30 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X.

The generating unit 30 comprises a stationary flow channel unit 40, a rotatable rotor 50 having a plurality of magnetic bridge elements 51, and at least one, i.e. one or more, stationary inductance units 61. The flow channel unit 40 and the rotor 50 are arranged substantially consecutive to one another in the axial direction X of the generating unit 30, and in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 50 is arranged at least partially around the flow channel unit 40. However, other embodiments are possible in which the rotor 50 is not arranged at least partially around the flow channel unit 40. The flow channel unit 40 is arranged to convey at least one fluid flow to the rotor 50 in order to operate, i.e. rotate, the rotor 50. In response to the rotation of the rotor 50, the at least one magnetic bridge element 51 arranged on the rotor 50 also rotates along at least one respective orbital path around the central axis X of the generating unit 30. Rotation of the at least one magnetic bridge element 51 with the rotating rotor 50 is arranged to provide a rotating magnetic field to the at least one stationary inductance unit 61, so that an electromotive force, i.e. a voltage, is induced in the inductance unit 61. The magnetic bridge element 51 is a magnetic element that includes or is made of a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic material or other material or composite having magnetic properties. Preferably, the magnetic bridge element 51 is a piece of iron or another ferromagnetic material or a composite that includes a ferromagnetic material.

2c shows an example of an inductance unit 61. Two inductance coils 61a are connected to each other by a magnetic element 61b and are arranged within the range of influence G2 of the magnetic bridge element 51. The magnetic element 61b is a magnetic element that includes or is made of a magnetic material. The magnetic material is, for example, a ferromagnetic material or other material or composite material having magnetic properties. Preferably, the magnetic element 61b is a piece of iron or another ferromagnetic material or a composite material including a ferromagnetic material. Thus, the magnetic bridge element 51 is mounted on the rotating (moving) structure of the generating unit 30, and the inductance unit 61 is mounted on the stationary part of the generating unit 30. The magnetic bridge element 51 and the inductance unit 61 need to be arranged within the range of influence G2 from each other, so that the magnetic bridge element 51 rotating with the rotating structure, i.e. the rotor 50, can induce an electromotive force in the inductance unit 61 in response to the relative movement of the magnetic bridge element 51 with respect to the inductance unit 61. In FIG. 2a, some alternative arrangements of the magnetic bridge elements are shown with reference numeral 51'. The important feature here is that these magnetic bridge elements 51 are in the rotating part of the generator and in the vicinity G2 of the inductance unit 61.

In the embodiment of Figures 2a and 2c, the inductance unit 61 is spaced from and substantially next to the rotor 50, whereas in the embodiment of Figures 1a to 1d, the inductance unit 61 is shown herein spaced from the second end 50b of the rotor 50 in the axial direction of the generator 10.

The generating unit 30 is fixed to the first end plate 21 of the frame 20 of the generator 10 by fastening bolts 25 (e.g., FIG. 1c) inserted into the fastening openings 41 of the flow passage unit 40 (e.g., FIG. 1c and FIG. 3c). Other fastening means may also be provided. Thus, the flow passage unit 40 is fixed to the frame 20 of the generator 10 so that the flow passage unit 40 is stationary. Also, the inductance unit 61 is attached to the frame 20 so that the inductance unit 61 is stationary. The rotor 50 is arranged to operate in response to the fluid flow flowing through the rotor 50, and is therefore the only rotating part in the generating unit 30. Thus, the generating unit 30 is composed of three main parts, namely, the flow passage unit 40, the rotor 50 on which at least one magnetic bridge element 51 is arranged, and the stationary frame 20 on which the inductance unit 61 is fixed. Two of these parts, namely, the flow passage unit 40 and the frame 20 with the inductance unit 61, are stationary. Only one part, namely, the rotor 50, is the rotating part. Next, we will disclose in more detail the structure of the flow path unit 40, the rotor 50, and the frame 20 to which the inductance unit 61 is fixed, as well as the operation of the power generation unit 30.

3a is a schematic bottom view of the flow passage unit 40 of the power generation unit 30 of FIGS. 1a to 1d, FIG. 3b is a schematic side view of the flow passage unit 40 of FIG. 3a, FIG. 3c is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the flow passage unit 40 of FIGS. 3a and 3b along line C-C of FIG. 3a, and FIG. 3d is a schematic view of the flow passage unit 40 of FIGS. 3a to 3c viewed obliquely from above. The flow passage unit 40 has an axial direction that substantially coincides with the axial direction X of the generator 10 and the power generation unit 30. Therefore, the axial direction of the flow passage unit 40 and the central axis of the flow passage unit 40 may also be indicated by the reference symbol X. The radial direction R of the flow passage unit 40 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X.

The flow passage unit 40 has a first end 40a in its axial direction X, which is intended to face the first end 10a of the generator 10 or the first end plate 21 of the frame 20 of the generator 10, and the first end 40a of the flow passage unit 40 provides the first end 30a of the power generation unit 30. Furthermore, the flow passage unit 40 has a second end 40b in its axial direction X, which is intended to face the second end 30a of the power generation unit 30 or the rotor 50.

At the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40, there is a chamber 42 having the shape of a truncated cone extending towards the first end 40a of the flow passage unit 40. The first end 42a of the chamber 42 has a smaller diameter and is directed towards the first end 40a of the flow passage unit 40. The second end 42b of the chamber 42 has a larger diameter and is directed towards the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40 or towards the rotor 50. The first end 42a of the chamber 42 is a substantially planar circular plate, the centre of which substantially coincides with the central axis X of the flow passage unit 40. The second end 42b of the chamber 42 is a substantially open circle directed towards the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40, i.e. towards the rotor 50. The centre of the second end 42b of the chamber 42 substantially coincides with the central axis X of the flow passage unit 40.

The flow passage unit 40 comprises a flow passage system. The flow passage system is intended to direct at least one fluid stream received by the flow passage unit 40 towards the rotor 50 to operate the rotor 50. The flow passage system of the flow passage unit 40 of Fig. 3a-3d comprises at least one first inlet flow passage 43 and at least one second inlet flow passage 45 substantially at the first end 40a of the flow passage unit 40. The second inlet flow passage 45 is further away from the center of the flow passage unit 40 than the at least one first inlet flow passage 43 in the radial direction R of the flow passage unit 40. The at least one first inlet flow passage 43 and the at least one second inlet flow passage 45 are intended to receive at least one fluid stream into the flow passage unit 40 for operating the rotor 50. In the illustrated embodiment, one first inlet flow passage 43 and six second inlet flow passages 45 arranged to surround the first inlet flow passage 43 are provided.

The flow path system of the flow path unit 40 comprises a set of first sub-flow paths 44 (e.g., Figs. 3a, 3c, 3d) extending from the first inlet flow path 43 to the chamber 42. Each first sub-flow path 44 has an inlet opening 44a at the first inlet flow path 43 and an outlet opening 44b at the first end 42a of the chamber 42. The outlet openings 44b extend through a plate providing the first end 42a of the chamber 42. The number of first sub-flow paths 44 in the illustrated embodiment is seven, but this number may vary from one to more depending, for example, on the size or nominal power of the power generating unit 30. The fluid flow provided through the first sub-flow paths 44 is intended to provide a small gap G1 or clearance (Fig. 1c) between the flow path unit 40 and the rotor 50, as will be explained in more detail later, so that the rotor 50 can float in the fluid flow and rotate substantially freely, i.e. with little or no friction or with a very low overall efficiency of friction, relative to the flow path unit 40.

The flow passage system of the flow passage unit 40 further comprises a set of second sub-flow passages 46 (e.g., Figs. 1d, 3b, 3c, 3d). The second sub-flow passages 46 extend from the second inlet flow passage 45 to the outer periphery of the flow passage unit 40 substantially at the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40. Each second sub-flow passage 46 has an inlet opening 46a in the second inlet flow passage 45 and an outlet opening 46b. The outlet opening 46b is located in the axial direction X of the flow passage unit 40 at a position of the flow passage unit 40 surrounded by the rotor 50, substantially at the outer periphery of the flow passage unit 40 at the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the second sub-flow passages 46 are arranged to extend at least partially in the radial direction R as shown, whereby the outlet opening 46b of the second sub-flow passage 46 is located in the axial direction X of the flow passage unit 40 substantially at the position of the rotor 50, on the outer periphery of the flow passage unit 40.

The number of second sub-flow passages 46 in the illustrated embodiment is six, corresponding to the number of second inlet flow passages 45, but this number may vary from one to more, depending on, for example, the size or nominal power of the power generating unit 30. The fluid flow provided through the second sub-flow passages 46 is intended to rotate the rotor 50 about its axis of rotation, i.e. the central axis X of the rotor 50.

Figures 3a-3d and the above description disclose only one possible embodiment of the flow path unit 40, but other embodiments of the flow path unit 40 are also possible.

Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of the rotor 50. Figure 2b shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the rotor of Figure 2a along line D-D of Figure 2a. In Figure 2b, the magnetic bridge element 51 shown in Figure 2a has been omitted. The rotor 50 has an axial direction that substantially coincides with the axial direction X of the generator 10 and the power generating unit 30. Therefore, the axial direction of the rotor 50 and also the central axis of the rotor 50, which provides an imaginary axis of rotation of the rotor 50, may be indicated with the reference character X. The radial direction R of the rotor 50 is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X.

The rotor 50 has a first end plate 52 forming a first end 50a of the rotor 50 in the axial direction X of the rotor 50, and the first end 50a of the rotor 50 faces the first end 30a of the power generation unit 30 and the first end 40a of the flow path unit 40. Furthermore, the rotor 50 has a second end plate 53 forming a second end 50b of the rotor 50 in the axial direction X of the rotor 50, and the second end plate 53 faces the second end 30b of the power generation unit 30.

The first end plate 52 of the rotor 50 has an opening 54 in the central region of the first end plate 52. The second end plate 53 of the rotor 50 has an extension 55 in the central region of the second end plate 53. The extension 55 is inside the rotor 50 and has the shape of a truncated cone extending from the second end plate 53, i.e. from the second end 50b of the rotor 50, towards the opening 54 of the first end plate 52, i.e. towards the first end 50a of the rotor 50. The extension 55 has a first end 55a with a smaller diameter and directed towards the flow path unit 40, and a second end 55b with a larger diameter and directed away from the flow path unit 40, i.e. towards the second end of the rotor 50 or the inductance unit 61.

The first end 55a of the extension 55 is a substantially planar circular solid plate, the center of which substantially coincides with the central axis X of the rotor 50. The second end 55b of the extension 55 is a substantially closed portion of the second end plate 53 of the rotor 50, the center of which substantially coincides with the central axis X of the rotor 50.

The shape and dimensions of the extension 55 in the rotor 50 are arranged to provide a counterpart to the chamber 42 in the flow path unit 40, whereby the chamber 42 in the flow path unit 40 can at least partially receive or accommodate the extension 55 in the rotor 50. The first end 55a of the extension 55 in the rotor 50 provides a surface facing the first end 42a of the chamber 42 in the flow path unit 40. An open space 56 is provided around the extension 55 in the rotor 50. The open space 56 is intended to receive or accommodate the upper part of the outer periphery of the flow path unit 40 when the power generation unit 30 is assembled.

The rotor 50 further comprises a number of blades 57 (e.g., FIG. 1d) that provide a blade ring 58. The blade ring 58 is thus provided by a number of blades 57 that follow each other at a distance in the circumferential direction of the rotor 50. The blade ring 58 has an inner periphery 58a that is substantially defined by the outer periphery of the open space 56 that surrounds the extension 55, and an outer periphery 58b that is substantially defined by the outer periphery of the rotor 50. The blades 57 are arranged to extend in a curved manner from the inner periphery 58a of the blade ring 58 to the outer periphery 58b of the blade ring 58 in the radial direction of the rotor 50, i.e. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction X of the rotor 50.

The blades 57 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the blade ring 58 define a plurality of rotor flow passages 59 therebetween. The rotor flow passages 59 extend in a curved manner from the direction of the inner circumference 58a of the blade ring 58 toward the outer circumference 58b of the blade ring 58. Each flow passage 59 has an inlet opening 59a located substantially at the inner circumference 58a of the blade ring 58 and an outlet opening 59b located substantially at the outer circumference 58b of the blade ring 58. The number of rotor flow passages 59 is eight in the illustrated embodiment, but may vary depending on, for example, the size and nominal power of the power generating unit 30, or the type and viscosity of the fluid.

The inductance unit 61 is within the range of influence of the magnetic bridge element 51 which rotates with the rotor 50, but is positioned and fixed in the generator unit 30 at a small distance from the magnetic bridge element 51 in the rotor 50 so that the magnetic bridge element 51 can rotate freely relative to the stationary inductance unit 61. In other words, there is a small gap G2 or clearance between the inductance unit 61 and the magnetic bridge element 51. As the magnetic bridge element 51 rotates relative to the inductance unit 61, an electromotive force, i.e., a voltage, is induced in the inductance unit 61.

When the power output is connected to provide a closed electrical circuit (not shown for clarity), the voltage induced in the inductance unit 61 causes a current to be output from the generator 10. The number of inductance units 61 in this embodiment may vary from one to more, depending on, for example, the size and nominal power of the generator unit 30.

The figures and above description disclose only two possible embodiments for constructing and mounting the inductance unit 61, but other embodiments are possible.

The illustrated generator 10 and power generation unit 30 can be assembled in the position shown in the figure as follows. The rotor 50 is installed on top of the flow passage unit 40 so that the chamber 42 in the flow passage unit 40 receives the extension 55 in the rotor 50, and the first end 42a of the chamber 42 in the flow passage unit 40 and the first end 55a of the extension 55 in the rotor 50 substantially face each other (opposite). Thus, the rotor 50 is at least partially disposed around the second end 40b of the flow passage unit 40 in the axial direction X of the power generation unit 30 so that the inlet opening 59a of the rotor flow passage 59 coincides with the outlet opening 46b of the second sub-flow passage 46 in the flow passage unit 40. The flow passage unit 40 together with the rotor 50 is then fixed to the first end plate 21 of the frame 20 of the generator 10, for example, by fastening bolts 25, and the support rod 23 is also fixed to the first end plate 21 of the frame 20. As a next step in the assembly, the inductance unit 61 may be fixed to the second end plate 22 of the frame 20 of the generator 10, and then the second end plate 22 of the frame 20 and the inductance unit 61 may be fixed to the support rods 23 so as to leave a small gap G2 (FIG. 1c) between the magnetic bridge element 51 of the rotor 50 and the inductance unit 61 in the axial direction X of the generator unit 30. However, other assembly sequences are also possible.

The operation of the illustrated generator 10 is as follows.

1c, the fluid flow is conveyed to the flow passage unit 40 at the first end 40a of the flow passage unit 40 through the opening 28 in the first end plate 21 of the frame 20, which is shown in dashed lines. In the flow passage unit 40, a part of the fluid flow F flows into the first sub-flow passage 44 through the inlet opening 44a of the first sub-flow passage 44, and then through the first sub-flow passage 44 and into the chamber 42 through the outlet opening 44b of the first sub-flow passage 44. As shown in FIG. 1c, the part of the fluid flow that flows into the chamber 42 through the first sub-flow passage 44 is arranged in the chamber 42 to provide a pressure effect between the first end 42a of the chamber 42 in the flow passage unit 40 and the first end 55a of the extension 55 in the rotor 50. This pressure effect causes the rotor 50 to move a small or slight distance away from the flow passage unit 40 in the axial direction X, creating a small gap G1 between the flow passage unit 40 and the rotor 50. The location of the gap G1 is shown diagrammatically by the arrow G1 in FIG. 1c. In this way, due to the pressure effect, the rotor 50 remains at a slight distance from the flow passage unit 40 in the axial direction X of the power generation unit 30, i.e., it is in a floating state.

In the flow passage unit 40, a part of the fluid flow F flows into the second sub-flow passage 46 through the inlet opening 46a, passes through the second sub-flow passage 46 and the outlet opening 46b of the second sub-flow passage 46, and further flows tangentially into the rotor flow passage 59 of the rotor 50 through the inlet opening 59a of the rotor flow passage 59, as shown diagrammatically by the arrows indicated by reference character F46 in FIG. 1c. Furthermore, the fluid flow F46 flows out of the rotor 50 through the rotor flow passage 59 and the outlet opening 59b of the rotor flow passage 59, substantially in the radial direction R of the rotor. The interaction of the pressure of the fluid flow F46 with the blades 57 of the rotor 50 thereby causes the rotor 50 to rotate. By selecting the position of the outlet opening 46b of the second sub-channel 46 on the outer circumferential surface of the flow path unit 40, the number of second sub-channels 46 in the flow path unit 40, and the number of rotor channels 59, even if the number of second sub-channels 46 and the number of rotor channels 59 in the flow path unit 40 in the power generation unit 30 are offset from each other, at least some of the second sub-channels 46 in the flow path unit 40 are always in flow contact with at least some of the rotor channels 59 in the rotor 50 during operation of the power generation unit 30, and the rotor 50 can be rotated constantly (steadily).

In the power generating unit 30 disclosed above, the same fluid flow is used to provide a pressure effect between the flow path unit 40 and the rotor 50 to hold the rotor 50 at a small distance (a small distance) from the flow path unit 40 in the axial direction X of the power generating unit 30, i.e. to float the rotor 50 from the flow path unit 40, and to rotate the rotor 50. The pressure effect between the flow path unit 40 and the rotor 50 (holding or floating the rotor 50 at a small distance from the flow path unit 40 in the axial direction X of the power generating unit 30, pressure effect) reduces the friction between the flow path unit 40 and the rotor 50, allowing the rotor 50 to rotate around the flow path unit 40 substantially or almost without friction, i.e. with a very low total friction coefficient. This solution thus realizes a so-called floating bearing solution in the generator 10, which increases the efficiency coefficient with respect to the conventional bearing solutions utilized in prior art generators, but is simple in operation and construction.

As the rotor 50 rotates, the magnetic bridge element 51 rotates in response to the rotation of the rotor 50. This causes the magnetic bridge element 51 to rotate relative to the inductance unit 61, inducing an electromotive force, i.e. a voltage, in the inductance unit 61. When the power output of the inductance unit 61 is connected to provide a closed electrical circuit (not shown for clarity), the voltage induced in the inductance unit 61 results in a current output from the generator 10.

According to an embodiment, the inductance unit 61 may comprise a servo motor arrangement with at least one servo motor, which controls the size of the gap G2 between the magnetic bridge element 51 and the inductance unit 61 based on the electromagnetic forces acting between the magnetic bridge element 51 and the inductance unit 61 during operation of the generating unit 30, and thereby also indirectly controls the size of the gap G1 between the flow control unit 40 and the rotor 50. Additionally or alternatively, the size of the gap G1 between the flow control unit 40 and the rotor 50 may be controlled by the fluid velocity and/or pressure intended to float the rotor 50. For example, FIG. 1a discloses diagrammatically control means 26, 27 intended to control the flow rate and/or pressure of the fluid flow that floats and rotates the rotor. The control of the size of the gap G2 between the magnetic bridge element 51 and the inductance unit 61, and thereby indirectly the size of the gap G1 between the flow control unit 40 and the rotor 50, or vice versa, as well as other possible controls applied to the generator, may be performed by computer-aided means.

The fluid flow F may be, for example, an air flow, a steam flow, an exhaust gas flow, or a liquid flow having sufficient pressure, and may be, but is not limited to, a pressurized fluid of at least one of an air flow, a steam flow, an exhaust gas flow, and a liquid flow. Thus, the fluid flow F may be a mixture of at least one of an air flow, a steam flow, an exhaust gas flow, and a liquid flow. The fluid flow F may occur in a gas phase, a supercritical phase, or a heterogeneous fluid phase. If the fluid flow F is an air flow, the air flow may be a wind-driven air flow, whereby the generator 10 may be utilized, for example, as a wind power generator. The air flow may also be, for example, a pressurized air flow in an industrial compressed air system. If the fluid flow F is a steam flow, the steam flow may originate from an engine or a system that generates the steam flow. If the fluid flow F is an exhaust gas flow, the exhaust gas flow may originate from an engine or a system that generates the exhaust gas. If the fluid flow F does not have a sufficiently high pressure to properly operate the power generation unit 30, a pressure increasing structure, for example with multiple adjustable jet nozzles, may be disposed at the inlet of the flow path unit 40 to increase the pressure of the fluid flow F. A typical pressure of the fluid flow F supplied to the power generation unit 10 may be, for example, 8 to 15 bar, but is not limited thereto.

The nominal power of the disclosed generator 10 may vary, for example, between 1 kW and 1 MW, but is not limited thereto. A typical rotational speed of the rotor 50 may vary, for example, between 3,000 and 50,000 rpm, but is not limited thereto.

In the embodiments disclosed above, the same fluid flow in the same fluid phase is used to levitate the rotor and rotate the rotor. However, the fluid flow that levitates the rotor and the fluid flow that rotates the rotor may be different fluid flows of the same fluid phase, different fluid flows of different fluid phases, or the same fluid flow of different fluid phases. Furthermore, while in the embodiments disclosed above, the supply directions of the fluid flow that levitates the rotor and the fluid flow that rotates the rotor are the same, the supply directions of the fluid flow that levitates the rotor and the fluid flow that rotates the rotor may also be different.

Furthermore, while in the embodiments disclosed above the rotor does not have a specific rotor axis, the rotor may have an axis, which may be hollow to provide at least one flow path and/or contribute to rotor centralization in the power generation unit.

Furthermore, in the embodiments disclosed above, the generator comprises only one rotor and only one flow path unit. However, the number of rotors and flow path units in the generator may vary. Furthermore, for example, the size of the rotors in a generator comprising at least two rotors may vary, for example, to provide an optimized size in view of the rated power of the generator. Thus, the generator may comprise a rotor system having at least two rotors.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this novel solution may also be used in reverse mode, meaning that the disclosed nearly frictionless structure can be used to generate a fluid flow when power is applied to the inductance unit. Operating in reverse mode has many advantages or intended end uses, from transporting clean air to transporting fluids, especially in operations where shaft lubrication, bearings or other potential sources of impurities are present.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that as technology advances, the concept of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. The present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims (16)

At least one rotor (50);
at least one magnetic bridge element (51) arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation (X) of the rotor (50) in response to rotation of the rotor (50);
at least one inductance unit (61) having an inductance coil (61a) and a magnetic element (61b) in a range of influence (G2) of the moving magnetic bridge element (51) for inducing an electromotive force in response to a relative movement of the magnetic bridge element (51) with respect to the inductance unit (61);
at least one flow passage unit (40) for conveying a fluid flow to the rotor (50) for operating the rotor (50);
The generator (10), wherein the rotor (50) is arranged to rotate relative to the flow path unit (40) in a floating bearing manner. The generator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnetic bridge elements (51) is disposed on the rotor (50). The generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow passage unit (40) and the rotor (50) have a common axial direction (X), and the flow passage unit (40) and the rotor (50) are arranged substantially continuously in the axial direction (X). The generator of claim 3, wherein the inductance unit (61) is stationary in the generator (10). The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotor (50) rests on the flow path unit (40) when the generator (10) is not in use, and is arranged to float relative to the flow path unit (40) when the generator (10) is operating. The flow path unit (40) includes at least one flow path (44),
at least one of the flow paths (44) conveys at least one fluid stream between the flow path unit (40) and the rotor (50) and creates a pressure effect between the flow path unit (40) and the rotor (50) to push the rotor (50) away from the flow path unit (40) in an axial direction (X) of the flow path unit (40) and the rotor (50), thereby allowing the rotor (50) to rotate substantially frictionlessly relative to the flow path unit (40),
6. The generator of claim 1, wherein the flow passage unit (40) comprises at least one flow passage (46) for conveying at least one fluid flow to the rotor (50) for rotating the rotor (50). The flow passage unit (40) comprises at least one first inlet flow passage (43) and at least one second inlet flow passage (45);
at least one said first inlet flow passage (43) is arranged to convey at least one fluid flow to at least one said flow passage (44) which conveys at least one fluid flow to create said pressure effect between said flow passage unit (40) and said rotor (50);
7. The generator of claim 6, wherein the at least one second inlet flow passage (45) is arranged to deliver a fluid flow to at least one of the flow passages (46) that delivers at least one fluid flow to the rotor (50) for rotating the rotor (50). The generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotor (50) is arranged to at least partially surround the flow passage unit (40). The flow path unit (40) has a first end (40a) and a second end (40b) in an axial direction (X) of the flow path unit (40),
The rotor (50) has, in an axial direction (X) of the rotor (50), a first end (50a) facing toward the flow path unit (40) and a second end (50b) facing away from the flow path unit (40);
9. The generator according to claim 8, wherein the first end (50a) of the rotor (50) is provided with an opening (54) arranged to receive the second end (40b) of the flow path unit (40), and the rotor (50) is arranged at the second end (40b) of the flow path unit (40) in an axial direction (X) of the flow path unit (40) and the rotor (50) so as to partially surround the flow path unit (40). The flow passage unit (40) includes a chamber (42) that opens toward the rotor (50),
The rotor (50) includes an extension portion (55) extending from the second end (50b) of the rotor (50) toward the opening (54) at the opening (54),
10. The generator of claim 9, wherein the chamber (42) of the flow path unit (40) is arranged to at least partially accommodate the extension portion (55) of the rotor (50) when the extension portion (55) is inserted into the chamber (42). The chamber (42) in the flow path unit (40) has a first end (42a) and a second end (42b),
The extension portion (55) of the rotor (50) has a first end (50a) and a second end (50b),
the first end (42a) of the chamber (42) and the first end (55a) of the extension (55) are arranged to face each other when the extension (55) is inserted into the chamber (42);
11. The generator of claim 10, wherein at least one flow passage (44) conveying at least one fluid stream to create a pressure effect between the flow passage unit (40) and the rotor (50) is arranged to convey a portion of at least one fluid stream between the first end (42a) of the chamber (42) and the first end (55a) of the extension (55) via at least one outlet opening (44b) of the at least one flow passage (44) arranged in the first end (42a) of the chamber (42). The generator according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein at least one flow passage (46) for conveying at least one fluid flow to the rotor (50) for rotating the rotor (50) is arranged to extend at least partially in a radial direction (R) in the flow passage unit (40), and an outlet opening (46b) of the flow passage (46) is arranged on the outer periphery of the flow passage unit (40) at a position of the rotor (50) in the axial direction (X) of the flow passage unit (40). At least one of the rotors (50) comprises a plurality of rotor flow passages (59) extending at least partially in a radial direction (R) of the rotor (50);
The generator of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a fluid flow for rotating the rotor (50) passes through the rotor flowpath (59). The generator of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fluid flow is at least one of air, steam, exhaust gas, and liquid. The generator of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the fluid is in a gas phase, a supercritical phase, or a heterogeneous fluid phase. A fan or ventilator configured as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, and using the described features to generate a fluid flow.

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