WO2021087595A1

WO2021087595A1 - Method and system for generating electromotive and motor force by disc alternator

Info

Publication number: WO2021087595A1
Application number: PCT/CA2019/051565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude BEAULÉ
Original assignee: Beaule Claude
Priority date: 2019-11-04
Filing date: 2019-11-04
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to an alternator including conductive windings mounted on fixed discs and subjected to a variable magnetic field emitted by rotating magnetic discs inducing an alternating electromotive force in the windings. The invention also relates to a method and a conductive winding manufacturing system of varied and unprecedented form consisting of insulated conductive wires arranged with controlled tension in a conductive winding better adapted to the configuration of the magnetic fields with which they interact. The method and the system for manufacturing conductive winding of various forms constitutes a unique technical advancement in the manufacture of insulated conductive wire winding enabling orientation of the induced currents favoring significant advantages for the production of energy and/or driving force with apparels that are lightweight, durable and capable of high efficiency at low or high speed and using a non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic frame.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTROMOTIVE AND MOTOR

FORCE BY DISC ALTERNATOR.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an alternator including conductive windings mounted on fixed discs and subject to a variable magnetic field emitted by rotating magnetic discs inducing an alternating electromotive force in the windings.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electric motor including conductive windings mounted on fixed discs and subjected to a variable magnetic field emitted by magnetic discs rotated by an alternating electromotive force in the windings.

[0003] The fixed discs supporting the conductive windings are made of non- conductive and non-metallic material. The ends of the conductive windings are used to transmit or extract the power of the electromotive force from the conductive windings by contact points of the fixed discs which do not require a switch or a rotary conductive seal.

[0004] The disc alternator and the disc motor of the present invention are based on the physical principles of electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic fields, the conduction of conductive windings and the relative movements of conductors and/or magnets in electromagnetic fields.

[0005] The technical advancements presented in the disc alternators and motors provide an important advantage for the production of energy and/or motive power with devices which are lightweight, durable and capable of high efficiency at low or high speed and using a non-conductive and non ferromagnetic framework.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a method and a conductive winding manufacturing system of various forms of an insulated conductive winding with controlled tension arranged in a form allowing an orientation of the currents induced in the winding. The operation of manufacturing the shape of the conductive winding does not produce excess tension or stretching in the insulated conductive wires greater than the tensioning and stretching tolerances of the insulated conductor wires forming the winding.

[0007] The technical advancements presented in the method and system for manufacturing conductive windings of various shapes provide a major advantage in alternators and electric motors by providing a form of conductive winding better suited to the configuration of magnetic fields with which they interact and an increase in the energy transfer efficiency of the electromotive forces.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method and a system for synchronizing and transferring the electromotive force produced by a disc alternator, as presented in paragraph [0004], producing a modulation of the voltage of the disc alternator at a level slightly higher than the mains voltage, a modulation and synchronization of the alternating frequency of the electromotive force of the disc alternator with the mains frequency such that the power generated by the disc alternator is transferred to the mains when connected to an electrical outlet. [0009] The technical advancements presented in the method and system for synchronizing and transferring the electromotive force produced by a disc alternator provide a significant advantage as to the simplicity of installation, electrical connection and transfer to the power supply sector of the electrical energy produced by a disc alternator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to an alternator including conductive windings mounted on fixed discs and subjected to a variable magnetic field emitted by rotating magnetic discs inducing an alternating electromotive force in the windings, partly because of the use of a unique arrangement and configuration of magnets and conductive windings, without steel frame, and whose physical and mechanical configuration is greatly different in comparison with current alternators.

[0011] Several existing devices use well-known principles of rotary type electrical generators transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. All alternators use the principle of electromagnetic induction based on the relative movement of a conductor in a magnetic field, or vice versa, inducing an electromotive force in the conductor. These electric generators are generally provided with windings of insulated wires of various shapes: square, rectangular or triangular; which are rotated about an axis perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field generated by permanent magnets or by electromagnets. The coils of conductive wires are wound around a cylinder or a frame of iron or steel serving as a stator or rotor according to a method of assembly where the tension on the insulated wire is controlled. The magnetic field is concentrated in the frame of iron or steel. The frequency of the alternating current of the electric generators is directly proportional to their speed of rotation. One of the most common configurations is built with a fixed frame, or stator, and a magnetic field rotated at its center. The power of the electromotive force induced in the conductive winding is calculated as a function of the rate of variation of the magnetic flux in the frame or as a function of the relative speed of the conductors passing through the magnetic field. This calculation of the power of the induced electromagnetic force applies to any type of winding conductive wire, regardless of its shape, crossing perpendicularly a uniform magnetic field.

[0012] A variation of the magnetic field induces a magnetic field in the ferromagnetic frame, giving the frame a magnetic field interacting with the winding of conductive wires. The ferromagetic frame serves as a support for winding conductive wires and the variable magnetic field created in the frame participates in the transfer of magnetic flux in the coil of conductive wires. The ferromagnetic frame, however, is not an active element of the electric generator and is generally a source of loss of efficiency due to the release of heat, hysteresis, and sudden variations of magnetic fields in displacement create a braking effect.

[0013] Most existing electrical generators require a significant relative speed between the windings of conductive wires and magnetic fields to maintain an efficiency of conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, several common applications of mechanical energy have rotational speeds that do not correspond to rotational speeds for which electric generators are at the threshold of the peak energy conversion efficiency. For this reason, the drive of the electric generators requires in most cases gearboxes in order to convert the angular motor speed into angular velocity approaching the most efficient speed of the electric generators, but conferring on the assembly an additional source of energy loss and requiring higher maintenance costs. [0014] The evaluation of existing electrical generators reveals a design according to which laminated steel frames are used to support the windings of conductive wires and to create a transmission orientation of the magnetic flux in transition to the next magnetic pole. Particular care is taken to reduce eddy currents and heat build-up by the addition of many thin insulating layers in laminated steel frames. This type of construction is essential to the efficient operation of conventional electric generators to support the coils of conductive wires and to direct the magnetic flux to the next pole.

[0015] A disc alternator, as shown in US Patent 2007/0024144 A1 , uses a frame of non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic materials and in particular flat and fixed discs on which at least one conductor is affixed by a thin film deposition technique. The form of conductors deposited on the flat surface of the fixed discs, and used in this configuration of disc alternator, can not be obtained by known and widely used methods of insulated conductive windings. Thin film deposition techniques then offer a functional alternative to the limitations of the existing methods of manufacturing insulated conductive wire coils, but the relatively small number of turns of conductive wires laid flat on a disc according to this method does not make it possible to generate high electrical power with this type of disc generator.

[0016] A disc alternator, as shown in US Patent 2008/0231131 -A1 , uses a frame of non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic materials and in particular flat and fixed discs on which conductors are layed flat in a grooved form pattern and conductors of a single wire are electrically connected together in parallel and electrically insulated between each other along their length inside the armature airgap. Were the wire windings are wound on to the form by inserting the wire to lie between the raised portions; the form providing position location and support for the wire winding during the winding process. Wire insertion into grooved or form pattern techniques also offer a functional alternative to the limitations of the existing methods of manufacturing insulated conductive wire coils, but the relatively small number of turns of conductive wires laid flat on a form and the time consuming according to this method does not make it possible to generate high electrical power or highly efficient automated wire windings production with this type of disc generator. This particular disc alternator also proposes a much different magnet configuration and conductive wire winding configuration than in the present patent description.

[0017] There is therefore a need in the art of a method and an electrical generator manufacturing system using conductive wire windings of a shape adapted to an efficient transfer of mechanical energy into electrical energy both at low speed and high speed, requiring no conductive or ferromagnetic frame and which can use conductive wire coils whose form can not be manufactured by the existing methods of manufacturing insulated conductive wires windings.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0018] It is proposed a method and a system for producing electromotive force and power and electrical energy transfer to the electrical mains.

[0019] A disc alternator according to one embodiment of the present invention is an axial rotary disc generator comprising at least one stator disc (01) and one rotor disc (10) on each side of the stator disc (01 ) and adapted for direct drive by a central shaft (14) mounted on bearings (13).

[0020] One aspect of the present invention is an Alternative Current (AC) electric generator including conductive windings, manufactured according to a unique method and system, mounted on fixed discs and subjected to a variable magnetic field emitted by rotating magnetic discs inducing an alternating electromotive force in the windings and namely comprising the following:

[0021] At least two rotors (10) of non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic materials, in the form of flat discs aligned in their center and mounted on a shaft (14) such that the discs can be rotated simultaneously by the rotary movement of the shaft (14) and that the arrangement of the rotors (10) includes an interstitial space between the discs;

[0022] Flat magnetic elements (11), whose opposite poles are on each of the flat faces, mounted on each of the rotors and arranged in a circular pattern on a scanning axis (05) near the periphery of the rotors (10) and whose relative position of the magnetic polarities form at the surface on the same disc an alternation of north-south poles between each of the neighboring magnetic elements and whose relative position of the magnetic polarities form a direct alignment of alternating north-south polarities between the faces of the adjacent rotor (10);

[0023] Distance between the magnetic elements (11) along the circular pattern on the scanning axis (05) is at least 2 times the width of the magnetic elements (11), leaving spaces without magnetic element in between each magnetic element (11) with said spaces having at least the equivalent of a length of 1 width of the magnetic elements (11) along the circular pattern on the scanning axis (05);

[0024] One of the variants of one of the aspects of the present invention comprises flat magnetic elements (11), whose opposite poles are on each of the flat faces, mounted on each of the rotors (10) and arranged in a repetitive circular pattern on a scanning axis (05) near the periphery of the rotors and whose relative position of the magnetic polarities forms on the surface of a same disc a succession of magnetic poles of the same polarity between each of the neighboring magnetic elements and whose relative magnetic polarities position form a direct alignment of north-south alternating polarities between the faces of the adjacent rotor;

[0025] On above described variant, with rotors having magnetic elements

(11) relative positions with the magnetic polarities forming on the surface of a same disc a succession of magnetic poles of the same polarity between each of the neighboring magnetic elements, the distance between the magnetic elements (11) along the circular pattern on the scanning axis (05) is at least 4 times the width of the magnetic elements (11), leaving spaces without magnetic element in between each magnetic element (11) with said spaces having at least the equivalent of a length of 4 width of the magnetic elements (11) along the circular pattern on the scanning axis (05);

[0026] At least one stator (01) of non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic materials in the form of a flat disc including a winding (02) of at least one insulated and continuous conductive wire incorporated in the flat disc such as the disc thickness allows an introduction into the interstitial space between two rotors (10);

[0027] The ends of the conductive wires of the stators (01) are electrically connected to fixed connectors (09) to drive the electric current induced in the windings to a useful electrical charge.

[0028] At least two conductive connectors (09) connecting the ends of the insulated conductive wires from the winding (02) to an electrical circuit; [0029] A housing (12) secured to the stators (01 ) fixed by tenons (08) and protecting the environment from the assembly of the rotors (10), stators (01 ), shaft (14) and connectors (09) and allowing a relative rotation of rotors (10) of the disc alternator.

[0030] When a rotary motion source rotates the shaft (14) of the disc alternator, the magnetic elements (11 ) of the rotors (10) induce a current in the windings (02) of the conductive wires of the stator or the stators (01 ).

[0031] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the magnetic elements (11 ) are preferably flat permanent magnets whose thickness is similar to the thickness of the disc-shaped rotors (10) and of which the north-south magnetic poles are each on an opposite side of the surface of the rotor discs (10). The relative position of each of the rotor discs (10) is fixed with respect to the next rotor (10) and the magnetic elements (11 ) of each of the rotor discs (10) are aligned so that each of the poles of the magnetic elements (11 ) is lined up to the opposite pole on the rotor disc (10) thereby creating unidirectional axial magnetic fields in the interstitial space between two rotors (10) by the combined action of the magnetic elements (11 ) located on both sides other of this interstitial space.

[0032] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, at least one winding of at least one insulated conductive wire is incorporated in the stator disc and the thickness of the multiple passes of the conductive wire coil is equivalent to the thickness of the stator disc (11 ). The said thickness of the stator disc, includes multiple passes of the continuous conductive wires superposed to coincide the unique starry shape of wire winding as presented in figure 1 . The unique starry shape of the wire winding presented in figure 1 is obtained by a unique winding process that cannot be achieved by existing wire winding manufacturing processes.

[0033] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, a winding (02) of conductive wire will have a star shape, having alternating zones with conductive wires and zones without conductive wires, such as the rotation of the permanent magnets (11 ) will induce a relative movement of the magnetic fields perpendicularly to the winding wires (02) arranged in radial shape oriented toward the center of the stator disc (11 ) and alternately the relative movements of the magnetic fields will move in front of a zone of the star-shaped winding (02) without conductive wires. Said zones without conductive wires along the circular sweep axis (05) having a width at least equivalent to the width of the magnetic elements (11 ) along the same sweep axis (05). This alternation between the wired and wireless zones of the unique form of the winding (02) of conductive wires induces a decreasing and increasing alternating current according to the increase or decrease in the number of winding wires (02) displaced in relative motion perpendicular into unidirectional magnetic fields such as:

[0034] The current is zero when the magnetic fields move in front of a wireless zone of the winding;

[0035] The current increases when the magnetic fields move progressively from the wireless zone of the winding (02) to a zone of the winding with wires (02);

[0036] The current reaches a maximum value when the magnetic fields move in an area of the winding (02) with the highest density of conductive wires; [0037] The current decreases when the magnetic fields move progressively from the area of the winding (02) with the highest density of conductive wires to the winding area (02) without wires;

[0038] The current is again zero when the magnetic fields move in front of a wireless zone of the winding (02) before starting a reverse current cycle.

[0039] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, a winding (02) of conductive wires consists of at least one superposition of conductive wire finely aligned in superposition and whose total thickness of the winding (02) allows an introduction into the interstitial space between two rotors (10).

[0040] The alternating magnetic fields on the surface of the rotor (10) induce electric currents oriented by the unique shape and the configuration of the winding (02) of conductive wires, such as the currents generated in opposite radial directions by opposite magnetic fields are simultaneously added in the windings (02) of conductive wires.

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention for which the magnets (11 ) of a rotor (10) are all of the same polarity on the same face of a rotor (10), the rotor (10) will comprise half as many magnets (11 ) in this configuration as in the alternating magnet pole configuration (11 ) and the currents generated simultaneously by the magnetic fields will be half as intense in this configuration.

[0042] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the disc alternator comprises an assembly of one or more stators (01) and a number of rotors (10) equal to the number of stators (01 ) increased by one, creating an interstitial space between two rotors (10) to accommodate each of the stators (01 ).

[0043] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the stators (01 ) and rotors (10) of the disc alternator are made of non- conductive or non-ferromagnetic materials, with the exception of magnets (11 ), conductive wires (02) and connectors (09), thereby reducing the eddy currents and energy losses associated therewith.

[0044] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the force of the magnetic fields included in the interstices between the rotors is relatively uniform and the polarity of the magnetic fields along a rotor sweep axis (05) of the magnetic fields (10) successively alternates at fixed intervals by an even number of magnets (11 ) arranged in a plane on the periphery of each of the rotors (10). The free space between the magnets (11 ) in the area of axial rotation sweep is at least equal to the width of the magnets (11 ) so that the area in the sweep area is at least 50% of surface without magnets.

[0045] According to the embodiment of the shape of the windings (02) of stators (01 ), the sections of insulated wires located in the circular sweeping zone of the rotation movement of the magnets (11 ) along the axis of the magnets (11 ) sweep (05) are arranged in the form of a V-flare in a radial orientation aligned on the center of the stator discs (01 ) so that the relative movement of the magnetic fields between two rotors (10) sweeps the insulated wire sections in a displacement perpendicular to the insulated wire sections. The sweeping zone of the magnets (11 ) is delimited by an internal sweeping axis (06) and by an external sweeping axis (07), the innovative shape of the winding (01 ) is completed by an arrangement of the winding (02) connecting between them the V-flared zones according to circuit shapes (03, 04) arranged away from the circular scanning zone of the permanent magnets. In the scanning zone of the magnets, the innovative form of the winding (01 ) comprises areas without conductive wires of dimension at least equal to the size of the magnets and the remainder of the scanning zone of the magnets consists of insulated conductor wires axially oriented towards the center of the stator disc (01 ). In the scanning zone of the magnets, the number of zones without conductive wires of the winding is equal to the number of magnets incorporated in the rotors (10), when used with rotors (10) with alternating polarity of the magnets on the face rotors, and equal to twice the number of magnets when used with rotors (10) with non-alternating polarity of the magnets on the face of the rotors (10).

[0046] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the free space between the rotors (10) and stators (01 ) is filled by an air space whose thickness is variable and greater than the amplitudes of the relative dynamic deformations between stator (01 ) and rotor (10).

[0047] An increased power version of a disc alternator may comprise an assembly of several stators (01 ) aligned in the same axis with a number of rotors (10) equal to the number of stators (01) plus one, such that the assembly is made of alternating rotor (10), stator (01 ), rotor (10) all arranged on the same axis and/or an increased diameter of stators (01 ) and rotors (10).

[0048] An increased power version of an augmented diameter disc alternator may include a larger number of permanent magnets (11). The configuration of the winding (02) of the stators (01 ) will then be modified to include a number of winding array oriented sectors and a number of zones without winding along the scanning axis (5) corresponding to the number of magnets (11 ), when used with rotors (10) with alternating polarity of the magnets on the face rotors, and equal to twice the number of magnets when used with rotors (10) with non-alternating polarity of the magnets on the face of the rotors (10).

[0049] According to one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the electric power of the disc alternator can also be increased by increasing the diameter of the stator discs (01 ) and rotors (10) and the relative size of the magnets (11 ) and increasing the number of circular concentric repetitions of magnets (11) on the same rotor disc (10) to which will correspond an identical number of concentric windings (02) on stator (01 ).

[0050] According to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the disc alternator can generate a single-phase alternating current or a three- phase alternating current. In the three-phase current generation configuration, each rotor (10) will comprise an even number of magnets (11 ) divisible by three.

[0051] In the three-phase current generation configuration, the disc alternator comprises at least 3 stators (01 ), or a multiple of three stators (01 ), whose relative position angle of the stators (01 ) is shifted by one-third of the angle producing a complete alternating current cycle with respect to the next stator (01 ). The measurement in degrees of the stator offset angle of the three- phase modules is 2x360 / (3xn), where n is equal to the number of wireless winding zones along the scan axis (05) of a stator disc ( 01 ).

[0052] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention the magnets (11 ) of the rotors (10) are arranged in a circular repetition over more than one concentric circular sweeping axis (05). Each of the concentric sweeping axes (05) comprises the same number of magnets (11 ) with identical polarities along the radial axes. The diameters of the scanning axes (05) coincide with the concentric sweeping axes of the stator (01) windings (02). Thus, at each of the circular concentric magnetizations of the rotors (10) corresponds a unique winding (02) and each sweeping cycle produces synchronized currents in each of the concentric windings (02).

[0053] The object, the advantages and the other features of the present invention will be clarified on reading the non restrictive embodiments presented hereinafter with reference to the figures. Although the present invention is described hereinafter by means of embodiments, it may be modified, while remaining within the nature and teachings of the invention. The accompanying descriptive figures are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0054] The present invention also relates to an electric motor including conductive windings (02) similarly mounted on stator plates (01) fixed and subjected to an alternating current and rotor discs (10) comprising magnetic poles rotated by a variation of the alternating electromotive forces in the windings (02).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0055] Figure 1 : Stator and typical winding

[0056] Figure 2: Rotor and assembly of magnets with alternating polarity

[0057] Figure 3: Rotor and assembly of non-alternating polarity magnets

[0058] Figure 4 Exploded view of an assembly of three stators and four rotors

[0059] Figure 5: Section of the assembly of the disc alternator

Claims

CLAIMS [0060] Therefore this application is to cover any variation, use or adaptation of the invention following the general principle thereof and including such departures as come within known or custormary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and falls within the limits of the appended claims.

1 . A power disc alternator comprising: rotor means arranged to rotate about an axis, having a circular cross section, and comprising at least two discs facing each other and defining at least one gap between the discs, said rotor means being connected by a shaft and driven by an external source of rotary motion driving the shaft about its longitudinal axis; a circular array of pair number of magnetic elements located in equally accurately spaced relation along a circular axis near the periphery of each disc of said rotor means, each of said magnetic elements having surfaces of opposite polarity and being disposed in side-by-side relationship in either a like polarity configuration or an alternating polarity configuration, polarity of magnetic elements of one disc facing opposite polarity of magnetic elements of the other disc to create in the air gap between the two discs a magnetic field between the opposite polarities of the facing magnetic elements; and

The free space between the magnetic elements in the circular array of the magnetic elements being at least equal to the width of the magnetic elements so that the area in the sweep circular array of the magnetic elements is at least made of 50% of surface without magnetic elements, in an alternating polarity configuration of the magnetic elements on the same face of the disc, or at least 25% of the surface without magnetic elements, in a like polarity configuration of the magnetic elements on the same face of the disc; and stator means comprising at least on fixed disc made of non-metallic and non ferromagnetic material having an insulated conducting wire winding integrated into the thickness of the disc, said conductive wire winding having a unique starry shape obtained by a unique winding process that cannot be achieved by existing wire winding manufacturing processes, and including multiple passes of a single continuous conductive wire superposed to coincide the unique starry shape of wire winding; and along the path of the rotor means circular array of magnetic elements the stator means fixed unique starry shape wire winding having alternating zones with conductive wires and zones without conductive wires, with said zones with conductive wires arranged in radial shape oriented toward the center of the stator disc and said zones without conductive wires along the circular sweep axis of the magnetic elements having a width at least equivalent to the width of the magnetic elements measured along the same sweep axis; and connection means for connecting said conductive wire forming the wire winding to an electrical load, wherein when said external driving source of rotary motion driving the shaft of the said rotor means in rotation about the shaft axis, said rotor means rotates and the resulting rotating magnetic field induces a current in said conductor path of said stator means.

2. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said at least two discs of said rotor means are oriented identically.

3. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said discs of said rotor means are adjustable to selectively vary the size of each of said at least one air gap.

4. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said discs of said rotor means are made of non-metallic and non-ferromagnetic material.

5. The power disc alternator according to claim 4 are made of thermally stable rigid non-metallic and non-ferromagnetic material.

6. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic elements thickness is equivalent to the thickness of the rotor disc.

7. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive wire forming the wire winding is arrange starry shape with alternating zones with conductive wires and zones without conductive wires along the sweep axis of the magnetic elements of the rotor means, with said zones with conductive wires arranged in radial shape oriented toward the center of the stator disc and said zones without conductive wires along the circular sweep axis of the magnetic elements having a width at least equivalent to the width of the magnetic elements measured along the same sweep axis on the rotor means.

8. The power disc alternator of claim 1 , wherein said conductive wire winding is made of one insulated conductive wire incorporated in the stator disc and the thickness of the multiple passes of the conductive wire coil is equivalent to the thickness of the stator disc and including multiple passes of the continuous conductive wire superposed to coincide the unique starry shape of wire winding.

9. The power disc alternator of claim 1 , wherein said unique starry shape of the wire winding is obtained by a unique winding process that cannot be achieved by existing wire winding manufacturing processes.

10. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one fixed disc of said stator means are made of thermally stable rigid non- metallic and non-ferromagnetic material.

11. The power disc alternator according to claim 1 , wherein said alternator comprises a number of rotor discs equal to the number of stator discs plus 1 with all stator discs located in each of said air gaps between rotor discs.