Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LINEAR INDUCTION GENERATOR USING MAGNETIC REPULSION
The application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application
No.
14/264,438, filed April 29, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates generally to generation of
electricity. More
particularly, the disclosure relates to linear induction electrical
generators.
BACKGROUND
[002] Electricity is typically generated by having magnets, either
permanent
magnets or electromagnets, attached to a rotor that pass in close proximity to
a stationary
set of conductors wound in coils, called the stator. The rotor is moved by
kinetic energy that
can be produced by wind, water, steam, etc. The electromagnetic field of the
magnets on
the rotor induces electrical current in the coils of the stator. FIG. 1
illustrates a prior art
electrical generator design 100 that has a rotor 110 containing magnets than
rotates within
the stator 120 that contains the coils.
[003] In the electrical generator design 100, the thickness of the coils on
the stator
120 is limited by the size of the magnetic field of the magnets on the rotor
110. In order to
produce more electricity using this design, more wire coils must be added to
the stator 120
which increases the diameter and the rotor 110 must also increase in size to
include more
magnets that remain perpendicular to the coils on the stator 120. This causes
the size and
weight of the generator to be greatly increased. The main reason that utility
grade wind
turbines are so large is because a large force is require to rotate the weight
of the rotor.
[004] U.S. Patent No. 8,203,228 to Smith, which is incorporated herein by
reference, provides an improved aerogenerator that translates the rotary
motion of the
impeller into a reciprocating linear motion that moves a magnet within an
induction coil to
generate electricity. Smith describes a mechanical linkage that uses a
rotatable cam plate
in order to reciprocate the magnet within the induction coil. The mechanical
linkage
increases the size, weight, and costs of the generator.
[005] A need therefore exists for an improved linear induction generator.
Accordingly, a solution that addresses, at least in part, the above and other
shortcomings is
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desired.
SUMMARY
[006] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an electrical
generator is
provided comprising a tube assembly having a tube with an induction coil
surrounding the
tube and an induction magnet within the tube, the induction magnet moveable
longitudinally
within the tube; and a rotor assembly having a rotor magnet, the rotor magnet
positioned
with an opposing magnetic moment to the induction magnet, wherein the rotor
assembly is
moved with respect to the tube assembly to cause the rotor magnet to move
towards an
end of the tube, the rotor magnet repels the induction magnet causing it to
move within the
tube and generate an electromotive force in the induction coil. The tube
assembly can be
vertical and as the rotor magnet moves away from the end of the tube, the
induction
magnet will drop within the tube due to gravity and generate a second
electromotive force
in the induction coil. The rotor magnet can also move in a plane perpendicular
to a
longitudinal axis of the tube. The induction coil can be a wire that is
helically wrapped
around the tube. In some aspects, the tube assembly can have a plurality of
induction
magnets and a plurality of induction coils, and can be configured to generate
three-phase
power. The rotor assembly can be mechanically coupled to a turbine or directly
coupled to
blades of a vertical axis wind turbine.
[007] In some aspects, the electrical generator can have a plurality of
tube
assemblies, and also have a plurality of rotor magnets on the rotor assembly.
In some
aspects, the rotor assembly can have a rotatable disk adjacent the end of the
tubes of the
tube assembly, and the rotatable disk having the plurality of rotor magnets
disposed
thereon. The plurality of tube assemblies can be arranged toroidally. In some
aspects, the
rotor assembly can further include a second rotatable disk coupled to the
first rotatable
disk, and the second rotatable disk can be adjacent to an opposing end of the
tubes of the
tube assembly. The second rotatable disk can have secondary rotor magnets
offset from
corresponding rotor magnets, the secondary rotor magnets configured to repel
the
induction magnets. In some aspects, the tube assemblies can be positioned
horizontally,
and the second rotatable disk can comprise opposing rotor magnets positioned
opposite
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from corresponding rotor magnets, the opposing rotor magnets configured to
attract the
induction magnets.
[008] In a second aspect, there is provided a method for generating
electricity
comprising providing a tube assembly having a tube with an induction coil
surrounding the
tube and an induction magnet within the tube, the induction magnet moveable
longitudinally
within the tube; and moving a rotor magnet towards an end of the tube, the
rotor magnet
repels the induction magnet causing it to move within the tube and generate an
electromotive force in the induction coil.
[009] In a third aspect, there is provided an electrical generator,
comprising: a
stator having a coil and a lift magnet coupled by a lever to an induction
magnet, the
induction magnet moveable longitudinally within the coil, the lever configured
to move the
induction magnet a multiple of a distance that the lift magnet is moved; and,
a rotor
moveable with respect to the stator, the rotor having a rotor magnet, the
rotor magnet and
the lift magnet positioned with respective magnetic moments opposing; whereby
movement
of the rotor magnet toward the lift magnet causes the lift magnet to move away
from the
rotor magnet which in turn causes, by operation of the lever, the induction
magnet to move
within the coil to generate a first electromotive force therein.
[0010] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of generating
electricity,
comprising: providing a stator having a coil and a lift magnet coupled by a
lever to an
induction magnet, the induction magnet moveable longitudinally within the
coil, the lever
configured to move the induction magnet a multiple of a distance that the lift
magnet is
moved; and, moving a rotor with respect to the stator, the rotor having a
rotor magnet, the
rotor magnet and the lift magnet positioned with respective magnetic moments
opposing;
whereby moving the rotor magnet toward the lift magnet causes the lift magnet
to move
away from the rotor magnet which in turn causes, by operation of the lever,
the induction
magnet to move within the coil to generate a first electromotive force
therein.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described
herein and
to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now
be made, by
way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one
exemplary
embodiment, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art electrical generator design
using a rotor and
stator;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a side view of an electrical generator having an
induction coil
wrapped around a tube having an internal induction magnet in a resting
position;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the electrical generator of
FIG. 2A with
the induction magnet moving upwards within the induction coif from the
repulsion force of a
moving rotor magnet;
[0015] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the electrical generator of
FIG. 2A with
the induction magnet moving downwards within the induction coil;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a
rotor and tube
assembly of an electrical generator operating on the principle illustrated in
FIGS. 2A-C;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an
electrical
generator including additional rotor magnets to allow horizontal orientation
of the electrical
generator;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an
electrical
generator having a levered translator, the lever of the translator shown in a
lowered
position;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrical
generator of FIG. 5,
the lever of the translator shown in a raised position;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial side view illustrating a rotor configuration
for the electrical
generator of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial side view illustrating an alternate rotor
configuration for the
electrical generator of FIG. 5; and,
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[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the stator of the
electrical generator of
FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0023] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where
considered appropriate, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a
thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However,
it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments
described herein
may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-
known methods,
procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to
obscure the
embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be
considered as
limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather
as merely
describing the implementations of various embodiments described herein.
[0024] Referring first to FIG. 2A, shown is a side view of an embodiment
of an
electrical generator 200 comprising a tube 210 having an induction coil 220 of
wire helically
wrapped around its exterior and an induction magnet 230 that is free to move
within tube
210. Induction magnet 230 is currently located at the bottom portion of tube
210 due to the
force of gravity. Tube 210, coil 220 and induction magnet 230 provide a linear
electric
generator that generates an electromotive force (emr) within the wire of coil
220 as the
magnet 230 slides back and forth in tube 210.
[0025] Linear electric generators based on a moving magnet within a
solenoid (a
helically wound wire) are known. This type of electric generator is used in
the Faraday
flashlight, named after Faraday's law of induction upon which its operation is
based, that
uses a sliding magnet that moves back and forth through the center of a coil
of copper wire
when the flashlight is shaken. The aerogenerator taught by Smith, as described
above, also
uses a linear electric generator that mechanically reciprocates a magnet
within an induction
coil.
[0026] Electrical generator 200 further includes a rotor magnet 240. The
term "rotor"
is used to indicate that rotor magnet 240 would typically be coupled to the
moving or
rotating portion of electrical generator 200. Induction magnet 230 is so named
because it
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induces the electromotive force (emf) in coil 220.
[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates rotor magnet 240 translating perpendicularly
relative to axis
211 of tube 210. The magnetic moment of induction magnet 230 and rotor magnet
240 are
aligned substantially parallel with axis 211 to provide a repulsion force
between the two.
The magnetic moment (or magnetic dipole moment) is a vector that points from
the
magnet's south pole towards its north pole. Induction magnet 230 and rotor
magnet 240 are
illustrated as having poles facing in opposite directions (denoted by "N" for
north and "S" for
south), and thus, induction magnet 230 and rotor magnet 240 have opposing
magnetic
moments.
[0028] Referring next to FIG. 2B, shown is a cross-section of electrical
generator 200
illustrating the interaction of induction magnet 230 and rotor magnet 240.
When the
magnetic fields of induction magnet 230 and rotor magnet 240 interact,
induction magnet
230 is repelled and moves upwards within tube 210. Rotor magnet 240 is
illustrated in
alignment with axis 211 of tube 210 but the magnetic fields will interact as
rotor magnet 240
approaches tube 210. Induction magnet 230 is constrained by tube 210 so that
the
magnetic repulsion force causes induction magnet to move upwards and maintain
the
direction of it magnetic moment (i.e. the orientation of its poles).
[0029] The force on induction magnet 230 from the repulsive magnetic
force is
illustrated by the vector labelled Fr and the gravitational force is
illustrated by the vector
labelled Fg. The repulsive magnetic force is larger than the gravitational
force causing the
induction magnet to move upwards within tube 210. As noted above, movement of
induction magnet 230 generates an electromotive force that induces a current
in the wire of
coil 220.
[0030] Referring next to FIG. 2C, shown is a cross-section of electrical
generator 200
illustrating rotor magnet 240 moving away from tube 210 so that the magnetic
fields of rotor
magnet 240 and induction magnet 230 no longer interact. Rotor magnet 240 no
longer
causes a magnetic repulsion force to act on induction magnet 230 and the
gravitational
force causes induction magnet 230 to move downwards within tube 210. This
downward
movement of induction magnet 230 will generate an electromotive force that
induces a
current in the wire of coil 220. This emf and current will be opposite from
that generated
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from the upwards movement illustrated in FIG. 2B, and will thus cause an
alternating
current within the wire of coil 220.
[0031] In order to generate a continuous alternating current, rotor
magnet 240 is
continually moved into and out of the magnetic field of induction magnet 230.
Rotor magnet
240 can be mechanically coupled to a turbine in order to continuously generate
electricity.
A turbine converts the kinetic and potential energy from a working fluid into
a rotational
movement. The turbine includes a rotor, which is a shaft or drum with blades
attached. The
moving fluid acts on the blades so that they impart rotational energy to the
rotor. The
turbine can be driven by water, wind, steam or other sources of fluid energy,
and can
include, for example, steam turbines, gas turbines, reciprocating engines,
hydro turbines,
and wind turbines. Rotational movement may also be provided by a motor coupled
to the
generator 200. The motor may be driven by electricity, heat (e.g. a Stirling
engine), gas,
diesel, hydrogen, or other power source.
[0032] In one embodiment, rotor magnet 240 can be mechanically coupled to
a
turbine to move rotor magnet 240 in a plane perpendicular to axis 211 of tube
210 as
shown in FIGS. 2A-C. In other embodiments, rotor magnet 240 can be
mechanically
coupled to reciprocate axially with respect to tube 210.
[0033] Some embodiments of electrical generator 200 can include multiple
tubes
210, each with an induction magnet 230 and induction coil 220, that can
interact with a
rotor magnet 240. Still other embodiments can include multiple tubes 210, each
with an
induction magnet 230 and induction coil 220, and multiple rotor magnets 240
that interact
with each of the multiple tubes 210 and induction magnets 230.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a vertical axis electrical
generator 300
having a rotor assembly 312 that can have one or more rotor magnets 340
attached thereto
that interact with induction magnets 330 each contained in a tube 310 of a
tube assembly
350. Each tube 310 has an induction coil (e.g. a wire helically wrapped around
the tube) for
inducing a current from the movement of induction magnet 330. Tubes 310 can be
arranged toroidally in tube assembly 350 around shaft 302 of rotor assembly
312. Tube
assembly 350 is attached in a fixed position such that rotation of rotor
assembly 312
causes rotor magnets 340 to move in a plane perpendicular to the axis of tubes
310.
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[0035] Rotor magnets 340 can be mounted on a lower disk 304 of rotor
assembly
312 and are sufficiently spaced from one another to allow induction magnets
330 to
descend within the tubes 310 due to gravity prior to the magnetic field of the
next rotor
magnet 340 interacting with the magnetic field of induction magnet 330 that
would cause it
to rise. This spacing results in more tubes 310 in the tube assembly than
rotor magnets 340
on rotor assembly 312. The rotor assembly 312 may also include an upper disk
306 which
is described further below.
[0036] Rotor assembly 312 can be mechanically coupled to a turbine to
impart
rotational force to cause the rotor magnets 340 to move with respect to static
tube
assembly 350. In some embodiments, the turbine can be coupled to the rotor
assembly 312
using gears. In vertical axis wind turbine embodiments, for example, such as
that illustrated
in U.S. Patent No. 8,013,464 to Stern, et al, which is incorporated herein by
reference,
blades of the turbine can be directly attached to the rotor assembly 312 of
electrical
generator 300. This simplifies the design and removes any inefficiencies
introduced by
gear-based designs.
[0037] Some embodiments can include a tube assembly 350 having multiple
induction magnets within a tube 310 and multiple sets of induction coils 220.
This can allow
multi-phase power generation such as three-phase power generation which is the
standard
used for most generators.
[0038] Induction magnets 330 and rotor magnets 340 can be permanent
magnets. In
some embodiments, rare earth permanent magnets can be used. Rare earth magnets
produce a compact high-strength magnet. The most common types of rare-earth
magnets
are samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron ("NIB") magnets. In some
embodiments,
rotor magnets 340 can be electromagnets that are used to repel induction
magnets 330.
[0039] The movement of induction magnet 330 can be damped by air pressure
on
either side of it within the tube 310, if it has too little clearance with the
inside of the tube. In
one embodiment, tube assembly 350 is capped at each end and under vacuum to
limit the
effects of air pressure. In one embodiment, induction magnets 330 have a tight
tolerance to
the interior diameter of the tube 310 so that the induction coils of the tube
assembly 350
have an increased exposure to the magnetic field of induction magnet 330. Each
end of the
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tube assembly 350 can also have a cap magnet (not shown) that has a magnetic
moment
opposed to induction magnet 330 to prevent induction magnet 330 from reaching
the end of
the tube assembly 310.
[0040] According to one embodiment, there may be provided a smaller
magnet (e.g.
a cap magnet) attached to the bottom end of the sealed linear generator 300
with like poles
facing the induction magnet 330 within the linear generator 300 that prevents
the magnet
330 within the linear generator 300 from hitting the bottom of the sealed
linear generator
300. This arrangement may also be used at the top end of the sealed linear
generator 300,
preventing the magnet 330 within the linear generator 300 from hitting the top
of the sealed
linear generator 330 when acted upon by attractive forces of the secondary
rotor magnet
340 on the rotor with a dissimilar pole attracting the magnet 330 within the
linear generator
300. The end cap magnets described herein may be used in both vertically and
horizontally
mounted generators (e.g. FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0041] In other embodiments, induction magnet 330 can also be shaped to
mitigate
the effects of air pressure. A relatively large clearance between the diameter
of induction
magnets 330 and the inside diameter of tube 310 will allow air to move easily
around
induction magnet 330. In other embodiments, the induction magnets 330 can have
holes
co-axial with the longitudinal axis of tube 310, such as a toroidally shaped
magnet, for
example, such that air will be free to pass through them and not damp the
magnet's
movement. In still other embodiments, tube 310 can also be constructed to
allow air to
escape at its ends, such as by holes in both end portions, to limit air
dampening of
induction magnet 330.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an alternate embodiment of an
electrical
generator 400 that can be used in a horizontal orientation of tube 410.
Electrical generator
400 operates similarly to that of electrical generator 200 illustrated in
FIGS. 2A-C and
similar parts are similarly numbered. In a horizontal orientation, additional
magnets can be
used on the rotor assembly to provide an opposing force on induction magnet
430 that is
supplied by gravity in electrical generator 200 of FIGS. 2A-C. Rotor assembly
312 of FIG. 3
can be horizontally oriented by including additional rotor magnets on upper
disk 306 as will
be described with respect to FIG. 4.
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[0043] Secondary rotor magnet 441 can be placed on an opposing end of
tube 410
from rotor magnet 440 and offset from rotor magnet 440 to repel induction
magnet 430 in
the opposite direction (i.e. back towards rotor magnet 440). Secondary rotor
magnet 441
has the same magnetic moment as rotor magnet 440. As the rotor assembly is in
motion,
first, rotor magnet 440 will repel induction magnet 430 away (i.e. upwards in
FIG. 4). As the
rotor assembly moves with respect to tube 410 (i.e. from left to right in FIG.
4), the field of
secondary rotor magnet 441 can interact with induction magnet 430 causing it
to move in
the opposite direction (i.e. downwards in FIG. 4). A rotor assembly can be
designed with
multiple sets of rotor magnet 440 and secondary rotor magnet 441 to cause
induction
magnet 430 to reciprocate within tube 410 to generate electromotive force in
an induction
coil wrapped around tube 410 to provide an alternating current.
[0044] A rotor assembly can also include art opposing rotor magnet 442
that is
positioned opposite rotor magnet 440 and has an opposite magnetic moment to
rotor
magnet 440. In FIG. 4, as rotor magnet 440 repels induction magnet 430,
opposing rotor
magnet 442 attracts induction magnet 430. Secondary rotor magnet 441 can also
have an
opposing rotor magnet 442 positioned opposite to it that assists to move
induction magnet
430 in an opposite direction from that of rotor magnet 440. The use of
opposing rotor
magnet 442 can be less preferable as the strong attractive force with
induction magnet 430
must be limited.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an
electrical
generator 500 having a levered translator, the lever of the translator shown
in a lowered
position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrical
generator 500 of FIG. 5,
the lever of the translator shown in a raised position. FIG. 7 is a partial
side view illustrating
a rotor configuration for the electrical generator 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a
partial side view
illustrating an alternate rotor configuration for the electrical generator 500
of FIG. 5. And,
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the stator of the electrical
generator 500 of FIG. 5.
[0046] According to one embodiment, an electrical generator 500 is
provided that
includes a rotor 520 having lower and upper (or first and second) rotor plates
or disks 521,
522 and a stator 510 adapted to travel or pass between the lower and upper
rotor plates
521, 522. The rotor 520 includes spaced rotor magnets 530 and opposing spaced
rotor
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magnets 531 mounted on the lower and upper rotor plates 521, 522 similar to
that of the
electrical generator of FIG. 4. The upper rotor plate 522 and magnets 531 may
be optional.
The stator 510 includes a frame 511 to which is moveably coupled a connecting
rod 553 at
a first or left side and a guide rod 571 at a second or right side. The
connecting rod 553 has
lower and upper lifting magnets 551, 552 mounted at lower and upper ends
thereof. The
guide rod 571 has a translator 570 mounted proximate the middle thereof. The
translator
570 includes one or more magnets 572 separated by one or more ferrous spacers
573 and
is configured to pass through a coil 560 which is mounted to the second or
right side of the
frame 511. As further described below, a lever 540 is pivot or pin 541 coupled
to the frame
511 proximate a first or left end thereof, to the connecting rod 553 proximate
a middle
thereof, and to the guide rod 571 proximate a second or right end thereof.
[0047] The lever 540 acts as a distance multiplier. The lever 540 may be
a third
class lever in which the fulcrum is proximate the first end of the lever 540
at the point where
the lever 540 is pin 541 coupled to the frame 511 of the stator 510, the
effort in the form of
the lower and upper lifting magnets 551, 552 and the connecting rod 553 is
coupled to the
lever 540 proximate the middle, and the load in the form of the translator 570
mounted on
the guide rod 571 is coupled at the second end of the lever 540. In such a
configuration,
the distance traveled at the effort is proportional to the length of the lever
540, that is, if the
effort is exerted at the half way point, the distance traveled at the effort
point will be two
times as much. Although FIGS. 5-6 and 9 show the use of a third class lever
540, any lever
may be used to accomplish the same result by varying the length of the lever
and the
insertion points of the effort, fulcrum, and load.
[0048] In operation, the rotor magnets (e.g., 530) push on a lifting
magnet (e.g., the
lower lifting magnet 551) coupled to the lift magnet connecting rod 553 moving
the
connecting rod 553 from a lowered position 554 to a raised position 555 which,
via the lever
540, in turn moves the guide rod 571 and translator 570 from a lowered
position 574 to a
raised position 575. The repelling force between the two magnets 530, 551
hence pushes
or moves the translator 570 through the coil 560 inducing current therein. The
distance the
translator 570 is moved through the coil 560 is multiplied by the action of
the lever 540,
[0049] The connections between the lever 540 and each of the translator
guide rod
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571 and the lift magnet connecting rod 553 may be via sliding mechanisms 590
(e.g.,
eccentric pivots, sliding surfaces such as v-groove bearings, etc.) to
facilitate keeping both
the translator 570 and the lift magnets 551, 552 in the same plane. If the
connections were
pivot points, and not sliding mechanisms 590, then the lever 540 would move in
an arc.
Such an embodiment would require additional components to keep the coil 560 at
the right
attitude such that the translator 570 passes through the coil 560 rather than
hitting the coil
560.
[0050] The coil 560 may be formed over a short tube (having a length
similar to that
of the coil 560 itself) or free formed leaving only a small air gap 561
between the translator
570 and the coil 560. The guide rod 571 for the translator 570 and the lift
magnet
connecting rod 553 are located and guided via bearings 580 mounted to the
solid frame
511 of the stator 510 to maintain the rods 571, 553 in the same plane.
[00511 Rather than relying on gravity as the downward force for moving
the translator
570 from the raised position 575 to the lowered position 574, the optional top
plate 522 of
the rotor 520 and magnets 531 mounted thereon may provide the required or
additional
force. A magnet may also be optionally attached to the topside and/or
bottomside of the
lever 540.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the magnets 530, 531 on the rotor 520 may be
spaced
apart and sized such that only one magnet from either rotor plate 521, 522
interacts with
the lift magnets 551, 552. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnets 530,
531 on the
rotor 520 may be adjacent but may have different heights relative to the plane
of the rotor
plate 521, 522 to provide a primary lift rotor magnet 532, 533 and a secondary
lift rotor
magnet 530, 531. The primary lift rotor magnets 532, 533 are closest to the
lift magnets
551, 552 providing a major push force thereto. The secondary lift rotor
magnets 530, 531
are further away from the lift magnets 551, 552 providing a minor push force
thereto.
According to one embodiment, magnets of different sizes mounted on the same
plane may
be used to achieve a similar result. The larger magnets would provide the
primary lift force
whereas the smaller magnets would provide enough magnetic flux to "lock" the
lift magnet
assembly (i.e., lift magnets 551, 552 and connecting rod 553) in place.
[0053] According to other embodiments, rather than a lever 540, other
devices such
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as a linkage, pulley, gearing system, screw mechanism, piston that drives a
fluid (hydraulic)
or gas (pneumatic), etc., may be used which are attached to magnets 551, 552
driven by
the rotor plates 521, 522 and which subsequently push/pull the translator 570
within the
electrical generator 500. For example, a large gear attached to a smaller gear
requires
only slight movement to achieve a full rotation. The movement of the large
gear may be
caused by the lift magnet assembly 551, 552, 553 and the smaller gear may be
attached to
a linkage that is attached to the translator 570 to provide a distance
multiplication similar to
the lever 540 described above. As another example, with respect to the use of
a fluid/gas in
a syringe, a small movement of the plunger results in fluid traveling a great
distance
through the needle relative to the travel of the plunger. Here, the lift
magnet 551 would be
attached to the plunger and the fluid/air would cause the movement in the
translator 570 via
tubing once again resulting in a net multiplication of distance travelled.
[0054] According to one embodiment, rather than having the translator 570
move
through the coil 560 to generate electricity, the translator 570 may be kept
stationary and
the coil 560 may be moved over the translator 570. For example, magnets may be
attached
to the ends of a tube that has a copper coil mounted therearound and the rotor
magnets
530 may be used to push the tube and coil assembly while keeping the
translator 570
stationary. As another example, the lever 540 may be attached to the coil 560
while the
translator 570 remains stationary and the lift magnets 551, 552 may be used
push the coil
560 over the translator 570 to generate electricity.
[0055] Thus, according to one embodiment, there is provided an electrical
generator
500, comprising: a stator 510 having a coil 560 and a lift magnet 551 coupled
by a lever
540 to an induction magnet 572, the induction magnet 572 moveable
longitudinally within
the coil 560, the lever 540 configured to move the induction magnet 572 a
multiple of a
distance that the lift magnet 551 is moved; and, a rotor 520 moveable with
respect to the
stator 510, the rotor 520 having a rotor magnet 530, the rotor magnet 530 and
the lift
magnet 551 positioned with respective magnetic moments opposing; whereby
movement of
the rotor magnet 530 toward the lift magnet 551 causes the lift magnet 551 to
move away
from the rotor magnet 530 which in turn causes, by operation of the lever 540,
the induction
magnet 572 to move within the coil 560 to generate a first electromotive force
therein.
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[0056] In the above electrical generator 500, the lift magnet 551 and the
induction
magnet 572 may be configured to move vertically on the stator 510 and the
stator 510 may
be positioned over the rotor 520; whereby movement of the rotor magnet 530
horizontally
toward the lift magnet 551 causes the lift magnet 551 to move upward on the
stator 510
and away from the rotor magnet 530 which in turn causes, by operation of the
lever 540,
the induction magnet 572 to move upward within the coil 560 to generate the
first
electromotive force therein; and, whereby movement of the rotor magnet 530
horizontally
away from the lift magnet 551 causes the lift magnet 551 to move downward on
the stator
510 due to gravity which in turn causes, by operation of the lever 540, the
induction magnet
572 to move downward within the coil 560 to generate a second electromotive
force
therein. The rotor magnet 572 may move in a plane perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of
the stator 510. The coil 560 may be a wire helically wrapped around a tube.
The stator 510
may have a plurality of induction magnets 572 and a plurality of coils 560.
The plurality of
induction magnets 572 and the plurality of coils 560 may be configured to
generate three-
phase power. The electrical generator 500 may further include a plurality of
rotor magnets
530 mounted on the rotor 520 for sequentially repelling the lift magnet 551.
The plurality of
rotor magnets 530 may be spaced apart horizontally on the rotor 520. Adjacent
rotor
magnets 530, 532 of the plurality of rotor magnets 530 may be positioned at
different
vertical heights on the rotor 520. The rotor 520 may be a lower rotor plate
521 positioned
below the stator 510 and the electrical generator 500 may further include an
upper rotor
plate 522 positioned over the stator 510. The lift magnet 551 may be a lower
lift magnet
551 and the electrical generator 500 may further include an upper lift magnet
552 coupled
to the lower lift magnet 551 by a connecting rod 553. The connecting rod 553
may be
slideably mounted to a frame 511 of the stator 510. The induction magnet 572
may be
mounted on a guide rod 571 and the guide rod 571 may be slideabiy mounted to
the frame
511 of the stator 510. The coil 560 may be mounted on the frame 511 of the
stator 510 and
the guide rod 571 and the induction magnet 572 may be configured to pass
through the coil
560. The lever 540 may be a third class lever pivot coupled to the frame 511
of the stator
510 at a first end of the lever 540, pivot coupled to the connecting rod 553
proximate a
midpoint of the lever 540, and pivot coupled to the guide rod 571 at a second
end of the
lever 540. The electrical generator 500 may further include a first plurality
of rotor magnets
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530 mounted on the lower rotor plate 521 for sequentially repelling the lower
lift magnet
551 and a second plurality of rotor magnets 531 mounted on the upper rotor
plate 522 for
sequentially repelling the upper lift magnet 552. The first and second
plurality of rotor
magnets 530, 531 may be spaced apart horizontally on the lower and upper rotor
plates
521, 522, respectively. The first plurality of rotor magnets 530 may be offset
horizontally
from the second plurality of rotor magnets 531. Adjacent rotor magnets 530,
532, 531, 533
of the first and second plurality of rotor magnets 530, 531 may be positioned
at different
vertical heights on the lower and upper rotor plates 521, 522, respectively.
The rotor 520
may be mechanically coupled to a turbine. The rotor 520 may be directly
coupled to blades
of a vertical axis wind turbine. And, the lift magnet 551, induction magnet
572, and rotor
magnet 530 may be permanent magnets.
[0057] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of
generating
electricity, comprising: providing a stator 510 having a coil 560 and a lift
magnet 551
coupled by a lever 540 to an induction magnet 572, the induction magnet 572
moveable
longitudinally within the coil 560, the lever 540 configured to move the
induction magnet
572 a multiple of a distance that the lift magnet 551 is moved; and, moving a
rotor 520 with
respect to the stator 510, the rotor 520 having a rotor magnet 530, the rotor
magnet 530
and the lift magnet 551 positioned with respective magnetic moments opposing;
whereby
moving the rotor magnet 530 toward the lift magnet 551 causes the lift magnet
551 to move
away from the rotor magnet 530 which in turn causes, by operation of the lever
540, the
induction magnet 572 to move within the coil 560 to generate a first
electromotive force
therein.
[0058] While the exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is
to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The
invention is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included
within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims, and scope of the claims is to be
accorded an
interpretation that encompasses all such modifications and equivalent
structures and
functions.
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