Electrical power generation by coupled magnets

• US 20030197433A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Technology Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Xin, Hao, Cheung, Jeffrey T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,798,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/14
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

An electrical generator has a plurality of mutually spaced magnets that move together relative to at least one coil to generate an electrical signal in the coils. Equal numbers of magnets and coils, with equal lengths and spacings between them, are preferably employed. Significant enhancements in power output are achieved by orienting successive magnets in magnetic opposition to each other, so that the magnetic fields from successive magnets along the axis of movement substantially cancel each other at locations between the magnets.

Claims

1. An electrical generator, comprising:

a plurality of mutually spaced conductors distributed along a common axis, and

a plurality of mutually spaced magnets arranged for movement together relative to said conductors along said axis, with at least some of said magnets moveable in magnetic proximity to a plurality of said conductors, movement of said magnets relative to said conductors generating electrical signals in said conductors.

2. The electrical generator of claim 1, said conductors comprising coils.

3. The electrical generator of claim 2, comprising equal numbers of said magnets and coils.

4. The electrical generator of claim 3, said magnets and coils having substantially equal lengths along said axis.

5. The electrical generator of claim 3, the spacings between said magnets being substantially equal to the spacings between said coils.

6. The electrical generator of claim 2, said magnets being arranged to move relative to said coils inside said coils.

7. The electrical generator of claim 2, said magnets being arranged to move relative to said coils outside said coils.

8. The electrical generator of claim 1, wherein successive magnets along said axis are oriented in magnetic opposition to each other.

9. The electrical generator of claim 8, said magnets generating similar magnetic fields so that the magnetic fields from successive magnets parallel to said axis substantially cancel each other at locations between said magnets.

10. The electrical generator of claim 1, said magnets comprising permanent magnets.

11. The electrical generator of claim 1, wherein said axis is substantially linear.

12. The electrical generator of claim 11, wherein said magnets are arranged for a reciprocating linear motion relative to said conductors along said axis.

13. The electrical generator of claim 1, wherein said axis is circular.

14. The electrical generator of claim 1, further comprising a support structure for said magnets, and a ferrofluid providing a low friction lubricant between said magnets and said support structure.

15. The electrical generator of claim 1, further comprising a support structure for said magnets, and a lubricant between said magnets and said support structure having a static coefficient of friction less than 0.01 and a viscosity less than 10 centipoise.

16. The electrical generator of claim 1, wherein said conductors are connected so that their electrical signals are combined.

17. The electrical generator of claim 1, further comprising an operating system connected to be powered by said electrical signals.

18. The electrical generator of claim 17, said operating system comprising a battery charger, a cellular telephone, an environmental sensor, a signal transmitter or a flashlight.

19. The electrical generator of claim 17, wherein said operating system is battery operated, and said battery is connected to be recharged by said electrical signals.

20. The electrical generator of claim 17, wherein said conductors are connected so that said electrical signals power said operating system in real time.

21. An electrical generator, comprising:

at least one conductive coil, and

a plurality of mutually spaced magnets constrained to move together relative to said at least one coil so that alternating increasing and decreasing magnetic fields are established in said at least one coil to generate electric currents in said at least one coil as said magnets move relative to coils.

22. The electrical generator of claim 21, said at least one coil comprising a plurality of mutually spaced coils.

23. The electrical generator of claim 22, wherein said coils and magnets are arranged along a common axis.

24. The electrical generator of claim 23, where the lengths of and spacings between said coils are substantially equal to the lengths of and spacings between said magnets.

25. The electrical generator of claim 22, wherein said coils are connected so that their electrical signals are combined.

26. The electrical generator of claim 21, wherein successive magnets are oriented in magnetic opposition to each other.

27. The electrical generator of claim 26, said magnets generating similar magnetic fields so that the magnetic fields from successive magnets parallel to the direction of magnet movement substantially cancel each other at locations between said magnets.

28. The electrical generator of claim 21, further comprising a support structure for said magnets, and a ferrofluid providing a low friction lubricant between said magnets and said support structure.

29. The electrical generator of claim 21, further comprising a support structure for said magnets, and a lubricant between said magnets and said support structure having a static coefficient of friction less than 0.01 and a viscosity less than 10 centipoise.

30. The electrical generator of claim 21, further comprising an operating system connected to be powered by said electric current.

31. The electrical generator of claim 30, said operating system comprising a battery charger, a cellular telephone, an environmental sensor, a signal transmitter or a flashlight.

32. A method of generating electricity, comprising:

establishing magnetic fields within a plurality of mutually spaced conductive coils, and

alternately increasing and decreasing said magnetic fields in tandem to generate electric currents in said coils.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said magnetic fields are alternated between non-zero and substantially zero field values.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of combining said electric currents.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of powering an operating system with said electric currents.