Magnetic transducer with ferrofluid end bearings
First Claim
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1. An electrical generator, comprising:
- a support structure, a conductor supported relative to said support structure, a magnet constrained by said support structure for movement relative to said conductor over a range, with at least a portion of the magnet'"'"'s magnetic field intersecting the conductor over at least a portion of said range, and ferrofluid bearings in the vicinity of the opposite ends of said magnet to provide a low friction interface between said magnet and said support structure, said conductor arranged with said magnet so that movement of said magnet over said range generates an electrical signal in said conductor.
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Abstract
An electrical generator includes one or more magnets that move relative to one or more conductors to generate an electrical signal in each conductor. Each magnet has ferrofluid bearings in the vicinity of its opposite ends to provide a low friction interface between the magnet and a support structure. The ferrofluid bearings establish a field expansion medium that directs at least a portion of the magnetic field so that a greater portion of the field intersects the conductors than in the absence of the medium. The magnet aspect ratio is preferably on the order of unity.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An electrical generator, comprising:
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a support structure, a conductor supported relative to said support structure, a magnet constrained by said support structure for movement relative to said conductor over a range, with at least a portion of the magnet'"'"'s magnetic field intersecting the conductor over at least a portion of said range, and ferrofluid bearings in the vicinity of the opposite ends of said magnet to provide a low friction interface between said magnet and said support structure, said conductor arranged with said magnet so that movement of said magnet over said range generates an electrical signal in said conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An electrical generator, comprising:
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a support structure, at least one magnet supported by and moveable with respect to said support structure, at least one conductor disposed with respect to said support structure so that an electrical signal is induced in said at least one conductor in response to movement of said at least one magnet through a range of movement, and a field expansion medium interfacing between said at least one magnet and said support structure, said medium directing at least a portion of the magnetic field from said at least one magnet so that a greater portion of said field intersects said at least one conductor, as said at least one magnet moves through said range of movement, than in the absence of said medium. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification