Generator and drive system

• US 4,446,418 A
• Filed: 01/11/1982
• Issued: 05/01/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Royest L. Richardson
• Original Assignee: Royest L. Richardson
• Inventors: Richardson, Royest L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duggan, Donovan F.
• Application Number:
  US06/338,506
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 310/74, 310/68 E, 322/4, 74/572
• US Class Current: 322/4
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/025 for power storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

A generator system for producing an electrical power output or for providing rotary motion for a drive system. The system includes a central shaft supported on bearings for free rotation. The shaft further includes a flywheel and a vibratory gyroscope mounted on it for storing energy. A drive means is used to apply torque to the shaft to cause it and the flywheel to rotate up to speed. A further coil is mounted on the shaft co-operable with opposed magnets to provide an electrical power output to an external load. Also a mechanical power output may be taken from the shaft for an external drive.

Claims

1. A generator system for providing an electrical power output, comprising:

a central shaft;

a support bearing for rotatably supporting said shaft at its lower end;

a flywheel mounted on said shaft intermediate its end;

an input means for providing a rotative drive to said shaft;

a gyro of the vibratory type mounted on said shaft proximate its upper end;

said gyro including a plurality of relatively thin rods extending symmetrically from said shaft, each such rod including a weight mounted on its free end; and

means for periodically interrupting the drive to said shaft, said flywheel and said gyro operable to continue the rotation of said shaft during such periodic interruption.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for applying rotative drive to said shaft includes an electrical motor, a power source for operating it, and a switch periodically operated for connecting said source to said electrical motor.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein a delay means is operably connected to said switch for operating it for a predetermined time interval.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flywheel is of the liquid containing type.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including an inner coil rotatably with said flywheel and an outer stationary coil.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein an electrical output is taken from said shaft by a commutator means.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft is supported at its lower end by a ball bearing means.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bearing means is of the magnetic bearing type.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said input means for providing a rotative drive to said shaft comprises a turbine mechanical drive means.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets are mounted juxtaposed to said inner coil.