Linear motion electric power generator

• US 5,347,186 A
• Filed: 05/26/1992
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KAB Laboratories, Inc. (Epsilon Systems Solutions Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: KAB Laboratories, Inc. (Epsilon Systems Solutions Incorporated), McQ Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Konotchick, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, JUDSON
• Application Number:
  US07/888,021
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 310/14, 310/15, 310/17, 310/23, 310/24, 335/270, 335/274, 322/3
• US Class Current: 310/17
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/04 with moving coil systems and stationary magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A linear motion electric power generator. A rare earth magnet and a coil are positioned to move linearly back and forth relative to each other. The movement of the coil in the field of the magnet generates a current in the coil. Springless orientation means are provided to maintain a neutral position about which the relative motion occurs.

Claims

1. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field, said at least one magnetic being contained in a non-ferrous, non-conducting tube,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnet and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs.

2. A generator as in claim 1 wherein said orientation means comprises a magnet located below and in magnetic polar opposition to said at least one rare earth magnet so as to counteract a gravitational force and suspend said rare earth magnet at said neutral position in the absence of said force.

3. A generator as in claim 1 wherein said orientation means comprises at least two orientation magnets each located on opposite sides of said at least one rare earth magnet and in magnetic opposition to said rare earth magnet so as to suspend said rare earth magnet between said at least two orientation magnets in the absence of said force.

4. A generator as in claim 1 and further comprising a source of bi-directional force wherein said source of bi-directional force also comprises said orientation means.

5. A generator as in claim 1 wherein said generator is fabricated in the general shape of a standard battery.

6. A generator as in claim 1 wherein said orientation means comprises a toroidal magnet means located outside said cylindrical tube and ferrous cylinder located inside said cylindrical tube.

7. A generator as in claim 1 and further comprising an electrical energy storage means.

8. A generator as in claim 7 wherein said storage means is a rechargeable battery.

9. A generator as in claim 7 wherein said storage means is a capacitor.

10. A generator as in claim 1 and further comprising a bridge rectifier.

11. A generator as in claim 1 wherein said generator is adapted to provide the power for low power electronics.

12. A generator as in claim 11 wherein said low power electronics is a radio.

13. A generator as in claim 1 and further comprising a magnetic shield means for confining the magnetic field produced by said at least one magnet.

14. A generator as in claim 13 wherein said shield is comprised of high permeability foil.

25. A generator as in claim 4 where gravitational force on a pendulum arm provides said bi-directional force and said orientation means.

26. A generator as in claim 25 wherein two pendulum arms are oriented at ninety degrees to each other so as to provide pendulum movement for any tilt of said generator.

15. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnetic and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnetic relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a a ferrous ring located outside said tube for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs.

16. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil contained in a non-ferrous, non-conducting tube and located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnet and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs.

17. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnetic and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnetic relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil,

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs, and

a first buoy and a second buoy wherein said at least one magnet is located in said first buoy and said at least one coil is located in said second buoy and said buoys are arranged so that when located on a body of water experiencing wave action said first buoy will move relatively to said second buoy.

22. A generator as in claim 17 wherein said first buoy is a long cylindrical buoy moving freely within said second buoy which is of toroidal shape and is much smaller in length.

23. A generator as in claim 17 wherein said first buoy is a shallow draft toroidal shaped buoy, and said second buoy is a long cylindrical buoy free to move within said first buoy.

24. A generator as in claim 17 and further comprising an electrical transmitter located in said second buoy.

18. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnetic and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnetic relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a magnet located below and in magnetic polar opposition to said at least one rare earth magnet so as to counteract a gravitational force and suspend said rare earth magnet at a neutral position, in the absence of said force, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs.

19. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnet and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil,

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs,

a source of bi-directional force wherein said source of bi-directional force also comprises an orientation means and a piston attached to said at least one magnet.

20. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnet and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs, wherein said generator is adapted to be worn on the body of a walker of a runner and said force is provided by the body motion of said walker or runner.

21. A linear motion electric power generator for generating electric current from mechanical work done by an intermittent force comprising:

at least one rare earth magnet defining a magnetic field,

at least one coil located within said magnetic field, said at least one magnet and said at least one coil being arranged to permit bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil so as to generate an electric current in said at least one coil, and

a springless orientation means for maintaining a neutral position in the absence of said force, of said at least one magnet relative to said at least one coil, from which said bi-directional, linear, or approximately linear, motion occurs, wherein said generator is adapted to be worn on the body of an animal and said force is provided by the body motion of said animal.