Multiple magnet transducer

• US 6,768,230 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Xin, Hao, Cheung, Jeffrey T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullins, Burton S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, JUDSON
• Application Number:
  US10/077,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20030155827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 310/17, 310/12-15, 310/23, 310/24, 310/152, 310/30, 310/34, 310/19, 310/28, 333/661.8, 737/45, 290/1.R, 290/42, 290/43, 290/53, 290/54, 322/1, 322/3
• US Class Current: 310/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/1035 by a magnetic field acting on a magnetic liquid
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/088 radially supporting the rotor directly

Abstract

A dynamic magnet system, particularly useful for electrical generation, employs multiple magnets in polar opposition to each other and having a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, to induce an electrical signal in one or more surrounding coils. The magnets interact with each other to yield multiple modes of oscillation and a greater range of response to applied inputs than is achievable with a single magnet system. A lubricant for the magnets is preferably a ferrofluid that establishes a static coefficient of friction between the magnets and their support structure less than about 0.02, with a viscosity less than 10 centipoise. The magnets can be oriented for movement in a primarily horizontal direction and are adaptable to numerous different kinds of support structures, including ring-shaped.

Claims

1. A dynamic magnet system, comprising:

a support structure,

an even number of magnets oriented in polar opposition to individually move relative to said support structure along a common axis,

said support structure providing an unobstructed magnet movement path between said magnets,

a conductor oriented with respect to said support structure and magnets so that movement of said magnets induces an electrical signal in said conductor, and

an operating system powered by said signal.

2. The dynamic magnet system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of end magnets along said axis limiting the travel of said moving magnets, said end magnets oriented in polar opposition to the nearest respective moving magnets.

3. The dynamic magnet system of claim 1, said conductor comprising at least one coil wound on said support structure, said support structure being nonconductive.

4. The dynamic magnet system of claim 1, said support structure orienting said magnets for movement in a primarily horizontal direction.

5. The dynamic magnet system of claim 1, said magnets having multiple oscillation modes relative to said support structure.

6. The dynamic magnet system of claim 1, further comprising a ferrofluid bearings between said magnets and said support structure.

7. The dynamic magnet systems of claim 6, said ferrofluid having a viscosity less than 10 centipoise.

8. The dynamic magnet system of claim 6, said ferrofluid comprising a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid.

9. A dynamic magnet system comprising:

a support structure,

an even number of magnets oriented in polar opposition to individually move relative to said support structure along a common axis,

said support structure providing an unobstructed magnet movement path between said magnets, and

ultra low friction bearings establishing static coefficients of friction between said magnets and said support structure less than about 0.02.

10. The dynamic magnet system of claim 9, said bearings comprising a ferrofluid.

11. The dynamic magnet system of claim 10, said ferrofluid having a viscosity less than 10 centipoise.

12. The dynamic magnet system of claim 10, said ferrofluid comprising a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid.

13. The dynamic magnet system of claim 9, further comprising a conductor oriented with respect to said support structure and magnets so that movement of said magnets induces an electrical signal in said conductor.

14. The dynamic magnet system of claim 13, said conductor comprising at least one coil wound on said support structure, said support structure being nonconductive.

15. The dynamic magnet systems of claim 13, further comprising an operating system powered by said signal.

16. The dynamic magnet system of claim 9, further comprising a pair of end magnets limiting the travel of said moving magnets, said end magnets oriented in polar opposition to the nearest respective moving magnets.

17. The dynamic magnet system of claim 9, wherein said system has a critical angle of displacement for said magnets from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree.

18. The dynamic magnet system of claim 17, wherein said critical angle is less than 10 minutes.

20. A The dynamic magnet system of claim 9,

wherein said system has a critical angle of displacement for said magnets from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree.

21. The dynamic magnet system of claim 20, wherein said critical angle is less than 10 minutes.

19. A dynamic magnet system, comprising:

a support structure, and

an even number of magnets oriented in polar opposition to individually move relative to said support structure along a common axis,

said support structure providing an unobstructed magnet movement path between said magnets,

said magnets having multiple oscillation modes relative to said support structure.

22. The dynamic magnet system of claim 19, further comprising a conductor oriented with respect to said support structure and magnets so that movement of said magnets induces an electrical signal in said conductor.

23. The dynamic magnet system of claim 22, further comprising an operating system powered by said signal.

24. The dynamic magnet system of claim 19, further comprising ferrofluid bearings between said magnets and said support structure.

25. The dynamic magnet system of claim 24, said ferrofluid having a viscosity less than 10 centipoise.

26. The dynamic magnet system of claim 24, said ferrofluid comprising a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid.

27. The dynamic magnet system of claim 19, said support structure orienting said magnets for movement in a primarily horizontal direction.

28. A dynamic magnet system, comprising:

a support structure, and

an even number of magnets oriented in polar opposition to individually move relative to said support structure along a common axis,

said support structure providing an unobstructed magnet movement path between said magnets,

wherein said system has a critical angle of displacement for said magnets from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree.

29. The dynamic magnet system of claim 28, further comprising a conductor oriented with respect to said support structure and magnets so that movement of said magnets induces an electrical current in said conductor.

30. The dynamic magnet systems of claim 29, said conductor comprising at least one coil wound on said support structure, said support structure being nonconductive.

31. The dynamic magnet system of claim 29, further comprising an operating system powered by said current.