Resonant electrical generation system

• US 6,876,094 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/086,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 310/13, 310/15, 310/25, 310/36
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/041 Linear electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/043 Electric generators using oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 71/04 Adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus driven thereby
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/34 Ultra-small engines, e.g. for driving models
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/00 Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/003 driven by piezoelectric means F04B43/046 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/042 the solenoid motor being separated from the fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 7/0076 the members being actuated by electro-magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: F23C 15/00 Apparatus in which combustion takes place in pulses influenced by acoustic resonance in a gas mass for generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R7/00; starting devices F23D11/42
• CPC Class Codes: F23C 6/00 Combustion apparatus characterised by the combination of two or more combustion chambers or combustion zones, e.g. for staged combustion
• CPC Class Codes: F23C 99/00 Subject-matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/04 with moving coil systems and stationary magnets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1884 structurally associated with free piston engines

Abstract

A resonant electrical generation system includes a resonator, an energy source, and an electrical generator. The resonator provides resonating movement in a resonating element. The resonator can include a mass and spring element. The energy source is operatively coupled to the resonator to maintain resonating movement of the resonating element. The energy source can be a pulsatile linear combustor. The electrical generator is operatively coupled to and driven by the resonator to generate electrical power from the resonating movement.

Claims

1. A resonant electrical generation system, comprising:

a) a resonator configured to provide resonating movement in a resonating element;

b) an energy source, operatively coupled to the resonator, to support resonating movement of the resonating element, including;

an elongated combustion tube having a mixing chamber and an exhaust port;

a fuel source, coupled to the mixing chamber of the combustion tube, configured to provide fuel to the combustion tube; and

an igniter, in the combustion tube, configured to ignite the fuel;

c) an electrical generator, operatively coupled to and driven by the resonator, configured to generate electrical power from the resonating movement;

d) a cylinder, coupled to the exhaust port of the combustion tube;

e) a piston, reciprocally disposed in the cylinder; and

f) a push rod, coupled to and between the piston and the resonator, configured to transmit movement of the piston to the resonator.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resonator includes:

a) a base;

b) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

c) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the combustion tube is configured to produce pulsatile combustion gasses out of the exhaust port corresponding to a resonant frequency of the resonator.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the combustion tube has a diameter less than approximately 1100 microns.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical generator includes:

a magnet and a coil, one of which is attached to the resonator and configured for resonating movement along a movement path, and the other one of which is disposed in a fixed position adjacent the movement path, the magnet and coil being movably disposed with respect to one another so that a magnetic field of the magnet is capable of inducing a current in the coil.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resonator includes:

a) a base;

b) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

c) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resonator resonates at a frequency between approximately 50 Hz to 2 KHz.

8. A resonant electrical generation system, comprising:

a) a resonating system configured to provide resonating movement in a resonating element;

b) a combustion tube, operatively coupled to the resonating system, configured to produce pulsatile combustion gases to support resonating movement of the resonating system; and

c) a magnet and a coil, one of which is attached to the resonating system and configured for resonant movement along a movement path, and the other one of which is disposed in a fixed position adjacent the movement path, the magnet and coil being movably disposed with respect to one another so that a magnetic field of the magnet is capable of inducing a current in the coil.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the resonating system includes:

a) a base;

b) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

c) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, further comprising:

a) a cylinder, coupled to the exhaust port of the combustion tube;

b) a piston, reciprocally disposed in the cylinder; and

c) a push rod, coupled to and between the piston and the resonating system, configured to transmit movement of the piston to the resonating system.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the combustion tube is configured to produce pulsatile combustion gasses out of the exhaust port corresponding to a resonant frequency of the resonating system.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the resonator resonates at a frequency between approximately 50 Hz to 2 KHz.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the combustion tube has a diameter less than approximately 1100 microns.

14. An electrical generation system, comprising:

a) a resonating structure configured for resonating movement, including;

1) a base;

2) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

3) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base;

b) an energy source, operatively coupled to the resonating structure, to support resonating movement, including;

1) an elongated combustion tube having a closed end, a mixing chamber and an exhaust port at an opposite end, the resonating structure being operatively coupled to the exhaust port of the combustion tube;

2) a fuel source, coupled to the mixing chamber of the combustion tube, configured to provide fuel to the combustion tube; and

3) an igniter, disposed in the combustion tube, configured to ignite the fuel; and

c) an electrical generator, operatively coupled to and driven by the resonating structure, configured to generate electricity due to the resonating movement.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the electrical generator includes:

a magnet and a coil, one of which is attached to the resonating structure and configured for resonant movement along a movement path, and the other one of which is disposed in a fixed position adjacent the movement path, the magnet and wire being movably disposed with respect to one another so that a magnetic field of the magnet is capable of inducing a current in the coil.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the resonator resonates at a frequency between approximately 50 Hz to 2 KHz.

17. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the combustion tube has a diameter less than approximately 1100 microns.

18. A resonant electrical generation system, comprising:

a) a resonator configured to provide resonating movement in a resonating element;

b) an energy source, operatively coupled to the resonator, to support resonating movement of the resonating element, including;

an elongated combustion tube having a mixing chamber and an exhaust port and a diameter less than approximately 1100 microns;

a fuel source, coupled to the mixing chamber of the combustion tube, configured to provide fuel to the combustion tube; and

an igniter, in the combustion tube, configured to ignite the fuel; and

c) an electrical generator, operatively coupled to and driven by the resonator, configured to generate electrical power from the resonating movement.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the resonator includes:

a) a base;

b) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

c) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base.

20. A system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising:

a) a cylinder, coupled to the exhaust port of the combustion tube;

b) a piston, reciprocally disposed in the cylinder; and

c) a push rod, coupled to and between the piston and the resonator, configured to transmit movement of the piston to the resonator.

21. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the combustion tube is configured to produce pulsatile combustion gasses out of the exhaust port corresponding to a resonant frequency of the resonator.

22. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the electrical generator includes:

a magnet and a coil, one of which is attached to the resonator and configured for resonating movement along a movement path, and the other one of which is disposed in a fixed position adjacent the movement path, the magnet and coil being movably disposed with respect to one another so that a magnetic field of the magnet is capable of inducing a current in the coil.

23. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the resonator includes:

a) a base;

b) a spring element, coupled at one end to the base; and

c) a mass, coupled to another end of the spring element, configured for resonating movement with respect to the base.

24. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the resonator resonates at a frequency between approximately 50 Hz to 2 KHz.