Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-06-05
Ramirez, Nestor (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
C310S07000A, C310S07000A, C310S153000, C310S104000, C123S1490FA
Reexamination Certificate
active
06242828
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flywheel-rotor, and more particularly, to a flywheel-rotor apparatus that converts electrical to mechanical power to start an engine and that generates electric power by varying the speed of a moving magnetic field.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flywheels are designed to stabilize the turning forces generated by combustion engines. These devices, which are generally attached to shafts, are of sufficient mass to oppose the varying torque of an engine. The inertia of the flywheel reduces cyclic variations in engine speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises an unitary flywheel-rotor having an inner portion and an outer portion made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for example. An air channel or gap separates at least part of the inner from the outer portions, and a stator is positioned radially inward from the inner portion. At least one electric current path is established in the inner portion to enable electric current flow when the stator magnetically interacts with the inner portion.
In one aspect of the invention, the inner portion further includes an electrically conductive annular portion electrically connected to the current path. A disk unitarily joined to the inner portion may also be used in an aspect of the invention. Preferably, the disk has radially extending fins that may be modulated to reduce air flow drag and limit noise.
In another aspect of the invention, the flywheel-rotor apparatus includes a plurality of stacked laminations at least partially enclosed by sections of the inner and the outer portions. Preferably, the laminations are substantially circular in shape, although other shapes known to those of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the invention.
The above-described laminations have inner and outer surfaces. A plurality of teeth may be arranged around at least part of the inner or the outer surfaces or may be arranged around a portion of both surfaces. Alternatively, some of the laminations may have teeth arranged around only their inner surfaces while other laminations may have teeth arranged around only their outer surfaces.
In yet another aspect of the invention, one or more of the laminations may have an axis of symmetry coincident with the diameter of the inner or the outer portions. In these exemplary embodiments, teeth arranged around a portion of the inner, the outer, or both of the surfaces are distributed such that the teeth are symmetrically arranged around one or more of a portion of these surfaces. In alternative embodiments, the laminations may not be symmetrical, and thus the teeth may be arranged asymmetrically around one or more of a portion of the surfaces. In yet another embodiment, some of the laminations have teeth on their outer surfaces, whereas other laminations do not have outer teeth.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a magnet may be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of some of the laminations. These laminations may include a spaced apart portion which forms a cavity to receive the magnet. Like the inner teeth that may be substantially flush with the inner surface, the magnet may be substantially flush with or spaced apart from the outer surface.
The disclosed inner and outer portions form a unitary flywheel-rotor apparatus that moderates speed fluctuations and stores excess mechanical energy for later use. The flywheel-rotor apparatus can transform mechanical power into electrical power, can transform electrical power into mechanical power, and may further function as a voltage generator and a voltage regulator that matches electrical output to the electrical load and/or to the charging requirements of a battery without regard to engine speed. These features as well as other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the invention described below.
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Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Lam Thanh
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Ramirez Nestor
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