Electrical generator or motor structure – Non-dynamoelectric – Charge accumulating
Patent
1987-03-02
1989-03-21
Budd, Mark O.
Electrical generator or motor structure
Non-dynamoelectric
Charge accumulating
H02N 100
Patent
active
048146579
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an energy converting device, and particularly to an energy converting device that utilizes electrostatic force.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Electromagnetic motors and electromagnetic generators are examples of energy converting devices that are conventionally known. An electromagnetic motor utilizes the electromagnetic force produced when a current is passed through a coil in a magnetic field, thereby converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. In an electromagnetic generator, mechanical energy is used to rotate a magnetic field and induce a voltage in a coil provided around the rotating magnetic field, which is drawn off as electric power, thereby converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
With such conventional energy converting devices there arise the following problems.
An electromagnetic motor and an electromagnetic generator both require a coil and a magnetic material, because they each utilize an interaction between electric and magnetic fields, and in order to obtain a uniform output the number of electrodes used has to be increased, but because there is a limit as to how many electrodes can be used, a constant output is not obtained.
When attempting to achieve more compactness by reducing the size of the coils and the number of poles, because there are limitations with respect to the machining involved, there is a limit as to how the size can be made.
Even when attempts are made to reduce the size to the limit, the smaller the size becomes, the smaller the output, so it has not been possible to obtain an energy converting device that is both small in size and has sufficient output.
In order to generate standstill or holding torque it is necessary to maintain a constant flow of current, and the heat thus produced becomes a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above problems, in accordance with this invention, a construction is employed wherein at least one pair of electrodes is used and a capacitor formed by the electrodes is coupled with an actuator in an appropriate positional relationship, and each such capacitor is charged or discharged at an appropriate timing, whereby electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy or mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.
By employing the above construction, the electostatic force in accordance with Coulomb's law can be utilized to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, or vice-versa, extremely easily.
In addition, photolithography and thin-film deposition technologies which are used in the production of semiconductor devices can be applied to the fabrication of the capacitors and actuators, facilitating the provision of a high density, highly compact energy converting device.
Because the capacitor and actuator also can be arranged in very close proximity to each other, it is possible to obtain sufficient output with a compact device.
By providing many small converting units in an energy converting device according to this invention, it becomes possible to obtain a large output not heretofore obtainable with a conventional electrostatic motor, and at the same time the efficiency can be increased by inserting a dielectric material between the capacitors. The voltage at which dielectric breakdown occurs can also be raised by applying a fluid to the sliding surface of the actuator and reducing the gap to 200 micrometers or less.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory perspective views of the device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, when applied to a motor and a generator, respectively;
FIGS. 2A to 2L are explanatory diagrams of the basic principles;
FIGS. 3A to 3C are a plan view, front view and side view, respectively, showing the structural principles;
FIGS. 4A to 4C are, respectively, an explanatory diagram of the structure of the principle portions, a figure showing the permittivity distribution, and a circuit diagram explaining the operation;
FIGS. 5A to 5D are explanatory diag
REFERENCES:
patent: 1974483 (1934-09-01), Brown
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patent: 2617976 (1952-11-01), Felici
patent: 2656502 (1953-10-01), Felici
patent: 2662191 (1953-12-01), Okey
patent: 2739248 (1956-03-01), Meier
patent: 3107326 (1963-10-01), Denholm
patent: 3629624 (1971-12-01), Staudte
Daigaku Katei Denjikigaku Enshu, by Wakakuwa Mitsuo, Apr. 30, 1979, Shokodo (Tokyo) pp. 116-125.
Shimizu Hiroshi
Tanaka Hiroaki
Yano Masafumi
Adams Bruce L.
Budd Mark O.
Wilks Van C.
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