Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Patent
1995-10-26
1998-07-28
Dougherty, Thomas M.
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
310254, 310268, 318138, H02K 2500, H02K 4700
Patent
active
057866457
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric motor-generator. In particular, the invention relates to a motor-generator using permanent magnets and soft ferromagnetic cores.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a well-known principle that a permanent magnet will induce a magnetic field in a soft ferromagnetic element or core resulting in an attraction force between the core and the permanent magnet. It is also known to construct electric motor-generators in which permanent magnets interact with electromagnetic coils. In the case of a motor, current is supplied to the coils to propel the motor. In the case of a generator, the current induced in the coil as a result of the varying magnetic field resulting from movement of the permanent magnet with respect to the coil is withdrawn from the generator for useful purposes and is the product of work applied to the generator.
The efficiency of known motors is substantially less than perfect due to electrical losses and magnetic losses.
The magnetic circuits established between the permanent magnets and coils are not conventionally closed magnetic circuits when the magnet and coils are in proximate alignment.
Electrical current is also applied to conventional motors in a continuous alternating cycle or in a piecewise continuous fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an electric motor-generator in which natural attraction between permanent magnets and soft ferromagnetic cores is used to provide motive force. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a motor-generator in which a magnetic circuit is completed when the permanent magnets and cores are in proximate alignment. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a motor-generator in which a repulsion current provided to a coil associated with the core need only be applied for a fraction of the motor's cycle.
According to the invention there is provided an electric motor-generator comprising a rotor having an axis of rotation, a stator, at least one permanent magnet having a pole axis in a plane radial to the rotation axis of the rotor, at least one soft ferromagnetic attraction core through which poles of the magnet can pass, the magnet and the attraction core forming a magnetic circuit when in proximate alignment, at least one coil associated with the attraction core for producing a magnetic field in the attraction core for assisting motive passage of the magnet through the core, means for mounting the magnet, the attraction core and the coil to the rotor and the stator, and means for energizing the coil. In this way, the rotor is caused to rotate by attraction of the magnet to the attraction core as the magnet and attraction core approach one another, an opposite attraction force between the magnet and the attraction core being neutralizeable by energizing the coil as the magnet and the attraction core move apart.
It is to be understood that in the present description, a rotor can include an endless belt type system. The energizing means can include means for storing a current induced as the magnet approaches the proximate alignment position with the core, the stored current being redelivered to the coil at the appropriate time for reducing or breaking an attraction force between the core and the magnet.
The motor-generator may comprise a number of permanent magnets and cores, provided that the magnetic fields between adjacent cores and magnets do not interfere with one another. It is not necessary to have as many cores as magnets. It is possible to use the coils associated with the cores for assisting in the generation of motor force in the case of a motor and also for extracting electrical energy in the case of a generator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by way of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a cross-secti
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patent: 4584506 (1986-04-01), Kaszmann
patent: 4808868 (1989-02-01), Roberts
patent: 5355069 (1994-10-01), Bahn
Dougherty Thomas M.
Mullins B.
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