Self Powered Generators & Motors - Part 12

[seraphis]

Publication Number
US2009-0096219

Title
ENERGY GENERATION APPARATUS AND METHODS BASED UPON MAGNETIC FLUX SWITCHING

Abstract
In an electrical energy generator, at least one permanent magnet generates flux and a magnetizable member forms the
single flux path. An electrically conductive coil is wound around the magnetizable member, and a plurality of flux
switches are operative to sequentially reverse the flux from the magnet through the member, thereby inducing electrical
current in the coil. A "Figure-8" construction comprises two continuous loops of magnetizable material sharing a magnetizable
member common to both loops. An alternative configuration uses stacked loops and a separate piece of material
acting as the magnetizable member. One end of the magnet is coupled to one of the loops, with the other end being coupled
to the other loop. Each loop further includes two flux switches operated in a 2x2 sequence to sequentially reverse the flux
through the magnetizable member. A relatively small amount of electrical power is used to control the magnetic flux of a
permanent magnet by switching the flux between alternate paths.

The resulting power from the switched magnetic flux yields substantially more power than the power required for the input switching.

Field Of The Invention
[0002]   This invention relates generally to energy generation and, in particular, to methods and apparatus wherein magnetic flux is switched through a flux path to produce electricity.

Summary Of The Invention
[0013] This invention is directed to methods and apparatus wherein magnetic flux is switched in direction and in intensity through a flux path to produce electricity. The apparatus broadly comprises at least one permanent magnet generating flux, a magnetizable member forming the flux path, an electrical conductor wound around the magnetizable member, and a plurality of flux switches operative to sequentially reverse the flux from the magnet through the member, thereby inducing electrical current in the coil.
[0014] The preferred embodiment includes first and second loops of magnetizable material. The first loop has four segments in order A, 1, B, 2, and the second loop has four segments in order C, 3, D, 4. The magnetizable member couples segments 2 and 4,and the permanent magnet couples segments 1 and 3, such that the flux from the magnet flows through segments A, B, C, D and the magnetizable member. Four magnetic flux switches are provided, each controlling the flux through a respective one of the segments A, B, C, D. A controller is operative to activate switches A-D and B-C in an alternating sequence, thereby reversing the flux through the segment and inducing electricity in the electrical conductor. The flux flowing through each segment A, B, C, D is substantially half of that flowing through the magnetizable member prior to switch activation.
[0015] The loops and magnetizable member are preferably composed of a nano crystalline material exhibiting a substantially square BH intrinsic curve. Each magnetic flux switch adds flux to the segment it controls, thereby magnetically saturating that segment when activated. To implement the switches, each segment may have an aperture formed there through and a coil of wire wound around a portion of that segment and through the aperture. The controller may be at least initially operative to drive the switch coils with electrical current spikes.
[0016] The first and second loops may be toroidal in shape, and the loops may be spaced apart from one another, with A opposing C, 1 opposing 3, B opposing D and 2 opposing 4. The magnetizable member in this case is preferably a separate piece of material. Alternatively, the first and second loops may form a "Figure-S" shape, with the two loops intersecting to form the magnetizable member.
[0017] The permanent magnet(s) and the material comprising the magnetic paths are preferably proportioned such that the material through the common segment is at or slightly below its maximum relative permeability before the electrically conducting output coil is energized. In the preferred embodiments, the power resulting from the switched magnetic flux yields substantially more power than the power required for the input switching.

Brief Description Of The Drawings
[0018]   FIG.1 is a drawing of prior art reluctance switch in the form of an electrical toroid inserted into a primary magnetic path;
[0019]   FIG. 2 is a detail drawing of a reluctance switch according to the invention;
[0020]   FIGS. 3A and 3B are detail drawings showing the use of four reluctance switches according to the invention;
[0021]   FIG.4 is a drawing that depicts a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0022]   FIG. 5 is a detail drawing an alternative reluctance switch according to the invention implemented through split laminations;
[0023]   FIGS. 6A and 6B show the operation of an energy generator according to the invention;
[0024]   FIG.7A is an exploded view of a preferred energy generator construction;
[0025]   FIG.7B is a side view of the construction of FIG. 7A..............