Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an apparatus (10) for generating electrical power which utilizes an electrically superconductive coil (22) immersed in a cryogenic fluid for generating a magnetic field within a region surrounding the superconductive coil (22) when an electrical current circulates in the superconductive coil (22). The apparatus further includes a prime mover (24) and a conduit (26, 30) which conducts a flow of gas resulting from evaporation of a cryogenic fluid to the prime mover (24) to induce rotational motion in the prime mover (24). An electrical conductor (44) is rotatably mounted within the region surrounding the superconductive coil (22) in which the magnetic field is generated. The electrical conductor (44) is operatively connected to the prime mover (24) so that rotational movement of the prime mover (24) is transferred to the electrical conductor (24) to generate an electrical output current.
Abstract:
Various configurations of an electrometric turbine are discussed. In one possible arrangement the turbine is a radial drum type turbine (1800) and includes a pair of opposing magnetic assemblies (1801 1 , 1801 2 ) with drum (1802) positioned therebetween. Each of the magnetic assemblies (1801 1 , 1801 2 ) includes a pair of coils an outer coil (18031) and an inner coil 18032. The coils are arranged concentrically about the axis of rotation of the drum (1802), i.e. the coils (1803 1 , 1803 2 ) are co-axial with the rotational axis of the drum (1802). The drum (1802) includes at least one conductive element (1805) coupled to current transfer mechanisms (1806) which pass current acrossthe drum (1802). As current is passed across the conductive layer (1805) of the drum (1802) torque is generated on the drum (1802). The torque is transferred to the output shaft (1807) which passes through the drum and magnetic elements.
Abstract:
A generator that comprises at least one ferromagnetic core including a gap, a magnet capable of producing a normal magnetic field within said gap and at least one coil positioned within the normal magnetic field on the core. At least one diamagnet that is positioned to pass through said gap on said core, wherein the diamagnet momentarily blocks the normal magnetic field causing a voltage to be induced within said coil.
Abstract:
A homopolar machine produces an axial counter force on the rotating shaft to compensate for the load on the shaft's thrust bearing to reduce wear and noise and prolong bearing life. The counter force is produced through magnetic interaction between the shaft and the machine's field coils and is created by changing the current excitation of the field coils, which results in a magnetic flux asymmetry in an inner flux return coupled to the shaft. The homopolar machine may also have a configuration that uses current collectors that maintain substantially constant contact pressure in the presence of high magnetic fields to improve current collector performance. The current collectors are flexible and may be made from either electrically conductive fibers or stacked strips such that they bear up against the armature so that the pressure is maintained by the spring constant of the current collector material. The homopolar machine may also have a configuration where the brushes are oriented so that the current is aligned as much as is practical with the local magnetic field lines so as to reduce the lateral electromagnetic forces on the brushes.
Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an apparatus (10) for generating electrical power which utilizes an electrically superconductive coil (22) immersed in a cryogenic fluid for generating a magnetic field within a region surrounding the superconductive coil (22) when an electrical current circulates in the superconductive coil (22). The apparatus further includes a prime mover (24) and a conduit (26, 30) which conducts a flow of gas resulting from evaporation of a cryogenic fluid to the prime mover (24) to induce rotational motion in the prime mover (24). An electrical conductor (44) is rotatably mounted within the region surrounding the superconductive coil (22) in which the magnetic field is generated. The electrical conductor (44) is operatively connected to the prime mover (24) so that rotational movement of the prime mover (24) is transferred to the electrical conductor (24) to generate an electrical output current.
Abstract:
A generator including a first magnetic assembly and a second magnetic assembly wherein the first and second magnetic assemblies are arranged in parallel for the production of a magnetic field and a null magnetic field region, a rotor positioned between the first and second magnetic assemblies the rotor being coupled to a drive shaft extending through the first and second magnetic assemblies wherein a portion of the rotor is positioned in the null field region, a least one current transfer mechanism coupled to the rotor in the null field region and at least one current transfer mechanism coupled to the shaft, a drive mechanism attached to the shaft, whereby actuation of the drive mechanism causes rotation of the rotor in the magnetic field to produce a electric potential between the first and second current transfer mechanisms.
Abstract:
An acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter that uses superconducting series connected rotor elements for series summation of magnetomotive and electromotive force. The novel rotor assembly comprises a plurality of conductor elements connected in series by superconducting series connections. The behavior of the superconducting series connections provides a form of flux isolation and series summation of forces that has heretofore been impossible in electromechanical power converters. The superconducting series connections further modify the rotor impedance of an acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter to provide long needed improvements to acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter designs.
Abstract:
An acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter that uses superconducting series connected rotor elements for series summation of magnetomotive and electromotive force. The novel rotor assembly comprises a plurality of conductor elements connected in series by superconducting series connections. The behavior of the superconducting series connections provides a form of flux isolation and series summation of forces that has heretofore been impossible in electromechanical power converters. The superconducting series connections further modify the rotor impedance of an acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter to provide long needed improvements to acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter designs.
Abstract:
The generator includes a stator assembly (16, 17) for generating a magnetic field within an interior region and a rotor (18) responsive to the input drive and the magnetic field for generating the output generator voltage. The rotor includes a current generator means (19, 21, 28, 29) that responds to the rotation of the rotor (18) in the magnetic field to collect the current and voltage to output terminals (30, 31). An energy storage means (12, 13) is also provided with the rotating rotor for storing kinetic energy where the energy storage capacity of a storage means (12, 13) is determined independently of collection of the current and voltage by the current generator means (19, 21, 28, 29).
Abstract:
A flywheel energy storage system (101) has a flywheel (201, 203) and a homopolar machine with a rotor (501) having at least one first lobe (503) and at least one second lobe (505); an annular armature coil arrangement (701) surrounding the rotor (501); a stator (601); a high temperature superconductor field coil (401) between the stator (601) and the rotor (501); and an electromagnetic shield (412) to restrict passage of alternating field from armature windings (703) to the field coil (401). The stator (601) has first and second end sections (603, 605), and a bridge section (607). The first and second end sections (603, 605) have a plurality of laminations to enable flux to travel radially and axially. The bridge section (607) comprises a plurality of laminations to enable flux to travel in an arcuate path around the bridge section (607) between the first and second end sections (603, 605).