Abstract

An electric motor (20) comprises a first member (1) having one or more magnetic, electric or electro-magnetic components, a second member (2) having one or more magnetic, electric or electro-magnetic components, and a fluid containing ferromagnetic particles (6) located in between the first member (1) and the second member (2)

IPC Classes  ?

• H02K 1/02 - Details of the magnetic circuit characterised by the magnetic material

Abstract

A power generator unit is configured to respond to external motion that has a predetermined frequency range. The unit has a first member including one or more magnetic components and a second member including one or more electrical component, such as coils, movable relative to each other such that an electromagnetic interaction between the electrical and magnetic components generates an electrical current in the electrical component. A spring element is coupled to at least one of the first and second members to define a spring-mass system. The spring mass system is configured to reciprocatively move the electrical and magnetic components relative to each other in response to external motion. One or more properties of the first member, the second member, and the spring element are selected and adjusted based on the predetermined frequency range of the motion to maximize the relative movement between the electrical component and the magnetic component.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02K 35/02 - Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• H02K 35/04 - Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit with moving coil systems and stationary magnets

Abstract

A power generator (200) that provides power to a portable device has a housing that is subject to external motion. The power generator has a first member (218) comprising an electrical component (224) and a second member (210) comprising a magnetic component (220) movable relative to the electrical component such that an electromagnetic interaction between the electrical and magnetic components generates an electrical current in the electrical component. The electrical current can be used as a charge current, for example, for charging one or more batteries. A spring element (228) coupled to at least one of the first and second members defines a spring-mass system that is responsive to the external motion for moving the first member and second member relative to each other along a movement axis. The electrical component comprises a coil having one or more windings around a coil axis that is substantially perpendicular to the movement axis.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02K 35/04 - Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit with moving coil systems and stationary magnets
• F16C 29/02 - Sliding-contact bearings
• H01F 1/00 - Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials thereforSelection of materials for their magnetic properties

Abstract

A power generator (100) comprises a plurality of power generator units (110) that are arranged to form a compound structure; for example the generator units can project radially outward from a central movement axis (B). Each power generator unit (110) comprises a first member (10) having an electrical component and a second member (18) having a magnetic component movable relative to the electrical component such that an electromagnetic interaction between the electrical and magnetic components generates an electrical current in the electrical component. A movement unit coupled to at least one of the first member and the second member is adapted to reciprocatingly move the electrical and magnetic components relative to each other along the central movement axis. The electrical component comprises a coil (24) having one or more windings around a coil axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central movement axis.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02K 35/02 - Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

The present invention is an improved energy harvester or generator based on a yoked magnet array design based on a plurality of magnets arranged into at least two spaced apart linear or circular magnet arrays. The spaced apart magnet arrays are juxtaposed with each magnet in one array attractively interacting with the corresponding magnet in the other array across a small gap. The magnetic flux across the gap is further enhanced by having adjacent magnets in each array having alternate magnetic orientation and by providing a magnetic yoke of magnetically permeable material for the magnet ends of each array that do not face the gap. The gap is provided to allow a conductor in the form of a coil fit between the magnets. Relative motion between the coil and the magnets results in maximal generation of electrical power by the coil.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02K 41/03 - Synchronous motorsMotors moving step by stepReluctance motors
• H02K 35/04 - Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit with moving coil systems and stationary magnets
• H02K 5/167 - Means for supporting bearings, e.g. insulating supports or means for fitting bearings in the bearing-shields using sliding-contact or spherical cap bearings
• F16C 29/02 - Sliding-contact bearings
• H01F 1/00 - Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials thereforSelection of materials for their magnetic properties
• H02K 21/24 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets axially facing the armatures, e.g. hub-type cycle dynamos
• H02K 3/30 - Windings characterised by the insulating material