US20160049832A1

US20160049832A1 - One-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for a frictionless wind turbine

Info

Publication number: US20160049832A1
Application number: US14/460,347
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph M. Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-18
Also published as: US8796878B1

Abstract

A one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for use with a frictionless wind turbine comprises a stationary inner core unit having a plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets arranged around a core shaft portion; a rotating outer core unit having a plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets, arranged along a circumference thereof and optimally angled towards the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets in the stationary inner core unit to create a magnetic repulsive force; and a switching means for raising/lowering the stationary inner core unit to engage/disengage the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets with the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets. The magnetic repulsive force between the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets causes a continuous rotational motion of the outer core unit around the inner core unit thereby rotating the frictionless wind turbine without wind.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is an improvement upon and incorporates by reference in its entirety, as if set forth in full, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,531, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to wind turbines, and more particularly to a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for use with a frictionless wind turbine that rotates without the need for wind.
Wind turbines are rotary devices that generate energy from the wind. Coupling a wind turbine to a generator or alternator provides a renewable source of electricity that does not require fossil fuels or excrete carbon byproducts. Most wind turbines are supported by one or more bearing assemblies. These assemblies hold a wind turbine in place and allow its rotation while attempting to minimize operational friction of the wind turbine. Nevertheless, friction in a wind turbine remains a significant problem. Operational friction of a wind turbine can limit the useful force available for power generation and typically leads to reduced reliability and high maintenance costs.
Many attempts have been made to minimize operational friction of the wind turbine using magnetic levitation. Such magnetic levitating frictionless wind turbines often allow the generation of electricity at very low wind power due the lack of friction between the rotating parts. But none of the frictionless wind turbines provide a means for rotating the turbine during downtime of the turbine blades without the need for wind.
This renders the frictionless wind turbines ineffective for durable, uninterrupted power generation.
Recent advancements in the art provide a frictionless wind turbine (See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,531, filed on Mar. 15, 2013) utilizing a plurality of magnetic levitation bearings for magnetic levitation. The frictionless wind turbine comprises a housing, a plurality of turbine blades, a rigid shaft, a plurality of magnetic levitation bearings, at least one compression bearing, a plurality of stationary electrical coiled segments and a plurality of magnet segments. The magnetic levitation bearings are arranged in magnetic communication with each other to create a magnetic repulsive force for magnetic levitation. The magnetic repulsive force and a twisting motion of the turbine blades cause a rotational motion of the magnet segments, thereby inducing electrical energy in the stationary electrical coiled segments. However, the turbine blades require at least a minimal amount of wind to spin thereby preventing the turbine from rotating when there is no wind.
U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100213723 by Kazadi (Aug. 26, 2010) provides a novel wind turbine configuration that utilizes a permanent magnetic male and female levitation support for magnetic levitation. The novel wind turbine has a female part attached to a payload which is magnetically levitated above a male part of the levitation support. The female part and the payload are further operatively attached to a vertical axle structure which is held stationary by a point of contact. The point of contact and the vertical axle structure provide a stable axis of rotation for the payload and the female part, which can be rotated with near-zero friction. However, the components of the wind turbine contact each other during use which subjects the above detailed invention to excessive wear and tear. Further, the wind turbine does not rotate in no-wind conditions.
Moreover, U.S. Pat. Application No. 20090322095 by Mazur (Dec. 31, 2009) discloses a wind turbine having one or more sets of opposing magnets to create an opposing force between a turbine support and a turbine rotor great enough to form a space between turbine support and a turbine rotor, thereby reducing friction between the turbine support and the turbine rotor. The reduction of friction between the turbine rotor and the turbine support allows for an increase in energy production and scale of the wind turbines. However, the wind turbine does not produce energy at lower and zero wind speeds, occupies a lot of space and requires high maintenance costs.
U. S. Pat. No. 7,303,369 issued to Rowan (Dec. 4, 2007) provides a lift and drag-based vertical axis wind turbine in which the vertical axis and foils mounted thereon are magnetically levitated above the turbine's base, thereby reducing friction within the system. The foils or vanes are three-dimensionally shaped about the vertical axis and capture wind through 360 degrees of rotation under any wind condition. The system has an axial flux alternator using variable resistance coils which can be individually and selectively turned on or off depending on wind conditions and electrical draw requirements. However, the vertical axis wind turbine is a large scale installation that cannot be used for commercial purposes when the wind is not blowing. Moreover, the operating cost of the wind turbine is relatively high.
Therefore, there is a need for a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for use with a frictionless wind turbine that can rotate in no-wind condition. Such a system would allow the frictionless wind turbine to spin using the magnetic repulsion force generated by a plurality of one-way shielded magnets with the same poles facing each other, coming in close proximity of each other. Further, the system would have a switching means to engage or disengage the system depending on the presence of wind. Finally, the system would eliminate the downtime of the frictionless wind turbine when there is no wind, thereby providing uninterrupted power generation. The present invention accomplishes all these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for use with a frictionless wind turbine that uses the magnetic repulsion force generated by a plurality of one-way shielded magnets with the same poles facing each other, coming in close proximity of each other to rotate without the need for wind. Said invention comprises a stationary inner core unit and a rotating outer core unit. The stationary inner core unit has a plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets arranged around an inner cylinder which is operatively attached to a rigid shaft along a longitudinal axis of the frictionless wind turbine. The rotating outer core unit has a plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets arranged along the inner circumference of an outer cylinder and optimally angled towards the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets in the stationary inner core unit. The rotating outer core unit is operatively attached to a housing of the frictionless wind turbine. Both the plurality of inner and outer one-way shielded magnets have same magnetic polarity to create a magnetic repulsive force for continual rotating motion of the outer core unit around the inner core unit.
Each of the plurality of inner and outer one-way shielded magnets has at least two sides suppressed and thereby does not conduct magnetic flux emission. The inner and outer one-way shielded magnets have a single positive/negative polarity while an opposite polarity is suppressed. The inner and outer one-way shielded magnet is a housing unit created by combing a magnet with multiple layers of spacing using plastic, paper, various metals and discharged alkaline batteries, and any other magnetic flux absorbing material that suppresses the magnetic flux that is being emitted by of one of the magnetic poles of the magnet while the opposite pole maintains almost 100% of its magnetic flux emission.
In use, the stationary inner core unit is raised into position to engage the inner one-way shielded magnets and the outer one-way shielded magnets in magnetic repulsion to spin the frictionless rotating outer core unit around the stationary inner core unit. With the same poles aligned facing towards one another, the rotating outer core unit is free to spin continually until the stationary inner core unit is lowered and disengaging the magnetic repulsion. The wind turbine uses the magnetic repulsion force generated by the one-way shield magnetic suppression system to spin thereby generating electricity even in no-wind conditions. A switching means is used for raising or lowering the inner cylinder of the stationary inner core unit to engage or disengage the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets with the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system eliminates the downtime of the wind turbine when there is no wind, thereby providing uninterrupted power generation.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system;

FIGS. 2A-2D show perspective, exploded and sectional views of the present invention shown, illustrating a one-way shielded magnet of the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of the exterior of the present invention, illustrating a frictionless wind turbine incorporating the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention, illustrating a frictionless wind turbine incorporating the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system, each component shown in exploded views;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of rotating the frictionless wind turbine using the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 for use with a frictionless wind turbine (not shown). The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 comprises a stationary inner core unit 12 and a rotating outer core unit 14. The stationary inner core unit 12 has a plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets 16 arranged around an inner cylinder 18 which is operatively attached to a rigid shaft 20 along a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the frictionless wind turbine (not shown). The rotating outer core unit 14 has a plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets 22 arranged along the inner circumference of an outer cylinder 24 and optimally angled towards the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets 16 in the stationary inner core unit 12. The rotating outer core unit 14 is operatively attached to a housing (not shown) of the frictionless wind turbine (not shown). Both the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets 16 and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets 22 have same magnetic polarity to create a magnetic repulsive force for continual rotating motion of the outer core unit 14 around the inner core unit 12.
FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the is inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22 of the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion assembly 10. The inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22 is a housing unit created by combing a magnet 26 with multiple layers of spacing using plastic, paper, various metals and discharged alkaline batteries, and any other magnetic flux absorbing material that suppresses the magnetic flux that is being emitted by of one of the magnetic poles of the magnet 26 while the opposite pole maintains almost 100% of its magnetic flux emission.
FIGS. 2B and 2C show exploded views of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A, illustrating the inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22 of the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion assembly 10. The inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22 comprises an outer casing 28 having a first side 30, a second side 32, a third side 34 and a fourth side 36. The outer casing 28 encloses an inner casing 38 proximate the first side 30 and the second side 32, a cardboard shield 40 proximate the fourth side 36, a metal shield 42 proximate the fourth side 36, and a second discharged alkaline battery 44 proximate the third side 34. The inner casing 38 encloses the magnet 26 proximate the first side 30 and the second side 32 of the outer casing 28, a plastic shield 46 proximate the fourth side 36 of the outer casing 28, and a first discharged alkaline battery 48 proximate the third side 34 of the outer casing 28. The inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22 has the third side 34 and the fourth side 36 suppressed and conducts no, or limited levels of magnetic flux emission. FIG. 2D shows a sectional view of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A, illustrating the inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22.
By suppressing or containing one of the magnetic poles in the inner/outer one-way shielded magnet 16, 22, the ability to have effective repulsion is maximized and the counter effects of the opposite pole no longer has any bearing on competing with the attraction of each pole to one another. The inner one-way shielded magnets 16 in the stationary inner core unit 12 and the outer one-way shielded magnets 22 in the rotating outer core unit 14 has the same poles angled and facing each other (North pole towards North pole, or South pole towards South pole).
FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of the exterior of the present invention, illustrating a frictionless wind turbine 50 incorporating the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10. The wind turbine 50 comprises a housing 52 and a plurality of turbine blades 54. The housing 52 includes a rigid head portion 56, a rotating shaft portion 58 and a rigid base portion 60. The plurality of turbine blades 54 is attached to the rotating shaft portion 58.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention, illustrating the frictionless wind turbine 50 incorporating the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10. The wind turbine 50 comprises a rigid shaft 20, a plurality of magnetic levitation bearings 62, at least one magnetic compression bearing 64, a plurality of stationary electrical coiled segments 66, a plurality of magnet segments 68 and the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10. The rigid shaft 20 is arranged along a longitudinal axis 70 of the housing 52. The magnetic levitation bearings 62 are operatively attached to the housing 52 and the magnetic compression bearing 64 is arranged along the longitudinal axis 70 and operatively attached to the rotating shaft portion 58. The stationary electrical coiled segments 66 are attached to the rigid shaft 20 and the magnet segments 68 are operatively attached to the stationary electrical coiled segments 66.
Each of the magnetic levitation bearings 62 includes a positive polarity side 72 and a negative polarity side 74. The same magnetic polarity sides of a pair of the plurality of magnetic levitation bearings 62 are arranged in magnetic communication with each other to create a magnetic repulsive force for magnetic levitation. Each of the magnet segments 68 has a magnetic polarity. During wind flow, a twisting motion of the turbine blades 54 and the magnetic repulsive force generated in the pair of the plurality of magnetic levitation bearings 62 and cause a rotational motion of the magnet segments 68 thereby inducing electrical energy in the stationary electrical coiled segments 66.
The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 is incorporated into the turbine 50 for rotating the turbine 50 when low wind or no wind conditions occur. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 is operatively attached to the housing 52 between the plurality of magnetic levitation bearings 62 and the at least one magnetic compression bearing 64.
When there is no wind, the stationary inner core unit 12 is raised into position to engage the inner one-way shielded magnets 16 and the outer one-way shielded magnets 22 in magnetic repulsion to spin the frictionless rotating outer core unit 14 around the stationary inner core unit 12. With the same poles aligned facing towards one another, the rotating outer core unit 14 is free to spin continually until the stationary inner core unit 12 is lowered and disengaging the magnetic repulsion. The wind turbine 50 uses the magnetic repulsion force generated by the one-way shield magnetic suppression system 10 to spin thereby generating electricity even in no-wind conditions. A switching means 76 is used for raising or lowering the inner cylinder 18 of the stationary inner core unit 12 to engage or disengage the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets 16 with the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets 22.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart 80 illustrating a method of rotating the frictionless wind turbine 50 using the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10. As shown in block 82, the stationary inner core unit 12 of the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 is engaged with the rotating outer core unit 14. The magnetic repulsive force is generated between the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets 16 and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets 22 as indicated at block 84. The outer core unit 14 rotates around the inner core unit 12 as indicated at block 86. The rotating outer core unit 14 rotates the frictionless wind turbine 50 which is operatively attached thereto, as indicated at block 88.
The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 eliminates friction in the area where rotation occurs, eliminates transmission oil required and rotates the frictionless wind turbine 50 without the need for wind. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 eliminates the downtime of the frictionless wind turbine 10 when there is no wind, thereby providing uninterrupted power generation. Once the operation starts, the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system 10 will run until the magnetism in the one-way shielded magnets 16, 22 are depleted, which should be close to twenty years.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system for use with a frictionless wind turbine, the system comprising:

a stationary inner core unit operatively attached to a rigid shaft along a longitudinal axis of the frictionless wind turbine, the stationary inner core unit having a plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets arranged around a core shaft portion;

a rotating outer core unit operatively attached to a housing of the frictionless wind turbine, the rotating outer core unit having a plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets, having same magnetic polarity as the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets, arranged along a circumference thereof and optimally angled towards the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets in the stationary inner core unit to create a magnetic repulsive force; and

a switching means for raising/lowering the core shaft portion of the stationary inner core unit to engage/disengage the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets with the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets;

whereby the magnetic repulsive force between the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets causes a continuous rotational motion of the outer core unit around the inner core unit thereby rotating the frictionless wind turbine without wind.

2. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system of claim 1 wherein each of the inner/outer one-way shielded magnets further comprises:

an outer casing having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;

an inner casing enclosed in the outer casing proximate the first side and the second side thereof, the inner casing further comprising:

a magnet proximate the first side and the second side of the outer casing;

a plastic shield proximate the fourth side of the outer casing; and

a first discharged alkaline battery proximate the third side of the outer casing;

a cardboard shield enclosed in the outer casing proximate the fourth side thereof;

a metal shield enclosed in the outer casing proximate the fourth side thereof; and

a second discharged alkaline battery enclosed in the outer casing proximate the third side thereof.

3. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of inner and outer one-way shielded magnets has the third side and the fourth side suppressed and thereby does not conduct magnetic flux emission.

4. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of inner and outer one-way shielded magnets has a single positive/negative polarity while an opposite polarity is suppressed.

5. The one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system of claim 1, wherein the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion assembly rotates the frictionless wind turbine during no-wind condition.

6. A method of rotating a frictionless wind turbine using a one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the frictionless wind turbine incorporating the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion assembly having a stationary inner core unit with a plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets and a rotating outer core unit with a plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets;

b) engaging the stationary inner core unit of the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion assembly with the rotating outer core unit by a switching means;

c) generating a magnetic repulsive force between the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets;

d) rotating the outer core unit around the inner core unit; and

e) rotating the frictionless wind turbine being operatively attached to the rotating outer core unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system is arranged along a longitudinal axis of the frictionless wind turbine.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the one-way shielded magnetic repulsion system rotates the frictionless wind turbine during no-wind condition.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of inner and outer one-way shielded magnets has a single positive/negative polarity side while an opposite polarity is suppressed.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of inner one-way shielded magnets and the plurality of outer one-way shielded magnets have same magnetic polarity sides in magnetic communication with each other and optimally angled towards each other to create the magnetic repulsive force.