WO2018127808A1

WO2018127808A1 - Energy conversion apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018127808A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/050035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Coenraad Frederik Van Blerk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-03
Filing date: 2018-01-03
Publication date: 2018-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-03

Abstract

According to the invention, there is provided an energy conversion apparatus for converting an electromagnetic field about a conductor to electrical energy comprising a body including means of engaging one or more primary electrical conductors proximate the body; at least one coiled conductor associated with the body; and the coiled conductor being shaped and sized and configured such that the magnetic field generated by the one or more conductors induces electrical energy in the coiled conductor.

Description

E NE RGY CONVE RSION APPARATUS

FIE L D OF T HE INVE NTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for converting energy and more specifically, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for converting magnetic energy to electrical energy.

BAC KG ROU ND TO T H E INVE NTION

E nergy converting involves converting one form of energy into another. It is known that an electromagnetic field is generated by electric conductors. The electromagnetic field in conductors, wherein alternating current is present, is circular around the conductor in a direction determined according to the well-known right-hand rule. S ince alternating current changes direction of flow, the magnetic field around the conductor changes direction many times per second. It is desirable to convert the energy in the generated electromagnetic field to electrical energy.

OBJ E CT OF T HE INVE NTION

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an energy conversion apparatus of the type described above.

S UMMARY OF T H E INVE NTION In accordance with the invention there is provided an energy conversion apparatus for converting an electromagnetic field about a conductor to electrical energy comprising:

- a body including means of engaging one or more primary electrical conductors proximate the body;

- at least one coiled conductor associated with the body; and

- the coiled conductor being shaped and sized and configured such that the magnetic field generated by the one or more conductors induces electrical energy in the coiled conductor. The electrical energy induced in the coiled conductor may be an induced current or electrical potential. The coiled conductor may have a load connected to the ends thereof.

The body may have a toroidal shape wherein the one or more conductors are proximately engaged by the body by surrounding the conductor. The coiled conductor may be coiled around the one or more primary conductors.

The coiled conductor may be coiled around the toroidal-shaped body such that the coils are transverse to the one or more primary conductors and the toroidal-shaped body. The apparatus may be mounted on a base. The apparatus may include a supporting structure configured such that the body is rotatable relative to the base. The body may further be rotatable relative to the one or more primary conductors.

The supporting structure may include an axle, axle holder, and a bearing. The axle holder may be a pillow or plumber block.

The axle may be associated with the body such that the axle and body rotate relative to the base and primary conductors. The apparatus may include a secondary rotatable structure. The secondary rotatable structure may include a number of magnets which are shaped sized and positioned to increase the induced electric energy in the coiled conductor.

The secondary rotatable structure may be rotatable relative to the body.

The body and secondary rotatable structure may include electric brushes or sliprings with associated electric circuitry to transfer the induced electric energy to a load. The apparatus may include driving means for driving the rotatable body or secondary rotatable structure relative to each otherand the primary conductors such thatthe induced electrical energy in the coiled conductor is increased.

B RIE F DE S C RIPTION OF T HE DRAWING S

An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:

F igure 1 is a schematic representation of the magnetic field around a conductor carrying alternating current;

F igure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an energy conversion apparatus;

F igure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an energy conversion apparatus;

F igure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an energy conversion apparatus; and

F igure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an energy conversion apparatus.

DETAIL E D DE S C RIPTION OF T HE DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings in which like features are indicated by like numerals, an energy conversion apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 .

The apparatus 1 converts energy from the magnetic field 2 about a conductor 3. The magnetic field 2 is generated by the flow of current 5 in the conductor 3. The alternating current 7 varies over time 6 and oscillates and changes direction 4 of the current many times per second. Typically, for residential and small scale commercial applications the voltage in the conductors typically vary between 100V and 500V and oscillates at 50Hz or 60Hz. The direction 4 of the magnetic field 2 generated alternating current 7 changes according to the magnitude and direction of the current 5. When a positive current 5a flows in direction 4a in the conductor 3 a counter clockwise magnetic field 2a is generated about the conductor 3. S imilarly, when a negative current 5b flows in direction 4b in the conductor 3 a counter clockwise magnetic field 2b is generated about the conductor 3. In a first embodiment of the invention, also being the simplest form of the invention, the apparatus 1 includes a body 8. The body 8 includes means of engaging one or more conductors 3 proximate the body. In the current embodiment the body 8 is in the shape of a torus, the conductor 3 may be engaged by placing the conductor through the central aperture of the body 8. The body 8 may also be configurable such that the conductor 3 may be released without placing or threading the conductor 3 through the central aperture of the torus.

The apparatus includes at least one coiled conductor 9 associated with the body. The coiled conductor 9 being shaped and sized and configured such that the magnetic field 2 generated by the one or more conductors 3 induces electrical energy in the coiled conductor 9. In this example, the coiled conductor 9 is coiled about the body 8 such that it forms a curved spiral about the body. This ensures that the coils 9 are transverse to the primary conductors 3 and the toroidal body 8. It further allows the coils 9 to be transverse to the direction of the magnetic field such that the magnetic field 2 generated by the one or more conductors 3 induces electrical energy in the coiled conductor 9. This induced electrical energy may be an induced current or electrical potential.

The coiled conductor 9 has a load 10 connected to the ends thereof. In a first embodiment (shown in figure 2) the toroidal shape of the body 8 allows the primary conductors 3 to be proximately engaged by the body 8 by surrounding the conductors 3. This may be done by placing or threading the conductors 3 through the central aperture of the body 8. Alternatively, the coiled conductor 9 may be coiled around the primary conductors 3.

In second to fourth embodiments (shown in figures 3 to 5), the apparatus 1 is mounted on a base through a supporting structure. The supporting structure configured such that the body 8 is rotatable relative to the base and the primary conductors 3. The supporting structure includes axle holders in the form of plumbers blocks 1 1 . The blocks 1 1 include an axle associated with the body, in the form of braces 12, and bearings 13. The braces extend from the body 8 to the bearings 13 of the blocks 1 1 and allows the body to rotate relative to the blocks 1 1 and consequently the conductors 3.

The rotatable body 8 may be driven by driving means, in the current example in the form of a first electric motor 14 which drives the rotatable body 8 through belt 15. The rotatable body 8 will require electric brushes or sliprings (shown schematically as part of the load 10 in figures 3 to 5) with associated electric circuitry to transferthe induced electric energy to a load. This allows wires 16 extending from the ends of the coiled conductor 9 to transfer electrical energy whilst rotating. Typically, and in order to maximise the transfer of electrical energy from the conductors 3 to the apparatus, the rotatable structure may be oscillating and driven against the direction of the magnetic field 2. For example, when the direction of the magnetic field 2a is clockwise, the body 8 will be rotated counterclockwise. S imilarly, when the direction of the magnetic field 2b is clockwise, the body 8 will be rotated anticlockwise. This oscillation should be synchronised with the frequency of the alternating current 5 in order to maximise the electric energy transfer.

In a third embodiment, the device includes one or more magnets 17 which allow the magnetic field to be modified such that the maximum energy transfer is possible from the conductors to the load 10. In the current example, the magnets are provided in the form of a ring 18 holding the magnets and positioned about the body and coiled conductor 9. The ring is static and acts as a stator relative to the rotor 8.

In a fourth embodiment, the ring 18 is rotatable relative to the conductors 3 and to the body 8 and coils 9 and may be driven by secondary motor 19 and belt 20. In this embodiment, the body 8 coils 9 and magnetic ring 18 may be held stationary, rotated or oscillated relative to each other and the conductors in order to optimally transfer the energy from the conductors to the load 10.

It is envisaged that the apparatus will provide a means of converting magnetic energy around one or more conductors to electrical energy which may be delivered to a load. It is further envisaged that the apparatus may be used for residential and small scale application, but may be easily adapted to suit larger scale or commercial applications. The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. For example, instead of using a toroidal body a closed rectangular prism, or any other shape which allow the body to hold a coiled conductor laminations with windings and/or a permanent magnet with windings around the primary conductors may be utilised, irrespective of shape and size suitable to an individual application. F urther, instead of driving the rotatable structures via belts, gears, chains or other mechanical transmission means may be employed.

Claims

C LAIMS

1 . An energy conversion apparatus for converting an electromagnetic field about a conductor to electrical energy comprising:

at least one coiled conductor associated with the body; and

the coiled conductor being shaped and sized and configured such that the magnetic field generated by the one or more conductors induces electrical energy in the coiled conductor.

2. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy induced in the coiled conductor is an induced current or electrical potential.

3. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the coiled conductor has a load connected to the ends thereof.

4. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body has a toroidal shape wherein the one or more conductors are proximately engaged by the body by surrounding the conductor.

5. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coiled conductor is coiled around the one or more primary conductors.

6. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coiled conductor is coiled around the toroidal-shaped body such that the coils are transverse to the one or more primary conductors and the toroidal- shaped body.

7. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, mounted on a base

8. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus includes a supporting structure configured such that the body is rotatable relative to the base.

9. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body is further rotatable relative to the one or more primary conductors.

10. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supporting structure includes an axle, axle holder, and a bearing

1 1 . The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the axle holder is a pillow or plumber block.

12. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the axle is associated with the body such that the axle and body rotate relative to the base and primary conductors.

13. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , including a secondary rotatable structure.

14. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the secondary rotatable structure includes a number of magnets which are shaped, sized and positioned to increase induced electric energy in the coiled conductor.

1 5. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 3, wherein the secondary rotatable structure is rotatable relative to the body.

1 6. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 5, wherein the body and secondary rotatable structure includes electric brushes or sliprings with associated electric circuitry to transfer the induced electric energy to a load. The energy conversion apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the energy conversion apparatus includes driving means for driving the rotatable body or secondary rotatable structure relative to each other and the primary conductors such that the induced electrical energy in the coiled conductor is increased.