Systems and methods for enhancing electrical storage

Abstract

An electrical energy storage device comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of ions. In one embodiment, a channel disposed in the housing allows ions to flow adjacent to the first end, and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another embodiment, some of the ions are magnetic. In yet another embodiment, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 556,001, filed on September 8, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to electrical energy storage and, more particularly, to the use of electrical energy storage devices in conjunction with rotary or linear machines and with electromagnetic motors and generators. Background Art

[0004] Current electrical energy storage devices and methods have operational constraints that limit their usefulness in a variety of applications. These limitations can be traced back to design, manufacturing processes, and other physical constraints. New devices and methods of using these devices are needed that can improve the functional usefulness of electrical energy storage for applications with growing demands, such as battery and hybrid electric vehicles, nano- and microgrids, and bulk power systems.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to minimize these constraints and introduce expanded functionality, as well as address other issues. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical energy storage device includes: a shell having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the opposite second side; an electrolyte mixture disposed in the shell and typically between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of ions; a channel typically defined between the first electrode and the second electrode, the channel configured to allow at least a portion of the plurality of ions to flow from a first portion of the channel typically adjacent to the first electrode through a second portion of the channel typically adjacent to the first end of the shell to a third portion of the channel typically adjacent to the second electrode; and a barrier typically disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the barrier configured to help prevent the plurality of ions from flowing adjacent to the second end of the shell.

[0007] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electromagnetic machine includes: a shaft; a coil assembly coupled to the shaft, the coil assembly including a core and a coil wound on the core; a first set of magnets coupled to the shaft so that the first set of magnets is positioned adjacent to the coil assembly; and at least one electrical energy storage device disposed adjacent to the coil, the at least one electrical energy storage device including: a housing having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the opposite second side; an electrolyte mixture, It is disposed in the shell and is generally between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of ions; a channel, which is generally defined between the first electrode and the second electrode, the channel being configured to allow at least a portion of the plurality of ions to flow from a first portion of the channel generally adjacent to the first electrode through a second portion of the channel generally adjacent to the first end of the shell to a third portion of the channel generally adjacent to the second electrode; and a barrier, which is generally disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the barrier being configured to help prevent the plurality of ions from flowing adjacent to the second end of the shell.

[0008] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical energy storage device includes: a shell having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the opposite second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed in the shell and generally between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of magnetic ions and a plurality of non-magnetic ions. All magnetic ions generally have the same charge, and all non-magnetic ions generally have the same charge. The charge of the magnetic ions is generally opposite to the charge of the non-magnetic ions.

[0009] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electromagnetic machine includes: a shaft; a coil assembly mounted on the shaft, the coil assembly including a core and a coil wound on the core; a set of magnets adjacent to the at least one coil assembly; and an energy storage device disposed adjacent to the set of magnets, the energy storage device including: a housing having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the opposite second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed in the housing and generally between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of magnetic ions and a plurality of non-magnetic ions. All magnetic ions generally have the same charge, and all non-magnetic ions generally have the same charge. The charge of the magnetic ions is generally opposite to the charge of the non-magnetic ions.

[0010] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical energy storage device includes: a shell having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the shell adjacent to the opposite second side; an electrolyte mixture disposed in the shell between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions, the plurality of ions including a first type of ions having a first density and a second type of ions having a second density, the second density being different from the first density. All first type ions having the first density generally have the same charge, and all second type ions having the second density generally have the same charge. The charge of the first type ions is generally opposite to the charge of the second type ions.

[0011] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electromagnetic machine includes: a shaft; a coil assembly mounted on the shaft, the coil assembly including a core and a coil wound on the core; a set of magnets adjacent to the at least one coil assembly; and an energy storage device disposed adjacent to the set of magnets, the energy storage device including: a housing having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side, and an opposite second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent to the opposite second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed in the housing between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions, the plurality of ions including a first type of ions having a first density and a second type of ions having a second density, the second density being different from the first density. All first type ions having the first density generally have the same charge, and all second type ions having the second density generally have the same charge. The charge of the first type ions is generally opposite to the charge of the second type ions.

[0012] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method for charging an energy storage device includes: positioning the energy storage device adjacent to or within an electromagnetic machine, the electromagnetic machine including at least one set of magnets and at least one coil assembly; rotating the electromagnetic machine so that (i) the at least one set of magnets rotates relative to the at least one coil assembly, (ii) the at least one coil assembly rotates relative to the at least one set of magnets, or (iii) both (i) and (ii); and generating electrical energy within the energy storage device in response to the rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly. In some aspects, the rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly generates a magnetic field that can generate electrical energy within the energy storage device. In some aspects, the rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly causes the energy storage device to rotate, and the rotation of the energy storage device causes electrical energy to be generated within the energy storage device.

[0013] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of charging an energy storage device includes: applying a magnetic field to the energy storage device; and storing an amount of electrical energy in the energy storage device in response to applying the magnetic field to the energy storage device. In some aspects, the energy storage device can be positioned within or adjacent to an electromagnetic machine. In some aspects, rotation of the electromagnetic machine can cause the magnetic field to be applied to the energy storage device.

[0014] The foregoing and additional aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments and / or implementations with reference to the accompanying drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by reading the following detailed description and referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1A is an exploded view of an exemplary electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 1B According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1A A cross-section of a collapsed view of an exemplary electromagnetic machine;

[0018] Figure 2 is a cross-section of another exemplary electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-section of an electrical energy storage device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4A is a cross-section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device having a channel defined therein according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4B is a cross-section of another embodiment of an electrical energy storage device having a channel defined therein according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5A is integrated with an electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 4A or Figure 4B A cross section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device;

[0023] Figure 5B According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 5A A cross section of an electromagnetic machine;

[0024] Figure 6 is integrated with an electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 4A or Figure 4B A cross section of another embodiment of an electrical energy storage device;

[0025] Figure 7 is a cross-section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device having magnetic ions disposed therein according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 8 is integrated with an electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 7 A cross section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a cross-section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device having one ion having a greater density than another ion according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 10A is integrated with an electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig. 9 a cross-section of an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device; and

[0029] Fig. 10B is integrated with an electromagnetic machine according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig. 9 Cross section of another embodiment of an electrical energy storage device.

[0030] Although the present disclosure allows various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations and embodiments are shown in the drawings as examples and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference now Figure 1A , shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a rotating electromagnetic machine 2 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The rotating electromagnetic machine 2 generally includes an outer magnet assembly 4A, an inner magnet assembly 4B, and a stator assembly 6. The outer magnet assembly 4A and the inner magnet assembly 4B can each include one or more magnets that are configured to rotate around an axis 8. The stator assembly 6 can have one or more coil assemblies that include a coil wound around a core. The coil wound around the core can consist of a single winding, or can consist of multiple windings electrically connected together. The relative rotation between the magnet and coil assemblies causes a magnetic flux through the coil, which is used as part of the functionality of the rotating electromagnetic machine 2.

[0032] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1AA cross-section of a folded view of a rotating electromagnetic machine of FIG. Two sections of an outer magnet assembly 4A are shown, each section containing magnets 10A and 10B, while each section of an inner magnet assembly 4B contains magnets 12. When assembled, each set of magnets 10A, 10B, and 12 generally surrounds or encloses a coil assembly 13. In some embodiments, the outer and inner magnet assemblies 4A, 4B are the rotors of the machine, and thus the magnets 10A, 10B, and 12 are configured to rotate about an axis 8 relative to the coil assembly 13, which generally remains stationary. In this embodiment, the coil assembly 13 is considered to be the stator of the machine. In other embodiments, the coil assembly 13 is a rotor and is therefore configured to rotate about an axis 8 relative to the magnets 10A, 10B, and 12, which remain stationary. In this embodiment, the outer and inner magnet assemblies 4A, 4B are considered to be the stator of the machine. The rotating electromagnetic machine can have any suitable number of coil assemblies deployed around the axis of rotation 8 and therefore any suitable number of accompanying magnet groups. Although three magnets 10A, 10B and 12 are shown, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electromagnetic machine may have any suitable number of magnets.

[0033] Reference now Figure 2 , a cross-section of another embodiment of the rotating electromagnetic machine 16 is shown. The rotating electromagnetic machine 16 includes magnets 18A, 18B, and 18C mounted in a magnet housing 20, and a coil assembly (not shown) mounted in a coil housing 22. In operation, the magnet housing 20 and the magnets 18A, 18B, and 18C can be configured to rotate about an axis 21 relative to the coil housing 22, while the coil housing 22 is fixedly coupled to the spindle 24. Alternatively, the coil housing 22 and the coil assembly can rotate about the axis 21 relative to the magnets 18A, 18B, and 18C, while the magnet housing 20 is fixedly coupled to the spindle 24. Figure 2 The cross-section of the rotating electromagnetic machine 16 in FIG. 1 shows two coil housings 22 and thus two sets of magnets 18A, 18B and 18C disposed about the rotation axis 21 . However, any suitable number of coil housings and accompanying magnets may be disposed about the rotation axis 21 .

[0034] Typically, a rotating electromagnetic machine as discussed herein may be a rotating electromagnetic generator that converts rotational kinetic energy into electrical energy, magnetic energy, or both. Alternatively, a rotating electromagnetic machine may be a rotating electromagnetic motor that converts electrical energy, magnetic energy, or both into rotational kinetic energy.

[0035] Other electromagnetic machines may also be used in accordance with aspects of the disclosure herein. For example, Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe rotating electromagnetic machine of can include a single magnet assembly, which includes magnets used as part of the machine, instead of the outer magnet assembly 4A and the inner magnet assembly 4B. The magnet can be configured as the rotor of the rotating electromagnetic machine, and the coil assembly is configured as the stator of the rotating electromagnetic machine. Alternatively, the magnet can be configured as the stator of the rotating electromagnetic machine, and the coil assembly is configured as the rotor of the rotating electromagnetic machine. In addition, one or both of the rotor or stator of the rotating electromagnetic machine can include a combination of magnets and coil assemblies. As discussed herein, any rotating electromagnetic machine utilized can have any suitable number of magnets in the magnet group, such as one, two, three, four, five or more magnets, and can have any suitable number of magnet groups.

[0036] In addition, the electromagnetic machine as discussed herein may be a linear electromagnetic machine rather than a rotary electromagnetic machine. A linear electromagnetic generator may utilize one or more magnets to convert linear kinetic energy into electrical energy, magnetic energy, or both. A linear electromagnetic motor converts electrical energy, magnetic energy, or both into linear kinetic energy. The magnet may be configured as a rotor of a linear electromagnetic machine, and the coil assembly may be configured as a stator of the linear electromagnetic machine. Alternatively, the magnet may be configured as a stator of a linear electromagnetic machine, and the coil assembly may be configured as a rotor of the linear electromagnetic machine. In addition, one or both of the rotor or stator of the linear electromagnetic machine may include a combination of a magnet and a coil assembly. As discussed herein, any linear electromagnetic machine utilized may have any suitable number of magnets in a magnet group, such as one, two, three, four, five or more magnets, and may have any suitable number of magnet groups. Other types of electromagnetic machines may also be used according to aspects of the present disclosure. Generally, any component of any machine described herein may be coupled to another component via one or more bearings to allow relative rotation between the components. For example, the stator of any electromagnetic machine (which may include a magnet housing containing magnets or a coil housing containing coils and corresponding cores) may be coupled to the shaft via one or more bearings, while the rotor (which may include a magnet housing containing magnets or a coil housing containing coils and corresponding cores) is fixedly coupled to the shaft. This allows the shaft and rotor to rotate relative to the stator. In some embodiments, the stator may be fixedly coupled to the shaft, while the rotor is coupled to the shaft via one or more bearings.

[0037] Reference now Figure 3, an energy storage device 30 is shown. The type of energy storage device 30 shown is generally referred to as a double-layer capacitor. The energy storage device 30 includes a housing 32, a first electrode 34A and a second electrode 34B. The first electrode 34A and the second electrode 34B are generally parallel to each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the housing 32. Any of the electrodes can be used as a cathode or an anode. An electrolyte mixture is disposed in the housing 32, which contains cations 36A and anions 36B in a solvent. The energy storage device 30 can also include an ion-permeable separator 38, which is disposed between the first electrode 34A and the second electrode 34B. The ion-permeable separator 38 can be used to mechanically separate the first electrode 34A and the second electrode 34B, while allowing the cations 36A and the anions 36B to flow throughout the interior of the housing 32. Electric energy can be applied to the energy storage device 30 via a power source 40. The power source 40 can be a voltage source, a current source, or any other suitable source. The application of electric energy from the power source 40 causes the electric energy to be stored in the energy storage device 30. According to aspects of the present disclosure, references to storing electrical energy in an electrical storage device generally refer to the accumulation and storage of charge on electrodes of the electrical energy storage device. Additionally, references to the act of charging the electrical energy storage device generally refer to causing the electrical energy storage device to store energy in the form of accumulated charge, whether by applying an external power source or by another method.

[0038] In a standard capacitor, electrical energy is stored as charge accumulation on the electrodes of the capacitor. The electrodes are separated by a dielectric that does not allow current to flow. When electrical energy from a power source is applied to a standard capacitor, positive charge accumulates on one electrode and negative charge accumulates on the other electrode, which creates an electric field across the dielectric. The capacitance of a capacitor is the ratio of the charge accumulated on the electrodes to the voltage applied across them. The capacitance in a parallel plate capacitor is also typically proportional to the distance between the electrodes.

[0039] In a double electric layer capacitor such as an electric energy storage device 30, the application of electric power from a power source 40 causes positive charge 42A to accumulate on the first electrode 34A, and negative charge 42B to accumulate on the second electrode 34B. Because the cations 36A and anions 36B in the electrolyte mixture flow freely through the housing 32 (and are not static like the dielectric of a common capacitor), the positive charge 42A on the first electrode 34A will attract negatively charged anions 36B. Similarly, the negative charge 42B on the second electrode 34B attracts positively charged cations 36A. Therefore, this attraction produces two double electric layers 44A and 44B of electric charge. Each charge layer in double layers 44A, 44B is usually separated by a small amount of solvent molecules. Therefore, the charge layers in double layers 44A, 44B are separated by a very small distance. Each double layer 44A, 44B is used as a standard capacitor, which has parallel electrodes separated by a very small distance, which increases capacitance for a given voltage on the electrode. In addition to the effect of reduced distance, the electrodes 34A, 34B of the energy storage device 30 can be coated with a porous substance, such as activated carbon powder. This effectively increases the available surface area of ​​the electrodes, thereby allowing more positive charges 42A and negative charges 42B to be stored thereon, which also increases the capacitance of the energy storage device 30, which is higher than that of a standard capacitor.

[0040] Reference now Figure 4A , an energy storage device 50 is shown. The energy storage device 50 is generally configured as a double-layer capacitor and therefore has a housing 52, which includes a first end 58A, an opposite second end 58B, a first side 55A, and an opposite second side 55B. The energy storage device 50 includes: a first electrode 54A, which is disposed in the housing, adjacent to the first side 55A; a second electrode 54B, which is disposed in the housing, adjacent to the opposite second side 55B; and an electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions, which is disposed in the housing 52 and generally between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B. The electrolyte mixture generally includes cations 56A and anions 56B. Similar to the energy storage device 30, the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B are generally parallel to each other. However, the energy storage device 50 includes an ion-impermeable barrier 53, which reduces the available volume through which the cations 56A and anions 56B in the housing 52 can travel. The barrier 53 can be an integral part of the housing 52, or it can be a separate component. As shown, barrier 53 is generally disposed between first electrode 54A and second electrode 54B and adjacent first end 58A of housing 52. Barrier 53 is configured to help prevent cations 56A and anions 56B from flowing between first electrode 54A and second electrode 54B adjacent first end 58A.

[0041] The housing 52 also includes a channel 60, which is generally defined between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B, adjacent to the second end 58B. As shown, the channel 60 is generally defined near the opposite second end 58B of the housing 52, and spans the length of the housing 52 between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B. The channel 60 is configured to allow cations 56A and anions 56B to flow from a first portion 61A of the channel 60, which is generally adjacent to the first electrode 54A, through a second portion 61B of the channel 60, which is generally adjacent to the second end 58B of the housing 52, to a third portion 61C of the channel 60, which is generally adjacent to the second electrode 54B. The channel 60 is also configured to allow cations 56A and anions 56B to flow in the opposite order as well. The channel 60 may be defined at least in part by a barrier 53. As shown in FIG. Figure 4A As shown in , an ion-permeable separator 60 can be disposed within the channel 60.

[0042] like Figure 4A As shown in , a magnetic field 62 can be applied to the energy storage device 50, which applies a force to the cations 56A and the anions 56B. The direction of the magnetic field 62 can be into or out of the plane of the figure. In this way, the magnetic field 62 is perpendicular to the axis connecting the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B. The magnetic field 62 is also perpendicular to the axis connecting the first end 58A of the shell 52 and the second end 58B of the shell 52. When the magnetic field 62 is applied, the magnetic field 62 applies a force to the cations 56A and the anions 56B in a direction perpendicular to their speed as they drift in the channel 60. As shown in FIG. Figure 4A As shown in , when the direction of the magnetic field 62 is into the page, the positively charged cation 56A will experience a clockwise force. When the direction of the magnetic field 62 is into the page, the negatively charged anion 56B will experience a counterclockwise force. Therefore, applying the magnetic field 62 to the page will cause the cations 56A in the channel 60 to flow toward the first electrode 54A. Similarly, the anions 56B in the channel 60 are caused to flow toward the second electrode 54B.

[0043] When the cation 56A travels from the third portion 61C of the second portion 61B toward the first electrode 54A, the force generated by the magnetic field 62 causes the cation 56A to flow upward (refer to the two-dimensional diagram) along the first portion 61A of the channel 60 toward the first end 58A of the shell 52. Similarly, when the anion 56B travels from the first portion 61A and the second portion 61B toward the second electrode 54B, the force generated by the magnetic field 62 causes the anion 56B to flow upward along the third portion 61C of the channel 60 toward the first end 58A of the shell 52.

[0044] As cations 56A flow along first portion 61A of channel 60 toward first end 58A, the force acting on cations 56A due to magnetic field 62 causes cations 56A to move away from first electrode 54A toward second electrode 54B. Similarly, as anions 56B flow along third portion 61C of channel 60 toward first end 58A, the force acting on anions 56B due to magnetic field 62 causes anions 56B to move away from second electrode 54B toward first electrode 54A. As this movement occurs, ion-impermeable barrier 53 prevents cations 56A from traveling toward second electrode 54B adjacent first end 58A of housing 52, and prevents anions 56B from traveling toward first electrode 54A adjacent first end 58A of housing 52. Thus, barrier 53 prevents cations 56A and anions 56B from circling around in a complete circle, as they would otherwise do under the influence of applied magnetic field 62. In contrast, the presence of barrier 53 causes cations 56A to accumulate near electrode 56A and anions 56B to accumulate near electrode 56B.

[0045] Thus, the channel 60 generally allows the cations 56A and the anions 56B to flow between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B adjacent to the second end 58B of the housing 52. Similarly, the barrier 53 generally helps prevent the cations 56A and the anions 56B from flowing between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B adjacent to the first end 58A of the housing 52. The channel 60 can therefore have a generally U-shaped cross-section, a generally V-shaped cross-section, or any other suitable cross-section that allows the ions to flow between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B adjacent to the second end 58B of the housing 52, and to flow between the first end 58A and the second end 58B adjacent to the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B. Similarly, the barrier 53 can have any suitable shape that prevents the ions from flowing between the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B adjacent to the first end 58A of the housing 52, and forms a channel 60 that allows the ions to flow between the first electrode 43A and the second electrode 54B adjacent to the second end 58B of the housing 52.

[0046] Similar to Figure 3 In the electrical energy storage device 30 in FIG. 1 , the application of electrical power from the power source 64 causes positive charge 66A to accumulate on the second electrode 54B and negative charge 66B to accumulate on the first electrode 54A. The positive charge 66A attracts the anions 56B in the electrolyte mixture, while the negative charge 66B attracts the cations 56A in the electrolyte mixture. Therefore, as Figure 4AAs shown in FIG. 5 , the application of the electric power applied from the power supply 64 and the application of the magnetic field 62 together cause the anions 56B to move toward the second electrode 54B, and the cations 56A to move toward the first electrode 54A. Therefore, applying the magnetic field 62 while applying the electric power from the power supply 64 causes more ions to be directed to the electrodes, and causes the ions to move more directly toward the electrodes. Therefore, compared to the electric energy storage device 30 to which only the electric power from the power supply 64 is applied, the double electric layer generated in the electric energy storage device 50 by applying the electric power from the power supply 64 is larger and forms faster.

[0047] The corresponding increase in capacitance and the decrease in the associated time constant of the energy storage device 50 can be observed in at least three different ways. In general, when charging the energy storage device 50 by applying electrical power alone, the power source 64 applies a certain amount of input electrical power to the energy storage device 50 for a certain period of time, which causes a corresponding amount of electrical energy to be stored in the energy storage device 50. By simultaneously applying the magnetic field 62 as discussed above, enhanced characteristics can be observed. The first method is to apply the input electrical power from the power source 64 for the same period of time, so that more electrical energy is drawn from the power source 64 and stored in the energy storage device 50. The second method is to apply the input electrical power from the power source 64 for a shorter period of time, so that the same amount of energy is drawn from the power source 64 and stored in the energy storage device 50. The third method is to apply the input electrical power from the power source 64 for a certain period of time, so that the total energy stored in the energy storage device 50 is greater than the maximum total energy that can be stored in the energy storage device 50 when the magnetic field 62 is not applied simultaneously. Therefore, the presence of the magnetic field increases the capacitance of the energy storage device 50 and decreases the time constant of the energy storage device 50 , thereby enhancing the charging of the energy storage device 50 .

[0048] Reference now Figure 4B , shows an alternative embodiment of an energy storage device 50 connected to a power source 51. In this alternative embodiment, the barrier 53 may include gates 59A and 59B, which are configured to selectively open and close. Therefore, the opening of the gates 59A and 59B allows at least a portion of the cations 56A and anions 56B to flow through the barrier, usually adjacent to the first end 58A. This allows the cations 56A and anions 56B to flow away from the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B, and can be used to avoid overcharging of the energy storage device 50. Other configurations of the barrier 53 can be envisioned, such as a barrier 53 that can move relative to the housing 52 to allow the cations 56A and anions 56B to flow between the housing 52 and the barrier 53. In another configuration, the barrier 53 is composed of a material that is selectively permeable to ions, so that in one state the barrier 53 blocks the flow of ions, and in another state the barrier 53 allows ions to flow through the barrier 53.

[0049] Reference now Figure 5A , showing a cross section of a rotating electromagnetic machine with an integrated electrical energy storage device. Figure 5A The electromagnetic machine in can be Figure 1A , 1B or Figure 2 In another embodiment, the rotary electromagnetic machine has one, two, four, five, or any suitable number of magnets. In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is integrated with a linear electromagnetic machine having any suitable number of magnets. Figure 5A The rotating electromagnetic machine in may include a magnet housing 70 having magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. The magnet housing 70 may be Figure 1A The magnet housing 70 may also be a combination of an outer magnet assembly 4A and an inner magnet assembly 4B of a rotating electromagnetic machine 2. Figure 2 The housing 20 of the rotating electromagnetic machine 16. The coil assembly including the coil 74 and the core 76 can be arranged so that the magnets 72A, 72B and 72C substantially surround the coil 74 and the core 76. The core 76 can be composed of a stack of laminates. In some embodiments, the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C can be configured to rotate (and therefore be part of the rotor) while the coil 74 and the core 76 remain stationary (and therefore are part of the stator). In other embodiments, the coil 74 and the core 76 rotate (and therefore are part of the rotor) while the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C remain stationary (and therefore are part of the stator).

[0050] The electrical energy storage device 78 is typically deployed within the electromagnetic machine. Figure 5A In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the energy storage device is generally positioned adjacent to or as part of the core 76 so that it is positioned within the coil 74. In this configuration, the energy storage device 78 is surrounded by the coil 74 and the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. The energy storage device 78 may be Figure 4A and 4B One of the electrical energy storage devices shown in , and thus will have a first electrode, a second electrode, a first end, and a second end. Figure 5A In one embodiment, the energy storage device 78 is connected to the power source 67. The power source 67 may be the electromagnetic machine itself, or may be an independent power source separate from the electromagnetic machine. In another embodiment, the energy storage device 78 is not connected to the power source. If the coil 74 and core 76 are part of the rotor, the energy storage device may be configured to Figure 5A If the coil 74 and core 76 are part of the stator, the energy storage device can also be configured to rotate or move linearly during operation of the machine. Figure 5A The machine remains stationary during operation.

[0051] As shown, each of magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C is a dipole magnet having a north pole 77A and a south pole 77B on opposite sides of the magnet. Each magnet 72A, 72B, and 72C has the same magnet pole facing coil 74. Figure 5A , the north pole 77A of each magnet 72A, 72B, and 72C faces the coil 74. In other embodiments, the south pole 77B of each magnet 72A, 72B, and 72C may face the coil 74.

[0052] exist Figure 5A During operation of the rotating electromagnetic machine, (i) the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C will rotate relative to the coil assembly and the electrical energy storage device 78, or (ii) the coil assembly and the electrical energy storage device 78 will rotate relative to the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C. As the magnets rotate, the magnetic field generated by the magnets will pass through the center of the coil 74. Figure 5A , the energy storage device 78 is positioned so that the magnetic field generated by the magnets 72A, 72B and 72C is perpendicular to both the axis connecting the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B, and the axis connecting the first end 58A and the second end 58B of the energy storage device 78. Therefore, rotation of the magnets 72A, 72B and 72C will cause the magnetic field to be applied through the energy storage device 78, whether entering or leaving the page. Figure 5A The rotating electromagnetic machine may also be operated with one, two, four or five magnets, provided that the magnetic field exerted by the magnets is in accordance with the Figure 5A The same manner as described above can be directed to the energy storage device 78. As discussed above, the application of the magnetic field enhances the charging of the energy storage device 78. Generally, when the power source 67 is applied to the energy storage device 78, the polarity of the power source 67 is selected so that both the power to the energy storage device 78 and the applied magnetic field cause the cations to move toward one of the electrodes, and both cause the anions to move toward the other electrode.

[0053] Reference now Figure 5B , showing Figure 5A A cross section of an embodiment of a rotating electromagnetic machine. The rotating electromagnetic machine has: a first magnet group, which includes magnets 72A and magnets 72B; a second magnet group, which includes magnets 73A and magnets 73B; and a third magnet group, which includes magnets 75A and magnets 75B. As shown in the cross section, the magnetic poles facing the coil 74 are alternated for each magnet group. Magnets 71A and 71B have a south pole of each magnet facing the coil 74. Magnets 73A and 73B have a north pole of each magnet facing the coil 74. Magnets 75A and 75B have a south pole of each magnet facing the coil 74. As shown in Figure 5BAs can be seen in FIG. 1 , the additional set of magnets helps direct the magnetic field generated by the magnets vertically through the center of the coil 74 and core 76 in the correct direction, thereby enhancing the charging of the electrical energy storage device deployed in the coil 74. In general, a rotating electromagnetic machine utilized according to aspects of the present disclosure will include a rotating magnetic field around a core 76. Figure 5B Similarly, a rotating electromagnetic machine would include a plurality of coils spaced evenly around the outer circumference of the inner circle shown in FIG. Figure 5B The multiple magnet groups are evenly spaced about the inner circumference of the outer circle shown in the figure, so that any coil 74 in which the electric energy storage device is disposed is always affected by the magnetic field applied vertically through the center of the coil 74.

[0054] Incorporating an electrical energy storage device 78 Figure 5A and 5B The rotating electromagnetic machine can be used to enhance the charging of the electrical energy storage device. To this end, the electrical energy storage device 78 disposed physically adjacent to the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C is electrically coupled to an independent power source. The independent power source then applies electrical power to the electrical energy storage device 78. The magnetic field generated by the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C passes through the electrical energy storage device 78, which enhances the charging of the electrical energy storage device 78. This enhancement can occur regardless of whether the electromagnetic machine is rotating. As described above with respect to Figure 4A As discussed, such enhancement can occur in the form of storing more energy by applying input power over the same time period, storing an equal amount of energy by applying input power over a shorter time period, or storing an amount of energy by applying input power over a time period such that the amount of energy stored is greater than the maximum total energy that can be stored in the energy storage device 78 when the energy storage device 78 is not physically deployed adjacent to the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C.

[0055] In another embodiment, the power source electrically coupled to the electrical energy storage device 78 is the rotating electromagnetic machine itself. The electrical energy generated by the rotating electromagnetic machine can be stored in the electrical energy storage device 78. Even if the rotating electromagnetic machine is used as the power source, the rotation and / or arrangement of the rotating electromagnetic machine again enhances the charging of the electrical energy storage device 78. By capturing this energy, the dynamic range of the rotating electromagnetic machine is effectively increased.

[0056] In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is not electrically connected to any power source. As the rotating electromagnetic machine rotates and a magnetic field is applied to the electrical energy storage device 78, the cations and anions in the electrolyte mixture are forced by the magnetic field to form layers on the corresponding electrodes. This layer of ions adjacent to the electrode surface causes a corresponding layer of charge to form in the electrode itself, thereby forming a double electrical layer on each electrode. In this way, the electrical energy storage device is effectively "pre-charged" by the rotation and / or arrangement of the electromagnetic machine. In addition, if the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are properly positioned, rotation of the electromagnetic machine is not required. If charge has previously accumulated on the electrodes while the machine is in motion, the charge will remain in place due to the magnetic field after the machine stops operating.

[0057] In still another embodiment, the energy storage device 78 may be disposed outside of the coil 74, coil 76 and magnets 72A, 72B, 72C. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 78 may be disposed within an external housing of the machine (which may be the magnet housing 70), and thus will be positioned within the machine. The energy storage device 78 may also be disposed outside of the external housing of the machine, and thus will be positioned adjacent to the machine. If the energy storage device 78 is positioned outside of the external housing of the machine and thus is positioned adjacent to the machine, the external housing of the machine must not block the magnetic field from reaching the energy storage device 78. Regardless of whether the energy storage device 78 is positioned within or adjacent to the electromagnetic machine, the energy storage device 78 is oriented so that any magnetic field interacting with the energy storage device 78 will be perpendicular to both the axis connecting the first electrode 54A and the second electrode 54B and the axis connecting the first end 58A and the second end 58B of the energy storage device 78, as shown in FIG. Figure 4A and Figure 5A As shown in .

[0058] Reference now Figure 6 , showing the combination Figure 4A and 4B A cross section of an alternative embodiment of an electrical energy storage device operating a rotary or linear electromagnetic machine. Figure 6 The electromagnetic machine in can be Figure 1A , 1B or Figure 2 In another embodiment, the rotary electromagnetic machine has one, two, four, five, or any suitable number of magnets. In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is integrated with a linear electromagnetic machine having any suitable number of magnets. Figure 6 The magnet or coil assembly of an electromagnetic machine can be a rotor or a stator.

[0059] In this embodiment, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are positioned within the electromagnetic machine. However, rather than being positioned within the coil 74, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are each positioned outside of the coil, core 76, and magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. In this configuration, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are adjacent to the corresponding magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C, such that the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C are disposed between (i) the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C and (ii) the coil 74 and core 76. The energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C may generally be disposed outside of the coil 74, core 76, and magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C, but between the coil 74, core 76, and magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. Figure 6 The electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C are disposed within the outer housing of the electromagnetic machine.

[0060] In another embodiment, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are positioned in a substantially similar configuration, except that the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are positioned outside and adjacent to the electromagnetic machine, rather than being positioned inside the electromagnetic machine. When the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C are disposed outside of and therefore adjacent to the outer housing of the electromagnetic machine, the outer housing generally must not block the magnetic field from the magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C from reaching the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C.

[0061] In either embodiment, the magnetic field generated by magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C is directed orthogonal to the surface of the magnets, and therefore, to electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C. Each of electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C is oriented such that the magnetic field from the corresponding magnet is perpendicular to the axis between the electrodes and perpendicular to the axis between the first and second ends of the electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C. Thus, as discussed above, the magnetic field exerts a force on each of the electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B, and 79C in a direction perpendicular to the velocity of the cations and anions. Figure 6 In the embodiment of , no rotation or translation of the machine is required to increase the capacitance or charging rate of the electrical energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C. If the machine is in motion and then stops running, these benefits will have a "residual" effect. Figure 6 The rotating electromagnetic machine can also be operated with one, two, four or five magnets, provided that the fields applied by the magnets are in accordance with the Figure 6 The same manner as described may be applied to the electrical energy storage device.

[0062] exist Figure 6In an embodiment, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C are connected to power sources 81A, 81B and 81C. The power sources 81A, 81B and 81C can be the electromagnetic machine itself, or can be an independent power source separate from the electromagnetic machine. In another embodiment, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C are not connected to a power source. Typically, when the power sources 81A, 81B and 81C are applied to the energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C, the polarity of the power sources 81A, 81B and 81C is selected so that both the power applied to the energy storage devices 79A, 79B and 79C and the applied magnetic field cause cations to move toward one of the electrodes, and both cause anions to move toward the other electrode.

[0063] If the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are part of the rotor, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, 79C may be configured to Figure 6 If the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are part of the stator, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, 79C may also be configured to rotate or move linearly during operation of the machine. Figure 5A The machine remains stationary during operation.

[0064] Reference now Figure 7 , shows an energy storage device 80 connected to a power source 83 utilizing magnetic ions. The energy storage device 80 includes a housing 82, a first electrode 84A, and a second electrode 84B. The first electrode 84A and the second electrode 84B are generally parallel to each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the housing 82. An electrolyte mixture is disposed in the housing 82, which includes cations 86A and anions 86B in a solvent. As discussed above, application of electrical power to the energy storage device 80 via the power source causes the cations 86A to be attracted to the negative charges 88B on the second electrode 84B, and the anions 86B to be attracted to the positive charges 88A on the first electrode 84A. In Figure 7 In an embodiment, the cations 86A or the anions 86B both include magnetic materials. The magnetic cations 86A or the magnetic anions 86B may include diamagnetic ions, paramagnetic ions, ferromagnetic ions, antiferromagnetic ions, ferrimagnetic ions, or any combination thereof. By applying a magnetic field 90 parallel to the axis connecting the first electrode 84A and the second electrode 84B, a force is exerted only on the magnetic ions. The polarity of the power supply, the direction of the magnetic field 90, and the type of magnetic ions are all selected to ensure that the magnetic field 90 exerts a force in a direction that the ions will already be attracted to due to the accumulation of charge on the corresponding electrode. Figure 7In the illustrated embodiment, cation 86A is selected to be magnetic. Cation 86A is already electrically attracted toward second electrode 84B, and therefore magnetic field 90 is selected such that magnetic field 90 exerts a force on cation 86A that is also directed toward second electrode 84B. Thus, application of magnetic field 90 causes more magnetic ions to form at the double layer, thereby increasing the capacitance of electrical energy storage device 80. Thus, similar to Figure 4A and 4B An implementation of the energy storage device in the embodiment enhances the charging of the energy storage device.

[0065] Reference now Figure 8 , showing the use of Figure 7 A cross section of an electrical energy storage device 80 of a rotary or linear electromagnetic machine. Figure 8 The electromagnetic machine in can be Figure 1A , 1B or Figure 2 In another embodiment, the rotary electromagnetic machine has one, two, four, five, or any suitable number of magnets. In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is integrated with a linear electromagnetic machine having any suitable number of magnets. Figure 8 The magnet or coil assembly of the electromagnetic machine may be a rotor or a stator. Thus, the electromagnetic machine generally includes a magnet housing 70 containing magnets 72A, 72B and 72C. Figure 8 The electromagnetic machine has three electrical energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C, each of which is disposed adjacent to a corresponding magnet 72A, 72B, 72C. The electrical energy storage devices are oriented so that one electrode of each electrical energy storage device is closer to the corresponding magnet than the other electrode of each electrical energy storage device. Therefore, the magnetic field generated by the magnets 72A, 72B and 72C is parallel to the axis between the first electrode and the second electrode of each of the electrical energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C. As discussed above, the application of this magnetic field applies a force to the magnetic ions in the electrolyte mixture of each of the electrical energy storage devices, thereby increasing the capacitance and reducing the time constant of each of the electrical energy storage devices.

[0066] Figure 7 Energy storage devices and Figure 8 The electromagnetic machine can be similar to the above description of Figure 5A and 5BThe electrical energy storage device may be electrically coupled to an independent power source. When a magnetic field is applied to the electrical energy storage device, charging thereof by the independent power source is enhanced. In another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device may be electrically coupled to an electromagnetic machine so that the electromagnetic machine serves as a power source for the electrical energy storage device. The relative movement of the electromagnetic machine causes the electrical energy storage device to begin charging, which is enhanced by the magnetic field applied by the magnet. In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is not electrically coupled to a power source. As a magnetic field is applied to the electrical energy storage device, the cations and anions in the electrolyte mixture are forced by the magnetic field to form layers on corresponding electrodes. This layer of ions adjacent to the electrode surface causes a corresponding layer of charge to form in the electrode itself, thereby forming a double electrical layer on each electrode. In this way, the electrical energy storage device is effectively "pre-charged" by the application of a magnetic field, and if charge has previously accumulated on the electrode while the machine is in motion, the charge will remain in place due to the magnetic field after the machine stops operating. Figure 8 The rotating electromagnetic machine may also be operated with one, two, four or five magnets, provided that the magnetic field exerted by the magnets is in accordance with the Figure 8 The same manner as described may be applied to the electrical energy storage device.

[0067] exist Figure 8 In an embodiment, the energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C are connected to power sources 85A, 85B and 85C. The power sources 85A, 85B and 85C can be the electromagnetic machine itself, or can be an independent power source separate from the electromagnetic machine. In another embodiment, the energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C are not connected to a power source. Typically, when the power sources 85A, 85B and 85C are applied to the energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C, the polarity of the power sources 85A, 85B and 85C is selected so that both the power applied to the energy storage devices 80A, 80B and 80C and the applied magnetic field cause the cations to move toward one of the electrodes, and both cause the anions to move toward the other electrode.

[0068] If the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are part of the rotor, the energy storage devices 80A, 80B, 80C may be configured to Figure 8 If the magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are part of the stator, the energy storage devices 79A, 79B, 79C may also be configured to rotate or move linearly during operation of the machine. Figure 5A The machine remains stationary during operation.

[0069] Reference now Fig. 9, shows an energy storage device 100 connected to a power source 101 that utilizes the density difference of ions in an electrolyte mixture. The energy storage device 100 includes a housing 102, a first electrode 104A, and a second electrode 104B. The first electrode 104A and the second electrode 104B are generally parallel to each other and are disposed on opposite sides of the housing 102. An electrolyte mixture is disposed in the housing 102, which contains cations 106A and anions 106B in a solvent. As discussed above, applying electrical power to the energy storage device 100 causes the cations 106A to be attracted to the negative charges 108B on the first electrode 104A, and causes the anions 106B to be attracted to the positive charges 108A on the second electrode 104B.

[0070] exist Fig. 9 In an embodiment, one of the ion species has a higher density than the other species. Cations 106A may be denser than anions 106B, or vice versa. In order to increase the capacitance of the energy storage device 100, the energy storage device 100 rotates along an axis of rotation 110. The axis of rotation 110 is generally perpendicular to the axis between the first electrode 104A and the second electrode 104B, and deviates from the energy storage device 100 so that the axis of rotation does not pass between the electrodes. Since the axis of rotation 110 deviates from the center of the energy storage device 100, the cations 106A and the anions 106B are separated via a process called density gradient centrifugation. As the energy storage device 100 rotates, higher density ions are forced to move further away from the axis of rotation 110 than lower density ions. The rotation of the energy storage device therefore causes higher density ions to accumulate on the electrode of the energy storage device farthest from the axis of rotation 110. The polarity of the power supply, the position of the axis of rotation, and the ion species to be the denser ions are selected so that both normal operation of the electrical energy storage device 100 and the rotation of the electrical energy storage device 100 exert forces on the denser ions in the same direction. Similarly, the less dense ions are selected so that the attraction between the less dense ions and the charge accumulated on the electrode closest to the axis of rotation 110 overcomes the force from the rotation itself.

[0071] Therefore, in Fig. 9In the illustrated embodiment, the polarity of the power supply 112 is selected so that positive charges 108A accumulate on the second electrode 104B. These positive charges 108A attract negatively charged anions 106B in the electrolyte mixture. Anions 106B are also selected so that they have a higher density than positively charged cations 106A, and the rotation axis 110 is placed at an end of the energy storage device 100 opposite to the second electrode 104B. Therefore, the rotation of the energy storage device 100 around the rotation axis 110 causes the negative ions 106B with higher density to experience a greater force away from the rotation axis 110 than the cations 106A with lower density. The rotation of the energy storage device 100 is therefore coordinated with the application of the electric power from the power supply 112 to force the negative ions 106B toward the second electrode 104B. The cations 106A are selected so that the force they experience toward the first electrode 104A due to the accumulation of negative charge 108B is greater than the opposing force caused by the rotation of the electrical energy storage device 100 about the rotation axis 110. In example embodiments, the density of the higher density ions may be two, four, six, or eight times the density of the lower density ions. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the ratio of the density of the higher density ions to the lower density ions is different.

[0072] Reference now Fig. 10A , showing the use of Fig. 9 A cross section of a rotating electromagnetic machine of an electrical energy storage device 100 . Fig. 10A The electromagnetic machine in can be Figure 1A , 1B or Figure 2 or any other suitable rotating electromagnetic machine. In another embodiment, the rotating electromagnetic machine has one, two, four, five or any suitable number of magnets. Fig. 10A The electromagnetic machine may also be a linear electromagnetic machine.

[0073] As shown, the rotary electromagnetic machine generally has a magnet housing 70 that contains magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. Figure 8 Similar to the rotating electromagnetic machine, Fig. 10A The rotary electromagnetic machine of FIG. 1 has electrical energy storage devices 103A, 103B, and 103C-103I disposed adjacent to respective magnets 72A, 72B, and 72C. In this embodiment, the electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are disposed outside of the magnet housing 70 to shield the electrical energy storage devices from unwanted magnetic fields. The electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are oriented such that the axis between the first electrode and the second electrode of each electrical energy storage device is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation 110 of the rotary electromagnetic machine. Thus, the electrical energy storage devices 103A and 103B are generally oriented with respect to the rotation axis 110 of the rotary electromagnetic machine. Figure 8The electrical energy storage devices 80A and 80B of the rotating electromagnetic machine are identical.

[0074] However, with Figure 8 Compared with the energy storage device 80C, Fig. 10A The energy storage devices 103C-103I in FIG. 1 are rotated 90°. Since saving space may be beneficial, Fig. 10A The rotary electromagnetic machine may utilize multiple shorter rotating electrical energy storage devices 103C-103I that are electrically connected in parallel to form an effective electrical energy storage device that may be equivalent to electrical energy storage devices 103A and 103B. Reducing the size of the electrical energy storage device provides a smaller surface area on which charge can be collected, thereby reducing the capacitance. However, by providing multiple shorter electrical energy storage devices and electrically connecting them in parallel, this reduction is minimized or eliminated. The electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I rotate as the rotary electromagnetic machine rotates about the rotation axis 110. As this occurs, the ions with a greater density in the electrolyte mixture of each of the electrical energy storage devices are subjected to a greater force toward the electrode farthest from the rotation axis 110 than the ions with a lesser density, thereby increasing the capacitance and reducing the time constant of each of the electrical energy storage devices.

[0075] Fig. 10A The rotating electromagnetic machine can also be operated with one, two, four, five or any suitable number of magnets. In addition, the electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are suitable for use in any rotating machine, even a rotating machine without magnets.

[0076] exist Fig. 10A In an embodiment, energy storage device 103A is connected to power source 105A, energy storage device 103B is connected to power source 105B, and energy storage devices 103A-103I are connected to power source 105C. Power sources 105A, 105B, and 105C may be the electromagnetic machine itself, or may be an independent power source separate from the electromagnetic machine. In another embodiment, energy storage devices 103A-103I are not connected to a power source. Typically, when power sources 105A, 105B, and 105C are applied to energy storage devices 103A-103I, the polarity of power sources 105A, 105B, and 105C is selected so that both the power applied to energy storage devices 103A-103I and the rotation of the electromagnetic machine cause cations to move toward one of the electrodes, and both cause anions to move toward the other electrode.

[0077] Fig. 9 Energy storage devices and Fig. 10A The rotating electromagnetic machine can be similar to the above description of Figure 5A and 5B Rotating electromagnetic machines or Figure 8The rotating electromagnetic machine may be used in the manner described. The electrical energy storage device may be electrically coupled to an independent power source. When the rotating electromagnetic machine rotates the electrical energy storage device, charging thereof by the independent power source is enhanced. In another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device may be electrically coupled to the rotating electromagnetic machine so that the rotating electromagnetic machine serves as a power source for the electrical energy storage device. The rotation of the rotating electromagnetic machine directly generates electrical power, at least a portion of which may be used to directly charge the electrical energy storage device. This charging is enhanced by the rotation of the electrical energy storage device.

[0078] In yet another embodiment, the electrical energy storage device is not electrically coupled to a power source. As the electrical energy storage device is rotated by the rotating electromagnetic machine, the cations and anions in the electrolyte mixture are forced to form layers on the corresponding electrodes by the rotation of the rotating electromagnetic machine (via density gradient centrifugation). This layer of ions adjacent to the electrode surface causes a corresponding layer of charge to form in the electrode itself, thereby forming a double electrical layer on each electrode. In this way, the electrical energy storage device is effectively "pre-charged" by the application of a magnetic field.

[0079] Since it is rotation rather than the application of a magnetic field that enhances the functionality of the energy storage devices 103A-103I, the energy storage devices 103A-103I must generally be coupled to the rotor of the electromagnetic machine. Fig. 10A In FIG. 7 , magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are part of the rotor, and thus electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are coupled to the magnets or magnet housing 70. Although Fig. 10A The electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are shown coupled or otherwise disposed outside of the magnet housing 70, but the electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I may also be coupled or otherwise disposed within the magnet housing 70 and still be configured to rotate with the magnet.

[0080] Fig. 10B The diagram shows Fig. 10A 103A-103I is a similar electromagnetic machine, except that the coils 74 and core 76 are designed to rotate and are therefore part of the machine's rotor. The magnets 72A, 72B, 72C are configured to be stationary during operation and are therefore part of the stator. Since it is the coils 74 and core 76 that rotate during operation, the energy storage devices 103A-103I are typically disposed within or coupled to a housing containing the coils 74 and core 76. In addition to the positioning of the energy storage devices 103A-103I, Fig. 10B Machines and Fig. 10A The electrical energy storage devices 103A-103I are oriented such that the axis between the first electrode and the second electrode of each electrical energy storage device is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation 110 of the rotating electromagnetic machine.

[0081] Different embodiments of the energy storage device can be combined to enhance the charging of the energy storage device. For example, an energy storage device with a barrier and a channel can be used with ions in which one ion species is magnetic, ions in which one ion species has a greater density, or both. Similarly, an energy storage device without a barrier and a channel can utilize ions in which one ion species is magnetic and one ion species has a greater density than other ions.

[0082] As discussed herein, various different electromagnetic machines can be used with various types of electrical energy storage devices. The electromagnetic machine can be a rotary electromagnetic machine, a linear electromagnetic machine, or any other type of electromagnetic machine. In some embodiments, the machine can even be a non-electromagnetic machine. In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine that allows some or all of the magnets and some or all of the coil assemblies to move (e.g., rotational movement or linear translational movement) can be used. The machine can have any suitable number of magnet groups, and each magnet group can have any suitable number of magnets. The machine can also have any suitable number of coils and cores. Therefore, although the cross-sectional images described herein generally only show a single magnet group and a single coil / core combination, the electromagnetic machine generally has multiple magnet groups and multiple coil / core combinations, which are deployed circumferentially around the axis of rotation (for rotary electromagnetic machines) or linearly around the axis of translation (for linear electromagnetic machines). In addition, each coil can have its own separate core, or two or more coils can share a common core. The electromagnetic machine can also have only a single magnet group with a single coil / core combination.

[0083] Thus, to facilitate understanding in the specification and claims, an electromagnetic machine may be described as having "a magnet," "a magnet group," "a core," "a coil," "an electrical energy storage device," "a shaft," "a coil assembly," etc. However, it is to be understood that the article "a" or "an" accompanying any of these or other components does not restrict any described or claimed embodiment to only a single component, but encompasses embodiments having one or more components.

[0084] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each of these embodiments and their obvious variations are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is also contemplated that additional embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure may combine any number of features from any embodiment described herein.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic machine comprising: Axle rod; a coil assembly coupled to the shaft, the coil assembly comprising a core and a coil wound around the core; A magnet housing; a first set of magnets disposed in the magnet housing and coupled to the shaft such that the first set of magnets is positioned adjacent the coil assembly; as well as at least one electrical energy storage device disposed in the magnet housing and adjacent to the first set of magnets, the at least one electrical energy storage device comprising: a housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed in the housing and typically between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of magnetic ions and a plurality of nonmagnetic ions; Wherein, the magnetic field generated by the first set of magnets is parallel to the axis between the first electrode of the at least one energy storage device and the second electrode of the at least one energy storage device, so that the magnetic field exerts a force on the plurality of magnetic ions.

2. The electromagnetic machine according to claim 1, wherein: Rotation of the first set of magnets relative to the coil assembly, or rotation of the coil assembly relative to the first set of magnets, generates electrical power, and wherein at least a portion of the generated electrical energy is stored in the at least one electrical energy storage device.

3. The electromagnetic machine according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one electrical energy storage device is electrically coupled to a power source.

4. The electromagnetic machine according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one electrical energy storage device is not electrically coupled to a power source.

5. The electromagnetic machine according to claim 1, wherein: The magnetic ions have a first density and the non-magnetic ions have a second density that is different from the first density.

6. An electromagnetic machine according to claim 5, wherein: The first density is greater than the second density.

7. The electromagnetic machine of claim 1, wherein: The electromagnetic machine is a rotating electromagnetic machine.

8. The electromagnetic machine of claim 1, wherein: The electromagnetic machine is a linear electromagnetic machine.

9. The electromagnetic machine of claim 1, wherein: The first set of magnets includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a third magnet.

10. An electromagnetic machine comprising: Axle rod; a coil assembly coupled to the shaft, the coil assembly comprising a core and a coil wound around the core; A magnet housing; a first set of magnets disposed in the magnet housing and coupled to the shaft such that the first set of magnets is positioned adjacent the coil assembly; as well as at least one electrical energy storage device coupled to the magnet housing, the at least one electrical energy storage device comprising: a housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; an electrolyte mixture disposed in the housing between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture comprising a plurality of ions including a first type of ions having a first density and a second type of ions having a second density different from the first density; Wherein the electromagnetic machine is configured to rotate during operation such that the at least one electrical energy storage device rotates about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to an axis between the first electrode and the second electrode.

11. An electromagnetic machine according to claim 10, wherein: The rotation axis is offset from the at least one energy storage device such that the rotation axis does not pass between the first electrode and the second electrode of the at least one energy storage device and such that the first electrode of the at least one energy storage device is closer to the rotation axis than the second electrode of the at least one energy storage device.

12. The electromagnetic machine of claim 10, wherein: A first electrode of the at least one electrical energy storage device is further away from the rotation axis than a second electrode of the at least one electrical energy storage device, and wherein rotation of the at least one electrical energy storage device about the rotation axis exerts a force on the plurality of ions toward the first electrode.

13. The electromagnetic machine of claim 10, wherein: Rotation of the first set of magnets relative to the coil assembly, or rotation of the coil assembly relative to the first set of magnets, generates electrical power, and wherein at least a portion of the generated electrical energy is stored in the at least one electrical energy storage device.

14. The electromagnetic machine of claim 10, wherein: The at least one electrical energy storage device is electrically coupled to a power source.

15. The electromagnetic machine of claim 10, wherein: The at least one electrical energy storage device is not electrically coupled to a power source.

16. The electromagnetic machine of claim 10, wherein: The first set of magnets includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a third magnet.

17. A method for charging an electrical energy storage device, the method comprising: coupling the electrical energy storage device to a magnet housing of an electromagnetic machine, the electromagnetic machine including at least one set of magnets and at least one coil assembly disposed in the magnet housing; as well as rotating the electromagnetic machine so that the magnet housing and the electrical energy storage device rotate relative to the at least one coil assembly; Wherein, when the electric energy storage device is not electrically connected to a power source, the electric energy storage device rotates along with the magnet housing so that electric energy is stored in the electric energy storage device.

18. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 17, wherein: A power source is electrically coupled to the electrical energy storage device.

19. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 18, wherein: The power supply is configured to apply input power to the electrical energy storage device.

20. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 19, wherein: Applying input power to the electrical energy storage device for a first time period while the electromagnetic machine is stationary causes a first amount of stored electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device.

21. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 20, wherein: In response to rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly, input power is applied to the electrical energy storage device during the first time period so that a second amount of stored electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device, and the second amount of stored electrical energy is greater than the first amount of stored electrical energy.

22. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 20, wherein: In response to rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly, the first amount of stored electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device by applying input power to the electrical energy storage device during a second time period, the second time period being less than the first time period.

23. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 20, wherein: In response to rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly, a first maximum amount of electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device, and wherein, when the electromagnetic machine is stationary, a second maximum amount of electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device, the first maximum amount of electrical energy being greater than the second maximum amount of electrical energy.

24. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 20, wherein: The rotating electromagnetic machine is the power source.

25. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 24, wherein: The electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage device is a portion of the total amount of electrical energy generated by the rotating electromagnetic machine.

26. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 18, wherein: The power source is independent of the rotating electromagnetic machine.

27. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 17, wherein: Rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly generates a magnetic field.

28. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 27, wherein: The generated magnetic field causes electrical energy to be generated within the electrical energy storage device.

29. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 17, wherein: Rotation of the at least one set of magnets or the at least one coil assembly causes the electrical energy storage device to rotate, and wherein the rotation of the electrical energy storage device causes electrical energy to be generated within the electrical energy storage device.

30. A method for charging an electrical energy storage device, the method comprising: A magnetic field is applied to the electrical energy storage device disposed in a magnet housing of an electromagnetic machine and adjacent to one or more magnets such that an amount of electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device.

31. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 30, wherein: A power source is electrically coupled to the electrical energy storage device.

32. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 31, wherein: The power supply is configured to apply input power to the electrical energy storage device.

33. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 32, wherein: Applying input power to the electrical energy storage device for a first time period while no magnetic field is applied to the electrical energy storage device causes a first amount of stored electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device.

34. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 33, wherein: In response to applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device, applying input power to the electrical energy storage device during the first time period causes a second amount of stored electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device, the second amount of stored electrical energy being greater than the first amount of stored electrical energy.

35. The method of charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 33, wherein: In response to applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device, the first amount of stored electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage device by applying input power to the electrical energy storage device during a second time period, the second time period being less than the first time period.

36. The method of charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 33, wherein: In response to applying a magnetic field to the energy storage device, a first maximum amount of electrical energy is stored in the energy storage device, and wherein, when the magnetic field is not applied, a second maximum amount of electrical energy is stored in the energy storage device, the first maximum amount of electrical energy being greater than the second maximum amount of electrical energy.

37. The method for charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 30, wherein: Applying the magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device causes electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device without the electrical energy storage device being electrically connected to a power source.

38. The method of charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 30, wherein: The electrical energy storage device is positioned within or adjacent to the electromagnetic machine.

39. The method of charging an electrical energy storage device according to claim 38, wherein: Rotation of the electromagnetic machine causes the magnetic field to be applied to the electrical energy storage device.

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