System for parametric resonant variable inductance.

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an assembly for varying inductance. The assembly includes a stator configured to generate at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed. A line extending from one of the at least one pair of magnetic poles to the remaining of the at least one pair of magnetic poles defines a first direction. The assembly also includes a rotor adjacent to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor body formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability. The rotor body defines a plurality of recesses extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor. The axis of rotation extends along the first direction. The rotor also includes a plurality of bars formed from a second material. The plurality of bars are disposed within the plurality of recesses, respectively. The second material has a second effective magnetic permeability. Rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation causes a periodic alternation of the inductance of the assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 290,764, filed December 17, 2021, entitled "SYSTEM FOR PARAMETRIC RESONANT VARYING INDUCTANCE," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical components having variable inductance, and more particularly to parametric resonant inductors. [Background technology]

[0003] In many technologies, inductive devices such as motors, linear actuators, solenoids, and induction coils rely on the generation of magnetic fields to perform driving, transformation, and / or induction, or magnetic attraction or repulsion. In known approaches, such inductive devices and other devices operating in concert with them do not necessarily recover and / or reuse the magnetic field energy. Indeed, in many technologies, magnetic fields are treated as a nuisance to be reduced.

[0004] However, some early proposed work suggested that excitation of vibrations in electric oscillatory systems could be achieved through the induction of magnetic field energy (On The Parametric Excitation Of Electric Oscillations, LI Mandelstam, ND Papalexi, University of California, 1934). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As a result, systems and electrical assemblies for reusing magnetic field energy are desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure, an assembly for varying inductance is provided. The assembly includes a stator configured to generate at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed. A line extending from one of the at least one pair of magnetic poles to the remaining of the at least one pair of magnetic poles defines a first direction. The assembly also includes a rotor adjacent to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor body formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability. The rotor body defines a plurality of recesses extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor. The axis of rotation extends along the first direction. The rotor also includes a plurality of bars formed from a second material. The plurality of bars are respectively disposed within the plurality of recesses. The second material has a second effective magnetic permeability. The rotor is positioned relative to the stator such that rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation causes a periodic alternation of the inductance of the assembly.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of bars form a portion of an outer surface of the rotor.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of bars extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation such that a given bar of the plurality of bars simultaneously and periodically faces magnetically opposing poles of at least one pair of magnetic poles.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the first effective magnetic permeability is at least ten times smaller than the second effective magnetic permeability.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the first material is a non-ferromagnetic material.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the second material is a ferromagnetic material.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the stator comprises at least one coil of wire At least one pair of magnetic poles is generated by the at least one coil.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the at least one wire coil is a single wire coil that creates a pair of magnetic poles.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the at least one wire coil includes a plurality of wire coils, the plurality of wire coils being connected in series, each of the plurality of wire coils producing a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the multiple coils simultaneously face one of the multiple bars upon rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation, with each of the coils facing a corresponding one of the multiple bars.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the assembly is electrically connected to a capacitor, thereby forming an electrical circuit, and the speed of rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation is set such that the frequency of alternation of the inductance of the assembly is twice the natural frequency of the electrical circuit.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the assembly further comprises an actuator operably coupled to the rotor to provide rotation of the rotor.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the first material is selected from the group of materials consisting of wood, plastic, aluminum, and brass.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group of materials consisting of ferrite and permalloy.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the stator has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along a first direction. At least one pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles is generated on an inner surface of the stator. The rotor rotates within the stator.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the rotor body has a cylindrical shape extending along a first direction and is centrally disposed within the stator.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of recesses extends substantially along at least a majority of the length of the rounded outer surface of the rotor body. The plurality of recesses are defined equidistantly relative to one another.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the rotor is positioned sufficiently close to the stator such that at least one pair of magnetically opposing magnetic poles magnetically interact with the rotor body and the plurality of bars upon rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation.

[0024] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an assembly for varying inductance is provided. The assembly includes at least one wire coil configured to generate a pair of magnetically opposing magnetic poles in use, and a variable permeability element including a first portion formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability and a second portion formed from a second material having a second effective magnetic permeability. The variable permeability element is operatively connected to an actuator. The actuator periodically alternates the first and second materials in front of the at least one wire coil when the variable permeability element is actuated. This allows the magnetically opposing magnetic poles to simultaneously face one of the first and second materials to periodically vary the inductance of the at least one wire coil.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, the first effective magnetic permeability is at least ten times smaller than the second effective magnetic permeability.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the second material is a ferromagnetic material.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the first material is a non-ferromagnetic material.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the at least one wire coil includes multiple wire coils connected in series and arranged such that when the variable permeability element is moved, the multiple coils simultaneously face multiple portions of the second portion of the variable permeability element.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the at least one coil of wire is electrically connected to a capacitor, thereby forming an electrical circuit, the frequency of the alternating first and second materials in front of the at least one coil of wire being twice the natural frequency of the electrical circuit.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the first material is selected from the group of materials consisting of wood, plastic, aluminum, and brass.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group of materials consisting of ferrite and permalloy.

[0032] Each embodiment of the present technology will have at least one, but not necessarily all, of the objects and / or aspects set forth above, and it should be noted that some aspects of the present technology, which result from attempts to achieve the above-mentioned object, may not satisfy that object and / or may satisfy other objects not specifically set forth herein.

[0033] Additional and / or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inductance varying assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 implemented in an electrical circuit. [Figure 3A] 13 is a perspective view of a rotor of an inductance varying assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present technique; FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the rotor shown in FIG. 3A with a bar of material disposed therein. [Figure 4] 13 is a perspective view of a stator of an inductance varying assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present technique; FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an inductance varying assembly including the rotor shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and the stator shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the assembly shown in FIG. 5 implemented in an electrical circuit, according to another embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram of the assembly shown in FIG. 5 implemented in an electrical circuit in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] It should be noted that like features are identified by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings and corresponding description. It should also be noted that the drawings and corresponding description are for illustrative purposes only, and that such disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0036] Various representative embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings in which representative embodiments are shown. However, the technology disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the representative embodiments described herein. Rather, these representative embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technology to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the described embodiments belong.

[0037] The present disclosure introduces an assembly for varying inductance. In a first embodiment, the assembly includes at least one wire coil configured to generate a pair of magnetically opposed poles in use. The assembly also includes a variable permeability element having a first portion and a second portion having a first effective magnetic permeability and a second effective magnetic permeability, respectively. The variable permeability element is actuated such that the first portion and the second portion are periodically interleaved in front of the at least one wire coil to periodically vary the inductance of the at least one wire coil. In one embodiment, the assembly is connected in series with a capacitor. This forms a resonant electric circuit having a natural frequency. The variable permeability element is actuated such that the frequency of the interleaving of the first portion and the second portion in front of the at least one wire coil is twice the natural frequency of the electric circuit. In some cases, the interleaving at twice the natural frequency causes a resonant power amplification in the electric circuit. The electric circuit may further be connected to a load for supplying power.

[0038] In the same or another embodiment, the assembly may include a stator configured to generate at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed, a rotor including a rotor body, and a number of bars disposed on the rotor body. The bars have an effective permeability different from that of the rotor body. Upon rotation of the rotor in front of the at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed, an inductance of the assembly varies periodically. In one embodiment, the assembly is electrically connected in series with a capacitor. This forms a resonant electric circuit. In this embodiment, the frequency of the alternation of the inductance of the assembly may be set to be twice the natural frequency of the electric circuit. This causes a resonant power amplification in the electric circuit. The electric circuit may further be connected to a load for supplying power. Details regarding an exemplary embodiment of the assembly are provided below.

[0039] Generally, the present disclosure introduces an assembly having an inductance that oscillates around a mean inductance value, the assembly being configured to allow fine tuning of the frequency of the oscillation, which may be set to create a resonance in an electrical circuit, thereby inducing resonant power amplification in the electrical circuit.

[0040] Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an inductance varying assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a wire coil 110 wound around a U-shaped core 120. More specifically, the wire coil 110 is wound around a central portion 126 of the U-shaped core 120. The central portion 126 extends between a first end 122 and a second end 124 of the U-shaped core 120. The wire coil 110 may be formed from copper.

[0041] The U-shaped core 120 has a shape that allows the magnetic field to be oriented in a given direction. Alternative shapes for the core 120 are provided in alternative embodiments, but this aspect is not limited to these. The U-shaped core 120 may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, permalloy or mu-metal (Ni-Fe). For purposes of this disclosure, the effective permeability of the material forming the U-shaped core 120 is μ r0 It is shown that:

[0042] When a current flows through the wire coil 110, a magnetic field is generated by the wire coil 110, as shown in FIG. 1 by three magnetic field lines, where a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles are formed at opposite ends of the U-shaped core 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a north magnetic pole is generated at the first end 122 and a south magnetic pole is generated at the second end 124. The polarity of the magnetic poles at the first end 122 and the second end 124 of the U-shaped core 120 depends on the direction of the current in the wire coil 110.

[0043] The assembly 10 further includes a variable permeability element 200 disposed in front of the first end 122 and the second end 124 of the U-shaped core 120. The variable permeability element 200 includes a first portion 210 formed from a first material having a first effective permeability and a second portion 220 formed from a second material having a second effective permeability. Examples of variable permeability element 200 are described below. In this disclosure, the effective permeability of the first material is referred to as μ r1 and the effective permeability of the second material is μ r2 In this embodiment, the first and second materials are selected such that one of the first and second materials has a significantly higher effective magnetic permeability than the other. For example, the first and second materials may have an effective magnetic permeability of μ r2 ≧10μ r1 In this embodiment, the first material is a non-ferromagnetic material and the second material is a ferromagnetic material.

[0044] The variable permeability element 200 is operatively connected to an actuator (not shown) that, when actuated, produces a simultaneous and periodic alternation of the first and second materials in front of the first and second ends 122 and 124 of the U-shaped core 120. In this disclosure, the frequency of this alternation is designated as f1. For example, in the position of the variable permeability element 200 shown in FIG. 1, the second portion 220 is in front of both the first and second ends 122 and 124. In other words, the magnetically opposing poles generated by the wire coil 110 are both simultaneously in front of either the first or second material of the variable permeability element 200.

[0045] The cyclical change in material placed in front of the magnetically opposing poles of the wire coil 110 causes a cyclical change in the magnetic field generated by the assembly 10. More specifically, the magnetic field exerts a magnetic force on the variable permeability element 200, which is opposed by the actuation of the variable permeability element 200. The magnetic force can be expressed as:

number

[0046] More specifically, the inductance of the assembly is a high inductance value L max and low inductance value L min The high inductance value and the low inductance value can be expressed by the following equation:

number

[0047] In some embodiments, the assembly 10 may include multiple wire coils similar to the wire coil 110 and connected in series. Each of the wire coils generates a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles. In such embodiments, the wire coil 110 is positioned such that one of the first and second portions 210 and 220 of the variable permeability element 200 is simultaneously and alternately in front of all of the generated magnetic poles. Exemplary embodiments of inductance varying assemblies including multiple pairs of magnetically opposed magnetic poles are described below.

[0048] 2 is a diagram of an assembly 10 electrically connected to a capacitor 20 having a capacitance C, thereby forming a resonant electrical circuit 50. A component 30 having a resistivity R in the electrical circuit 50 represents the internal inherent resistivity of the resonant electrical circuit 50 (i.e. the resistivity of the wires connecting the assembly 10, the capacitor 20, and the components of the electrical circuit 50). In effect, the assembly 10 has an inductance L(t), and the resonant electrical circuit 50 resonates at a natural frequency f0. The natural frequency f0 is determined by the resistivity R, capacitance C, and average inductance L of the assembly 10. av In this embodiment, the value of L av =(L max +L min ) / 2. And the energy collected by the assembly 10 can be expressed as:

number

[0049] In use, actuation of the variable permeability element 200 changes the magnetic field generated by the wire coil 110. Even if there is no generator in the electrical circuit 50, random charges in the circuit 50 due to statistical fluctuations may generate a magnetic field having a high enough relative magnitude to be periodically changed by the variable permeability placed in front of the wire coil 110 when the variable permeability element 200 is actuated. Thus, the actuation energy of the variable permeability element 200 may be converted to magnetic energy via the assembly 10 and then stored by the capacitor 20 in the form of electrostatic energy.

[0050] In this embodiment, the capacitor C is generally empty of charge at the beginning of operation of the variable permeability element 200. In other words, the charge Q(t) stored by the capacitor is null, Q(t=0)=0. In an alternative embodiment, the capacitor may be charged before operation of the variable permeability element 200, in which case Q(t=0)=Q0>0.

[0051] In this embodiment, the frequency f1 of the alternating arrangement of the first and second materials before the first end 122 and the second end 124 (i.e., the frequency of change in inductance L(t) of the assembly 10) is set to twice the natural frequency 50 of the electrical circuit, such that f1=2f0.

[0052] 3A and 3B are perspective views of a rotor 300 of an inductance varying assembly, such as assembly 10. In this embodiment, rotor 300 includes a rotor body 310 formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability. The first material may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, wood, plastic, aluminum, or brass. Broadly, in this embodiment, the first material may be a rigid material that is non-ferromagnetic and has an effective relative magnetic permeability close to unity. Rotor body 310 is formed from a single, integral piece of first material in this embodiment, but may be formed from different pieces in alternative embodiments. For example, rotor body 310 may be formed using injection molding techniques.

[0053] In this embodiment, the rotor 300 has a cylindrical shape extending along a main direction defined along the axis of rotation 302. In use, the rotor 300 is actuated by an actuator (e.g. a motor) to rotate about the axis of rotation 302. The rotor body 310 defines therein a plurality of recesses 320 extending on a rounded outer surface of the rotor body 310 over at least a majority of the length H1 of the rotor body. The recesses 320 define a substantially rectangular shape extending parallel to the axis of rotation 302. In this embodiment, the recesses 320 are defined equidistantly relative to one another on the rounded outer surface 304. More specifically, the distances between two consecutive recesses 320 along the rounded outer surface 304 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 302 are equal to one another.

[0054] 3B, rotor 300 also includes a plurality of bars 350 (only one shown) formed from a second material having a second effective magnetic permeability. Bars 350 are received within recesses 320 such that bars 350 are each disposed within a corresponding recess 320. Bars 350 may be maintained within the recesses by fasteners, adhesives, or other components suitable for maintaining bars 350 within recesses 320.

[0055] The second material is selected from a group of materials including ferrite and permalloy. In a broad sense, in this embodiment, the second material may be any ferromagnetic, rigid material with no permanent magnetization properties and an effective permeability greater than 1000. In this embodiment, the second material forming the bars 350 is a ferromagnetic material, and the second effective permeability is at least 10 times greater than the first effective permeability of the rotor body 310. In an alternative embodiment, the rotor 300 may have a unique recess 320 and a unique bar 350 disposed within the unique recess 320. The number of recesses 320 and bars 350 is not limited.

[0056] For example, the variable permeability element 200 of the assembly 10 that varies inductance may be implemented as a rotor 300 in an unrealistic embodiment of the present technology.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stator 400 of an inductance varying assembly according to one embodiment of the present technology. The stator 400 is configured to generate at least one pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles. To that end, in this embodiment, the stator 400 includes at least one wire coil 410 that generates at least one corresponding pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles when a current flows therethrough. The wire coil 410 may be formed from copper. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the stator 400 includes six wire coils 410 (only one is shown in the figure). Each of the wire coils 410 generates a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles during operation. Each pair forms, among other things, a north pole (not shown) and a south pole 424. The six wire coils 410 are connected in series. The stator 400 may include a different number of wire coils 410, for example, in alternative embodiments including a unique wire coil 410.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment, the stator 400 has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along a major direction defined along the major axis 402, and a length H2 of the stator 400 is defined along the major axis 402. The stator 400 also defines on its inner surface 430 a number of inductance cores, which may be shaped similarly to the U-shaped core 120 (see FIG. 5) of the assembly 10 configured to support wire coils 410. Each of the inductance cores 405 has a corresponding wire coil 410 wound around a major portion thereof. The wire coils 410 are equidistant from one another along the inner surface 430 and orthogonal to the major axis 402.

[0059] In this embodiment, the wire coil 410 is wound and the inductance core 405 has a shape such that a line extending from one pole of each pair of poles to the other pole of the same pair extends parallel to the main axis 402. In other words, the distance between each pair of magnetically opposing poles is along the height H2 of the stator 400 (i.e., along the main direction defined by the main axis 402).

[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an inductance varying assembly 500 including a rotor 300 and a stator 400. More specifically, the rotor 300 is disposed within the stator 400 such that the axis of rotation 302 of the rotor 300 is aligned with the main axis 402. The rotor 300 is thus centrally disposed within the stator 400 and rotates about the main axis 402 of the stator 400 in use. The assembly 500 may further include an actuator 550 operatively coupled to the rotor 300 to provide rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302. The operative coupling between the actuator 550 and the rotor 300 may include, for example, but is not limited to, a magnetic bearing to reduce friction during transmission of coupling forces from the actuator 550 to the rotor 300. The actuator 550 may be, for example, an electric motor, a reciprocating engine, a propeller, or any blade arrangement rotated by the flow of a fluid (such as air or water) thereagainst. Rotation of rotor 300 may be induced by natural convection of ambient air flowing to actuator 550, for example, via actuator 550. In alternative embodiments, rotation of rotor 300 may be provided by another actuating element.

[0061] In this embodiment, the number of bars 350 included in rotor 300 is equal to the number of magnetically opposed pole pairs created by stator 400. In alternative embodiments, the number of bars 350 may be greater than the number of magnetically opposed pole pairs.

[0062] The bars 350 and wire coil 410 are arranged such that, in use (i.e., during rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302), each of the bars 350 is successively and periodically positioned in front of each pair of magnetically opposing poles generated by the stator 400, with both poles of the same pair simultaneously in front of the bars 350. In other words, the poles of the same pair of magnetically opposing poles generated by the same one wire coil 410 are simultaneously and periodically positioned in front of the same one bar 350. Also, in this embodiment, the geometric dimensions of the rotor 300 and the stator 400 are set such that, during rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302, the rounded outer surface 304 and the plurality of bars 350 are positioned sufficiently close to the first and second ends of the inductance core defined by the wire coil 410 and / or the stator 400 such that the magnetically opposing poles generally magnetically interact with the rotor body 310 and the plurality of bars 350. For example, the distance between a given wire coil 410 and the rotor 300, measured perpendicular to the axis of rotation 302, is 1 millimeter. Broadly speaking, the rotor 300 is positioned within the stator 400 such that, upon rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302, the magnitude of the magnetic force exerted by one of the wire coils 410 on the nearest part of the rotor 300 (i.e., one of the bars 350 on the part of the rotor body 310) exceeds a predetermined threshold. This ensures magnetic interaction between the wire coil 410 and the rotor 300. The rotor 300 is therefore said to be adjacent to the stator 400.

[0063] Also, the bars 350 and wire coils 410 are arranged such that, in use, all pairs of magnetically opposing poles generated by the stator 400 simultaneously face one bar 350. The same principles and calculations apply to the inductance L'(t) of the varying inductance assembly 500 as described for the assembly 10 shown in Figure 1. This allows L'(t) to be varied from a high inductance value L' max and low inductance value L' min This can be expressed by the following equation:

number

[0064] In this embodiment, the effective permeability of the inductance core 405 and the effective permeability of the bar 350 are equal (i.e., μ′ r0 =μ' r2 ) Also, the cross-sectional area A'0 of the inductance core 405 is equal to the cross-sectional area A'2 of the bar 350. Therefore, the high inductance value L' max can be expressed as follows:

number

[0065] Therefore, the inductance of the assembly 500 can be expressed as:

number

[0066] 6 is an electrical diagram of an assembly 500 electrically connected to a capacitor 20 having a capacitance C, thereby forming a resonant electrical circuit 60. In this embodiment, the component 30 represents the internal resistivity of the resonant electrical circuit 60 (i.e. the resistivity of the wires connecting the assembly 500, the capacitor 20, and the components of the electrical circuit 60). In effect, the assembly 500 has an inductance L'(t), and the resonant electrical circuit 60 resonates at a natural frequency f'0. The natural frequency f'0 depends at least in part on the values ​​of the resistivity R, the capacitance C, and the average inductance L'0 of the assembly 500.

[0067] In this embodiment, the natural frequency f'0 can be expressed by the following equation.

number

[0068] The energy collected in the wire coil 410 of the assembly 500 can be expressed as:

number

[0069] In this embodiment, the rotational speed of the stator 300 is set to be f1=2.f'0, thereby coinciding with the resonance of the electric circuit 60. Thus, the assembly 500 receives more magnetic energy during its vibration than if the inductance did not change.

number

[0070] In this embodiment, the capacitor C is empty of charge at the start of operation of the variable permeability element 200. In other words, the charge Q(t) stored by the capacitor is null, Q(t=0)=0. In an alternative embodiment, the capacitor may be charged before operation of the rotor 300, in which case Q(t=0)=Q0>0.

[0071] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7, the electric circuit 60 further includes a load 700 to be powered. The load 700 may be, for example, connected in parallel with the capacitor 20. Thus, electrostatic energy is transferred from the capacitor 20 to the load 700. In this manner, power is supplied from the circuit 60 to the load 700. The load 700 may be, for example, but is not limited to, an automobile engine or any other load that may be powered.

[0072] In at least some embodiments, the actuator 550, which provides the rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302, is electrically connected to the circuit 60. Thereby, the power input of the actuator 550 is provided in part by the electric circuit 60 itself. For example, the circuit 60 may be implemented in a wind turbine. In this case, the kinetic energy of the wind provides at least a part of the input energy of the actuator 550. This initiates the rotation of the rotor 300 about the axis of rotation 302. Thus, a resonant oscillation of the current is generated in the electric circuit 60, and the electric energy collected by the capacitor 20 may be further transferred to the load 700 (e.g. the motor of the wind turbine). Thus, in use, the energy received from the kinetic energy of the wind may be used to operate the actuator 550 of the assembly 500 and / or may be collected for its storage. This allows the wind turbine to operate without a standard power source.

[0073] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to specific features and structures, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations are possible without departing from such disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded merely as illustrative of the above-described examples or embodiments and their principles as defined in the claims, and are intended to include any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents encompassed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. An assembly for varying inductance, comprising: a stator configured to generate at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed, wherein a line extending from one pole of the at least one pair of poles to a remaining pole of the at least one pair of poles defines a first direction; a rotor adjacent to the stator; Equipped with The rotor is a rotor body formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability, the rotor body defining a plurality of recesses extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor, the axis of rotation extending along the first direction; a plurality of bars formed from a second material having a second effective magnetic permeability, the bars being disposed within the plurality of recesses respectively; Including, the rotor is positioned relative to the stator such that rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation causes a periodic alternation of the inductance of the assembly. assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bars form a portion of an outer surface of the rotor.

3. 3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of bars extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, whereby certain bars of the plurality of bars simultaneously and periodically face magnetically opposing poles of the at least one pair of magnetic poles.

4. 4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first effective magnetic permeability is at least ten times smaller than the second effective magnetic permeability.

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material is a non-ferromagnetic material.

6. 6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the stator comprises at least one coil of wire, and the at least one pair of magnetic poles are generated by the at least one coil.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least one coil of wire is a single coil of wire that creates a pair of magnetic poles.

8. the at least one wire coil comprises a plurality of wire coils; the plurality of wire coils are connected in series; each of the plurality of wire coils generates a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles; 7. The assembly of claim 6.

9. 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of wire coils simultaneously face one bar of the plurality of bars upon rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation, and wherein the plurality of wire coils each face a corresponding bar of the plurality of bars.

10. the assembly is electrically connected to a capacitor, thereby completing an electrical circuit; the rotational speed of the rotor about the axis of rotation is set so that the frequency of alternation of the inductance of the assembly is twice the natural frequency of the electric circuit; Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the rotor to provide rotation of the rotor.

12. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first material is selected from the group of materials consisting of wood, plastic, aluminum, and brass.

13. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material is selected from the group of materials consisting of ferrite and permalloy.

14. The stator has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along the first direction, The at least one pair of magnetic poles that are magnetically opposed to each other are generated on an inner surface of the stator, The rotor rotates within the stator. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotor body has a cylindrical shape extending along the first direction and is centrally located within the stator.

16. the plurality of recesses extend substantially along at least a majority of the length of the rounded outer surface of the rotor body; The recesses are defined equidistantly from one another.

16. The assembly of claim 15.

17. 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor is positioned sufficiently close to the stator such that the at least one pair of magnetically opposed poles magnetically interact with the rotor body and the plurality of bars upon rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation.

18. 1. An assembly for varying inductance, comprising: at least one coil of wire configured to generate, in use, a pair of magnetically opposed magnetic poles; A variable permeability element, a first portion formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability; and A second portion formed from a second material having a second effective magnetic permeability. A variable permeability element including: Equipped with the variable permeability element is operably connected to an actuator that, when actuated, periodically alternates the first material and the second material in front of the at least one wire coil, such that the pair of magnetically opposed poles simultaneously oppose one of the first material and the second material to periodically vary an inductance of the at least one wire coil. assembly.

19. 20. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the first effective magnetic permeability is at least 10 times smaller than the second effective magnetic permeability.

20. 20. An assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the second material is a ferromagnetic material.

21. the at least one wire coil comprises a plurality of wire coils connected in series; the plurality of wire coils are arranged such that, when the variable permeability element is moved, the plurality of wire coils simultaneously face a plurality of portions of the second portion of the variable permeability element. Assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

22. 22. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one coil of wire is electrically connected to a capacitor, thereby forming an electrical circuit, and a frequency of alternating the first material and the second material in front of the at least one coil of wire is twice a natural frequency of the electrical circuit.

23. The assembly of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the first material is selected from the group of materials consisting of wood, plastic, aluminum, and brass.

24. Assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the second material is selected from the group of materials consisting of ferrite and permalloy.

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