A method for rapidly converting chemical energy into usable electrical energy

Abstract

To provide a regenerative braking system for converting kinetic energy of a projectile into electrical energy suitable for supplying power to an apparatus or charging a battery.SOLUTION: A system 100 uses Faraday's law to rapidly and directly convert kinetic energy of a magnetized and / or conducting projectile 112 into usable electrical energy. The system includes a barrel 102 comprising a bore 104; a circuit 106 including a plurality of electrically conductive components distributed along a length 110 of the bore; and a projectile comprising at least one of a conductive material or a magnetic material magnetically coupled to the electrically conductive components when the projectile is moving along the length of the bore. The circuit stores energy 116 generated from an electric current 118 induced in the electrically conductive components when the projectile moving along the length of the bore causes a magnetic interaction between the electrically conductive components and the magnetic material or the conductive material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting chemical or kinetic energy into usable electrical energy. [Background technology]

[0002] Charging devices when in remote field locations can be difficult. Current solutions generally involve carrying multiple charged replacement batteries. However, batteries are heavy, have a relatively low energy density, and lose energy slowly (requiring frequent recharging, which may not always be possible). What is needed is a way to store energy while in the field that is more convenient, lightweight, and has a high energy density. The embodiments described herein meet this need. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure describes a regenerative braking system for converting the kinetic energy of a projectile into electrical energy suitable for powering equipment or charging a battery. The regenerative braking system can be implemented in many ways. These methods include, but are not limited to:

[0004] Example 1 A regenerative braking system, a barrel including a bore; a circuit including a plurality of conductive components distributed along the length of the bore; a projectile including at least one of a conductive material or a magnetic material that is magnetically coupled to the conductive component as the projectile moves along the length of the bore; a regenerative braking system comprising: a circuit for storing energy generated from a current induced in the conductive component when the projectile traveling along the length of the bore causes a magnetic interaction between the conductive component and at least one of the magnetic material or the conductive material, the magnetic interaction further causing braking of the projectile;

[0005] Example 2 the projectile generates a first magnetic field configured to induce the current in the conductive component as the projectile moves along the length of the bore; 2. The system of example 1, wherein the current generates a second magnetic field, and the conductive component is configured such that the magnetic interaction between the second magnetic field and the first magnetic field causes the braking of the projectile.

[0006] Example 3 2. The system of example 1, wherein the magnetic interaction induces eddy currents in the conductive material in the projectile moving along the length of the bore.

[0007] Example 4 4. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 3, further comprising a connector configured to attach the barrel to a muzzle of a firearm, wherein the projectile comprises a bullet that is fired into the barrel through the muzzle.

[0008] Example 5 5. The system of example 4, wherein the barrel comprises an exhaust port located forward of the conductive component, such that the exhaust port exhausts exhaust from the firearm.

[0009] Example 6 The conductive component comprises: The projectile exits the bore at a speed that can be stopped manually or at a speed below 10 m / s; or 6. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the projectile has kinetic energy reduced by at least 90%, and wherein at least a portion of the kinetic energy is configured to be converted into the energy including electrical energy.

[0010] Example 7 7. The system of any one of Examples 1 or 2, or 4 to 6, wherein the magnetic material comprises a permanent magnet.

[0011] Example 8 8. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein each of the conductive components comprises a coil.

[0012] Example 9 9. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the conductive component comprises a pickup coil coupled to a magnet.

[0013] Example 10 further comprising a reactor coupled to the barrel, the reactor comprising: 10. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 9, configured to react a chemical propellant with a reactant to form an exhaust and direct the exhaust to propel the projectile through the bore.

[0014] Example 11 The system of example 10, wherein the reactor comprises a combustion chamber.

[0015] Example 12 12. The system of example 11, wherein the projectile comprises a piston.

[0016] Example 13 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a system for returning the piston to the reactor after the piston has traveled the length of the bore.

[0017] Example 14 14. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the circuit comprises one or more capacitors that store the energy generated from the current.

[0018] Example 15 15. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the conductive component is connected in parallel with the capacitor.

[0019] Example 16 16. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising a battery connected to the circuit, the battery storing the energy.

[0020] Example 17 17. The system of example 16, wherein the energy can power a cell phone, a radio, a television, a computer, a global positioning system, an air conditioning system, or a motor for an electric vehicle.

[0021] Example 18 the circuit is a buffer circuit, using the current to charge a capacitor with a first time constant responsive to a time scale of movement of the projectile along the bore; discharging the capacitor to power the battery with a second time constant longer than the first time constant and corresponding to a charge time in accordance with the battery manufacturer's specifications; 18. The system of any one of Examples 1 to 17, comprising a buffer circuit.

[0022] Example 19 A vehicle, including a road vehicle (e.g., a car, truck, bus, or tank), an aircraft, or a watercraft (e.g., a boat), comprising a system according to any one of Examples 1 to 18.

[0023] Example 20 20. The vehicle of example 19, further comprising an electromagnetic weapon powered using the device.

[0024] The present disclosure further describes a method of operating the firearm, including firing the firearm to propel a projectile from the firearm, converting the kinetic energy of the projectile into electrical energy, and using the electrical energy to charge a battery.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes providing a firearm with a barrel including a bore, providing a circuit including a plurality of conductive components distributed along the length of the bore, and providing a projectile including at least one of a conductive material or a magnetic material that is magnetically coupled to the conductive components when the projectile moves along the length of the bore. When the projectile moving along the length of the bore causes a magnetic interaction between the conductive components and at least one of the magnetic material or the conductive material, the circuit stores energy generated from a current induced in the conductive components. The magnetic interaction causes braking of the projectile. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 shows a regenerative braking system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a regenerative braking system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an example magnetic field distribution in a regenerative braking system according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a soldier or hiker using a regenerative braking system in a field application, according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a vehicle including a regenerative braking system according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of making a regenerative braking system according to one or more embodiments described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a regenerative braking system according to one or more embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, several embodiments, It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Technical explanation] This disclosure describes a system that uses Faraday's law to rapidly and directly convert the kinetic energy of a magnetized and / or conducting projectile (propelled by chemical energy) into usable electrical energy. In one embodiment, the magnetic braking effect of an "inverse coil gun" extracts energy from a high-kinetic-energy projectile (whose initial kinetic energy originated from chemical energy) and produces a voltage in a circuit magnetically coupled to the projectile. The electrical energy associated with that voltage can be used directly in an application or to charge a capacitor or battery for later use. This system significantly reduces the weight of energy storage.

[0029] [Firearms Examples] 1 illustrates a regenerative braking system 100 including a barrel 102 including a bore 104, a circuit 106 including a plurality of conductive components 108 distributed along a length 110 of the bore 104, and a projectile 112 including a material 114 selected from at least one of a conductive material and a magnetic material that is magnetically coupled to the conductive components 108 when the projectile 112 moves along the length 110 of the bore 104. Exemplary conductive components 108 include, but are not limited to, a coil 144 or pickup coil 144b coupled to a magnet 147. Exemplary magnetic materials include, but are not limited to, a permanent magnet 145.

[0030] When a projectile 112 traveling along the length 110 of the bore 104 causes a magnetic interaction 120 between the conductive component 108 and the material 114, the circuit 106 stores energy 116 generated from a current 118 induced in the conductive component 108. The magnetic interaction 120 further causes the projectile 112 to brake or decelerate. In one or more embodiments, the circuit 106 includes (or is connected to) a capacitor 154 and / or a battery 156 used to store the energy 116 to power an instrument or other device 158. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the system is a mount that can be removably attached to the firearm 130 or retrofitted to the firearm 130. A connector 132 is used to attach the barrel 102 to the muzzle 134 of the firearm 130 so that the projectile 112 (bullet 136) is fired into the barrel 102 through the muzzle 134. The barrel 102 or connector 132 includes an exhaust port 138 located forward of the conductive component 108 that allows exhaust 140 to exit the firearm 130 .

[0031] [Piston Example] 2 illustrates an exemplary regenerative braking system 200 in which the projectile 112 includes a piston 202. The system further includes a reactor 204 (e.g., a combustion chamber 203) coupled to the barrel 102, the reactor 204 configured to (1) react a chemical propellant 206 with a reactant 208 (e.g., air or oxygen) to form an exhaust 210 and (2) direct the exhaust 210 to propel the piston 202 through the bore 104. The reactor 204 includes an inlet 212 for admitting air, an outlet 214 for expelling the exhaust 210, and a spark plug 216 for igniting the chemical propellant 206. The regenerative braking system 200 further includes a mechanism 218 for returning the piston 202 to the reactor 204 after the piston 202 has traveled the length 110 of the bore 104 due to propulsion and braking. In the illustrated embodiment, mechanism 218 includes a connecting rod 220, a crank 222, a crank pin 224, and a crankshaft 226, where a portion of the reciprocating motion of piston 202 is converted into rotational motion of crank 222, which is then used to push connecting rod 220, which pushes the piston back into reactor 204.

[0032] [Example magnetic field distribution] 3 illustrates various exemplary magnetic interactions 120 between the conductive component 108 and the projectile 112. In one embodiment, as the projectile 112 moves along the length 110 of the bore 104, the projectile 112 generates a first magnetic field 122 configured to induce an electric current 118 in the conductive component 108. The electric current 118 generates a second magnetic field 124, and the conductive component 108 is configured such that a magnetic interaction 120 of the second magnetic field 124 with the first magnetic field 122 causes braking of the projectile 112, for example, as the kinetic energy 117 of the projectile 112 is converted to electrical energy 116. In various embodiments, the second magnetic field 124 does not extend rearward of the projectile 112, thereby preventing the projectile 112 from being pushed along the bore 104.

[0033] In another embodiment in which the projectile 112 comprises a conductive material, the magnetic interaction 120 induces eddy currents in the conductive material in the projectile 112 as it moves along the length 110 of the bore 104. The formation of eddy currents causes braking of the projectile as the kinetic energy 117 of the projectile is dissipated in the eddy currents.

[0034] [Application example] FIG. 4 shows a person 400 (e.g., military personnel 402 or hiker 404) operating regenerative braking system 100 with a handheld or portable device. The handheld device is used to charge batteries for small-scale power generation in the field. In one or more embodiments, conductive component 108 is configured to brake projectile 112 to exit the bore at a speed below 10 m / s or at a speed that can be stopped by an unprotected hand or a protected hand (e.g., a hand protected by armor or gloves). In one or more further embodiments, the projectile has kinetic energy reduced by at least 90% to 99%, and at least a portion of the kinetic energy is converted to energy 116, including electrical energy. The average energy in a portable .50 caliber rifle cartridge is about 50 kJ, which is more than enough to charge an alkaline AA battery (maximum 10 kJ energy storage capacity), a C battery (maximum 35 kJ energy storage capacity), a NiCd battery (less than one-third of these energies), or a NiMH battery (less than half of these energies). Multiple fuel or larger caliber cartridges can be used to charge a single alkaline battery (maximum 75 kJ energy storage capacity).

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the energy 116 may power at least one appliance or device 158 selected from a cell phone, a radio, a television, a computer, a global positioning system, an air conditioning system, or an electric vehicle motor (electric vehicle).

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a vehicle 500 (tank) equipped with the regenerative braking system 200 shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle further includes an electromagnetic weapon 502, and the regenerative braking system 200 is used to rapidly charge the energy system for the electromagnetic weapon 502. While a tank is illustrated, in other embodiments, the regenerative braking system 200 is mounted on an aircraft or watercraft (e.g., a boat) near a naval or aircraft gun to rapidly charge the gun or aircraft gun, respectively. A fired M1 Abrams tank shell has up to 30 MJ of energy, enough to charge multiple batteries or hybrid car batteries (up to 5.4 MJ storage capacity). Other exemplary vehicles include, but are not limited to, a car, truck, jeep, or bus.

[0037] TIFF0007742708000001.tif113170

[0038] [Processing Steps] [Manufacturing method] FIG. 6 shows a method for making a regenerative braking system (see also FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0039] Block 600 represents the acquisition or manufacture of a barrel 102 having a bore 104. In one or more embodiments, the barrel and bore are manufactured using materials (e.g., metals) typically used in manufacturing firearms. Exemplary barrels and bores include, but are not limited to, bores and barrels having cylindrical or non-cylindrical cross sections.

[0040] Block 602 represents disposing or distributing a plurality of conductive components 108 along the length 110 of the bore 104. Exemplary conductive components include, but are not limited to, coils 144 (including wire), windings (including wire), or pickup coils (including wire) coupled to a magnet. In one embodiment, the conductive components include a linear set of coils arranged linearly along the length of the bore. Exemplary materials for the conductive components include materials typically used to manufacture conductive coils and windings (e.g., wires including metals (silver, copper, tungsten, etc.)). Exemplary materials for the magnets include, but are not limited to, rare earth materials (e.g., neodymium).

[0041] Block 604 represents obtaining or manufacturing a projectile 112 including at least one material 114 selected from conductive or magnetic materials that can be magnetically coupled to a conductive component as the projectile moves along the length of the bore. Exemplary magnetic materials include permanent magnets, including rare earth materials (e.g., neodymium). Exemplary materials for conductive materials include, but are not limited to, materials typically used to manufacture conductive coils, windings, loops, or wires (e.g., metals such as silver, copper, tungsten, etc.).

[0042] Block 606 represents connecting a circuit including the conductive component. The circuit 106 is configured to store energy 116 generated from a current 118 induced in the conductive component when a projectile traveling along the length of the bore causes a magnetic interaction 120 between the conductive component and a material. In one or more embodiments, the circuit 106 includes (or is connected to) a capacitor 154 and / or a battery 156 used to store the energy 116.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, circuit 106 includes a buffer circuit that uses current 118 to charge capacitor 154 with a first time constant corresponding to the time scale of projectile 112 moving along bore 104, and discharge capacitor 154 with a second time constant that is longer than the first time constant and corresponds to a charging time in accordance with the battery manufacturer's specifications, to power battery 156.

[0044] Block 608 represents the end result of a regenerative braking system, such as that shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

[0045] Block 610 represents attaching a regenerative braking system to a firearm, reactor, or other system to propel the projectile down the bore. Examples of firearms include, but are not limited to, a gun, pistol, assault weapon, or machine gun. Examples of reactors include, but are not limited to, a combustion chamber such as used in a combustion engine.

[0046] [How to operate] Figure 7 shows how the firearm operates.

[0047] Block 700 represents firing the firearm to propel a projectile from the firearm.

[0048] Block 702 represents converting the kinetic energy of the projectile into electrical energy.

[0049] Block 704 represents using electrical energy to charge a battery.

[0050] This method solves the problem of charging weapons or other devices in the field. In particular, it uses direct energy conversion to rapidly convert high density chemical energy into usable electrical energy, reducing the weight of the energy store compared to state-of-the-art batteries.

[0051] Current solutions generally involve carrying multiple charged replacement batteries. However, batteries have a relatively low energy density and are heavy compared to chemical energy solutions. Furthermore, batteries lose energy slowly and require frequent recharging, which requires recharging the power source and energy source. In embodiments of the methods described herein, only one battery needs to be carried into the field because energy is stored in the chemical energy of the propellant used to fire the projectile, and this chemical energy is converted to electrical energy only when needed to recharge the battery.

[0052] [Conclusion] This concludes the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of protection be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A regenerative braking system (100, 200), a barrel (102) having a bore (104); a circuit (106) including a plurality of conductive components (108) distributed along the length (110) of said bore (104); a projectile (112) including at least one of a conductive material (114) or a magnetic material (114) that is magnetically coupled to the conductive component (108) as the projectile (112) moves along the length (110) of the bore (104); a connector (132) configured to attach the barrel (102) to a muzzle (134) of a firearm (130), wherein the projectile (112) including a bullet (136) is fired into the barrel (102) through the muzzle (134); the barrel (102) includes an exhaust port (138) located forward of the conductive component (108), the exhaust port (138) for discharging exhaust gas (140) from the firearm (130); the circuit (106) stores energy (116) generated from a current (118) induced in the conductive component (108) when the projectile (112) traveling along the length (110) of the bore (104) causes a magnetic interaction (120) between the conductive component (108) and at least one of the magnetic material (114) or the conductive material (114); the magnetic interaction (120) causes braking of the projectile (112); The conductive component (108) the projectile (112) exits the bore (104) at a speed that can be manually stopped or at a speed below 10 m / s; or The projectile (112) exits with kinetic energy (117) reduced by at least 90%, and at least a portion of the kinetic energy (117) is converted to the energy (116), including electrical energy (116). A regenerative braking system (100, 200) configured as follows.

2. when the projectile (112) is moving along the length (110) of the bore (104), the projectile (112) generates a first magnetic field (122) configured to induce the current (118) in the conductive component (108); 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the current generates a second magnetic field, and the conductive component is configured such that the magnetic interaction between the second magnetic field and the first magnetic field causes the braking of the projectile.

3. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic interaction induces eddy currents in the conductive material of the projectile traveling along the length of the bore.

4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material (114) includes a permanent magnet (145), and each of the conductive components (108) includes a pickup coil (144) coupled to a magnet (147).

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the circuit (106) comprises one or more capacitors (154) that store the energy (116) generated from the current (118).

6. The system further comprises a battery (156) connected to the circuit (106), the battery (156) storing the energy (116), the circuit (106) being a buffer circuit, using the current (118) to charge a capacitor (154) with a first time constant responsive to a time scale of movement of the projectile (112) along the bore (104); discharging the capacitor (154) to power the battery (156) with a second time constant longer than the first time constant and corresponding to a charging time in accordance with the battery (156) manufacturer's specifications; 6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer circuit.

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