Method and apparatus for reversing induction of disadvantageous EMF from electrical connection moving in return flux

Abstract

A homopolar dynamoelectric machine includes stator layers spaced radially apart from one another, rotor layers each respectively provided between a pair of the stator layers and rotatable through a stationary magnetic field generated by the stator layers, electrical windings which electrically connect axial ends of the rotor layers in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, and at least one flux return mitigation assembly to interact with flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers. The at least one flux return mitigation assembly includes a switchback structure which is contoured to direct the flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers through a portion of the electrical windings.

Description

[0001] Attorney Docket No . 1 91 678 . 32 . PCT

[0002] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REVERS ING INDUCT ION OF D ISADVANTAGEOUS EMF FROM ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MOVING IN RETURN FLUX CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003]

[0001] The present appl icat ion claims priority to U . S . Patent Appl icat ion No . 63 / 747 , 953 , f i led on January 22 , 2025 , and to U . S . Appl icat ion No . 1 9 / 455 , 177 , f i led on January 21 , 202 6 , the ent ire content s of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENT ION

[0005] 1 . Fie ld of the Invent ion

[0006]

[0002] The present invent ion relates to novel methods , structures , and systems for improving generators and motors .

[0007] More speci f i cal ly, the present invent ion relates to e lectrical ly connect ing two or more homopolar rotors in serie s in a manner that does not require the use of s l iding contact s .

[0008] 2 . Des cript ion of the Re lated Art

[0009]

[0003] Homopolar generators can approach the theoret ical highest pos s ible speci f i c energy dens ity, rel iabi l ity , cost ef fect ivenes s , and longevity, but the power they make , whi le being very impres s ive in quant ity, i s of the wrong prof i le .

[0010] There are two problems that have kept homopolar machines , despite thei r overwhelmingly ideal phys ics , from being pract i cal .

[0004] Problem 1 : homopolar generators make a tremendous amperage paired with a tiny voltage . The voltage is so low that internal and sliding contact resistance keeps the majority of the power from being expressed in a usable manner .

[0011]

[0005] Problem 2 : the flux return can create a reverse voltage in the electrical connections that interferes with connecting rotors in series to add their voltages .

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013]

[0006] To overcome the problems described above, example embodiments of the present invention provide alternative and new ways of electrically connecting rotors of a homopolar

[0014] motor / generator assembly .

[0015]

[0007] According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a homopolar dynamoelectric machine includes stator layers spaced radially apart from one another, rotor layers each respectively provided between a pair of the stator layers and rotatable through a stationary magnetic field generated by the stator layers , electrical windings which electrically connect axial ends of the rotor layers in series , parallel , or a combination of series and parallel , and at least one flux return mitigation assembly to interact with flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers . The at least one flux return mitigation assembly includes a switchback structure which iscontoured to direct the f lux of the magnet ic f ie ld generated by the stator layers through a port ion of the elect rical windings .

[0016]

[0008] The above and other features , element s , characteri st ics , steps , and advantages of the present invent ion wi l l become more apparent from the fol lowing detai led descript ion of example embodiment s of the present invent ion with reference to the attached drawings .

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]

[0009] The patent or appl icat ion f i le contains at least one drawing executed in color . Copies of thi s patent or patent appl icat ion publ icat ion with color drawing ( s ) wi l l be provided by the U . S . Patent and Trademark Of f ice upon request and payment of the neces sary fee .

[0019]

[0010] F igure 1 shows a perspect ive view of an axial end of a Faraday drum homopolar machine according to an example embodiment of the present invent ion .

[0020]

[0011] F igure 2A shows a radial direct ion cros s sect ion of a cyl indrical machine according to an example embodiment of the present invent ion .

[0021]

[0012] F igure 2B shows f lux returns and f lux dens ity of one lateral s ide port ion of the radial cros s sect ion of the cyl indrical machine of F igure 2A .

[0013] Figure 3 shows flux returns with blocking magnets of dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0022]

[0014] Figure 4 shows flux returns of a dynamoelectric machine with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0023]

[0015] Figure 5 shows an unshielded wire extending upward in a stator according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0024]

[0016] Figure 6 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0025]

[0017] Figure 7 shows flux returns with blocking magnets of according to an example embodiment of the present invention in which intake and output sides have been translated laterally and a flux density thereof .

[0026]

[0018] Figure 8 shows flux returns with blocking magnets of an example embodiment of the present invention which have been skewed and a flux density thereof .

[0027]

[0019] Figure 9 shows flux returns with an additional magnet according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0028]

[0020] Figure 10A shows flux returns with a skewed gap and Figure 10B shows flux returns with a skewed gap and anadditional magnet according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0029]

[0021] Figure 11 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention which have been skewed and a flux density thereof .

[0030]

[0022] Figure 12 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0031]

[0023] Figure 13 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0032]

[0024] Figures 14A and 14B show flux returns with blocking magnets which are respectively aligned and skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0033]

[0025] Figures 15A and 15B show flux returns with blocking magnets in which changes to the flux density thereof caused by an additional iron portion added to a tail can be seen .

[0034]

[0026] Figure 16 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0035]

[0027] Figure 17 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0028] Figure 18 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0036]

[0029] Figure 19 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0037]

[0030] Figure 20 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0038]

[0031] Figure 21 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0039]

[0032] Figure 22 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0040]

[0033] Figure 23 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0041]

[0034] Figure 24 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0042]

[0035] Figure 25 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0036] Figures 26A and 26B show flux returns with blocking magnets in which changes to the flux density thereof caused by an additional thinner blocking magnet can be seen .

[0043]

[0037] Figure 27 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0044]

[0038] Figure 28 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0045]

[0039] Figure 29 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0046]

[0040] Figure 30 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0047]

[0041] Figure 31 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0048]

[0042] Figure 32 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0049]

[0043] Figure 33 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0044] Figure 34 shows flux returns with blocking magnets which are skewed according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0050]

[0045] Figure 35 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0051]

[0046] Figure 36 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0052]

[0047] Figure 37 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0053]

[0048] Figure 38 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0054]

[0049] Figure 39 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0055]

[0050] Figure 40 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0056]

[0051] Figure 41 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0052] Figure 42 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0057]

[0053] Figure 43 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0058]

[0054] Figure 44 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0059]

[0055] Figure 45 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0060]

[0056] Figure 46 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0061]

[0057] Figure 47 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0062]

[0058] Figure 48 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0063]

[0059] Figure 49 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0060] Figure 50 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0064]

[0061] Figure 51 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0065]

[0062] Figure 52 shows flux returns with blocking magnets according to an example embodiment of the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0066]

[0063] Figure 53 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0067]

[0064] Figure 54 shows another example embodiment of a location of flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to the present invention and a flux density thereof .

[0068]

[0065] Figure 55 shows locations of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0069]

[0066] Figure 56 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectricmachine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0070]

[0067] Figure 57 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0071]

[0068] Figure 58 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0072]

[0069] Figure 59 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0073]

[0070] Figure 60 shows a location of flux returns with blocking magnets at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0074]

[0071] Figure 61 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0072] Figure 62 shows a flux view through an S-shaped flux return according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0075]

[0073] Figure 63 shows a flux view through an S-shaped flux return according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0076]

[0074] Figure 64 shows a flux view through a side of a dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0077]

[0075] Figure 65 shows a flux view through a top of a dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0078]

[0076] Figure 66 shows a flux view through a top of a dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0079]

[0077] Figure 67 shows a flux view through an S-shaped flux return according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0080]

[0078] Figure 68 shows a flux view through an S-shaped flux return according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0081]

[0079] Figure 69 shows a flux view through a side of a dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention .

[0080] Figure 70 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0082]

[0081] Figure 71 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0083]

[0082] Figure 72 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and flux densities thereof .

[0084]

[0083] Figure 73 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and voltage densities thereof .

[0085]

[0084] Figure 74 shows a perspective view of wire turn extending through flux returns at an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and voltage densities thereof .

[0086]

[0085] Figure 75 shows a perspective view of an end of a rotational dynamoelectric machine according to an example embodiment of the present invention and voltage densities thereof .

[0086] Figure 76 shows a schematic illustration of a rotational dynamoelectric machine and wire according to an example embodiment of the present invention and voltage densities thereof .

[0087] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0088]

[0087] As discussed briefly above, many investigators have tried various ways of connecting 2 or more homopolar rotors in series to increase the voltage . If the unit has sliding contacts that operate in series , the resistance of the sliding contacts adds , increasing the problem proportionately to its solution . Non-sliding contacts such as a wire physically connected to the rotors do not have the sliding contact resistance losses , but often encounter a different problem.

[0089]

[0088] Because of the Faraday paradox, the magnetic field in many homopolar generators can be thought of as stationary even when the magnets that make the field are rotating . A connector / wire attached to the moving rotor layer moves through that stationary field and therefore experiences a voltage / emf . When the connector / wire passes through the reversed direction returning flux, the voltage created in the connector / wire can be essentially equal and opposite to the emf / voltage created in the rotor- canceling the output of all but one rotor no matter how many are connected in series .

[0089] Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a novel Faraday paradox drum homopolar machine 1 according to an example embodiment of the present invention . The Faraday paradox drum homopolar machine 1 preferably includes , for example, five cylindrical rotors 2 sandwiched between six magnet layers 3 (e . g . , "stator" layers ) that define a stationary radial magnetic field, because of the Faraday paradox, the magnetic field functions as if it were stationary even when the magnet layers 3 are rotating together with the cylindrical rotors 2 . The cylindrical rotors 2 and magnet layers 3 are preferably housed within a hollow tube casing which includes an outer cylindrical housing / yoke 4 , an inner cylindrical housing / yoke 5 , and an empty center . The locations of the flux return are shown as gray flux lines in Figure 1 . The drum homopolar machine 1 preferably further includes connectors / wires 6 which are electrically hard connected (e . g . , fixedly connected as opposed to sliding connected) to the rotors through, for example, welding, brazing, etc . The connectors / wires 6 are structured to pass through the empty center to connect one axial end of a first one of the rotors 2 to a far axial end of another one of the rotors to link them in series , parallel , or a combination of series and parallel . There are preferably disk shaped yoke end caps that connect the inner and outer cylindrical yokes 4 and 5 on each end (not pictured here ) .

[0090] When this entire apparatus spins axially the stationary flux field does not rotate . As the rotors rotate through the stationary radial field within the cylindrical stack of rotors / magnets that make up the body of the generator, an emf is induced that causes a voltage pushing current toward one axial end of the rotors . (There are other embodiments in which the magnetic field polarity around the different rotors are in different directions , making the EMF towards alternate ends of the different rotors . For simplicity the below discussion will focus on the variants in which the EMF in all rotors pusses in the same axial direction .

[0090]

[0091] In motor applications the rotor is best considered as a series of axial conductors , insulated laterally from each other . These are described in detail in related application . In generators , a wire / electrical connector picks up the current from one rotor axial end, passing, perhaps , through the axial center of the machine to connect with a different rotor layer on the far axial end . (There are also other routes for the wire , but through the center is discussed for minimal field interaction . ) But for a single problem, this would be an ideal way of connecting the rotors in series to add the voltages .

[0091]

[0092] The problem, as shown in Figure 1 , comes from the wires / connectors 6 spinning with the cylindrical generator body . As the wires 6 are dragged through the two reverse flux fields(one on each axial end of the cylindrical body) , a substantially equal and opposite EMF is generated in the wire 6 effectively canceling the net current flow from the additional rotor layers 2 .

[0092]

[0093] The origin and insertion of each wire 6 is at the rotor 2 in the center of both sides ' stator 3 flux loops . The path the wire 6 travels , of necessity, crosses the walls of both flux loops . Simply re-routing the wire 6 cannot solve this problem. There is no alternative path for the wire 6 that does not cross the "flux box" walls that surround the wires ' 6 origin and insertions at the axial ends of the rotors 2 .

[0093]

[0094] Figure 2A shows a cross section of an example embodiment of a dynamoelectric machine of the present invention in which flux paths P ( indicated with directional arrows ) make two taurus shaped closed 'boxes, ' each of which surrounds one end of the rotors 2 . The wires 6 connect the rotor layers 2 in series . The wires / connectors 6 pass from within the center of one side' s flux path box, coursing through the two flux boxes ' walls to get to the center of the other flux box to reconnect with the rotors 2 . The problem area is depicted where the wires 6 cross the flux lines of the path P . Each time the wire transects the return flux path it experiences an opposite voltage induction in the wire 6 which cancels out the addition of half of an additional rotor' s voltage . Because the wire 6

[0094] Y1transverses two flux box walls , the entire voltage of the additional rotor is effectively canceled .

[0095]

[0095] In Figure 2A, the layered stator magnet layers 3 create magnetic flux that passes radially through the rotor layers 2 , in this case, toward the periphery of the cylinder . The return flux is picked up by outer yoke 5 and transmitted through to the closest sidewall 51 and back to the south pole of the magnets 3 via the inner flux return cylinder 4 . The wires / connectors 6 pass through a hole in the inner flux return 4 at points 9.

[0096]

[0096] The flux path P bifurcates into 2 taurus shapes with closed box rectangular cross sections . The interior of the flux path box-like cross section is where the wires 6 attach to the rotors 2 . At points 9 the rotating wires 6 transect most of the stationary return flux, creating reverse EMF . There are many other permutations and shapes for the parts or system, but in function they are analogous to the example shown in Figure 2A . Because flux is always a closed loop and the connectors 6 pass through all the return flux, an equal and opposite EMF voltage is created in the connector as is created in that rotor 2 .

[0097]

[0097] Figure 2B depicts flux returns with side wall end caps , with the magnetic flux creating closed loop "boxes" that encircle each end of the rotors and that the electrical rotorconnectors would have to pass through the walls of both boxes to connect with the opposite end of a second rotor .

[0098]

[0098] As shown in Figure 2A, there is no way to get from inside one flux box to the inside of the other red flux box without crossing the walls of each box and when the connectors 6 cross the return flux and opposite voltage is induced . Note that , even though it is not shown in Figure 2B, the inner magnets of the stator layers 3 should be stronger than the outer layers in proportion to their circumference and the inner flux return yoke 5 should be thicker and / or more permeable than the outer flux return yoke 4 in the same ratio .

[0099]

[0099] The inventor of the present disclosure has discovered a variety of novel alternative solutions to the arrangement of Figures 1-2B which offer different efficacies in solving the flux return reverse voltage problem. Example embodiments of the present disclosure discussed below which correspond to the variety of novel alternative solutions can be combined and altered to adapt to other homopolar configurations without losing the core inventive concept .

[0100]

[0100] Common to the below example embodiments , novel arrangements of magnets are specifically shaped and positioned to function as flux returns to manipulate and help direct the flux return field of the stator layers 3 to minimize, eliminate, or even reverse the backward EMF generated when the connectorstravel through the stationary return flux as shown in Figures 1-2B . To start , some simplified Finite Element Analysis (FEA) diagrams to show various permutations of the novel solutions will be presented .

[0101]

[0101] We will start with 2D studies to look at intrinsic parameters , then proceed to 3D studies in a simulation of the actual working environment . In the 2D studies the stator return flux field corresponds to two large magnets , each with north to the right , stationed on either side of approximately S-shaped flux returns .

[0102]

[0102] A first example embodiment of the present disclosure is an 'original S' flux return which has the FEA demonstrated ability to turn the flux first 180 degrees backwards , giving the effective angle for positive induction of voltage in the wires , then turning the flux back 180 degrees to continue its path . That structure also focused its effect on the portion of the return flux closest to, and directed at , the wire .

[0103]

[0103] Figure 3 shows a permutation of the original S structure flux return 20 with blocking magnets A and B at left and right sides adjacent to the stator S and S' . It was able to turn 325 mV of deleterious induction into 724mV of advantageous voltage . This original version is very effective but could still be improved upon further in manners as discussed below .

[0104] Several factors combined to make that first structure function sub-opt imally . The tightness of the switchbacks 201 and 202 adjacent to the armature windings W inadvertently provided a permeability enhanced straight shot highway for some of the flux to just pass through the winding W of the armature directly in the wrong direction, rather than take the needed long, tightly convoluted S path . The curves of the switchbacks 201 and 202 were packed so closely together the flux just jumped straight across like a hiker cutting through a forest between two parallel trails .

[0104]

[0105] The extreme convolutions in the switchbacks 201 and 202 made the flux return 20 be less effective at turning the stronger flux around the 180 degree turns , and made it too sensitive to being overwhelmed by overflow / cut through flux . The overflow flux vector-added to the itinerant convoluted flux to block it from inducing good voltage .

[0105]

[0106] The final reason this version did not work as well as possible was that it directly draws the powerful flux out of the stator side wall S and S ' , instead of drawing the much weaker flux from the surrounding field . The powerful side wall flux thus overwhelmed the system.

[0106]

[0107] The end result was that although FEA in Figure 3 shows that the classic S structure could work very well in mostpermutat ions , it was too eas i ly overwhelmed in some phys ical model s .

[0107]

[0108] To addre s s the above problems in the embodiment of Figure 3 , next we invest igated the primit ive ' S 2 . 0 ' vers ion seen in Figure 4 .

[0108]

[0109] F igure 4 shows a vers ion of the S 2 . 0 f lux return structure with no ref inement and bas ic parameters . Note how wel l the st ructure turns the f lux in the S path , but that there i s opportunity for improvement .

[0109]

[0110] In thi s example embodiment , the switch back turns were cut back so they did not fold over on themselves and inadvertent ly def ine port ions where f lux could s imply jump and avoid pas s ing through the swit ch back and overf low st raight through . The cut back curves al so draw f lux from the weaker air gap f lux f ie ld rather than straight from the powerful f ield in the s idewal l prevent ing overload . True , lateral f lux could enter the wi res ' gap in thi s structure , but that would vector add with the greater amount of f lux coming in lateral ly through the path in a way that didn ' t prevent funct ion . The turns were al so not as sharp . Thi s solved most of the problems of the original S , even in the t ight conf ines of our phys ical generator .

[0110]

[0111] In thi s primit ive model there are many sub-ideal ef f iciency los ses . The ideal gap f lux orientat ion would be 180degrees back toward the left , but half of that angle has been sacrificed .

[0111]

[0112] Disadvantageous flux can enter the gap skewing the left hand side gap flux . The bends create a weak field on the inside of the curves and a strong field on the outside . The strong field on the outside (convex side) of the intake discharges most of its flux by leaking to the right instead of pushing it around the corner and through the wire gap . The distal outflow has a large airgap at the end that acts like a flux resistor, limiting the flow through gap flux . The efflux side also draws in extra flux through its convex side, limiting some of the input side flux ingress .

[0112]

[0113] This is called a primitive version because the parameters of every angle, thickness , width, length, strength, etc . were just educated guesses at what may be effective .

[0113] However, even without any refinement , it functioned well in FEA and with about 40-60% efficiency in the vertical section of 1 physical mode . This study takes each aspect of the primitive S 2 . 0 shield individually and refines its parameters , then it combines the advantages , while compensating for their possibly disadvantageous effect on each other .

[0114]

[0114] Figure 5 shows a baseline Stator and Winding arrangement as would be provided by an end of a dynamoelectric generator according to an example embodiment of the presentdi sclosure . Thi s basel ine includes a . 125 inch diameter , 10 cm long wire moving between two large (North right ) magnet s . A direct ion of mot ion of the generator would be upwards with in Figure 5 at a velocity of 20m / s . The magnet strength corresponds to 300mT for both the f ield ( e . g . , stator ) and shield ( e . g . , at the oppos ing ends of the switchbacks sandwiching the wire ) magnet s or i ron port ions as a start ing point . The unshielded wire moving upward in the stator f ie ld of Figure 5 has -133 . 3mV ( negat ive / bad voltage ) induced .

[0115]

[0115] F igure 6 depict s an example embodiment of the primit ive S2 . 0 around a wire moving upward in a s imulated stator f ield . Here the induced voltage i s now pos it ive and advantageous at 232 . 7mV and the gap f lux in the wire was 120mT . Thi s i s excel lent , e special ly as the device i s st i l l primit ive and unref ined . Even though thi s primit ive structure was ent irely unref ined, it i s e f fect ive enough to get real power past the return f lux in the phys i cal model .

[0116]

[0116] A f irst ref inement study was performed to look at the ef fect of skewing the gap f lux in either direct ion by shi ft ing the top and bottom port ion of the shield relat ive to each other along the wi re air gap ' s axi s . Start ing with what we knew would be di sadvantageous .

[0117]

[0117] Shown in Figure 7 , the top switchback part was moved . 2 inches toward the left . We knew thi s would cause the gap f luxto skew to a more disadvantageous angle, dropping the induced positive voltage and reducing the effective area for the wires .

[0118]

[0118] In Figure 7 , the intake and output sides have been translated laterally in the plane of the gap to skew the gap flux, in this case , in the disadvantageous direction . On the plus side, this increased the wire' s gap field strength by putting strong areas of wedge magnets closer together . This drew some of the flux that was leaking out the intake convexity into the wire gap so the field strength went from 120 to 160 mt . This configuration also pulled the concave sides of the curves away from the field magnets reducing some leakage . On the negative side, it slightly shortened the efflux air gap and the gap flux lost all leftward direction .

[0119]

[0119] As expected, the net result was a near complete cancellation of the negative induction, and it surprised us by granting 41 . 0mV positive induction . A positive lesson is the opportunity to improve the gap field strength . Ways to manifest that without the other skew disadvantages include, but are not limited to, using blunt acute end wedges , using stronger central magnets , and / or differential strength magnet material with stronger material concentrated at the narrow end .

[0120]

[0120] Next we show shifting the magnets in the advantageous direction . We moved them incrementally to find the best position to balance skew angle and field strength . We thought that theweakening field would offset the improved gap flux angle sooner, but the angle of the flux was much more potent than the loss of field strength .

[0121]

[0121] Figure 8 shows a Primitive 2 . 0 example embodiment of the present disclosure with sufficient positive skew to make the gap flux point 180 back at its origin . While the gap field direction is now ideal , the field strength was reduced to H OmT . The reduction in field strength was from the weak ends of the magnets interacting and the skew increased the perceived distance between the magnets . The strong side of the inlet magnets simply discharges all that useful flux into the air . Note also that the wedge points are making flux return loops instead of pairing with the big magnets . This configuration also puts the concave side of the wedge magnets closer to side walls increasing leakage and efflux airgap . There was also a much smaller area for the ends of the armature wires to pass through .

[0122]

[0122] 310 . 8mV was induced in the arrangement of Figure 8 , showing the advantageous gap flux orientation was so effective it overcame the multiple other problems . This underscores the importance of a good skew angle in the final structure . While this was a 70mV advantage over the centered version, increasing the right side convex curve gap or adding / reshaping a blocking magnet would possibly make the positive induction greater .

[0123] Perhaps shaving off the right most portion of the concave sideof the intake of a switchback would do the trick . Just using less wide, more blunt nose wedge magnets might be sufficient .

[0124]

[0123] Manipulating the skew angle makes the S 2 . 0 much more powerful . Pairing this improvement with the above and below mentioned ways of addressing the weaker gap field and less room for wires is necessary to see the full effect , but even without those fixes the skew alone added 33% more positive voltage

[0124] In the example embodiment of Figure 9, we considered that the intake face was pointing away from the deleterious flux that is directly to the left of the wire, and enters the wire gap between the opposing faces of the switchbacks . We added a 4th 30 degree magnet wedge to the intake switchback, which added to the total magnetic strength of the 'S' path but only added just 12 mt to the gap field ( 132 ml) .

[0125]

[0125] In Figure 10 , an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an added extra 30 magnet wedge to the intake side . This structure added 12 mV to the positive induction, totaling 252mV, which wasn ' t much . The colormetrics show why there was so little benefit . Adding the extra magnet clearly improved both the amount of flux being pulled in, and direction from which the flux was being drawn (Grabbing the portion that would have gone to the center wire . ) It also made the influx section much more powerful : see how much of the influx section is red . The reason there was so little additional induction isthe extra flux exited the convex side of the intake rather than going around and through the gap . (This is a large portion of the reason why the physical test results of the primitive model were modest . ) The flux took the short way out for 2 reasons . There isn ' t enough air gap at the convex side of the intake, and of lesser significance the effluent half was already taking much of the flux it could with the flux leaking into its convex side . Adding more intake without increasing the outflow is analogous to trying to push a rope instead of pulling it .

[0126]

[0126] This could be fixed by making more air space lateral to the intake ' s convex side by shaving the concave side down, changing the shape of the curve to a flatter convexity or pushing the flux return further away . Using a blocking magnet would also help . Function could also be improved by making the effluent better able to handle more flux and by using a blocking magnet at its convex side . Additional benefit could come from increasing the strength of the central magnets as this would even out the flux in the wedges somewhat . Another way would be to make each magnet or group of magnets slightly stronger with the weakest at in influx and the strongest at the out flux .

[0127]

[0127] In the next study of Figures 10A and 10B, we took the imbalanced strong intake / weak efflux model and skewed it maximally . Here we would expect the gap field to drop from increased convexity leakage plus the weak sides of the magnets( e . g . , shield magnet s ) oppos ing each other over the gap . We would expect the induct ion to ri se more than the gap f ield dropped due to the better gap f lux angle .

[0128]

[0128] F igure l OAa shows Skewing the gap to bring the f lux to 10 degrees of f 180 back .

[0129] Pos it ion : -0 . 15

[0130] Field strength : 110 m T

[0131] Voltage : 307 . 2 9 mV

[0132]

[0129] F igure 10B shows skewing the intake with an extra magnet wedge port ion in it s switchback so the gap f lux reached 180 degrees back . We got 131mT f ield in wi re ( 21 mT improvement over non skewed) and 339 . 0 mV induct ion ( 2 9 mV improvement over non skewed) which i s interest ing, but doesn ' t add much new structure informat ion . I f we were to f ix the ef f lux barrier and convexity leak a better induct ion would be expected .

[0133]

[0130] As shown in Figure 1 1 , skewing the switchback in it the other di rect ion shows an expected increase in the gap f ield to 1 64mT from the strong s ides of the wedges interact ing and the induct ion was only 51 . 8mV due to the poor gap f ield direct ion . Adding another intake magnet made nearly no change as expected .

[0134]

[0131] F igure 1 1 shoe s an example embodiment in whi ch skewing the gap in the di sadvantageous direct ion strengthened the gap f ield and dropped the pos it ive induct ion : 1 67 . 8mT , 62 . 5mV

[0132] We needed to fix the outflow first to see the benefit of further improving the inflow . Note how red the inflow side is and how yellow is the outflow side . Before fixing the outflow, a second additional magnet was added to the intake of the unskewed version (e . g . , Figure 9) also . Again, the intake function ability is additionally improved, plus it drew still more flux from the problem area left lateral to the wire, keeping that flux out of the gap . And again, while the intake was much more powerful the majority of the extra flux just leaked out the concave side instead of going through the gap .

[0135]

[0133] Figure 12 shows adding a second extra wedge to the intake without improving the outflow gives a diminished return . The gap flux only went up to 140mT (up 8mT) and the induction only went to 270 . 7mV (up 18 mV . ) This underscores that the improvements need to work together to realize the potential gains . While the intake and gap flux angle were improved, but the majority of potential improvement was not realized because the intake' s flux leak and the relative blocking of the outflow . This shows the importance of considering how improvements work together, after trying to see how they work in isolation .

[0136]

[0134] Figure 13 shows a further modification in which advantageous skew is added to an out of balance S example embodiment of the present disclosure . The gap field was 145mT, but the voltage had an impressive 100 mV increase to 370 . 2mV .Once again, even with the outflow issue still in place , skew is very important .

[0137]

[0135] Figures 14A and 14B show 5 magnets on both the intake and outflow sides . All 300mT . When there were 3 magnet wedges on the switchback of both sides of the flux return, the gap flux in the wire was 120mT and the induced voltage was 232 mV . Adding 2 magnets to both sides as in Figure 14A brought the gap field up to 156 . 2mT, and the induction to a robust 310 . ImV

[0138]

[0136] Figure 14B shows an example embodiment including skewing the balance 5 segment version . The field strength went up to 172 . 8mT, and the voltage increased to 431 . 2mV Balancing the intake and outflow increased power by about 16%, but there is still considerable resistance from the outflow air gap .

[0139]

[0137] In next example embodiments , we add more pull to the outflow side than push from the inflow side . First we will add one or more distal iron portions to take out the efflux airgap, then add another out flow magnet , then shape the iron .

[0140]

[0138] As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the gap field and outflow are improved by adding some iron portions at the discharge end . This decreases the outflow air gap . Judicious use of iron has the advantage that it acts as a magnet whose strength and direction is determined by the exogenous field . This makes it a variable , adaptive component to match strength and direction of the stator return flux field . In this studythere i s st i l l an imbalance between the number of intake and out f low magnet s , but the iron in the f ield becomes a magnet to create some balance .

[0141]

[0139] F igures 15A and 15B show the addit ion of iron port ions to the tai l of example embodiment s of the present di s closure .

[0142]

[0140] F igure 15A shows an example embodiment without tai l iron in which the gap f lux was 140mT and the induct ion was 270 . 7mV In Figure 15B , iron i s added to increase the gap f ield strength to 1 67 ml , and the voltage increased to 311 . 93 mV with thi s primit ive iron port ion .

[0143]

[0141] F igure 1 6 shows a Tai l iron port ion added with 3 magnet wedge s on inf lux and out f lux switchback s ides of the f lux return . Field strength : 140 mT , Voltage : 281 . 91 mV . Note the ef f lux has more f ield st rength than the intake . The intake i s leaking out it s convex s ide and the out f low i s leaking in it s convex s ide . Thi s wi l l be addres sed in later studies .

[0144]

[0142] Putt ing skew on thi s example embodiment i s shown in Figure 17 in which iron i s added to the ef f lux tai l end . Fie ld strength : 145 mT , Voltage : 365 . 43 mV . Note there i s a lot of convex leakage in both the inf lux and out f lux switchback and very l itt le f ield strength in the magnet s , but again the improved gap f ield direct ion was potent .

[0145]

[0143] In Figure 18 , 2 more magnet s were added to the inf lux switchback s ide and a skew in the gap was added to the ironended example embodiment . Field strength : 173 mT , Voltage :

[0146] 439 . 73 mV . Thi s i s a big jump for adding 2 intake magnet s . The improved ef f lux i s unmasking the inf lux advantage . The rope i s being pushed and pul led . Thi s would be st i l l better with st i l l more e f f lux magnet s , with the iron reaching almost to the right stator , and with blocking magnet s at the convex s ides .

[0147]

[0144] F igure 1 9 shows an example embodiment in whi ch the iron reach al l the way to the edge of the stator so there i s no ef f lux airgap . In Figure 1 9 the iron has been improved by lengthening it and changing the di stal angle . It includes 5 magnet s on entry, 4 on exit with iron extending to the outer magnet . No skew, 45 degree gap . The gap f ield was now 256mT and the induct ion was 47 9mV .

[0148]

[0145] In the next Example embodiment s , the central magnet s or iron port ions are thi ckened without changing their power . Iron and 2 upper magnet s are added . There i s les s skew because there i s les s room for lateral movement . Thi s lowers the ef f icacy and i s a variable that needs cons iderat ion in comparing study result s .

[0149]

[0146] F igure 20 shows thicker central magnet s ( or iron port ions ) . f ield strength : 1 67 . 3 T Voltage : 301 . 8mV . Note that the gap f ield and the f ield in the inf lux and ef f lux curves become s more homogenous .

[0147] F igure 2 1 shows an example embodiment in whi ch s l ight ly thi cker central magnet s are provided in a s l ight ly skewed 5 intake , 3 di scharge model with the les s ef fect ive i ron . Field strength : 170 mT . Voltage : 407 . 51 mV .

[0150]

[0148] F igure 22 shows thicker central magnet s , 3 wedges on both s ides and no ef f lux iron . Pos it ion : 0 , Fie ld st rength : 132 . 28 mT , Voltage : 22 9 . 7 mV .

[0151]

[0149] F igure 23 shows thicker central magnet s skewed and 3 wedge s on each s ide with no ef f lux i ron . F ield strength : 124 . 28 mT . Voltage : 309 . 7 mV .

[0152]

[0150] In the next example embodiment s , we make the 2 center magnet s stronger without making them thicker . The imbalanced intake and the no iron out f low were used in the fol lowing example embodiment s . The center magnet s were made to be 600mT .

[0153]

[0151] In Figure 24 , the center magnet s are stronger , again we see more homogeneous f low and gap f ield and now le s s convex leaking on both the intake and ef f lux s ide s . The gap f ield increased to 220mT , and the induct ion went up to 422 . 4mV . There are several things to note here . The increased strength of the central magnet s le s sened the di f ference in strength of the narrow end of the wedges compared to the wide ends . The gap f ield did not ri se as much as would have been expected . It only increased by 60 mT even though it s f lanking magnet s went up by a combined 600mT . The voltage went up much more than the gapf ield al so , suggest ing a f ield measurement threshold adjustment as the color i s ye l low .

[0154]

[0152] F igure 25 shoe s including a skew added to the center magnet s , an uncorrected out f low mode l made the f ield 235 . 5mT and the output a very impres s ive 602 . 41mV . Note the orange i s gone from the intake . It i s noted that there seems to be global ly lower f lux and that more of the intake f lux i s wasted, yet the result was excel lent induct ion .

[0155]

[0153] The next example embodiment s include adding a s ingle , thin blocking magnet to the intake ' s convex s ide . Figures 2 6A shows an example without a blocking magnet , and Figure 2 6B shows a blocking magnet or blocking iron port ion to the right of the intake curve . Without the blocking magnet , induct ion was 232 . 7mV and the gap f lux in the wire was 120mT . With the blocking magnet induct ion was 239mV and the gap f ield seemed to stay the same at 120 mT .

[0156]

[0154] The next example embodiment s include increas ing a strength of 1 out f low magnet and 1 inf low magnet , then reducing it and increas ing the adj acent magnet s . Thi s showed that stronger center magnet s had the most benef icial ef fect .

[0157]

[0155] F igure 27 shows start ing with the f irst and last magnet s , increas ing thei r strength up to 500 mT . 228 . 88 mT . 553 mV .

[0156] F igure 28 shows increas ing a strength of the second and eleventh magnet s only, and including blocking magnet or blocking iron port ions . 233mT . 561 . 3 9 mV .

[0158]

[0157] F igure 2 9 shows again increas ing the strength of the 3RD and 10TH magnet s only . 236 mT . 570 mV .

[0159]

[0158] F igure 30 shows again increas ing the strength of the 4TH and 9TH magnet s only . 245mT . 593 mV .

[0160]

[0159] F igure 31 shows again increas ing the strength of the 5TH and 8TH magnet s only . 270 mT . 65 6mV .

[0161]

[0160] F igure 32 shows again Increase the strength of the middle magnet s only . 2 63 . 35 mT . 639 . 24 mV .

[0162]

[0161] As the stronger magnet pos it ions were moved more central ly, they became more ef fect ive , but there was a drop with the most central ones , perhaps because they were thin so the increase power did not equate to as much increased f lux .

[0163]

[0162] The next example embodiment s include balancing a high number of magnet s on both s ide s plus strong center magnet s .

[0164]

[0163] F igure 33 shows Five magnet s on both s ides . Center 600mT . No e f f lux i ron .

[0165]

[0164] F igure 34 shows Five magnet s on both s ides . Center 600mT . ef f lux iron provided . 282mT . 700mV

[0166]

[0165] Thi s i s a very good level of induct ion . Better would be with blocking magnet s and / or more convex airspace , blunt nosed wedge s and / or st icking in a reverse wedge , cornucopia horningres s and out f low . Another out f low magnet wedged the other way would al so help . As would have a better central angle , progre s s ively stronger magnet s , pos s ibly with st ronger and / or longer central magnet s . A smal l amount of inf low iron and having out f low iron progres s ive ly widen downward .

[0167]

[0166] The next example embodiment s include changes to middle magnet length . Figure 35 shows shorter middle magnet s unskewed . Field strength : 181mT . Voltage : 330mV . Figure 36 shows shorter middle magnet s skewed . F ield strength : 1 90mT . Voltage : 4 68 . 4 1mV .

[0168]

[0167] The next example embodiment s include change s to rotat ion and central magnet f lux being closer to hori zontal before skewing . Figure 37 shows that the S has been rotated by 30 degrees to bring the gap f ield to a more preferred angle . No skew . 221 . OmT . 550 . 8mV . Figure 38 shows a rotated vers ion with addit ional skew, which i s beyond ideal in thi s case . Needs about 10 degrees les s for opt imum amount . Thi s led to the magnet s being s l ight ly closer together result ing in an increased f ie ld strength . Good result even with f lux being skewed past 180deg .

[0169] 255 . ImT . 615 . 2mV .

[0170]

[0168] The next example embodiment s include blocking magnet s . Figure 39 shows adding 2 blocking magnet s and us ing s l ight ly wider magnet s , and moving the wal l magnet s di stance greater by 0 . 9 in ) . 250 mT . 5 63 . 5 mV .

[0169] F igure 40 shows including 2 blocking magnet s over convexity, wider stator magnet space , skewed . The second magnet has the wrong magnet i zat ion di rect ion . 254 mT . 522 mV .

[0171]

[0170] F igure 4 1 includes a skewed vers ion of the above and made the magnet s have a gradient strength ri s ing as one pas ses through . The f irst upper magnet s i s les s 0 . 4 *magnet ic strength-0 . 3-0 . 2-0 . 1-0 . 5 . 2 92 mT . 687 . 51 mV .

[0172]

[0171] In Figure 42 , the stator magnet s are moved further apart and made tal ler . Al so , the S of the f lux return i s rotated an addit ional 15 % for a better angle at the gap , and i s provided with a smal l amount of skew . We have used blunt nosed wedges . Note that there are le s s out f low magnet s than inf low in thi s vers ion . The rear i ron appears to be non-permeable .

[0173] Magnet ic strength : 314 mT . Output : 214 mT . 520 mV

[0174]

[0172] F igure 43 shows the above , but an addit ional out f low magnet was added, the tai l has been made of a ferromagnet ic iron instead of a non-f erromagnet ic material . The tai l interface with the stator magnet i s not the ideal shape . 225 mT . 560 mV .

[0175]

[0173] F igure 44 shows a number of magnet s on the upper i s equal to the bottom magnet s and the tai l interface has been improved . Output : 234 mT . 568 mV .

[0176]

[0174] F igure 45 shows the blocking magnet s have been made longer and the iron tai l i s made to spread out whi le beingdirected away from the S of the swit chback s ides of the f lux return . S222 . 6 mV . 538 . 22 mT .

[0177]

[0175] F igure 4 6 shows one of many pos s ible tai l conf igurat ions . 563 mV . 228 mT .

[0178]

[0176] F igure 47 shows another tai l conf igurat ion . 562 mV . 228 mT .

[0179]

[0177] The next example embodiment s include increas ing the stator magnets ' st rength to see i f we get s igni f icant f lux f low through . Figure 48 shows the outer magnets ' strength i s 1 T Magnet latest part OUTPUT : 1 61 . 92 mT . 433 mV . Figure 4 9 shows a magnet i s added as the last port ion of the tai l . 1 66 mT . 44 6 mV .

[0180]

[0178] F igure 50 shows the strength of the 5th and 8th are doubled . Output : 245 mT . Voltage : 637 mV .

[0181]

[0179] F igure 51 shows the blocking magnet st rength has been increased to 1 T and the tai l end piece i s now a magnet . The 5th and 8th magnet s are double strength . 2 60 mT . 664 mV .

[0182]

[0180] F igure 52 i s the same as F igure 51 but the central magnet s are al so doubled in st rength . 32 6 mT . 83 6 mV .

[0183]

[0181] In addit ion to permanent magnet material s , example embodiment s of the present invent ion may include f lux return structures with switchback port ions made of , for example , ani sotropic s i l icon stee l . Ani sotropic s i l icon steel i s a type of grain-oriented steel that has a non-random orientat ion ofcrystal s and ani sotropic magnet ic propert ies . It ' s typical ly used in electrical engineering for appl icat ions such as motors , generators , and trans formers . The principal al so appl ies to magnet s .

[0184]

[0182] Magnet ic ani sotropy describes how an ob j ect ' s magnet ic propert ies can be di f ferent depending on direct ion . In the s imple st case , there i s no pre ferent ial di rect ion for an ob j ect ' s magnet ic moment . It wi l l re spond to an appl ied magnet ic f ield in the same way, regardles s of which direct ion the f ie ld i s appl ied . Thi s i s known as magnet i c i sot ropy . In contrast , magnet ical ly ani sotropic material s wi l l be eas ier or harder to magnet i ze depending on which way the ob j ect i s rotated .

[0185]

[0183] For most magnet ical ly ani sotropi c material s , there are two eas iest direct ions to magnet i ze the material , whi ch are a 180 ° rotat ion apart . The l ine paral lel to these direct ions i s cal led the easy axi s . In other words , the easy axi s i s an energet ical ly favorable direct ion of spontaneous magnet i zat ion . Because the two oppos ite direct ions along an easy axi s are usual ly equivalent ly easy to magnet i ze along, the actual direct ion of magnet i zat ion can just as eas i ly sett le into either direct ion , which i s an example of spontaneous symmetry breaking . Us ing grain oriented laminate iron or s i l i con steel would improve the tai lpiece and ani sotropi c magnet s of the f lux returnof example embodiments of the present invention and can improve flux directing performance of the S switchback portions .

[0186]

[0184] The following is a list of features which have been included and specifically adjusted in example embodiments of the present invention to improve flux direction and current generation :

[0187] • Convexity side air gaps- flattening curve , hollowing out flux return, sidewall bulge

[0188] o Curved edges

[0189] • Convexity side blocking magnets

[0190] • Progressive increase in strength

[0191] • Strong center magnets

[0192] • Small influx iron

[0193] • Full length efflux iron

[0194] • Wider center magnets with cornucopia shape or wider whole path . 180 degree skew

[0195] • Increased center mag angle

[0196] • More efflux mags than influx mags

[0197] • Blunt nose wedges

[0198] • Blocking magnets

[0199] • Sticking in a reverse wedge,

[0200] • Cornucopia horn ingress and outflow .

[0201] • Better central angle having outflow iron progressively widen downward .

[0185] In Figure 53 the wire of the generator armature has been wound 3 times through the S shield of the flux return (which is on the right side of the loop of the generator armature) . The upward ( left ) side of the wires ' loop remains unshielded . Looping the wire through the S gap 3 times gains about 20 MV per turn .

[0202]

[0186] Each downward pass through the S shield of the flux return added additional voltage, but we did not get much addition from the upward side of the coil .

[0203]

[0187] In Figure 54 , three S shield flux returns were used, one on each downward segment of wire . The structures of the three S shield flux returns are not shown in Figure 54 , but are shown in Figure 55 . As compared to the example embodiment of Figure 53 , the example embodiment of Figures 54 and 55 gained voltage in each shielded downward segment and also a little in each unshielded upward unshielded segment . In Figures 54 and 55 , 3 shields are arranged at 45 degrees from one another . This arrangement produced similar results .

[0204]

[0188] There was less positive induction in the unshielded side of the loop than would be expected . In Figure 48 , an example embodiment tests if this was because those wires were right next to the shield by lengthening the hori zontal sides of the loop to bring the upward side of the loop further away from the S .

[0189] Figure 56 shows that moving the upswing unshielded side of the coil away from the S of the flux return increased voltage gain a little and Figure 57 shows voltage readings at various intervals along the coil . The wire comes out of the rotor with 20 mV into the inner upper left corner of the loop . Most of the voltage gain is from the shield functioning well for the descending limb . The ascending limb only gains about ImV each pass . Rotating the example embodiment from Figure 57 45 degrees and moving the ascending side of the loop laterally away from the shield should result in even more gain .

[0205] 1st loop voltage goes from 26. 8 mV to 54 . 7 mV = plus 28mV-only 6mV from the upswing

[0206] 2nd loop : 54 . 5mV to 82 . 9mV = plus 28 mV, 6 mV from the upswing

[0207] 3rd loop : 83 mV to 111 mV = plus 28 mv, 5 mV from the upswing

[0208] Last extra leg down : plus 25 . 7

[0209]

[0190] Figure 58 shows an example embodiment in which the apparatus is rotated by 45 degrees to put the S in a strong spot and got higher values .

[0210] Rotor exit 45 mV

[0211] 1st loop plus 28 mV, 3 from the upswing

[0212] 2nd loop plus 30 mV, 3 from the up swing

[0213] 3rd loop pulls 31mV, 4 . 5 from the upswingFinal leg plus 26

[0214]

[0191] Figures 59 and 60 show an arrangement in which the coil was flipped over to bring the upswing to the other side and ran it in the strong and weak spots of the stator field .

[0215]

[0192] Figure 61 shows an example embodiment in which the wires of the armature are run through the S of the flux return 10 times to see if there was a diminishment in the voltage adding . However, the rotor made a higher voltage .

[0216] Loop 1 added l lmV

[0217] Loop 2 added 14mV

[0218] Loop 3 added 19mV

[0219] Loop 4 added 18mV

[0220] Loop 5 added 21mV

[0221] Loop 6 added 23mV

[0222] Loop 7 added 22mV

[0223] Loop 8 added 23mV

[0224] Loop 9 added 22mV

[0225] Loop 10 was just the down side

[0226]

[0193] Figure 62 shows a flux visualization of Figure 61 through the S showing that the flux concentrates where the strongest induction occurred . In the cut plane of Figure 62 it is evident that there was a difference in the individual coil turns ' effectiveness . The gap flux concentrates on the antistator side . That is easily fixed by tweaking the magnets 'strength . In f igure 62 , there i s al so a large amount of convex s ide leakage . Thi s can be remedied by adding in a large-s i zed blocking magnet . F igure 62 shows a rotat ing state .

[0227]

[0194] F igure 63 shows the same arrangement as Figure 62 but in a stat ionary state . Even when there i s no rotat ion , the stator f lux direct ion paths are unchanged . Next , thi s example embodiment wi l l be viewed from the s ide . Note though that the non-spinning variant convex f lux leakage i s di f ferent , suggest ing that the s ide of the S of the f lux return impact s the f lux f ield .

[0228]

[0195] F igures 64 and 65 show X and Y cut planes to get a 3D understanding . In Figure s 64 and 65 , it looks l ike the S i s having cons iderably more leakage at the top and bottom than expected . In thi s model the S does not go far enough down to most ef fect ively l imit exces s leakage of f lux . Because of thi s , there i s al so too much f lux short ing into the stators . There i s a 60 / 40 spl it in the S of f lux going down vs up . Ideal ly, al l of the f lux would be going down .

[0229]

[0196] As viewed from the s ide in Figure 65 , we see that instead of making a truly radial f ie ld, the cyl inder i s divided into quadrant s and, in each quadrant , has the f lux approaching most ly paral lel at a 45 degree angle . Thi s created longitudinal weak and strong areas in the f ield and corresponding areas of weak and strong voltage in the rotors . Especial ly when pushingagainst a resistance, the max output is constrained by the weakest longitudinal path . Figure 66 shows a bigger model with 10 rotor layers instead of 3 . The bigger model has a 24 inch diameter, 100 rpm, revised center shielding . 300mT stator mags , 600mT shielding mags .

[0230]

[0197] Figures 67 and 68 show the effects of blocking magnets . Figure 67 does not include blocking magnets , and Figure 68 includes added blocking magnets to provide a form better fitting the convex S outflow curve of the flux return . Some flux still leaks into the outflow convexity, but most is looping around back to the side wall .

[0231]

[0198] The flux leaking out of the influx convexity has moved more distally perhaps because of the flux return of the blocker . A reduction in the strong gap flux area could be addressed by, for example, strengthening the center magnets or the distal ones .

[0232]

[0199] Figure 69 shows a coronal section with a more appropriately sized height for the S . This example embodiment shows further efficiency losses and opportunities for improvement from this angle . There is a considerable amount of flux being pulled in from above . That will need more space, perhaps by bulging out the outer flux return, tapering / sloping the top of the S, or putting in a blocking magnet .

[0200] Also note the amount of flux shorting is too high . The flux needs to be encouraged to go to the inner portion of the flux return . The portion of the inner flux return needs to be thicker and to have enhanced permeability . The S switchbacks need to be farther from the stators , and the out flow iron portion needs to attach directly to the, for example, permanent magnet structure of the inner flux return in as broad an area as possible, keeping it away from the inflow convexity .

[0233]

[0201] Figure 70 shows an example embodiment with an improved loop path . On the left the upswing side of the coil is off to the side adjacent to the stator on the influx side of the S switchbacks of the flux return . On the right , the upswing side of the armature coil has been run over to pass by the end surface of the input side of the S switchbacks of the flux return, where there is a greater flux concentration .

[0234]

[0202] Figures 70 and 71 show the routing of the upswing side of the coil of the armature winding into the concentrated flux at the south end of the S switchback of the flux return .

[0235]

[0203] Figure 70 shows about a 30 MV addition each time the wire goes down the gap in the center of the switchbacks and only a few mV addition from the upswing . However, on the right , the upswing enjoys an additional about 30 mV addition . The same is true if the upswing is positioned in the outflow of the S switchback .

[0204] Figure 72 shows moving the coils , upswing side to the S switchback outflow , north side . Figure 73 shows voltage values of the arrangement of Figure 72 . Here, the rotor supplies 70 MV, the gap downswing adds about 20 mV per turn, and the upswing is adding 31 mV .

[0236]

[0205] Figure 74 shows an example embodiment in which the coils are moved to the influx side upswing shows voltage coming from the rotor at 70mV, gaining about 20mV per turn in the gap downswing, and gaining 36 mV in the upswing .

[0237]

[0206] Figure 75 shows an unenhanced big model of an example embodiment of a stator rotor complex according to the present invention looking at voltage levels . We start by making everything that is not copper invisible and spinning it at 100 rpm. We see clear adding of rotor voltage . Each rotor is making about 200mV and the wires are contributing an additional 100 mV.

[0238]

[0207] Next , focusing on what portions of the wire of the armature coil are contributing how much voltage we see that we lose a couple of millivolts in the unshielded section of wire, gaining roughly 25-50 mv in each vertical wire section (depending on length) and gaining roughly 70-80mv in horizontal wire sections depending on length .

[0239]

[0208] Figure 76 shows a side view cross section of a stator rotor complex according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention and 1 wire showing progressive voltage gain throughout at 100 rpm.

[0240]

[0209] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of example embodiments of the present invention . Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention . Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications , and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :1 . A homopolar dynamoelectric machine comprising : stator layers spaced radially apart from one another; rotor layers each respectively provided between a pair of the stator layers and rotatable through a stationary magnetic field generated by the stator layers ;electrical windings which electrically connect axial ends of the rotor layers in series , parallel , or a combination of series and parallel ; andat least one flux return mitigation assembly to interact with flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers ; whereinthe at least one flux return mitigation assembly includes a switchback structure which is contoured to direct the flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers through a portion of the electrical windings .2 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the electrical windings passes through a gap at a center of the at least one flux return mitigation assembly .The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one flux return mitigationassembly includes a series of paired individual axial or diametric magnets which are spaced apart to create an intermagnet field in a gap between the series of paired individual axial or diametric magnets .4 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 3 , wherein the series of paired individual axial or diametric magnets define an S shape of the switchback structure .5 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one flux return mitigation assembly includes permanent magnet structures and / or iron cores which are shaped to direct the flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers through the portion of the electrical windings .

6. The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one flux return mitigation assembly includes two of the at least one flux return mitigation assemblies located on at least one axial end of the homopolar dynamoelectric machine .7 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , whereinthe switchback structure includes two opposing curved portions ; andthe portion of the electrical windings passes through a gap defined between opposing surfaces of the two opposing curved portions .8 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 7 , whereinthe two opposing curved portions are defined by multiple permanent magnet and / or iron portions .

9. The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 8 , whereina first one of the two opposing curved portions includes more of the multiple permanent magnet and / or iron portions than a second one of the two opposing curved portions does .10 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 8 , whereinat least one of the first one of the two opposing curved portions and the second one of the two opposing curved portions includes a blocking magnet at an outermost end thereof in a flux flow direction .

11. The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 7 , whereinthe two opposing curved portions include opposing permanent magnet block portions on opposing surfaces thereof .12 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 7 , whereinthe opposing surfaces of the two opposing curved portions are skewed relative to one another .13 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , whereinthe stator layers include permanent magnets to generate the stationary magnetic field; andthe rotor layers include conductive portions that are rotatable through the magnetic field to produce an electric current in the portion of the electrical windings .14 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the switchback structure has a symmetrical shape with respect to a position of the portion of the electrical windings .15 . The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the at least one flux return mitigation assemblies are provided on a same axial surface of the homopolar dynamoelectric machine .

16. The homopolar dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the electrical windings include multiple coils of a wire which the switchback structure is contoured to direct the flux of the magnetic field generated by the stator layers through .17 . An electrical power generator comprising the dynamoelectric machine according to claim 1 .

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