Linear Electromechanical Transducer for Pressurized Gas Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear electric motors and generators face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, complexity, and difficulty in integrating with pressurized systems, particularly in applications like Stirling cycle engines, due to requirements for robust armatures and efficient magnetic flux management.
Innovation Solution
The design features at least two flux modules with magnetic circuits and a gas containment structure surrounding the armature, where the flux modules are external to the containment structure, and the armature has reinforcing portions outside the gaps, allowing for high stiffness without excessive gap size, and detachable cores for modular construction and easy coil replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the armature is made robust and stiff to withstand pressurized environments, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The armature is segmented into a magnetic circuit portion and a reinforcing portion. The magnetic circuit portion interacts with the magnetic field while the reinforcing portion provides structural strength to withstand pressurized environments. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing portion is extracted as a separate functional element from the magnetic circuit portion. This allows the reinforcing structure to be designed independently to provide necessary mechanical strength without interfering with the magnetic flux paths, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the gas containment structure thickness is increased to maintain pressure differential, then reliability improves, but eddy current losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas containment structure is segmented into regions of different thicknesses. The first region has sufficient thickness to maintain pressure differential and contain gas, while the second region is thinner to minimize eddy current losses. This segmented approach allows optimization of both pressure containment and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gas containment structure have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functional requirements. The region requiring pressure containment has adequate thickness, while regions where eddy current losses are a concern have reduced thickness, implementing local quality optimization.
3Ease of manufacture
If the armature gap size is increased to reduce magnetic flux requirements, then manufacturing cost decreases, but armature stiffness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The armature is divided into a magnetic circuit portion that defines the gap for magnetic flux and a reinforcing portion that provides structural stiffness. The magnetic circuit portion can have optimized gap dimensions for ease of manufacture, while the reinforcing portion maintains armature stiffness independently of the gap size.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the stiffness-providing function to a different dimensional aspect by adding the reinforcing portion that extends beyond the magnetic circuit boundaries. This allows the magnetic gap to be optimized for manufacturing while the reinforcing structure in another dimension maintains the necessary mechanical strength.
4Ease of manufacture
If flux modules are positioned outside the gas containment structure, then manufacturing and assembly ease improves, but magnetic flux efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is segmented into flux modules that can be positioned outside the gas containment structure. Each flux module contains complete magnetic circuits that generate flux through the armature. This segmentation enables modular construction and easier manufacturing while maintaining magnetic flux efficiency through proper design of the magnetic circuit paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that transfers energy from the flux modules positioned outside the gas containment structure to the armature. This intermediary mechanism allows the flux modules to be located optimally for manufacturing and assembly while still efficiently coupling magnetic flux to the armature through the defined gaps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces material and manufacturing costs, minimizes eddy current losses, and enhances the transducer's efficiency and flexibility for various applications by maintaining stiffness and reducing the thickness of the gas containment structure, while allowing for easy integration with pressurized systems.
Implementation Method 1
Coils wound on the cores generate magnetic flux for driving movement of the armature or link with magnetic flux generated by movement of the armature
Implementation Method 2
Axial movement of the armature 10 has the effect of varying the magnetic flux through the cores 4, which induces voltages in the coils 6; the polarity being opposite for neighbouring cores 4. If an alternating current of appropriate plurality is applied to the coils 6 then an alternating axial force is developed as desired
Implementation Method 3
This may be required, for example, when the linear motor/generator is to be used in conjunction with a Stirling cycle engine
Data Source
AI summary
An improved electromechanical transducer is provided. In an embodiment, the transducer comprises at least two flux modules, each defining a magnetic circuit having a gap; an armature configured to move along a longitudinal axis passing through the gaps; and a gas containment structure laterally surrounding the armature, wherein: the at least two flux modules are provided outside the gas containment structure; and the armature comprises a reinforcing portion laterally outside of the gaps that is wider in a direction parallel to the flux in the gaps than at least one of the gaps.