U.S. patent application number 10/213570 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for electrical generating system having a magnetic coupling.
Invention is credited to Kong, John, Tung Kong, Carl Cheung.
Application Number | 20040026925 10/213570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31494481 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040026925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tung Kong, Carl Cheung ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM HAVING A MAGNETIC COUPLING
Abstract
An electrical generating system including an electric motor
coupled to a power source, such as a solar panel array. A magnetic
coupling is connected to an output shaft of the motor. The magnetic
coupling includes opposed first and second plates each having
permanent magnets affixed thereto and arranged such that rotation
of the first plate by the motor causes the second plate to rotate
by repulsive magnetic force. A gear assembly having a high
transmission ratio is connected to the magnetic coupling.
Preferably, at least one electrical generator is connected to the
gear assembly for generating electricity.
Inventors: |
Tung Kong, Carl Cheung; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Kong, John; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KELLY BAUERSFELD LOWRY & KELLEY, LLP
6320 CANOGA AVENUE
SUITE 1650
WOODLAND HILLS
CA
91367
US
|
Family ID: |
31494481 |
Appl. No.: |
10/213570 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1R ; 290/1C;
310/103; 310/112; 74/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 1/22 20130101; H02K
53/00 20130101; Y10T 74/19242 20150115; H02K 7/1807 20130101; H02K
51/00 20130101; H02K 7/116 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/1.00R ;
290/1.00C; 310/103; 310/112; 74/333 |
International
Class: |
H02P 009/04; H02K
049/00; H02K 007/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical generating system, comprising: an electric motor
coupled to a power source; a magnetic coupling connected to an
output shaft of the motor; and a gear assembly connected to the
magnetic coupling.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling comprises
opposed first and second plates each having permanent magnets
affixed thereto.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first plate is connected to
the output shaft of the motor and includes radially positioned,
spaced apart permanent magnets extending therefrom, and the second
plate is in spaced relation to the first plate and includes
radially positioned, spaced apart permanent magnets extending
therefrom so as to extend between the permanent magnets of the
first plate, whereby the rotation of the first plate by the motor
causes the second plate to rotate by repulsive magnetic force.
4. The system of claim 1, including an electrical generator
connected to the gear assembly.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the gear assembly comprises a
first gear rotatably connected to the magnetic coupling and
rotatably engaged with a second gear of smaller diameter, the
second gear being rotatably engaged with a third gear having a
larger diameter than the second gear, the third gear in operable
connection with a gear of the electrical generator having a smaller
diameter than the third gear.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the gear assembly has a high
transmission ratio.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmission ratio from the
first gear to the third gear is at least 100 to 1.
8. The system of claim 5, including a second electrical generator
connected to the third gear of the gear assembly.
9. The system of claim 4, wherein the electrical generator is
electrically coupled to the motor.
10. The system of claim 4, wherein the electrical generator is
electrically coupled to an electrical outlet.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a
solar panel array.
12. An electrical generating system, comprising: an electric motor
coupled to a power source; a magnetic coupling connected to an
output shaft of the motor and including opposed first and second
plates each having permanent magnets affixed thereto; a gear
assembly connected to the magnetic coupling; and an electrical
generator connected to the gear assembly.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plate is connected to
the output shaft of the motor and includes radially positioned,
spaced apart permanent magnets extending therefrom, and the second
plate is in spaced relation to the first plate and includes
radially positioned, spaced apart permanent magnets extending
therefrom so as to extend between the permanent magnets of the
first plate, whereby the rotation of the first plate by the motor
causes the second plate to rotate by magnetic force.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the gear assembly comprises a
first gear rotatably connected to the magnetic coupling and
rotatably engaged with a second gear of smaller diameter, the
second gear being rotatably engaged with a third gear having a
larger diameter than the second gear, the third gear in operable
connection with a gear of the electrical generator having a smaller
diameter than the third gear.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the gear assembly has a high
transmission ratio.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmission ratio from the
first gear to the third gear is at least 100 to 1.
17. The system of claim 12, including a second electrical generator
connected to the gear assembly.
18. The system of claim 12, wherein the electrical generator is
electrically coupled to the motor and an electrical outlet.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein the power source comprises a
solar panel array or battery.
20. An electrical generating system, comprising: an electric motor
coupled to a power source; a magnetic coupling including a first
plate connected to the output shaft of the motor and having
radially positioned, spaced apart permanent magnets extending
therefrom, and an opposed second plate in spaced relation to the
first plate and having radially positioned, spaced apart permanent
magnets extending therefrom so as to extend between the permanent
magnets of the first plate, whereby the rotation of the first plate
by the motor causes the second plate to rotate by repulsive
magnetic force; a gear assembly connected to the magnetic coupling
and having a transmission ratio of at least 100 to 1; and at least
one electrical generator connected to the gear assembly, the at
least one electrical generator being electrically coupled to an
electrical outlet and the motor.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the gear assembly comprises a
first gear rotatably connected to the magnetic coupling and
rotatably engaged with a second gear of smaller diameter, the
second gear being rotatably engaged with a third gear having a
larger diameter than the second gear, the third gear in operable
connection with a gear of the at least one electrical generator
having a smaller diameter than the third gear.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one electrical
generator comprises two electrical generators connected to the
third gear of the gear assembly.
23. The system of claim 20, wherein the power source comprises a
solar panel array.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to electrical
generating systems. More particularly, the present invention
relates to an electrical generating system utilizing a magnetic
coupling arrangement.
[0002] Electrical generating systems are useful in a number of
applications. Such electrical generating systems can comprise
hydro-electric turbines, wind powered generating devices, or even
solar panel arrays. With respect to solar panel arrays, there is
often a need to convert the direct current electricity generated
from the solar panel array into mechanical motion, or alternating
current.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for an electrical generating
system for producing electricity. Such an electrical generating
system should have the capability of converting a direct current,
such as from a solar panel array, to an alternating current or
mechanical movement. The present invention fulfills these needs and
provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention resides in an electrical generating
system which generally comprises an electric motor coupled to a
power source. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the power
source comprises a solar panel array. A magnetic coupling is
connected to an output shaft of the motor. In turn, a gear assembly
is connected to the magnetic coupling.
[0005] The magnetic coupling comprises opposed first and second
plates, each having permanent magnets affixed thereto. More
particularly, the first plate is connected to the output shaft of
the motor and includes radially positioned, spaced apart permanent
magnets extending from a face thereof. The second plate is in
spaced relation to the first plate and also includes radially
positioned, spaced apart permanent magnets extending therefrom. The
first and second plates are positioned such that the permanent
magnets extend between one another, whereby a rotation of the first
plate by the motor causes the second plate to rotate by repulsive
magnetic force.
[0006] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gear assembly
comprises a first gear rotatably connected to the magnetic coupling
and rotatably engaged with the second gear of a smaller diameter.
The second gear is rotatably engaged with the third gear having a
larger diameter than the second gear. The third gear is in operable
connection with a gear of an electrical generator having a smaller
diameter than the third gear. The third gear may also be attached
to a propeller or the like. As such, the gear assembly has a high
transmission ratio, typically at least 100 to 1. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, a second electrical generator is connected to
the third gear of the gear assembly.
[0007] The electrical generator is electrically coupled to the
motor and/or an electrical outlet for delivering the electricity
generated therefrom.
[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical generating
system embodying the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a magnetic coupling used in
accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of permanent magnets of each
plate of the magnetic coupling, illustrating the staggered
alignment thereof; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the electrical
generating system of the present invention, illustrating the
staggered relationship of the magnets of the magnetic coupling.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0014] As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of
illustration, the present invention resides in an electrical
generating system, generally referred to by the reference number
10. A particularly unique feature of the present invention is the
utilization of a magnetic coupling 12, as will be described more
fully herein.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, an electric motor 14 is provided
to rotate the magnetic coupling 12. The motor 14 may comprise a 1/2
to 1 horsepower, 450 to 900 watt motor. A power source is provided
to power the motor. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the power source comprises a solar panel array 16 or
battery capable of generating sufficient electricity to power the
motor 14.
[0016] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the motor 14 may
include a single output shaft 18, or multiple shafts. A first plate
20 of the magnetic coupling 12 is connected to the output shaft 18
of the motor 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate 20 includes a
plurality of permanent magnets 22 extending from a surface thereof
generally opposite the motor 14 and in spaced relationship to one
another. A second plate 24 of the magnetic coupling 12 also
includes a plurality of permanent magnets 26 extending from a
surface thereof and spaced apart from one another. The second plate
24 is positioned adjacent to the first plate 20 in a spaced
relationship such that the magnets 22 and 26 of each plate 20 and
24, respectively, are generally aligned with one another in
staggered and radial formation. The magnets 22, 26 should be
positioned as far from the axis of the output shaft 18 as possible.
Indeed, the coupling of the plates 20, 24 can be effected in many
different ways provided the coupling connection is as far from the
axis of the output shaft as possible.
[0017] With reference now to FIG. 3, the magnets 22 and 26 of the
first and second plates 20 and 24 are shown in a preferred
arrangement. It will be noted that the north poles of adjacent
magnets 22 and 26 face one another, as do the south poles. Thus, as
the motor 14 turns the first plate 20 via shaft 18, the second
plate 24 of the magnetic coupling is rotated by the magnetic
repulsive forces of the permanent magnets 22 and 26. Preferably,
the magnets 22 and 26 and plates 20 and 24 never contact one
another during operation, the transmission of rotational energy
being delivered through the magnetic repulsive forces of the
aligned magnets 22 and 26.
[0018] A gear assembly 28 is connected to the second plate 24 of
the magnetic coupling 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a
shaft 30 extends from the second plate 24 to a tooth gear 32. This
first gear 32 rotates in a 1:1 relationship with the second plate
24. The first gear 32 is rotatably engaged with a much smaller
second gear 34. Preferably, the second gear 34 is {fraction (1/10)}
the diameter of the first gear 32 such that it rotates through ten
revolutions for each revolution of the first gear 32. A shaft 36
extends between the second gear 34 and a third gear 38 having a
larger diameter than the second gear 34. However, due to the fact
that the second and third gears 36 and 38 are interconnected with
shaft 36, they rotate on a 1:1 relationship. Thus, for each
revolution of the second plate 24 of the magnetic coupling 12, the
third gear 38 rotates ten times. The third gear 38 is rotatably
engaged with a gear 40 or 40' of an electrical generator 42 or 42'.
Preferably, there is at least a 10:1 relationship between a third
gear 38 and the electrical generator gear 40 so that the
transmission effect of the gear assembly 28 is at least 100:1. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, there is a 10.8:1 relationship
between the third gear 38 and electrical generator gears 40 and
40'. Thus, for each rotation of the magnetic coupling 12, the
electrical generator gear rotates through 108 revolutions.
[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, two electrical
generators 42 and 42' are connected to the gear assembly 28. These
electrical generators can comprise 4,000 watt generators. The
generators 42 and 42' are connected via electrical leads 44 to the
motor 14 and/or an electrical outlet 46. It is well-known in the
art that a solar panel array will produce direct current
electricity, whereas an electrical generator will produce
alternating current.
[0020] Instead of connecting the gear assembly 28 to electrical
generators 42, the invention contemplates the connection of a
propeller or wheel to perform mechanical functions. Thus, the
electricity from the solar panel array 16, or other power source,
is transferred into mechanical motion.
[0021] Although the present application illustrates a single
magnetic coupling 12, gear assembly 28 and pertinent electrical
generating attachments or the like, it should be understood by the
reader that a motor 14 can comprise a multi-shaft motor wherein
these components extend from either side of the motor 14, creating
a mirror image of the above described system 10.
[0022] Although several embodiments have been described in detail
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the
appended claims.
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