U.S. patent application number 11/341059 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for magnetic induction dynamical devices for damping impacts and heating objects.
Invention is credited to Aleksandr Smushkovich.
Application Number | 20070000181 11/341059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46325219 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smushkovich; Aleksandr |
January 4, 2007 |
Magnetic induction dynamical devices for damping impacts and
heating objects
Abstract
Proposed MID-devices comprise magnetic and electro-conductive
means. High winds impacts or intermittent loads actuate a relative
motion of the magnetic and electro-conductive means, inducing
electric current within the latter, providing a damping of said
impacts or loads, providing a heating usable for warming up homes,
clothes (in gloves--by clapping hands), footwear (by a walking
person), etc. Some embodiments include impact absorbing insertions
(sometimes comprising spring-like materials, pneumatic chambers, or
bladder-panels), disposed between or within the magnetic and
electro-conductive means, and returning them toward their start
position. Other embodiments deploy magnetic means facing each other
with the same polarity, providing said returning. MID-devices
combined with the pneumatic chambers or bladder-panels produce more
efficient damping. Said electro-conductive means may include
flexible conducting sheets, or coils with soft iron cores usable in
damping, repulsing control, and power-generating modes. Said
magnetic means may be concavely or convexly shaped stabilizing said
relative motion.
Inventors: |
Smushkovich; Aleksandr;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Aleksandr Smushkovich
305 Bay 20th Street
Brooklyn
NY
11214
US
|
Family ID: |
46325219 |
Appl. No.: |
11/341059 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11171179 |
Jun 30, 2005 |
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11341059 |
Jan 27, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/1 ;
52/167.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 50/14 20180101;
Y02A 50/00 20180101; E04H 9/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/001 ;
052/167.7 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/00 20060101
E04H009/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, substantially a magnetic induction dynamical
device, called a MID-device, actuated by outer intermittent loads
or impacts, damping said loads or impacts, and producing heat
energy, comprising: magnetic means for creating a magnetic flux;
and electrical conductive means; wherein said magnetic flux
changing in the vicinity of said conductive means, so that inducing
electric current in said conductive means thereby causing said
damping and heat producing.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
elastic means; wherein said magnetic means performed as a flexible
magnetic member having a substrate with magnetic plates
superimposed thereon, the magnetic member made movable in a
coordinate system; said electrical conductive means performed as a
conductive member immovable in the coordinate system, so that said
magnetic member capable of substantially linear reciprocal motion
from its start position toward its end position and backward,
relative to the conductive member; said conductive member coupled
with said elastic means, which elastic means being positioned
between the conductive member and the magnetic member; and said
elastic means capable to return said magnetic member substantially
backward to its start position after discontinuing or decreasing of
an instant amount of said load or impact.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic means
including: immovable magnetic means disposed substantially fixedly
in a coordinate system; and movable magnetic means disposed so that
capable of a substantially linear reciprocal motion from a start
position toward an end position relatively to said immovable
magnetic means and backward, causing changes of said magnetic flux;
said motion actuated by said loads or impacts.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said movable and
immovable magnetic means respectively performed as at least one
movable and at least one immovable flexible magnetic members each
comprising a substrate and magnetic plates superimposed on the
substrate.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said plates mounted
so that two oppositely positioned plates on the at least one
movable member and on the at least one immovable member disposed
substantially coaxially, and facing each other with the same
magnetic polarity.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said magnetic plates
of said at least one movable member so mounted that all oriented in
the same magnetic polarity; said magnetic plates of said at least
one immovable member so mounted that all oriented in the same
magnetic polarity; said magnetic plates of said at least one
movable member performed as permanent magnets each having a free
end configured in either a convex shape, or in a concave shape; and
said magnetic plates of said at least one immovable member
performed as permanent magnets each having a free end configured in
a concave shape for facing said magnetic plates of said at least
one movable member each having the free end being performed in a
convex shape; or said magnetic plates of said at least one
immovable member performed as permanent magnets each having a free
end configured in a convex shape for facing said magnetic plates of
said at least one movable member each having the free end being
performed in a concave shape.
7. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an
elastic means particularly capable to return said at least one
movable magnetic member substantially towards its start position
after discontinuing or decreasing of an instant amount of said load
or impact.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising elastic
means; insulation means continuously coupled with and covering said
conductive means; wherein said magnetic means performed in the form
of magnetic plates; said elastic means performed in the form of a
bladder-panel, filled preferably with compressed air, for damping
of high wind loads and impacts thereby protecting a frangible
object from the loads and impacts; each bladder of said
bladder-panel having a frontal wall enclosing a frontal magnetic
plate and a rear wall enclosing a rear magnetic plate; each pair of
oppositely disposed said frontal and rear magnetic plates so
positioned that facing each other with the same magnetic polarity;
the frontal wall of each bladder coupled to a fence screen
protecting said bladder-panel from outside impacts of hard airborne
objects; and the rear wall of each bladder attached to said
insulation means covering said conductive means, which conductive
and insulation means preferably fixed to the frangible object.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
elastic means; wherein said electrical conductive means performed
as a conductive member; said magnetic means performed as a flexible
magnetic member having a substrate with magnetic plates
superimposed thereon, said conductive member capable of
substantially linear reciprocal motion from its start position
toward its end position and backward, relatively to the magnetic
member; said conductive member coupled with said elastic means,
which elastic means being positioned between the conductive member
and the magnetic member; and said elastic means capable to return
said conductive member substantially backward to its start position
after discontinuing or decreasing of an instant amount of said load
or impact.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising
insulation means continuously coupled with and encapsulating said
conductive means; casing means enclosing said magnetic means, said
conductive means with said insulating means, and said elastic
means; and wherein said casing means, with the enclosed said
magnetic means, said conductive means with said insulating means,
and said elastic means, adapted to be inserted in a piece of
footwear, or clothing, or sleeping bag, or tent.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said casing means
comprising a flexible envelope incorporated into personal heater
means for protecting a human body or its parts from outside low
temperatures.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said conductive
means and elastic means so mutually disposed in the envelope that
the elastic means situated further from the human body or its parts
than the conductive means; said elastic means possessing a
predetermined elastic material heat conductivity; said casing means
possessing a predetermined casing material heat conductivity; and
the predetermined elastic material heat conductivity substantially
less than the predetermined casing material heat conductivity.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said flexible
envelope having a side positioned across the heat consuming
direction made of materials with a predetermined higher heat
conductivity, and having another side positioned opposite to the
heat consuming direction made of materials with a predetermined
lower heat conductivity.
14. The MID-device according to claim 3, wherein said movable
magnetic means comprising a first number of permanent magnets
associated in pairs; said immovable magnetic means comprising a
second number of permanent magnets associated in pairs, said second
number equal to said first number, the second number permanent
magnets mounted coaxially and in the same magnetic polarity facing
to the first number permanent magnets, a number of soft iron cores
spanning each pair of the second number permanent magnets, a number
of electro-conductive coils each mounted on each of said number of
soft iron cores, and said coils capable to be connected either to
an electrical power source, or to an electrical load, or the ends
of each of said coils capable to be connected by a wire to each
other in a short circuit.
15. The MID-device according to claim 1, further comprising:
elastic means; and insulation means for electrical isolation of
said conductive means; wherein said magnetic means including
immovable magnetic means disposed substantially fixedly in a
coordinate system and fixedly coupled to said conductive means, and
movable magnetic means so disposed and configured that capable of a
substantially linear reciprocal motion forward from a start
position to an end position relatively to said immovable magnetic
means and backward from the end position to the start position; the
forward motion of said movable magnetic means actuated by said
loads and impacts; and the backward motion of said movable magnetic
means actuated by said elastic means.
16. The MID-device according to claim 15, wherein said movable
magnetic means comprising a plurality of flexible movable magnetic
members positioned a distance from each other, possessing
predetermined magnetic properties, including a frontal member,
wherein the frontal member disposed so that being actuated by said
loads or impacts, said magnetic members flexibly supported in a
coordinate system; said immovable magnetic means comprising a rear
member substantially immovably disposed relatively to the
coordinate system; said elastic means comprising a number of impact
absorbing insertions for providing a relative oscillating movement
of and returning said movable magnetic members substantially
backward to their start position after said impacts or loads
discontinued or decreased, and each of said insertions possessing
predetermined spring properties and preferably disposed between the
adjacent members of each pair of said plurality of magnetic
members; said insulation means comprising a dielectric layer or an
insulation sheet made of dielectric materials, preferably disposed
behind the rear member; and said electrical conductive means
comprising a conducting sheet, preferably disposed behind said
insulation means so that being separated from said rear member by
said insulation means.
17. A device for protection of a frangible object from intermittent
mechanical loads or impacts, preferably during high wind or
hurricane conditions, said device comprising cushioning means for
damping of said loads and impacts mounted on the structure of said
frangible object, or on a structure surrounding said frangible
object; said cushioning means comprising a plurality of inflatable
chambers, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, preferably
compressed air; connecting means for connection of said chambers,
said connecting means providing a propagation of changing pressure
of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to
each other chambers affected by said loads or impacts; additional
cushioning means including a number of MID-devices according to
claim 5, wherein the movable magnetic means of each of said number
of MID-devices disposed behind said chamber and being in a
mechanical contact with the rear wall of said chamber, and the
immovable magnetic means of each of said number of MID-devices
disposed behind said movable magnetic means and preferably fixed to
said frangible object.
18. A method for damping of intermittent mechanical loads or
impacts comprising the acts of providing magnetic means for
creating a magnetic flux; providing electrical conductive means,
wherein said magnetic means performed at least partially movable
relatively to said conductive means; subjecting said magnetic or
electrical conducting means to said loads or impacts, causing a
substantially linear reciprocal motion of said magnetic means or a
portion thereof from a start position to an end position relatively
to said conductive means, thereby changing said magnetic flux in
the vicinity of said conductive means, inducing an electric current
within said conductive means, which electric current associated
with an induced magnetic field so oriented as causing a
deceleration of said motion, thereby providing said damping.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising providing
elastic means for returning said magnetic means relatively to said
electrical conductive means substantially backward from the end
position to the start position after discontinuing or decreasing
said loads or impacts.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said magnetic means
comprising movable magnetic means displaceable relatively to said
conductive means, and immovable magnetic means fixed to said
conductive means; and the movable and immovable magnetic means so
oriented as facing each other with the same magnetic polarity,
thereby providing the return of the movable magnetic means
substantially backward from the end position to the start position
after discontinuing or decreasing said loads or impacts.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This U.S. patent application is a continuation-in-part
application of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/171,179 filed
on Jun. 30, 2005, entitled "Wind, Hurricane, and Cold Protection
Devices", hereby entirely incorporated by reference (herein further
referred to as "parent application").
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to devices and methods for
damping of high winds and for protection against cold weather, etc.
It further explores and improves magnetic induction dynamical
devices (MID-devices) previously introduced in the parent
application, which can be used in cushioning of high winds and
hurricanes, in personal heater means for protection against cold
weather.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The prior art contains numerous solutions (partially
mentioned in the parent application) for protection of frangible
objects against high winds and hurricanes. Some of them are
dedicated to damping of the high winds and dissipating their
kinetic energy by means of flexible devices covering the frangible
objects. The parent application introduced several devices and
methods for that purpose.
[0004] One of the devices disclosed therein was a MID-device that
utilized intermittent wind loads or impacts of wind-borne objects
(flying debris) for relative movement of magnetic members that
caused electric current pulses in a conductive member disposed in
proximity of the magnetic members. Such a pulse, creating an
additional magnetic field, decelerated the moving magnetic members,
i.e. prolonged the movement, thereby reducing the amplitude of the
force eventually applied to the structure of the frangible object
(or to a special fence structure surrounding the frangible object
described in the sixth embodiment of the parent application). This
caused a damping of the wind load or flying debris impact, thereby
protecting the frangible object from them. It simultaneously caused
a transformation of the mechanical energy of the load or impact
into the heat, produced in the conductive member by the electric
current pulse.
[0005] The MID-devices, however, are not limited to only damping
high winds, but also may utilize the produced heat for warming up
the frangible object, or for warming up a personal heater means,
e.g. gloves, boots, and so on, which was mentioned in the parent
application.
[0006] The later analysis shows that the MID-devices can be further
improved by imparting of novel features, or eliminating old
features without functional changes, which may increase the
efficiency and commercial applicability of said MID-devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aims of the Invention.
[0008] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide
MID-devices (electromagnetic cushioning apparatus) for damping high
winds loads, and impacts of hard airborne bodies, blasts,
shockwaves, etc.
[0009] Another aim is to provide different possible utilizations
and embodiments of the MID-devices in various environments.
[0010] Another aim is to further increase the damping effect of
wind impacts and intermittent loads, and to enforce transformation
of the wind kinetic energy into heat by means of improved
MID-devices.
[0011] Another aim is to utilize improved MID-devices subjected to
intermittent outer forces in individual heater means, in designing
of clothing or footwear for cold and windy weather conditions, in
shockwave protection, in bulletproof means, etc.
[0012] Other aims of the invention will become apparent from a
consideration of the drawings, ensuing description, and claims as
hereinafter related.
[0013] Different utilizations of MID devices generally described in
the parent application were relied upon a similar underlying
structure and its modifications depicted on FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23 of
the parent application. It is now believed that essentially novel
embodiments of MID-devices may be added to improve their efficiency
and commercial applicability. Accordingly to the improvements,
disclosed herein, the MID-devices are now divided into two types:
"a MID-device of a first type" applicable to the MID-device
embodiments earlier disclosed in the parent application as well as
to their improvements, and "a MID-device of a second type", both
described in the present continuation-in-part application.
[0014] Therefore, MID-device embodiments of a first type earlier
introduced in the parent application and their improvements as well
as embodiments of a second type MID-device are herein provided to
achieve the above mentioned aims of the present invention.
[0015] Some embodiments of a first type MID-device, disclosed in
the parent application and repeated herein, comprise at least two
magnetic members facing each other with different magnetic
polarities attached to a flexible substrate. One of the magnetic
members is made immovable and, in general, fixed to the frangible
object to be protected (or to a special fence around the object)
from impacts or wind loads. At least one of the magnetic members is
made movable, and subjected to intermittent wind loads or flying
debris impacts.
[0016] The parent application discloses an impact absorbing
insertion, disposed between the magnetic members attracting each
other, substantially for keeping them apart, and also for returning
the movable member substantially to its start position it had prior
to the impact (or a pulse of the intermittent load). An impact
absorbing insertion may be made in the form of a pneumatic chamber,
or a bladder-panel, or might be performed as means having
spring-like properties, or made of special elastic materials.
[0017] A new improved embodiment of a first type MID-device differs
from the embodiments earlier described in the parent application in
that the magnetic members, capable of essentially linear and
reciprocal motion relatively to each other, are so positioned as
facing each other with the same polarity that is repulsing each
other. The device includes immovable magnetic members coupled with
insulation means and conductive members fixed to an object to be
protected from high winds.
[0018] The device includes movable magnetic members coupled with a
fence screen protecting the object from flying debris. A bladder
panel is disposed between the movable and immovable magnetic
members, so that the cushioning of the high winds loads and flying
debris impacts is provided by the bladder panel (in the way
described in the parent application) and by the magnetic members
and conductive members causing electromagnetic damping of said
loads and impacts.
[0019] Other embodiments of a first type MID-device, newly
disclosed herein, are performed without an impact absorbing
insertion. One of these embodiments has an immovable magnetic
member and a movable magnetic member. A conductive member is
attached to the immovable magnetic member outside of the gap
between the two magnetic members. The conductive member may
alternatively be jointed to the movable magnetic member, or the
movable and immovable magnetic members both may have conductive
members coupled to them.
[0020] The magnetic flux in the vicinity of the conductive member
changes when the movable magnetic member, caused by said impact or
load, approaches the immovable magnetic member. An electric
current, induced by changes of the magnetic flux associated with
the conductive member, will cause the damping effect (deceleration
of the motion of the movable magnetic member) and the heating
effect (heating up the conductive member). The effects may be
utilized for cushioning of high winds and hurricanes, impacts of
airborne hard objects, and for warming up an object to be protected
from them, or for design of personal heater means.
[0021] Another first type MID-device embodiment has a plurality of
immovable magnetic members, and a plurality of movable magnetic
members (so positioned that capable to engage in a reciprocal
motion relatively to the immovable members), wherein both kinds of
the magnetic members including specially shaped (concavely and
convexly) permanent magnets. The permanent magnets of the movable
and immovable members are substantially co-axially disposed, and
facing each other with the same magnetic polarity, but the movable
member has a freedom of vertical, horizontal, or both displacements
("perpendicular displacement") in a plane essentially
perpendicularly to said reciprocal motion of the movable member,
within a predetermined range.
[0022] Due to the special shapes of the ends of the permanent
magnets confronting each other, said displacement causes a force
applied to the movable member's permanent magnets, and directed
opposite to said perpendicular displacement, decelerating the
displacement, and tending to return the permanent magnets to their
initial co-axial position relatively to the immovable member's
permanent magnets position. This embodiment is provided in order to
stabilize the substantially co-axial mutual position of the movable
and immovable magnetic members when it's critical.
[0023] Yet, another first type MID-device embodiment comprises an
immovable conductive member, only one movable magnetic member, and
an impact absorbing insertion, which is used only for returning the
magnetic member to its start position (it had prior to the impact),
but not for keeping apart magnetic members (since there is only one
magnetic member in the embodiment). The change of magnetic flux
occurs when the movable magnetic member approaches the immovable
conductive member, and the eddy currents induced therein will cause
the damping and heating effects.
[0024] An exemplary embodiment of a second type MID-device is newly
disclosed within this continuation-in-part application. It may be
utilized, for example, when the repulsive force between the movable
and immovable magnetic members need be regulated by a control
means. This embodiment includes a more complex immovable magnetic
assembly comprising two immovable permanent magnets disposed
substantially in parallel to each other but in the opposite
magnetic orientations. The permanent magnets are jointed by a soft
iron core, making a "bridge", so that these three elements are
assembled in a "horse-shoe-like" shape. A conductive multi-turn
coil is disposed on the core, whose ends may be connected to an
electrical load (or generally to a source of electrical current),
or to each other forming a short circuit.
[0025] The embodiment of the second type MD-device also includes
two counterpart movable permanent magnets coupled to a fence screen
for protecting a frangible object against flying debris. The
movable permanent magnets are so positioned that facing their
immovable counterparts with the same magnetic orientation causing
the repulsion between the movable and immovable counterparts. A
bladder-panel is disposed between the movable and immovable
permanent magnets. Thus, the cushioning of intermittent high wind
loads and flying debris impacts is provided by the bladder-panel
(as described in the parent application), and by the interaction of
the movable magnets with the immovable magnetic assembly causing
the electromagnetic damping of said wind loads or debris
impacts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a
first type MID-device, according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view of an embodiment of
a first type MID-device primarily intended for high wind
protection, according to the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional side view of an embodiment of
a first type MID-device primarily intended for personal heater
means, according to the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4a is a view of a unipolar magnetic members
arrangement, according to an improved embodiment of a first type
MID-device of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 4b is a view of a bipolar magnetic members arrangement,
according to an improved embodiment of a first type MID-device of
the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5a is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with a movable magnetic member substantially in its
start position, according to an improved embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 5b is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with a movable magnetic member substantially in its end
position, according to an improved embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 6a is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with an immovable magnetic member and a movable magnetic
member substantially in its start position, according to an
improved embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 6b is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with an immovable magnetic member and a movable magnetic
member substantially in its end position, according to an improved
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7a is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic
members, substantially in its start position, according to an
improved embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 7b is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic
members co-axially disposed, substantially in its end position,
according to an improved embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 7c is a partial sectional side view of a first type
MID-device with specially shaped immovable and movable magnetic
members with axis vertically displaced relatively to each other,
substantially in its end position, according to an improved
embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8a is a side sectional view of a bladder-panel with a
first type MID-device, according to an improved embodiment of the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 8b is a frontal sectional view of a bladder-panel with
a first type MD-device, according to an improved embodiment of the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 9a is a side sectional view of a bladder-panel with a
second type MID-device, according to an improved embodiment of the
present invention.
[0041] FIG. 9b is a frontal partial sectional view of a
bladder-panel with a second type MID-device, according to an
improved embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] In general, similar reference numerals point to similar
elements of different embodiments on the drawings.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in
different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will be
described in detail herein, several specific embodiments of the
present invention with their implementations and modifications,
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention,
and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated
and described herein.
[0044] Exemplary Description of A First Type MID-Device for High
Wind Protection.
[0045] An embodiment of a first type MID-device, illustrated on
FIGS. 1, 2 and generally used for protection of a frangible object
from high winds, comprises magnetic means, represented by at least
two preferably identical magnetic members in the form of flexible
magnetic sheets (71) with a plurality of flat magnetic plates (70)
of a suitable shape and size, superimposed on and attached to
sheets 71. For instance, square-like shape of plates 70 is depicted
on FIG. 1, showing the plates and the sheets in an isometric
view.
[0046] Optionally, instead of the magnetic plates 70, sheets 71 may
contain magnetic materials in an appropriate form embedded in their
structure. Sheets 71 may also be made of suitable elastic
composites containing a magnetic component, magnetic plastic,
magnetic rubber, etc.
[0047] The plurality of flexible sheets 71 includes at least one
sheet, further called a frontal sheet 71, in this embodiment
coupled with the inner front surface of a cover (21) and positioned
in front of an elastic means in the form of a cushioning inflatable
chamber (10), as illustrated on FIG. 2.
[0048] In other embodiments a bladder-panel or an impact absorbing
insertion (which are disclosed in the parent application) disposed
between sheets 71 may be used instead of chamber 10. It is also
possible to combine different kinds of elastic means and their
positions relative to the magnetic means and other elements, for
particular wind protection devices, also discussed in detail in the
parent application. This may allow intensifying the resultant
magnetic field of the magnetic members (in the example: frontal and
rear magnetic sheets 71), and as a result to increase the
electromagnetic damping and heating effects.
[0049] The plurality of flexible sheets 71 includes at least one
sheet, further called a rear sheet 71, and in this embodiment
positioned behind chamber 10. It should be positioned preferably
after the chamber is inflated to avoid a delay and wasting
additional power (caused by attraction of the magnetic members)
while inflating the chamber. The back surface of frontal sheet 71
and the front surface of rear sheet 71 are preferably in a
mechanical contact with the corresponding sides of chamber 10 when
the MID-device is assembled.
[0050] The MID-device embodiment generally includes electrically
insulation means, here exemplified as a flexible insulation sheet
(72) made of a suitable dielectric material. FIGS. 1, 2 depict
insulation sheet 72, positioned behind the back surface of rear
sheet 71.
[0051] The MID-device embodiment includes electrically conductive
means or a conductive member, exemplified as a conducting sheet
(74), disposed behind insulation sheet 72 as shown on FIGS. 1, 2.
Conducting sheet 74 is preferably made of a flexible base material
(e.g. a thin flexible substrate) with an electrically conducting
layer continuously superimposed thereon, or electrical conducting
wires, threads, strips, or a plurality of interconnected conducting
plates embedded in the base structure of the material (not shown
herein).
[0052] Optionally conducting sheet 74 may be laminated with an
insulation means in the form of dielectric layers (not shown
herein), which would substitute the insulation sheet 72. Also, the
magnetic material may optionally be superimposed on or embedded in
the material of the front and rear sides of the chamber itself (not
shown herein), substituting sheets 71, in which case insulation
sheet 72 and conducting sheet 74 would be positioned behind the
back of the chamber. Such a construction of the chamber would speed
up its deflating after the use, though would delay its inflating
(due to said attraction of the magnetic members facing to each
other with the opposite polarity).
[0053] The MID-device embodiment includes fixing means essentially
immovably disposed in a coordinate system. In this embodiment, the
fixing means are substantiated in the form of a cover (21),
illustrated on FIG. 2, enclosing the above-described elements of
the MID-device. The rear side of cover 21 is secured to the
structure of the frangible object (not shown, established on the
ground, representing the coordinate system for the given example of
MID-device), to be protected from high winds, by supporting means,
described in detail in the parent application. FIG. 2 shows the
frontal side of cover 21 of this embodiment, coupled to a fence
screen (22) for protection of the device from flying debris in high
wind or hurricane conditions. The fence screen may have different
forms discussed in the parent application.
[0054] Operation of a First Type MID-Device for High Wind
Protection.
[0055] The operation of the MID-device in this embodiment is based
on the following: the alternative (intermittent) wind load or
impact received by the fence screen 22, illustrated on FIG. 2, is
transmitted to and deforms the elastic means represented here as
chamber 10, and brings the magnetic members (that is flexible
sheets 71 in this example) closer to each other that will increase
the magnetic field around them inducing an electric current in the
conductive means (i.e. conducting sheet 74). The induced current
will cause a heating of conducting sheet 74.
[0056] The elastic means (chamber 10 in the example) returns the
magnetic members (sheets 71) substantially towards their start
position after the impacts or intermittent outer loads discontinue.
The elastic means may also create a condition for producing higher
frequencies oscillations of the magnetic members, which will induce
the higher frequencies currents in the conducting means causing
more effective dissipation of the impacts' or loads' energy
generally resulting in more heating of the conducting means.
[0057] The fixing means (in the example: cover 21 and elements of
any supporting means, not shown herein) provide a positioning of
the rear magnetic member substantially immovable within the
coordinate system. This provides for a movement of the magnetic
members relatively to each other, causing the change of their
resultant magnetic field, and consequently the inducing of electric
current in the conducting means (sheet 74).
[0058] The dissipation of the wind energy and transforming it into
the induced electric current and eventually into the heat can be
used to heat up the frangible object. It might also be possible to
use the induced current for electrical lighting of objects
subjected to intermittent wind loads by providing a special
circuitry for the induced current (not shown). For instance,
instead of a stand alone sheet 74, conducting coils may be used,
connected to suitable electrical bulbs mounted inside or outside
the object.
[0059] The induced current will also create a damping effect of the
electromagnetic nature, which damps the movement of the magnetic
members. Herein this effect will cause a deceleration of frontal
sheet 71 coupled with screen 22, tending to repulse them, or push
them away of rear sheet 71 and conducting sheet 74 both depressed
against the structure.
[0060] The electromagnetic damping and heating effects are caused
by the electromagnetic field of the induced electrical current and
partially depends on the electrical conductivity of the conductive
means (that is sheet 74 in this embodiment). The stronger the
impact is, the greater the effects will be, which will extend the
damping time and reduce the amplitude of the force exerted onto the
object's structure.
[0061] The intensiveness of the electromagnetic effect also depends
on magnetizability of the magnetic material used for plates 70, and
the distance between sheets 71. Obviously, the magnetic material
should have sufficiently high magnetizability to provide said
effects. The distance between sheets 71 can be constructively
reduced by a modification of the device to substantially increase
their resultant electromagnetic field.
[0062] Optional Implementations of First Type MID-Devices.
[0063] As mentioned above, the MID-device of the above described
embodiment might be implemented not only for two magnetic members,
but also for a plurality of such members. Generally, they are
placed a distance from each other. The elastic means are disposed
inside each adjacent pair of the magnetic members.
[0064] Since initial magnetic forces between sheets 71 may be
substantial, the elastic means should be strong enough to restrain
the attraction of the magnetic sheets and keep them a distance, and
to return sheets 71 substantially towards their start (initial)
position after the impacts or intermittent loads discontinue. On
the other hand, the elastic means should be sufficiently flexible
to easily change its thickness under the impact force, causing
possible greater changes in the distance between sheets 71 to
induce greater electric current in sheet 74. Therefore, it may be
efficient to use an impact insertion between the magnetic sheets,
combining materials of different extent of elasticity for
construction of the insertion. Proper materials, whose elasticity
depends on the amplitude of an impact or intermittent load imposed
thereon, may be useful in such an insertion.
[0065] The conductive means may be represented by a plurality of
conducting sheets embedded in (a means for heat withdrawing should
be considered) such elastic means simultaneously serving as
insulation means. The conducting means may also be performed as
imprinted conducting plates, conducting coils, solenoids, and other
similar conventional means for creation a circuitry for induced
electric current. These conducting means may additionally increase
the electromagnetic damping effect, e.g. in some embodiments the
magnetic members may be constructed as electromagnets having
additional sources of electric current.
[0066] In some embodiments, it can be useful to change the order of
the device's elements, e.g. to place the conducting sheet in front
of the frontal magnetic sheet, or even combine the conducting sheet
with the fence screen, or just simply use a conductive fence
screen. It is however important that the rear sheet be
substantially immovably supported by the fixing means for creation
of a relative movement between the magnetic members.
[0067] For some constructions of the insertion, it may be
beneficial to use conditional or custom-made springs (not shown
herein) of suitable shapes, made of appropriate materials. An
insertion comprising a polymeric pad confining fluid bubbles,
acting similar to springs when depressed, might be suitable in
certain types of the device as well. The use of springs with
magnetic properties may contribute to the resultant magnetic field
of the MID-device to increase it.
[0068] Conventionally known magnetic fluids can be placed in a
bladder or bladders encapsulated in the insertion. When such an
insertion, having its own magnetic properties, is subjected to
intermittent load forces, it would generate an additional changing
electromagnetic field generally including different frequencies,
inducing additional harmonics of electric current in sheet 74,
increasing the dissipation. Such magnetic insertion with the
magnetic members may produce an additional damping effect
conditioned by the changing of magnetic polarity described in the
Canadian patent 10,239 to Wesley W. Gary.
[0069] Similar effect may be produced by a MID-device with
non-magnetic insertions if the number of magnetic members is three
or greater. A more substantial increase of the damping may be
achieved, if the rear magnetic member is performed as a stationary
magnet or electro-magnet capable to create a sufficiently high
magnetic field. A linear motion of the magnetic means or the
electro-conductive means in the MID-device may be substituted by a
non-linear motion, but should remain reciprocal. Different
mechanisms, conventionally known to a person skilled in the art,
may be utilized by for this purpose.
[0070] Exemplary Description of a First Type MID-Device for
Personal Heater Means.
[0071] An embodiment of a first type MID-device is illustrated on
FIG. 3, and comprises a fixing means in the form of an envelope
(77). The envelope 77 is immovably supported in a coordinate
system, e.g. in a shoe, and is preferably made of suitable flexible
dielectric materials with a sufficient heat-conducting
characteristic.
[0072] The embodiment comprises magnetic means including a
plurality of magnetic members in the form of flexible magnetic
sheets (71) with magnetic plates (70) superimposed on sheets 71. In
this embodiment, only two magnetic sheets are exemplified: the
frontal sheet 71 shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, and the rear
sheet 71 shown in the lower part of FIG. 3.
[0073] The embodiment comprises insulation means including
insulation sheet (72) positioned behind the rear sheet 71, depicted
on FIG. 3.
[0074] The embodiment comprises electrical conductive means
including a conducting sheet (74), shown on FIG. 3, positioned
behind insulation sheet 72.
[0075] The embodiment comprises elastic means including an impact
absorbing insertion (75), illustrated on FIG. 3, and disposed
between the frontal and rear sheets 71. Envelope 77 encloses the
flexible magnetic sheets 71, insulation sheet 72, conducting sheet
74, and impact absorbing insertion 75.
[0076] The embodiment generally operates in the same fashion as the
previously described embodiment for high wind protection, but its
heating, electromagnetic, or electro-dynamic effects are utilized
in a different measure according to the special purpose of this
embodiment. The dissipation of the wind energy and transforming it
into the electrical energy of induced current and eventually into
heat can be used for warming up of a heat-consuming object, for
example, personal heater means for protection against cold
weather.
[0077] All the elements of the MID-device embodiment may be made of
the materials above described, or of other appropriate materials,
capable to provide the heating effect of the induced electrical
current, and to substantially direct the heat flow toward the
heat-consuming object, that is to a heat consuming direction.
[0078] For this embodiment (FIG. 3), it is also important that the
materials of insulation sheet 72 have sufficient heat isolation
properties to possibly prevent the heat flow from conducting sheet
74 to the rear magnetic sheet 71 that is opposite to the heat
consuming direction. Sheet 74 may have shining or glossy surface
from the side of sheet 72, and blacked surface from the opposite
side to provide better heat radiation toward the heat consuming
direction. Insertion 75 may be performed in different versions
described herein above. Alternatively, insertion 75 may have a low
heat conductivity relatively to the heat conductivity of envelope
77, reducing the heat flow in the direction opposite to the heat
consuming direction.
[0079] The MID-device of this embodiment, subjected to an
intermittent outer force and producing the heating effect, may be
used, for example, in designing of individual heater means,
particularly clothing or footwear for cold and windy weather
conditions.
[0080] For instance, such a MID-device, according to this
embodiment, may be built in gloves. It would be preferable to have
thin flexible sheets 71 with a narrow ferromagnetic layer
superimposed thereon, or such sheets made of mixed materials
containing a magnetic component of sufficient magnetizability.
[0081] Conducting sheet 74 should be made of flexible material
containing electrically conducting powder, or thin conducting
threads, or other such means to provide sufficient conductivity and
circuits for the induced electrical current.
[0082] Insulation sheet 72 can be performed in the form of a
dielectric layer continuously coupled with conducting sheet 74 and
electrically isolating it from the adjacent magnetic sheet 71.
[0083] Envelope 77 can also be made of a suitable electrically
insulation material, but the rear part of the envelope positioned
across the heat consuming direction (from sheet 74 to the hands)
must be made of materials with a substantial heat-conducting
property. Therefore, it may be reasonable to perform the rear part
of envelope 77 from a different material than the frontal part,
which frontal part generally may require high heat insulation
properties to insulate the hands from the outside low
temperature.
[0084] Materials used for electrical insulation and heat conducting
in conventional personal electrical heaters placed on the human
body may be useful in the designing of envelope 77. In general, a
high level of electrical insulation is not required in the first
type MID-devices (which distinguish them from the conventional
electrical heaters connected to standard home outlets), since the
induced voltage is expected to be of essentially low figures (it is
generally in the opposite proportion to the conductivity of
conducting sheet 74), and therefore should not cause any hazard to
the person protected from cold air by such MID-devices.
[0085] Since the energy of the electromagnetic field is essentially
transformed into heat in conducting sheet 74, which also serves as
an electromagnetic screen, and since the frequency of the
electromagnetic field is expected to be low (it is generally
proportional to the frequencies of the intermittent forces applied
to the frontal sheet 71), surrounding humans and animals should not
be negatively affected by the electromagnetic field.
[0086] The gloves may heat up the hands simply by clapping the
hands. Other ways of activations of the gloves in cold weather
conditions are by subjecting them to vibrations, for instance,
during the use of a power tool by a worker wearing the gloves, or
the like. The saddle of a motorcycle or the jacket of the driver
may also be furnished with such a MID-device to warm them up in
cold conditions.
[0087] Such a heating MID-device, made according to this
embodiment, may be enclosed in shoes, boots, etc. as a pad, during
cold weather, and be activated when the person walks, jumps, or
runs. Similar pads may be enclosed in a jacket or a coat to be worn
during cold and windy conditions, and activated by the hands and by
the high winds. A tent or a sleeping bag may have a layer in the
form of a similar MID-device to warm it up by the wind impacts.
[0088] MID-Device Utilizations for Damping of Shock Waves, for
Bullet Proofing.
[0089] MID-devices of a first type may be used, for example, for
damping of an air blast or a shockwave of an explosion. A frangible
object's surface covered by such MID-devices fixed to the structure
and disposed behind special screens may be protected against such
blasts or shockwaves in the air, water, or another fluid
environment. MID-devices can be specifically implemented to reduce
cavitation. They may also be used for protection of frangible
objects against waves in a solid environment, such as earthquake
waves, in bulletproof means, etc.
[0090] Structural Analysis of MID-Devices Introduced in the Parent
Application.
[0091] A common feature of the MID-devices so far introduced in the
parent application was the use of elastic means disposed between
magnetic members for keeping them apart and for return of the
magnetic members substantially to their initial positions after the
application of the intermittent force or the outer impact. The
elastic means were represented by a pneumatic chamber, a
bladder-panel, an impact absorbing insertion (made, for example in
the form of springs, or made of material with spring-like
properties), etc.
[0092] Such elastic means were required in the MID-device, which
included, for example, two or more magnetic members attracting to
each other (that is having opposite polarities). Thus, the elastic
means were a necessary element of the MID-device disclosed in the
parent application, providing its operability.
[0093] On the other hand, the elastic means created a problem. They
had to keep a predetermined distance between the magnetic members
and return them from their end position substantially to their
start position for the next intermittent force application. In
turn, this involved a decrease of the resultant magnetic flux
through the conductive member at least in the end position, i.e.
the damping and heating effects were reduced as a result of the use
of the elastic means.
[0094] This continuation-in-part application discloses below new
solutions to the mentioned problem, which allow increasing of said
resultant magnetic flux, and on the other hand, provide the return
of the magnetic members substantially to their start position
without an additional means. It is now believed that the MID-device
can be substantially modified to improve its efficiency and
commercial applicability for the high wind protection and personal
heater means.
[0095] Improved MID-Devices of a First Type with One Magnetic
Member.
[0096] An improved embodiment of the first type MID-device is
illustrated on FIGS. 4a, 5a, 5b, and comprises: a magnetic member
in the form of a movable flexible sheet or substrate (71) with a
plurality of magnetic plates (70) superimposed thereon. The
magnetic polarities of plates 70 may be arranged as depicted on
FIG. 4a that is all the magnetic plates 70, situated on substrate
71, are oriented in the same magnetic polarity, shown by the "N" on
FIG. 4a. Another possible orientation configuration of plates 70 is
depicted on FIG. 4b, wherein one plate of the sheet is vertically
and horizontally adjacent to other four plates having the opposite
magnetic polarity. For different materials and plate and sheet
sizes, both kinds of configurations may be tried before making a
choice of the relative magnetic orientation of the magnetic
member's plates. Other configurations might be tried as well. In
general, the configuration providing the most damping and heating
should be utilized.
[0097] The improved embodiment comprises a conductive member in the
form of electro-conducting sheet (74), generally positioned
immovably in a coordinate system (which can be fixably associated
with an object to be protected from winds, or to be heated up)
covered with elastic means in the form of an impact absorbing
insertion (75) with spring-like properties (similar to that
described in the previous embodiments). Insertion 75 is so disposed
that facing plates 70, as shown on FIG. 5a, illustrating the start
position of sheet 71 at the beginning of its movement. FIG. 5b
illustrates sheet 71 in a location somewhere close to the end
position of its movement.
[0098] Distinctly from the embodiments previously described herein
above and in the parent application, this improved embodiment has
only one magnetic sheet 71, made movable, and insertion 75 disposed
between magnetic sheet 71 and conducting sheet 74 (versus between
two magnetic sheets 71 disclosed in the previous embodiments). As a
result, insertion 75 can easily provide the return of sheet 71 to
its start position, since there is no other magnetic member
attracting the sheet 71.
[0099] The embodiment operates as follows: sheet 71 is actuated by
an outer intermittent force (e.g. heavy hurricane wind) and having
a starting velocity, shown by arrow (v10) on FIG. 5a. It also
depicts a magnetic flux of plates 70 in its start distribution. In
this start position there is no other magnetic flux.
[0100] While sheet 71 is approaching to sheet 74, the magnetic flux
changes its distribution due to an electric current (i) indicated
on FIG. 5b, essentially known as the eddy current, induced in sheet
74, having a magnetic field of opposite polarity, directed so that
decelerates the motion of the sheet 71 subsequently to a lower
velocity, shown by arrow (v20) on FIG. 5b. The directions of
current (i) are shown by circled (.) and (x) symbols corresponding
to the "toward the viewer" and "from the viewer" directions
respectively. Therefore the outer impact or intermittent load is
damped by the MID-device.
[0101] In a location of the movable sheet 71 substantially close to
the end position, illustrated on FIG. 5b, there are shown the
magnetic flux of plates 70 (compressed in the gap between plates 70
and conducting sheet 74, comparatively to its start distribution),
and an induced magnetic flux depicted with its polarities (N) and
(S) respectively distributed in the vicinity of sheet 74. In
general, the induced current (i) is proportionally depending on the
magnetizability of plates 70, the distance between sheet 71 and
sheet 74, and the velocity amount (changing from v10 to v20 during
the movement). Generally, the amount of energy, dissipated in sheet
74 and eventually transformed into heat, is proportional to the
squared effective amount of induced current.
[0102] This embodiment differs from the previous ones in that the
impact absorbing insertion is only used for returning the movable
magnetic member essentially to its start position, but not for
keeping apart magnetic members, since there is only one magnetic
member is involved in the embodiment. Such a construction might be
preferably used for relatively strong impacts capable to create
significant magnetic flux changes, and therefore a substantial
damping effect.
[0103] The only magnetic member can also be made immovable, whereas
the conductive member performed movable (as in the next
embodiment), capable to be actuated by the outer impact or
intermittent loads. It does not change the principle of the
device's operation.
[0104] An Improved First Type MID-Device Utilized for Warming up a
Shoe.
[0105] The embodiment illustrated on FIGS. 5a and 5b can be
modified (not shown on the drawings), for example, making sheet 74
movable and actuated by the outer force, while immovably fixing
sheet 71 to an object's surface. It would be well applicable to a
MID-device implemented in a personal heater means, for instance in
the form of a pad in boots or shoes. In this case, sheet 71 could
be coupled with the sole, and positioned below sheet 74. Sheet 74,
being the upper part, may be covered by a piece of fabric (not
shown herein, but might be the very left layer on FIGS. 5a, 5b)
made of materials with sufficient heat conductivity.
[0106] The space intervals between neighboring plates 70 can be
filled by suitable materials (not shown), so that the upper surface
of plates and filled intervals will be in continuous contact with
the spring-like insertion 75, on top of which sheet 74 will be
positioned, covered by said piece of fabric. When a person is
walking, the distance between sheet 74 and sheet 71 changes, which
causes a magnetic flux change, and an induced current in sheet 74
that warms up the person's foot.
[0107] An Improved MID-device of a First Type without Impact
Absorbing Insertion.
[0108] An exemplary embodiment of a first type MID-device without
elastic means is shown on FIGS. 6a, 6b. It comprises two magnetic
members in the form of a flexible left sheet 71 and flexible right
sheet 71, with magnetic plates 70 superimposed thereon, so that two
opposite plates on the right and left sheets are facing each other
with the same polarity. The left sheet 71 is made immovable; the
right sheet 71 is capable to move toward the left sheet 71 in the
direction outlined by a vector of the start velocity (v10) shown on
FIG. 6a. FIG. 6b shows the right sheet 71 in a location
substantially close to its end position, with the end velocity
indicated by a vector (v20). Plates 70 may be arranged in the
configuration depicted on FIG. 4a.
[0109] The embodiment comprises a conductive member in the form of
a conducting sheet 74, coupled with the left sheet 71, as
illustrated on FIG. 6a. FIGS. 6a and 6b show the magnetic flux
distributions for the left and right sheets 71 in the start and in
the end positions of the right sheet 71 respectively. FIG. 6b
additionally depicts an induced magnetic flux with the (S) and the
(N) marks associated with an electric current (i) induced in sheet
74. The directions of current (i) are shown by circled (.) and (x)
symbols corresponding to the "toward the viewer" and "from the
viewer" directions respectively.
[0110] The operation of this embodiment begins when the right sheet
71, pushed by an outer mechanical force (e.g. a flying debris
impact), starts moving towards the left sheet 71. This motion
changes the magnetic field in the vicinity of conducting sheet 74
inducing an electrical current (i) in it, illustrated on FIG. 6b.
The induced electrical current (i) is associated with aforesaid
induced magnetic flux (S)-(N) with the polarity indicated in
parentheses. The induced flux is so directed that causes a
deceleration of the right sheet 71, effectively damping the impact
of outer mechanical force (thereby protecting a frangible object
from the debris impact).
[0111] Substantially, the induced current (i) is proportionally
depending on the magnetizability of plates 70, the distance between
the right sheet 71 and the conducting sheet 74, and the velocity
amount (changing from v10 to v20 during the movement). In general,
the amount of energy, dissipated in sheet 74 and eventually
transformed into heat, is proportional to the squared effective
amount of induced current (i).
[0112] When the velocity of the movable magnetic member decreases
to zero, the induced current will be equal to zero as well. On the
other hand, the opposite polarities of the movable and immovable
plates 70 cause a repulsive force, which starts moving the movable
plates 70 backward (not shown) to their start position. An induced
current, this time having the opposite direction (not shown herein)
in sheet 74, also decreasingly decelerates the backward motion.
This "backward" deceleration should not substantially affect the
operation of the device, though slows down the return to the start
position.
[0113] An Improved First Type MID-Device with Specially Shaped
Magnets.
[0114] In general, two oppositely disposed magnetic members should
normally repulse each other, and cause a substantially linear
motion of the movable member relatively to the immovable member.
However, the repulsing forces also tend to create displacements
("perpendicular displacements") in a plane essentially
perpendicularly to said substantially linear motion of the movable
member. This creates unbalanced torques applied to the movable
member, which may change the linear motion to non-linear, and also
cause distortion of the substrate of the movable member. An
embodiment of a first type MID-device, addressed to the problem,
follows.
[0115] This embodiment, illustrated on FIG. 7a, comprises a
plurality of immovable magnetic members in the form of permanent
magnets (70L), and a plurality of movable magnetic members in the
form of permanent magnets (70R) so positioned that capable of a
substantially linear reciprocal motion relatively to magnets 70L.
All magnets 70L are superimposed on a substrate (71) fixed on it
with the same magnetic polarity, e.g. the S-polarity, as shown on
FIG. 7a. The MID-device comprises a conductive member (74)
continuously attached to the other side of substrate 71. The
opposite ends of all magnets 70L are oriented in the same
N-polarity, facing the gap between magnets 70L and 70R, and
performed in a concave shape. The concaveness may preferably be of
spherical type.
[0116] As illustrated on FIG. 7a, magnets 70R of this embodiment
are fixedly inserted in a substrate (71M), which may be a flexible
sheet representing a fence screen for high wind protection of a
frangible object, or alternatively the flexible sheet may be
attached to such a fence screen. An outer impact or intermittent
loads are thus applied to substrate 71M causing aforesaid motion.
The free ends of magnets 70R, facing said gap, are performed in a
convex shape. The convexness may preferably be of a spherical type.
Magnets 70R face the gap with the same N-polarity as magnets 70L,
so that a repulsive force exists between the movable and immovable
permanent magnets. Magnets 70L and 70R are disposed in essentially
parallel planes, and substantially coaxially positioned relatively
to each other, i.e. have a common axis extending through their
centers perpendicularly to the planes of magnets 70L and 70R.
[0117] Normally during operation, the partial repulsive force
components applied, for example, to the upper 70R magnet shown on
FIG. 7b, may be demonstratively indicated by vectors f1, f0, f2. As
mentioned above, magnets 70R may tend to the aforesaid
perpendicular displacements, exemplarily shown by a vertically
upwardly directed displacement vector dy on FIG. 7c. This
displacement will change f1, f0, and f2 as symbolically depicted on
the same FIG. 7c. A resultant repulsive force exerted onto the
movable member is represented by vector fR. This vector fR has two
components: a horizontal component fRx and a vertical component fRy
indicated on FIG. 7c.
[0118] Due to said shapes of the ends of magnets 70L (concave) and
70R (convex) confronting each other, said perpendicular (upward
vertical) displacement dy causes the vertical force fRy applied
downwardly to the movable member's magnets 70R, i.e. directed
opposite to vector dy. This opposite force decelerates the
perpendicular displacement, and tends to return magnets 70R to
their initial substantially coaxial position relatively to the
position of the immovable member's magnets 70L. This embodiment is
provided in order to stabilize the substantially coaxial positions
of the movable and immovable magnetic members.
[0119] A Bladder-Panel Implemented with an Improved First Type
MID-Device.
[0120] The earlier described embodiment of a first type MID-device
without an impact absorbing insertion may be modified and
implemented in conjunction with a bladder-panel described in detail
in the parent application. Such implementation can be used for
heavy wind abatement and cushioning of impacts exerted onto a
frangible object's surface by flying missiles.
[0121] The implementation is illustrated on FIG. 8a (side sectional
view) and 8b (frontal sectional view) and comprises a bladder-panel
(18), similar to the one disclosed in the parent application.
Bladder-panel 18 is preferably wrapped around a frangible object
(50) to be protected from high winds and flying debris.
Bladder-panel 18 includes a plurality of flexible bladders, filled
with a fluid, preferably with compressed air, and connected to each
other by openings (46) made in the horizontal common walls of two
vertically adjacent bladders, as shown on FIG. 8b. Similar openings
are made in the vertical sidewalls of two horizontally adjacent
bladders (not shown).
[0122] The frontal and rear walls of the bladders of bladder panel
18 enclose magnetic means in the form of respectively a frontal and
a rear magnetic plates (70) illustrated on FIG. 8a. Plates 70 are
substantially made of permanent magnets (possibly rare earth
magnets) of sufficient magnetizability, and so magnetized that the
frontal and rear plates face each other with the same polarity that
is repulse each other.
[0123] The frontal bladder wall is coupled with a fence screen (22)
preferably supported (supporting and fixing means are not shown
herein, but discussed in the parent application in detail) by
frangible object 50. The rear bladder wall is coupled with a
frontal surface of an insulation sheet (72) made of suitable
dielectric material. The rear surface of insulation sheet 72 is
continuously coupled with a frontal surface of a conductive member
in the form of conducting sheet (74). The rear surface of
conducting sheet 74 is attached to the frontal surface of object
50.
[0124] When screen 22 is subjected, for instance, to hurricane wind
loads, the bladders, located on the windy side of object 50, are
intermittently contracted, and the bladders located on the opposite
side of object 50 are expanded (since they are all pneumatically
connected). If the wind is strong enough, the frontal plates 70
will be displaced sufficiently close to the rear plates 70 to
initiate a substantial repulsive interaction between the plates.
Further increasing impacts of the wind dynamic pressure will cause
additional damping of the impacts conditioned by an electric
current induced in conducting sheets 74, as described above.
[0125] Conversely, in the time intervals when the wind pressure
diminishes, the rear plates 70 will push away the frontal plates
70. This will cause an expansion of the windy side bladders. The
expansion will also be supplemented by the internal pressure
difference between the windy side bladders and the opposite side
bladders, since all bladders of bladder-panel 18 are pneumatically
connected by the mentioned openings 46. It will therefore increase
the protective capacity of the windy side bladders when the next
wind impact (or flying debris impact) will hit the frangible object
from the same windy side.
[0126] A MID-Device of a Second Type Combined with a
Bladder-Panel.
[0127] In some embodiments, the rear magnetic members (and
sometimes the frontal magnetic members) may be performed in the
form of electromagnets powered by a separate power source (not
shown herein), and possibly capable to be regulated by a control
means, so that the repulsive forces between the magnetic members
may be changed according to wind parameters or other conditions.
This is a reason to introduce an embodiment of MID-device of a
second type.
[0128] This exemplary embodiment of a second type MID-device is
illustrated on FIGS. 9a and 9b, and comprises a more complex
immovable magnetic assembly including two immovable permanent
magnets: the upper and lower magnets (70L), disposed substantially
in parallel to each other but in the opposite magnetic
orientations. Magnets 70L are jointed by a soft iron core, making a
"bridge", so that these three elements are assembled in a
"horse-shoe-like" shape. A conductive multi-turn coil (74L),
internally and externally covered by an insulation dielectric layer
(72), is disposed on the core. The ends (74L1) and (74L2) of coil
74L may be connected generally to a source of electrical current,
or to an electrical load, or to each other forming a short circuit.
Coil 74L and core 70M are also shown on FIG. 9b. Core 70M may be
attached to an object (50), to be protected from high winds, by
brackets (61B), shown on FIGS. 9a and 9b.
[0129] The embodiment of the second type MID-device comprises two
counterpart movable permanent magnets (70R) coupled to a fence
screen (22) for protecting a frangible object against flying
debris. Magnets 70R are so positioned that facing their immovable
counterparts 70L with the same magnetic orientation causing the
repulsion between magnets 70L and 70R. The device comprises a
bladder-panel (18) disposed between magnets 70L and 70R. Thus, the
cushioning of intermittent high wind loads and flying debris
impacts is provided by the bladder-panel (as described in the
parent application), and by the interaction of the movable magnets
with the immovable magnetic assembly and with the conductive
member, causing the electromagnetic damping of said wind loads or
debris impacts.
[0130] The MID-device embodiment operates similarly to the above
described embodiments, but also may be used in different modes
(which may be arranged by switching ends 74L1 and 74L2 to different
circuits). A damping mode is utilized when it needs to provide only
the damping of high wind loads or debris impacts, wherein ends 74L1
and 74L2 may be connected by a wire into a short circuit. A
power-generating mode may be actuated when ends 74L1 and 74L2 are
connected to an electrical load (not shown), such as lighting,
heating or other power consuming electrical devices, possibly via
rectifiers. A repulsive force control mode may be actuated when
ends 74L1 and 74L2 are connected to an electrical power source (not
shown) regulated by a control unit.
[0131] Optionally magnets 70L and core 70M may be substituted by a
conventional core used in DC windings (not shown herein). This
would require more power to induce a magnetic field of the
immovable magnetic assembly for creation of repulsive forces in the
repulsive force control mode, and might be less effective in the
damping mode. Another option is the use of the immovable magnetic
assembly and the movable magnetic members on their own, without
elastic means, such as a bladder-panel, pneumatic chamber, etc.,
since they may provide the return to the start position by the
repulsive force created between them in the device.
* * * * *