Patent ID: 9467031
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: H01F,H02K

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for switching magnetic flux comprising: a first permanent magnet having a north pole and a south pole; a second permanent magnet having a north pole and a south pole; a plurality of magnetic flux conductors operably connected to define a plurality of magnetic paths including a first magnetic path between the north pole and the south pole of the first permanent magnet, a second magnetic path between the north pole and the south pole of the second permanent magnet, a third magnetic path between the north pole of the first permanent magnet and the north pole of the second permanent magnet, and a fourth magnetic path between the south pole of the first permanent magnet and the south pole of the second permanent magnet; at least a first coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch made of a composite material and operably positioned to switchably turn OFF and ON a flow of magnetic flux in the first magnetic path; at least a second coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch made of a composite material and operably positioned in the second magnetic path to switchably turn ON and OFF a flow of magnetic flux in the second magnet path; a first pickup coil wound around the magnetic flux conductor of the third magnetic path; and a control system operably connected to the first and second magnetoelectric flux switches to selectively switch the flow of magnetic flux from the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet through different ones of the plurality of magnetic paths by turning ON the flow of magnetic flux in at least one magnetic path and turning OFF the flow of magnetic flux in a different one of the plurality of magnetic paths such that a flow of current is generated in the first pickup coil.