Patent ID: 7288860
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
1. An electrical generator, comprising: a support structure, a conductor supported relative to said support structure, a plurality of magnets constrained by said support structure and oriented in polar opposition for movement relative to said conductor over a range, with at least a portion of each magnet's magnetic field intersecting the conductor over at least a portion of said range, said support structure providing an unobstructed magnet movement path between said magnets, said magnets aligned along a common axis in successive polar opposition to each other, at least some of said magnets having different magnetic strengths, and ferrofluid bearings in the vicinity of the opposite ends of each of said magnets to provide a low friction interface between said magnets and said support structure, said magnets having multiple oscillation modes relative to said support structure resulting from mutual interaction between said magnets, said conductor arranged with said magnets so that movement of said magnets over said range generates an electrical signal in said conductor.