Abstract:
An apparatus for generating autogenic energy includes a base, a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device and a transmission member. The transmission member is mounted movably on the base. The second magnetic device is connected to the transmission member and is movable together with the transmission member in a predetermined rotational direction by the interaction force of the first and second magnetic devices. The second magnetic device is capable of being disposed adjacent to the first magnetic device in an interaction position and is receives a positive force such that the second magnetic device is rotatable away from the first magnetic device in a first rotational direction to produce an angular momentum. The second magnetic device and the transmission member respond to the inertial force and the positive force to be moved past a counterbalance position without being stopped by a negative force and to continue moving in the first direction back to the interaction position. In this way, the transmission member is movable by means of intermittent exertion of the positive force on the second magnetic device continuously in the predetermined direction.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/278,434, filed Mar. 26, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an energy conversion mechanism, and more particularly to an apparatus that uses magnets to sustain rotation of a transmission member or flywheel after an initial external power input, the rotation sustaining energy generated by the magnets to sustain rotation of the transmission member of flywheel after the initial energy input hereinafter being referred to as “autogenic energy.” The mechanism produces long-sustained energy without causing environmental concerns. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is well known that energy to provide heat, lighting and power can be obtained from several sources. Most energy used today is obtained from fossil fuels, such as crude petroleum, natural gas, and coal. These fossil fuels are used, for example, by an engine to run a car or by a turbine to drive a generator for the production of electricity. However, this process of burning fossil fuels unavoidably results in air pollution problems. In addition, the total amount of the fossil fuels in the earth&#39;s crust is decreasing rapidly due to the high rate of consumption of the earth&#39;s increasing population. Therefore, the energy obtainable from these fossil fuels is limited and may be exhausted sometime in the near future. 
     More recently, nuclear fuels have become an important source of energy. For example, nuclear fuels have become widely used, primarily to produce electricity with nuclear power plants. Although a virtually unlimited amount of nuclear fuel can be obtained, the normal process of nuclear fission by which it is converted to usable energy in the nuclear power plant, has raised serious safety concerns. Concerns also have been raised regarding the safety of known methods of disposal of nuclear waste. 
     In some instances, solar, wind, and tidal energy may be used to generate electricity. However, sources of solar, wind, and tidal energy are limited, and the overall quantities of energy obtained from such sources cannot at this time even begin to match the energy demands of our society. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for utilizing long-sustained autogenic energy. Another object of the invention is to provide a mode of energy exploitation that will not harm the environment. 
     According to the invention, an apparatus for producing autogenic energy includes a base, a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device and a transmission member. The first magnetic device is mounted on the base and has a first magnetic field. The transmission member is mounted movably on the base. The second magnetic device is connected to the transmission member and has a second magnetic field. The second magnetic device is movable together with the transmission member in a first rotational direction (such as clockwise) to pass by the first magnetic device periodically adjacent to what is herein referred to as an “interactive position”). The first and second magnetic fields interact with one another when the second magnetic device passes by the first magnetic device to exert alternately positive and negative forces on the first and second magnetic devices. Both forces are repulsive since in the present (preferred) arrangement, like poles are always closer than opposite poles. The positive force urges the second magnetic device to move relative to the first magnetic device in the first rotational direction (such as in a clockwise direction). The negative force urges the second magnetic device to move relative to the first magnetic device in a second rotational direction (such as the counter-clockwise direction) that is opposite to the first rotational direction. The second magnetic device is arranged to move toward and away from the first magnetic device, that is, from an interaction position adjacent to the first magnetic device where the positive force is exerted such that the second magnetic device moves away from the first magnetic device in the first rotational direction to produce an inertial force (angular momentum). The second magnetic device together the transmission member is caused by the inertial force (angular momentum), primarily of a flywheel on the transmission member, and the positive force to move through a portion of its path where the magnetic force is negative. That path portion begins at a position, hereinafter referred to as a “counterbalance position,” where the magnets are distant from each other and the force changes from positive to negative. The inertial force (angular momentum) during this movement, again primarily maintained by a flywheel, is sufficient that the second magnetic device returns in the first direction to and past the interactive position, where the positive force is again exerted so that such movement of the second magnetic device continues repeatedly. That is, the second magnetic device thereby can move periodically from the interaction position through the counterbalance position, and back to the interaction position, by means of the movement of the transmission member in order to maintain an exertion of the positive force on the second magnetic device by virtue of the interaction of the first and second magnetic fields and the inertial force (angular momentum), resulting in continuous movement of the transmission member in the first rotational direction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     There and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for the production of autogenic energy according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a first operative position (an interaction position); 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a second operative position (just before a transition (counterbalance) position); 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a third operative position (just after the counterbalance position); 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a fourth operative position; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a fifth operative position; and 
     FIG. 7 is side view of the apparatus of the embodiment in a sixth operative position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before considering the invention in detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for autogenic energy according to the invention is shown to include a base  22 , a first magnetic device  50 , a second magnetic device  30 , a transmission member  20 , and a linking device  40 . 
     The base  22  has first and second support plates  221 ,  222  extending upwardly therefrom in a parallel relationship. The transmission member  20  has a horizontal shaft  21  extending transversely through, and journalled to, the first and second support plates  221 ,  222 . As a result, the shaft  21  is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The linking device  40  has a guide slot  223  formed in the first support plate  221  and extending in a vertical direction. The first magnetic device  50  has a first magnet  51 . The second magnetic device  30  has a second magnet  31  fixed to a rectangular intermediate portion  211  of the shaft  21 , as is best illustrated in FIG.  2 . The first and second magnets  51  and  31  are permanent magnets made of a material of high magnetism, high coercive force and low oxidization {or of a low oxidation rate), such as a magnet formed from Nd, Fe and B. As such, the first and second magnets  51  and  31  have strong torque properties and are capable of rotation at high speeds. The second magnet  31  extends radially from the shaft  21  and is located between the first and second support plates  221 ,  222 . 
     The linking device  40  further has a link in the form of linking rod  42 , and also a connection rod  43  and a disk or flywheel  44 . The disk  44  is fixed coaxially to the horizontal shaft  21  adjacent to the first support plate  221  and serves to store kinetic energy. The linking rod  42  has a first end connected eccentrically and pivotally to the disk  44  at a pivot point  41 . A second end of the linking rod  42  is pivotally connected to a first end of the connection rod  43 . As can be seen, for example in FIG. 2, the pivot point  41  is connected to the disk  44  at such a point that when it is at its lowest position (180 degrees from the top), the second magnet extends at about ten degrees (by way of example) from the vertical. The first magnet  51  is connected to the second end of the connection rod  43 . The connection rod  43  extends horizontally through the guiding slot  223  in the first plate  221  such that the first magnet  51  is located above the second magnetic device  30 , and so as to be vertically movable in the same vertical plane as that in which the second magnet  31  rotates, as will be described below. Each of the first and second magnets  51  and  31  has north (N) and south (S) magnetic poles that are juxtaposed to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  21 . 
     The invention makes use of the fact that the magnetic force between two magnet poles is proportional to the product of the magnet field strengths of the magnets and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the poles. Therefore, the longer the distance the less that magnetic force between the magnets. The apparatus is arranged so that like poles of the first and second magnets are always closest, whereby a net repelling force is always present between them. The apparatus is further arranged so that along the portion of the path of the revolving second magnet  31  over which the forces between first like poles, say north poles, dominate, the net force is greater than that along the portion of the path over which the forces between second like poles, say south poles, dominate, this when comparing symmetrically opposite positions of the two parts of the path, as will become clearer from the detailed discussion below. 
     The second magnetic device  30  is rotatable in a vertical plane with the shaft  21  and together with the transmission member  20  and flywheel  44 . The rotation is in a first (clockwise) direction as shown by arrow X in FIG. 2 to pass by the first magnetic device  50  periodically. When the second magnetic device  30  is disposed in an interaction position closely adjacent to the first magnetic device  50 , for example at the position shown in FIG. 2 about 10 degrees from the vertical (when the first magnet  21  is at its lowest position), the first and second magnetic fields of the first and second magnets  51  and  31  strongly interact with one another. The second magnet  31  passes by the first magnet  51 , at which time the respective magnetic fields interact first to exert a net positive force and later a negative force on the first and second magnetic devices  50 ,  30  before the first magnet again returns to the interaction position shown in FIG.  2 . Of course, the force is greater when the magnets are closer than when they are farther apart. 
     The positive force urges the second magnetic device  30  to move relatively to the first magnetic device  50  in the first rotational direction. The negative force urges the second magnetic device  30  relative to the first magnetic device  50  in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first direction. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 2, the first magnetic pole (north (N) pole) of the second magnet  31  is located in an area (a) that is adjacent to the first magnetic pole (north (N) pole) of the first magnet  51 . At this time, a strong repulsion force is exerted on the first and second magnets  51  and  31 . Since the first magnet  51  is nonrotatable in the first and second directions, the components of the repulsion force in the directions in which the magnets  51  and  31  can move (respectively vertically and rotationally) constitute the positive force that drive the second magnet  31 , and the shaft  21  and flywheel  44  therewith, to rotate in the first direction X. As the second magnet  31  rotates downward (and the first magnet  51  moves correspondingly upward, the repulsive force between the magnets declines continuously since distance between the magnets increases. 
     At this stage, the positive force rotates the second magnet  31  and the shaft  21  to drive the disk  44 , the linking rod  42  and the connection rod  43  to move the first magnet  51  upwardly along the guiding slot  223  from a first position as shown in FIG. 2 toward a second position or area (b), shown in FIG.  3 . Thus, when the second magnet reaches this position (b) farther away from the first magnet  51 , at a 90-degree position with its plane surfaces extending horizontally as shown in FIG. 3, the force is still positive but substantially reduced. 
     FIG. 4 shows a position or area in which the second magnet  31  has rotated farther downward to position (c), in which area the second magnet  31  has reached close to (in the illustrated embodiment about ten degrees short of) the bottom of its circular path. At this position, the first magnet  51  is still moving upward as the pivot point  41  is approaching (is about 20 degrees short of) its highest point. Of course when the second magnet  51  reaches the bottom of its arc extending vertically downward (a transition or “counterbalance” position), the magnetic force between the magnets is momentarily zero, with positive and negative forces balancing each other. Momentum, however, keeps the second magnet  31  rotating in the first (clockwise direction), which is now an upward direction. 
     A short farther rotation of the second magnet  31  brings it to an area (d) (about ten degrees past the bottom (counterbalance) position, as shown in FIG. 5, where the pivot point  41  of the linking rod  42  and the first magnet  31  reach their maximum upward position. At this position a minimal negative force is being exerted on the first and second magnets  51  and  31 , due to repulsion between the second (south) poles of the two magnets, that urges the second magnet  31  in the second (counterclockwise) direction. It may be noted that, perhaps significantly, the force on the second magnet  31  although negative, is less in magnitude at position (d) than is the positive force at the symmetrically opposite (opposite side relative to the vertical 0/180-degree line) position (c), as can be seen from comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, in this embodiment, whereas at position (c), the pivot point is 20 degrees from its peak position, at position (d) the pivot point is at the peak position so that the first magnet  51  is farther from the second magnet  31 . 
     Momentum overcomes the negative force now being applied between the magnets. Referring next to FIG. 6, when the second magnet  31  further rotate to the position (e), which is opposite position (b), that is a 90-degree position in which the opposite plane surfaces of the magnet are horizontal, the force on the second magnet  31  is still negative, is greater than the force at position (d), but perhaps significantly, less in magnitude than at the symmetrically opposite (opposite side of the vertical 0/180-degree line) position (b), as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 3 and 6. This is because whereas at position (e) of the second magnet the pivot point  41  is a short distance (e.g. 10 degrees) below its peak, at the position (b) of the second magnet, the pivot point is even farther (e.g. 20 degrees) below its peak. Momentum, maintained primarily by the flywheel  44 , continues to overcome the negative (counterclockwise directed) force now being applied on the magnets. 
     Now referring to FIG. 7, the angular momentum even overcomes the negative force when the second magnet  31  reaches position (f) adjacent (in the disclosed embodiment about 10 degrees from) the top of the circular arc path it follows. Here again, perhaps significantly, the negative force on the second magnet  31  while still negative, is less than the positive force at the symmetrically opposite position (a), since at position (f) the first magnet  51  is higher (farther from its lowest point and thus farther from the second magnet  31 ) than at the position (a), where the first magnet is at its lowest point, as can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 7. 
     Extensive careful testing by the inventor has demonstated that in this manner, the positive force and the inertial force (angular momentum) of primarily the flywheel  44 , enables the second magnetic device  30  and the transmission member  20  to move continuously in the first rotational direction without being stopped by the negative force as the first magnetic device  50  moves in the guiding slot  223  in an upward and downward direction. The inventor has found from his extensive testing that the overall effect of the positive force between the magnets while the forces between the first poles of magnets (in the embodiment south poles) predominate, has been greater that the negative force between the second poles of magnets (in the embodiment south poles). That is, even when the second magnet  31  has rotated a full 360 degrees, and even if the second magnet starts from a stationary position and encounters friction and is under a load, it will always have kinetic energy at the 360-degree position. Otherwise stated, the inventor has shown with his extensive experiments, in which some frictional loss was unavoidable and in fact, the shaft  21  was required to drive a positive load, that the second magnet  31  and rotating parts connected thereto rotated continuously in the same direction (in the present example the clockwise direction). Thus, the invention produces a net inward flow of kinetic energy into the flywheel as it rotates continuously counterclockwise without being stopped by the negative force, friction, or a load that may be coupled to the output shaft  21 . The inventor has found that a long-sustained kinetic energy is obtained from the device according to the invention. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. For example, the movement of the first magnet  51  is not limited to the upward and downward direction. Other directions are certainly possible.