Abstract:
A magnetic gear system for use anywhere gears are required. The magnetic gear system incorporating magnetic gears including at least one end plate and at least one axle coupled to the at least one end plate. A plurality of magnet holders are also coupled to the at least one end plate. At least one magnet is contained in each of the plurality of magnet holders. Wherein the at least one magnet comprises two opposite polarities and the plurality of magnet holders are coupled to the at least one end plate with the at least one magnet having at least one polarity adjacent a similar polarity of another of the at least one magnets.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a contactless, frictionless, magnetic gear system. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    Gears have been used in mechanical devices for centuries. The origin of gears can be traced back to the 27 th  century BC in China. 
         [0005]    Gears and gear systems can be used in many different types of mechanical devices and for many different purposes. Gears are used in vehicle transmissions, wind turbines, elevators, helicopters and the like. 
         [0006]    Two round gears of different sizes can alter the speed and direction of rotational force. This includes changing the direction of the rotation or changing the rotational axis from vertical to horizontal and the like. Gears can also be used to change torque. 
         [0007]    The biggest problem with gears and gear systems is the loss of energy due to friction caused by the gears mating. Gears and gear systems also experience significant stresses due to their interaction with other gears which may lead to failure of the gears and gear systems. In order to overcome these issues, magnetic gears and gear systems have been created. These gear systems are contactless and frictionless. Therefore, the magnetic gears and gear systems lose less energy and experience less stress than traditional gears and gear systems. 
         [0008]    Examples of magnetic gear systems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,243,555 issued to Faus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,287 issued to Huff, U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,929 issued to French, U.S. Publication No. 2013/02854597, and European Patent Application EP1069671A1. These references all disclose magnetic gear systems in which the magnets are positioned so that one pole is on the outside of the gear. This means that the gear has either an all North or an all South polarity. The other gear in the configuration will either have the same or opposite polarity on the outside of the gear, depending on if the gear system uses attraction or repulsion. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,967 issued to Rode describes a magnetic gear system where bar magnets are positioned along the outside of the gear. The first bar magnet is positioned so that its North polarity is at one side of the edge of the gear and the South polarity is at the other side of the edge of the gear. The second bar magnet is then positioned with its polarities on opposite sides of the gear from the first bar magnet. The rest of the bar magnets are also positioned in this alternating pattern. 
         [0010]    The magnetic gear systems disclosed in these references and which are currently in use incorporate magnet arrangements which fail to optimize the magnetic fields and potential energy of the magnets. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, what is needed is a magnetic gear system that has a magnet arrangement which maximizes the use of the magnetic fields and potential energy of the magnets to aid the transfer of energy through the magnetic gear system. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A magnetic gear from a magnetic gear system disclosed hereafter may include a plurality of magnets wherein each magnet of the plurality of magnets has a North polarity and a South polarity. The plurality of magnets are positioned with the North polarity of each of the plurality of magnets adjacent the North polarity of another of the plurality of magnets and the plurality of magnets are positioned with the South polarity of each of the plurality of magnets adjacent the South polarity of another of the plurality of magnets. 
         [0013]    An additional embodiment of a magnetic gear system may include at least one first magnetic gear and at least one second magnetic gear. The at least one first magnetic gear and at least one second magnetic gear each includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets further includes a North polarity and a South polarity. The plurality of magnets being positioned so that each magnet of the plurality of magnets has the North polarity adjacent the North polarity of another magnet of the plurality of magnets on the at least one first magnetic gear and the plurality of magnets being positioned so that each magnet of the plurality of magnets has the North polarity adjacent the North polarity of another magnet of the plurality of magnets on the at least one second magnetic gear. 
         [0014]    An alternate embodiment of a magnetic gear for use in a magnetic gear system may include at least one end plate and at least one axle coupled to the at least one end plate. A plurality of magnet holders may be coupled to the at least one end plate with at least one magnet coupled to each of the plurality of magnet holders. The at least one magnet has two opposite polarities and the plurality of magnet holders are coupled to the at least one end plate with the at least one magnet having at least one polarity adjacent a similar polarity of another of the at least one magnets. 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the magnetic gear system will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings where like designations denote like elements, and: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a magnetic gear system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a magnetic gear system; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a right side view of a magnetic gear system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a magnet; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a magnet; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a magnet holder; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a magnet holder; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is top view of a magnet holder; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of polarities of a magnetic gear; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of polarities of a magnetic gear with magnetic field lines; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a rack and pinion magnetic gear system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to magnetic gears which create contactless, frictionless gear systems. In particular, disclosed are magnetic gears and magnetic gear systems which reduce the loss of energy transferred between multiple gears. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a magnetic gear system  10 . Magnetic gear system  10  comprises at least one first magnetic gear  12  and at least one second magnetic gear  13 , which interact with each other. Energy may be input into the magnetic gear system  10  by rotating either the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . For exemplary purposes, the first magnetic gear  12  will be the input gear; however, in practice, either the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  may be used as the input gear in the magnetic gear system  10 . Energy may be input to the first magnetic gear  12  by a motor, by a person or by any other energy source desired. When energy is input into the magnetic gear system  10  by rotating the first magnetic gear  12 , the second magnetic gear  13  also rotates provided it is located close enough to the first magnetic gear  12  for the magnetic fields of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  to interact. 
         [0030]    When energy is input to the first magnetic gear  12 , the second magnetic gear  13  rotates as if they were traditional gears with meshing teeth or like two sprockets connected with a chain or the like. The second magnetic gear  13  may be used to output the energy from the magnetic gear system  10 . 
         [0031]    The energy input into the magnetic gear system  10  is altered depending on the size and orientation of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  in the magnetic gear system  10 . For example, if the magnetic gear  12 , which has energy input to it, is larger than the second magnetic gear  13 . The second magnetic gear  13  will rotate faster than the first magnetic gear  12 . If the second magnetic gear  13  is rotated 90 degrees from the first magnetic gear  12 , then the rotational output of the second magnetic gear  13  will be oriented 90 degrees from the rotation of the first magnetic gear  12 . If the first magnetic gear  12  is a pinion gear and the second magnetic gear  13  is a rack gear, then the rotation of the first magnetic gear  12  will be converted to linear motion. It may also be possible for the potential energy of the magnetic fields in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  to amplify or augment the energy input into the magnetic gear system  10 . 
         [0032]    Multiple first magnetic gears  12  and multiple second magnetic gears  13  may be used in the magnetic gear system  10 . The first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  may be any size or configuration desired in order to convert the input energy to the desired output. The first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  may be formed as a rack and pinion, a planet system, an inline transmission or the like. 
         [0033]    First magnetic gear  12  and second magnetic gear  13  in the magnetic gear system  10 , unlike traditional gear systems, do not require contact to function. Therefore there is no loss of energy due to friction between the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  in the magnetic gear system  10 . The first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  must simply be close enough for the magnetic fields created by the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  to interact with each other. 
         [0034]    Though there is no energy loss due to friction between the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 , friction between other moving parts in the system may create a negligible energy loss. 
         [0035]    The first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  of the magnetic gear system  10  may include or comprise a plurality of magnets  16 . The magnets  16  used to create the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 . The magnets  16  may be formed from rare earth magnets. Rare earth magnets are strong, permanent magnets. Other types of magnets may be used to form the magnets  16  in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 . However, the magnets  16  may ideally be formed from a strong magnet which does not easily lose its magnetism. 
         [0036]    The magnets  16  illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5  are formed as thin rectangular prisms with a square or step cut out of the two upper ends of the rectangular prisms. This shape aids the magnets  16  in being mounted in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 . The magnets  16 , however, may be formed in any shape desired, such as circular, spherical, hemispherical, pyramidal, triangular, square, cubic or the like. 
         [0037]    The magnets  16  may be formed as one single piece of material, or they may be formed as multiple magnets which may be coupled together or simply placed near each other. 
         [0038]    Each magnet  16  also includes or has two opposite polarities, i.e. a North and a South polarity. The magnets  16  should be formed so that the separation between the North and South polarities runs parallel to the long axis of the magnet  16 . However, in alternate embodiments, it may be desirable for the polarity of the magnets  16  to be oriented so that the separation between the North and South polarities is parallel to the short axis of the magnet  16 . Though, in order to properly balance the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 , it may be desirable to shape the magnets  16  so that they are symmetrical around the division between the opposite polarities. 
         [0039]    The magnets  16  are mounted in magnet holders  14 . Magnet holders  14  are illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 . The magnet holders  14  serve to hold the magnets  16  in perfect alignment. The magnet holders  14  also protect the magnets  16  which is important because rare earth magnets are more fragile than other types of magnets. 
         [0040]    Magnet holders  14  may be formed as a rectangular prism as illustrated in the figures or the magnet holders  14  may be formed in any size or shape desired. The magnet holders  14  may be formed as a sphere, circle, square, cube, rectangle, or the like. It may be desirable, however, to form the magnet holders  14  in a shape similar to that of the magnets  16  in order to limit the weight and bulk of the magnet holders  14 . It may also be desirable to form the magnet holders  14  in a shape similar to that of the magnets  16  in order to better secure the magnets  16 . 
         [0041]    The magnet holders  14  may be formed in one piece or they may be formed in multiple pieces and coupled together. 
         [0042]    The magnet holders  14  may be formed from wood, metal, plastic, ceramic or the like. The magnet holders  14  should, however, be formed from a material which is strong enough to withstand the weight of the magnet  16  and the other forces placed on it. The magnet holders  14  should also not be formed from a material which interferes with the magnetism of the magnet  16 . 
         [0043]    The magnet holders  14  may have a magnet insertion opening  28  which is an opening in the back or bottom of the magnet holders  14 . The magnet insertion opening  28  is the opening through which the magnet  16  is inserted into the magnet holder  14 . The magnet insertion opening  28  may be rectangular as illustrated in the figures, or the magnet insertion opening  28  may be any size or shape which allows the magnet  16  to be inserted into the magnet holder  14 . 
         [0044]    Once the magnet  16  is inserted though the magnet insertion opening  28  a cover  32  is inserted through the cover slots  30  in the back or bottom of the magnet holder  14  in order to close the magnet insertion opening  28 . 
         [0045]    The cover slots  30  are two slots that run along the inside vertical edges of the magnet insertion opening  28 . These slots  30  hold a cover  32  in place over the magnet insertion opening  28 . 
         [0046]    In alternate embodiments, the cover slots  30  could be formed in order to allow the cover  32  to snap into place, to rotate into place or the like. 
         [0047]    The cover  32  may be formed as a flat rectangle as illustrated in the figures, or the cover  32  could be any shape desired, provided the cover  32  secures the magnet  16  in place in the magnet holder  14 . In alternate embodiments, the cover  32  may have a thicker cross section along its longest sides in order to fit more securely in the cover slots  30 . The cover  32  may be rotatably, hingedly, slidably or clickably coupled to the magnet holder  14 . 
         [0048]    The cover  32  may be formed from the same material that the magnet holder  14  is formed from or else the cover  32  may be formed from any material that is strong enough to prevent the magnet  16  from falling out of the magnet holder  14 . The cover  32  may be formed from wood, metal, ceramic, plastic or the like. The cover  32  may be formed in one piece or may be formed in multiple pieces. 
         [0049]    The face of the magnet holder  14  opposite the magnet insertion opening  28 , the front or top of the magnet holder  14 , may include a holder opening  36 . The holder opening  36  is formed to receive the top of the magnet  16 . The magnet  16  fits into the holder opening  36  with the top of the magnet  16  extending through the holder opening  36 . 
         [0050]    The holder opening  36  may be any shape or size desired, however, the holder opening  36  should not be so big that the magnet  16  can fall through the holder opening  36 . 
         [0051]    The smallest ends of the magnet holder  14  which are illustrated as the top and bottom of the magnet holder  14  in  FIGS. 6-8  comprise bolt openings  34 . Bolt openings  34  are openings drilled or cut in the top and bottom of the magnet holder  14  in order to receive magnet holder bolts  18 . The magnet holder bolts  18  may be screwed, welded, compression fit or the like into the bolt openings  34  on the magnet holder  14 . The magnet holder bolts  18  may also be secured into place with a pin or a bolt which travels through a lip surrounding the bolt openings  34 , through the magnet holder bolt  18  and then is secured in the lip on the other side of the bolt opening  34 . The bolt openings  34  may have a lip surrounding them. The bolt openings  34  may also be threaded or the like. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 1-3  further illustrate the magnet holders  14  coupled to at least one end plate  22 . The at least one end plate  22  illustrated in the figures is a flat circular plate which has openings in it, through which the magnet holder bolts  18  are inserted. The at least one end plate  22  serves as support for the magnet holders  14 . The at least one end plate  22  also secures the magnets  16  and the magnet holders  14  into a symmetrical configuration. 
         [0053]    In the figures, two end plates  22  are used. The two end plates  22  are identical and when coupled with the magnet holders  14  they secure the magnets  16  into a cylindrical configuration. 
         [0054]    The two end plates  22  illustrated are flat circular pieces of metal, however, the end plates  22  may be formed in any shape desired. For example, if the end plates  22  are flat rectangular pieces of metal, the first magnetic gear  12  or second magnetic gear  13  formed with a rectangular end plate  22  would be a rack gear. The two end plates  22  could also be triangular, hexagonal, pentagonal, square or the like. 
         [0055]    The two end plates  22  may be formed from metal, wood, plastic or any other material which is suitably strong, durable and lightweight. 
         [0056]    The two end plates  22  may include at least one cutout  23 . The at least one cutout  23  are areas of the end plates  22  where material has been removed in order to leave openings in the end plates  22 . The at least one cutout  23  makes the end plates  22  lighter and therefore reduces any energy loss due to the weight of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 . The at least one cutout  23 , as illustrated in the figures, may be a rounded trapezoid or it may be a square, circle, triangle, rectangle, oval, pentagon, octagon, parallelogram or the like. The at least one cutout  23  may be any size or shape desired, provided that the at least one cutout  23  does not impair the strength and structural stability of the end plates  22 . The at least one cutout  23  may extend through the entire thickness of the end plate  22  or else the at least one cutout  23  may only extend partially through the thickness of the end plate  22 . 
         [0057]    The two end plates  22  also have openings placed around the circumference or edge of the end plates  22  in order to receive the magnet holder bolts  18  of the magnet holders  14 . These openings are evenly spaced in order to assure that the magnets  16  are evenly spaced around the first magnetic gear  12  and around the second magnetic gear  13 . 
         [0058]    In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the openings are also all spaced the same distance from the edge of the two end plates  22 . By altering the position of the openings with respect to the edge of the end plate  22  or with respect to the other magnet holders  14 , the properties of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  may be altered. 
         [0059]    Examples may include, each opening being located 1/16 inch or the like farther from the edge of the end plate  22  than the opening was located. This creates a spiral type shape to the magnet  16  locations. In order to maintain balance of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 , a spiral may be created on each half of the circumference of the end plate  22 . The spirals created would be opposite of each other in order to maintain balance. 
         [0060]    When the magnets  16  in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  in a magnetic gear system  10  are positioned in a spiral configuration as discussed above, the magnetic force of the magnets  16  themselves rotate the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  until the magnets  16  positioned closest to the edge of the end plate  22  on each gear are aligned with each other. 
         [0061]    Additional embodiments of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  with a spiral magnet configuration may include each quarter of the circumference of the at least one end plate  22  consisting of a spiral magnet  16  configuration. The spirals would be oriented so that there is overall balance of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . 
         [0062]    Other embodiments utilizing the spiral magnet  16  configuration may also be used. For example, the magnets  16  may be spaced more or less than 1/16 inch farther from the edge of the end plate  22  than the previous magnet  16  was placed. The spacing may also increase, decrease or vary between each magnet  16  and the previous magnet  16 . For example, the first magnet  16  may be located close to the edge of the end plate  22 . The second magnet  16  may be located 1/16 of an inch farther from the edge of the end plate  22 . The third magnet  16  may be placed ⅛ of an inch farther from the edge of the end plate  22  than the previous magnet  16  and so forth. 
         [0063]    Alternate embodiments of a first magnetic gear  12  and a second magnetic gear  13  may also include the magnets  16  being spaced so that the first magnet  16  is located near the edge of the end plate  22 . The second magnet  16  would be located farther from the edge of the end plate  22 . The third magnet  16  would be located the same distance from the edge of the end plate  22  as the first magnet  16  was located and the like. 
         [0064]    The magnets  16  or the openings in the end plates  22  in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  may be located in anyway desired in order to achieve the desired result. 
         [0065]    The magnet holder bolts  18  are inserted through the openings placed around the circumference of the end plate  22 . Then the magnet holder bolts  18  are secured in position by the magnet holder nuts  20 . By securing the magnet holders  14  to the end plates  22  in this manner, the magnet holders  14  may be removed for repair or in order to rebalance the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . 
         [0066]    The magnet holder nuts  20  may be any size standard nut which fits the magnet holder bolts  18 . The magnet holder nuts  20  may also be locking bolts or may be a combination of washers and nuts, in order to secure the magnet holders  14  in the appropriate positions. 
         [0067]    In alternate embodiments, the magnet holders  14  may be permanently coupled to the end plates  22 . The magnet holders  14  may also be coupled to the end plates  22  using pins, welding, glue, rivets, epoxy or the like. 
         [0068]    Each end plate  22  has an opening in the center of the end plate  22 . This opening is surrounded by collar  26 . Collar  26  surrounds the opening in the center of the end plate  22  and allows the end plate  22  to be secured to axle  24 . The collar  26  is a sleeve or hollow cylindrical member which is fixedly coupled to the end plate  22 . The collar  26  may also be removably coupled to the end plate  22  in order to allow the collar  26  to be replaced if needed. 
         [0069]    Axle  24  is a cylindrical member which runs through the collar  26  coupled to one of the end plates  22 , through the center of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  and then out the collar  26  which is coupled to the other end plate  22 . The axle  24  may be rotatably or non-rotatably coupled to the collar  26 . Typically in situations where energy is going to be input to a first magnetic gear  12  or energy is going to be output from a second magnetic gear  13 , the axle  24  will be non-rotatably or fixedly coupled to the collar  26 . This causes the axle  24  to rotate along with the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . Therefore, energy can be input to the first magnetic gear  12  by rotating the axle  24  with a motor or the like. Energy could also be removed from the gear system  10  by coupling a generator or the like to the rotating axle  24  of the second magnetic gear  13  in a gear system  10 . 
         [0070]    If, however, the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  is simply an intermediary gear and not an input gear or an output gear in the gear system  10 , it may be desirable to have the axle  24  rotatably coupled to the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  so that the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  can rotate freely about the axle  24 . 
         [0071]    The axle  24  may be coupled to the collar by welding, epoxy, bolting, gluing, or the like. The axle  24  may also be coupled to the collar by a pin which extends through one side of the collar, through the axle and into the other side of the collar where the pin is secured. 
         [0072]    The axle  24  illustrated in the figures is a long cylindrical member, however, the axle  24  may be formed in any shape or length desired, provided energy can be input or output by the axle  24 . 
         [0073]    The axle  24  may be formed from any material desired, such as metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, glass or the like. The axle  24  should, however, be formed from a material strong enough to withstand the torsional forces placed on it by the rotating first magnetic gear  12  or second magnetic gear  13 . The axle  24  must also support the weight of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . 
         [0074]    The axle  24  may travel completely through the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 , or the axle  24  may be formed from two separate pieces. If the axle  24  is formed from two pieces, each piece would extend outward from the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13 . The pieces would be coupled to each end plate  22  and would continue outward in order to allow energy to be input or output from the gear system  10 . 
         [0075]      FIGS. 9-10  are representations  42  of the polarities and magnetic forces involved in the functioning of the magnetic gear systems  10 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the orientation of the magnets  16  in the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 . The magnets  16  as discussed previously have two opposite polarities oriented so that the dividing line between the polarities runs parallel to the long access of the magnet  16 . The magnets  16  are positioned in the gear so that the dividing line between the polarities runs parallel to the longitude of the axle or parallel to the longitude of the cylindrical gear. 
         [0076]    The magnets  16  are also evenly spaced around the circumference of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13 . Spacing the magnets  16  evenly around the circumference of the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  balances the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  so that the magnetic fields around the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  are balanced. This helps to prevent the first magnetic gear  12  and the second magnetic gear  13  from wobbling, slipping or the like. 
         [0077]    When the magnet holders  14  are secured to the end plates  22 , the magnets  16  are arranged so that each magnet&#39;s  16  North polarity  38  is adjacent to the next magnet&#39;s  16  North polarity  38 . The next magnet&#39;s South polarity  40  is then adjacent to a third magnet&#39;s  16  South polarity  40  and so forth, until magnet holders  14  have been secured in all of the locations in the end plates  22 . In order to make this configuration work, it is necessary to have an even number of magnets  16  and magnet holders  14  coupled to the end plates  22 . 
         [0078]    When the magnets  16  are arranged in this manner, the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  formed has regions with a North magnetic field  44  and regions with a South magnetic field  46 . These magnetic fields interact with the magnetic fields on an adjacent first magnetic gear  12  or second magnetic gear  13  by either attracting or repelling the magnetic fields on the first magnetic gear  12  or second magnetic gear  13 . If the North magnetic field  44  of a first magnetic gear  12  is adjacent the South magnetic field  46  of a second magnetic gear  13  then the two magnetic fields will repel each other causing the second magnetic gear  13  to rotate. If the North magnetic field  44  of a first magnetic gear  12  is adjacent the North magnetic field  44  of a second magnetic gear  13 , then the magnetic fields will attract each other which may also cause the second magnetic gear  13  to rotate. If the first magnetic gear  12  in both of these examples is rotating, then the second magnetic gear  13  rotates due to the interactions discussed above. 
         [0079]    Also, when the magnets  16  are arranged with polarities in one magnet  16  adjacent the like polarity in the next magnet  16 , the two magnets  16  repel each other. When the magnets  16  are securely held in place, this repulsion causes the magnetic fields to push outward from the space between the magnets  16 . This can be seen in the magnetic field lines  48  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As can be seen in this figure, the magnetic fields between the magnets  16  push outward and form magnetic gear teeth which interact with the magnetic gear teeth on the adjacent first magnetic gear  12  or second magnetic gear  13 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 11  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the magnetic gear system  50 . In this configuration, the second magnetic gear is formed as a rack gear  52 . The first magnetic gear  12  is a round or cylindrical gear as disclosed previously. The first magnetic gear  12  interacts with the rack gear  52  and the two gears together act as a rack and pinion gear set. 
         [0081]    In the rack gear  52  configuration, the magnets  16  are all arranged with one magnet&#39;s  16  North polarity adjacent the next magnet&#39;s  16  North polarity and with the next magnet&#39;s  16  South polarity adjacent a third magnet&#39;s  16  South polarity, except for two end magnets  54 . The two end magnets  54  are located at the ends of the rack gear  52 . The two end magnets  54  each have one polarity that does not have an adjacent magnet  16 . In the rack gear  52 , typically, one of the two end magnets  54  will have a South polarity without an adjacent magnet  16  and the other end magnet  54  will have a North polarity without an adjacent magnet  16 . 
         [0082]    Additional embodiments of a first magnetic gear  12  or a second magnetic gear  13  may be configured similar to  FIGS. 9-10 . In these embodiments, the magnetic gear would be formed from a solid cylindrical member. The cylindrical member would have slots cut parallel to its longitude in order to receive a plurality of magnets. The cylindrical member would also have an opening drilled parallel to the cylindrical member&#39;s longitude in order to receive an axle. The opening drilled to receive the axle could also have a collar similar to the collar discussed above. 
         [0083]    Additional embodiments of a magnetic gear system  10  may include using a first magnetic gear  12  or a second magnetic gear  13  as a permanent magnet alternator. In this embodiment, either a first magnetic gear  12  or a second magnetic gear  13  is used as a rotor and is surrounded by a stator. The stator in this case may be multiple coils of wire positioned in a cylindrical configuration surrounding either a first magnetic gear  12  or a second magnetic gear  13 . Rotating the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  creates an electrical current in the multiple coils of the stator. This embodiment may also eliminate the need for an external motor hooked to the first magnetic gear  12  or an external generator hooked to the second magnetic gear  13  because the stator may be used to drive the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  and the stator may also be used to convert the rotation of the first magnetic gear  12  or the second magnetic gear  13  into electrical current. 
         [0084]    Accordingly, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, the components defining any embodiment of the invention may be formed as one piece if it is possible for the components to still serve their function. The components may also be composed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended mechanical operation of the invention. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers (synthetic and/or natural), glasses, composites such as fiberglass, carbon-fiber and/or other like materials, polymers such as plastic, polycarbonate, PVC plastic, ABS plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, phenolic, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, alloys, such as aluminum, and/or other like materials, any other suitable material, and/or any combination thereof. 
         [0085]    The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation.