Magnetic rotating member and methods relating to same

A rotating member comprising a central portion having a center aperture, a first arm extending radially outward from the central portion, the first arm having a length L, a second arm extending radially outward from the central portion, a first magnet mounted on the first arm such that a magnetic field of the first magnet extends into a recess between the first and second arms, and a second magnet mounted on the second arm such that a magnetic field of the second magnet extends into the recess between the first and second arms.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to rotating members, and more specifically relates to magnetic rotating members and methods relating to same.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic rotating members, such as rotors, are coupled to a shaft. Outside magnetic fields act on the magnetic rotating member, causing the rotating member to rotate. The rotation of the rotating member causes the shaft to rotate. As such, the magnetic field is converted to kinetic energy by the rotating member, which can be used to drive any number of devices.

Alternatively, the shaft is rotated by another source which causes the rotating member to rotate. The rotation of the rotating member causes the magnetic field of the rotating member to vary. This variance can be used to exert magnetic force on ferromagnetic materials. Alternatively, the variance can be used to induce an electrical current in a coiled conductor.

Existing magnetic rotors have a generally disk or drum shape with magnets spaced about the circumference. The interacting magnetic object, such as the stator in instances of an electric motor, consists of one or more magnets spaced radially outward from the outer wall of the disk or drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rotating member is provided having a plurality of arms extending outward in a radial direction. The plurality of arms define recesses therebetween. The plurality of arms includes a first arm and a second arm defining a first recess therebetween.

Each arm has at least one magnet. The at least one magnet has a magnetic field extending into a recess adjacent to the arm. The first arm has a first magnet with a magnetic field extending into the first recess. The second arm has a second magnet with a magnetic field extending into the first recess. Accordingly, a magnetically sensitive object within the recess is acted upon by both magnetic fields.

In some embodiments, the rotating member has three arms spaced apart by 120 degrees. The first arm and second arm define a first recess therebetween. The first arm and third arm define a second recess therebetween. The first arm has a first magnet having a magnetic field extending into the first recess. The first arm has a second magnet with a magnetic field extending into the second recess.

In one embodiment, the first magnet is oriented such that a first pole of the first magnet faces the first recess. The second magnet is oriented such that the first pole of the second magnet faces the second recess.

Elements in the figures are illustrated schematically for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale or to include all features, options or attachments. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common, well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been expressly set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1Billustrate a rotating member110. The rotating member110has a central portion100. A central aperture101for receiving a main shaft extends through the central portion100. The aperture101is keyed such that the rotating member110is securable to the main shaft so as to restrict rotation of the rotating member110relative to the shaft. The rotating member110is configured to rotate with the main shaft about the axis of central aperture101.

The rotating member110includes a plurality of arms111extending radially outward. The shown embodiment includes a first arm111A, a second arm111B, and a third arm111C. The three arms111A-C are spaced from each other by approximately 120 degrees. It is understood that in alternative embodiments the rotating member110may include a different number of arms111, including more arms or fewer arms than the three-arm embodiment shown.

Between each pair of adjacent arms111is a recess112. A first recess112A is located between the first arm111A and the second arm111B. A second recess112B is located between the first arm111A and the third arm111C. A third recess112C is located between the second arm111B and the third arm111C.

Each arm has a first side118facing a first of the two adjacent recesses112and a second side119facing a second of the two adjacent recesses112. Each recess112is faced by a first side118of one arm111and a second side119of another arm111.

The arms111include magnets114. The magnets114are either permanent magnets or electromagnets. In some forms, the magnets114are a combination of the permanent magnets and electromagnets.

In some embodiments, each arm111includes a first magnet114on the first side118and a second magnet114on the second side119. The first magnet114has a magnetic field extending into a recess112on the first side118of the arm111. The second magnet114has a magnetic field extending into the recess112on the second side119of the arm111. Accordingly, an object located within the first recess112A is acted upon by the magnetic field of the magnet114on the first side118of the first arm111A and by the magnetic field of the magnet114on the second side119of the second arm111B.

In one form, the magnets114are oriented such that a pole of the magnets114faces outward from the arms111and towards the adjacent recess112. A first pole114A (seeFIG. 2) of the magnets114face outward into the recesses112.

Turning toFIG. 2, the rotating member110has three or more arms111spaced at an equal angular distance apart from each other. Adjacent arms111define a recess or cavity112therebetween. The arms111are at least partially covered on the surface parallel to the axis of the main shaft (not shown) of aperture101with magnets114mounted thereto. The magnets114extend along each arm and face inward towards the recesses112. In one embodiment each magnet114is oriented such that a first pole114A points outward from the rotating member110and a second pole114B points inward toward the aperture101of rotating member110.

In one embodiment, the arms111are formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as iron or steel. As such, the arms111act as a magnetic shield, shielding the inward facing pole of the magnets114.

Magnets122, such as piston mounted magnets, are movable relative to the rotating member110. The magnets122are movable between a first position less than L distance from the central aperture101to a second position greater than L distance from the central aperture101. The magnets122move between the first and second positions as the rotating member110rotates so as to move inward to extend into the recesses112and move outward so as to avoid contacting the arms111of rotating member110rotates.

In one embodiment, the magnets122are oriented such that the poles are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft extending through the aperture101. When an arm111is pointed directly at a magnet122, the poles of the magnet122are also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm111. Accordingly, when a magnet122is positioned within a recess112, the first pole122A faces a first arm111and the second pole122B faces a second arm. The first arm111is repelled by the magnet122and the second arm111is attracted to the magnet122, which causes the rotating member to rotate. As shown, the two magnets122are flipped relative to each other such that they both cause the rotating member110to rotate in the same direction (counter clockwise from the point of view ofFIG. 2).

Returning toFIGS. 1A-1B, the arms111have a generally rounded shape. The arms111are wider near the middle of their length and become narrower as they extend towards their tips and towards the center of the rotating member110. Accordingly, the arms111have a first width at a middle point along their length, a second width proximate the central portion100, and a third width distal from the central portion100. The first width is greater than the second width or the third width.

The arms111include a number of apertures107. The apertures107are circular holes extending through the arms111in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. The apertures107reduce the overall mass of the rotating member110, thus increasing the amount of acceleration achieved from a force.

In alternative embodiments, each arm111has a single magnet114. The magnet114has a first pole facing outward on the first side118and a second pole facing outward on the second side119. In one form, the magnets114are electromagnets. The polarity of the electromagnets114can be reversed by reversing the flow of electricity through the electromagnet114.

FIG. 3illustrates an alternative embodiment of a rotating member210and piston-mounted magnet222. The rotating member210has a plurality of arms211, such as three arms as with the rotating members110above. BecauseFIG. 3is a side view, only two arms211A,211B are visible. The arms211A,211B of the rotating member210are at least partially covered on surfaces parallel with the axis of rotation with magnets214. The magnets214are oriented such that the poles of the magnets point in opposite directions that are parallel to the axis of rotation.

Referring further toFIG. 3, the piston mounted magnets222are similarly oriented such that the poles of the magnet222point in directions generally parallel with the axis of rotation of the rotating member210. The magnet222has a first pole222A and a second pole222B. Similarly, the magnets214have first poles214A and second poles214B. Adjacent surfaces of the arms211A,211B have the magnets214flipped relative to each other, meaning that from the point of view of a recess212, the outward facing surfaces of the two arms211have magnets214in opposite orientations. Similarly, for each arm211, the two sides of the arm having magnets214in opposite orientation. As such, each first side of an arm211(such as the first sides118of the arms111above) has the magnets214in the first orientation, and each second side of an arm211(such as the second sides119of the arms111above) has magnets214in the second orientation.

As a reciprocating piston magnet222travels along one full path toward and away from aperture101with respect to each of the three arms, it passes by six surfaces (the two sides of each of the three arms211), which alternate between the two orientations. When the magnet222is in the recess212between the first and second arms211A,211B, the first poles214A on the first arm211A align with the first pole222A of the magnet222, and the first poles214A on the second arm211B align with second pole222B of the magnet222.

Accordingly, the magnets214of the first arm211A are repelled by the magnet222, and the magnets214of the second arm211B are attracted to the magnet222. This attraction and repulsion causes the rotating member to rotate.

The rotating member210and magnet222can be used in place of the rotating members110and magnets122in a motor (not shown). The operation of the rotating member210and piston222is unchanged from the description above regarding rotating members110, arms111A-C, and magnets122A-B. Alternating surfaces of the arms211of the rotating member210have the orientation of the magnets214flipped. For example, the back side of the arm211A (from the point of view ofFIG. 3) has magnets oriented the same as the shown surface of the arm211B. With reference toFIGS. 1A-1B, each first surface118has magnets in a first orientation, and each second surface119has magnets in the second, flipped orientation. This causes the rotating member210to continue to rotate as each arm passes the magnet222.

The above described embodiments have magnets mounted on all three arms of the rotating members. In one embodiment, each of these magnets is a permanent magnet. In alternative forms, one or more of the magnets is replaced with electromagnets. The flow of electricity through the arm mounted magnets114can be varied as the arms rotate in order to optimize the amount of net positive force. In one embodiment, each arm has a single electromagnet114. As the electromagnet114passes by a piston mounted magnet122, the flow of electricity is reversed causing the polarity of the electromagnet114to reverse. This causes the arm which was previously being attracted to the piston magnet122to then be repelled by the magnet122.

The rotating members110can be used in a number of applications. In one embodiment, the rotating members110are used in a magnet motor with piston mounted magnets. Exemplary magnet motors are shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/446,410 filed Jun. 19, 2019, with the inventor Michael Cummings. This reference is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The motor is used to power a number of devices, such as tools, vehicles, or generators. In alternative forms, the rotating member is used in a generator.

In addition, the description of devices described herein are understood to enable one to carry out methods relating to the devices. For example, methods of using the rotating member, methods of generating electricity, and methods of manufacturing the rotating members are all considered and disclosed herein.