Abstract:
An exemplary description provided for patent searches includes a linear electrodynamic system involving conversions between electrical power and mechanical motion uses unique magnet assemblies that move and unique stator assemblies and stator members shaped and oriented with respect to the moving magnet assemblies.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Description of the Related Art 
       [0001]    Linear electrodynamic systems including linear alternators and linear motors are used in conversions between electrical power and mechanical motion. Increases in conversion efficiencies and reductions in material usage and costs involved with production of these systems can be desirable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a magnet pair. 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a magnet assembly including a plurality of the magnet pairs of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an exemplary stator member. 
           [0005]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an exemplary stator assembly. 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an exemplary linear electrodynamic assembly including the magnet assembly of  FIG. 2 , the stator member of  FIG. 3 , and the stator assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  is an elevational end view of the linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional end view of the linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 5  showing illustrative magnetic flux lines. 
           [0009]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an exemplary slotted magnet assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 9  is an isometric cross-sectional view of an exemplary slotted mover having the slotted magnet assembly shown in  FIG. 8  and an exemplary support member. 
           [0011]      FIG. 10  is an isometric cross-sectional view of an exemplary linear electrodynamic system with the slotted mover of  FIG. 9  shown in a first end position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 11  is an isometric cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  with the slotted mover shown in a mid-position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 12  is an isometric cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  with the slotted mover shown in a second end position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 5  showing detail of the stator assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a first exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a first exemplary alternative stator assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a second exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a second exemplary alternative stator assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a third exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a third exemplary alternative stator assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a fourth exemplary alternative stator assembly and a first exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a fifth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a fifth exemplary alternative stator assembly and the first exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0020]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a sixth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a sixth exemplary alternative stator assembly and the first exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a seventh exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly showing detail of a seventh exemplary alternative stator assembly and the first exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional isometric view of a first exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic system including the seventh alternative linear electrodynamic assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 21A  is schematic end view of the first alternative linear electrodynamic system showing assembly detail. 
           [0024]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of second exemplary version of the linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 5  having a second exemplary non-recessed version of the magnet assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 23  is an end view of the second version of the linear electrodynamic assembly shown in  FIG. 22 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 24  is an isometric view of an eighth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly having an eighth exemplary alternative stator assembly and a second exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0027]      FIG. 25  is an end plan view of the eighth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly shown in  FIG. 24   
           [0028]      FIG. 26  is an isometric view of a second exemplary version of the eighth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 27  is an end plan view of the second version of the eighth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view of a ninth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly having a ninth exemplary alternative stator assembly and a third exemplary alternative stator member. 
           [0031]      FIG. 29  is an end view of the ninth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly shown in  FIG. 28 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 30  is an isometric view of a second exemplary version of the ninth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 31  is an end view of the second exemplary version of the ninth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 30 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 32  is an end view of a tenth exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly including the fourth alternative stator assembly shown in  FIG. 17 , the stator assembly shown in  FIG. 4 , and the magnet assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , and without a stator member. 
           [0035]      FIG. 33  is an isometric view of a fourth exemplary alternative magnet assembly. 
           [0036]      FIG. 34  is an isometric view of an eleventh exemplary alternative linear electrodynamic assembly including the fourth alternative magnet assembly of  FIG. 33  and a tenth exemplary alternative stator assembly. 
           [0037]      FIG. 35  is an elevational side from a first side position of the eleventh alternative linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 34  showing positioning of magnets. 
           [0038]      FIG. 36  is an elevational side from a second side position of the eleventh alternative linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 34  showing positioning of magnets. 
           [0039]      FIG. 37  is an end view of the eleventh alternative linear electrodynamic assembly of  FIG. 34  showing illustrative magnetic flux lines. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    As will be discussed in greater detail herein, an innovative linear electrodynamic system and method is disclosed to convert linear mechanical motion into an electrical current such as for a linear alternator for heat engines including Stirling cycle engines, or to convert electrical current into linear mechanical motion such as for a linear motor associated with mechanical cooling devices. The linear electrodynamic system uses magnets coupled to a moving shaft and positioned to move between stator components. By virtue of being positioned to move between stator elements, for each magnet of the linear electrodynamic system, magnetic flux lines pass from a stator component on a first side of the magnet to another stator component on a second side of the magnet. 
         [0041]    The linear electrodynamic system can use multiple exemplary magnet pairs  100  shown in  FIG. 1  having a first magnet  102  with a south pole surface  102   s  and a north pole surface  102   n  and having a second magnet  104  adjacent to the first magnet  102 . The second magnet  104  has a south pole surface  104   s  and a north pole surface  104   n  on opposite sides of the magnet pair  100  as are on the first magnet  102  so that the magnet pair has an alternating south pole and north pole arrangement on both sides of the magnet pair. The first magnet  102  can be a single magnet or a composite of smaller magnets or laminations of magnetic material and be composed of various conventionally known magnetic materials. The second magnet  104  can also be a single magnet or a composite. Both the first magnet  102  and the second magnet  104  have a width, W. 
         [0042]    Shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnet pair  100  is slightly curved such that the first magnet  102  has its south pole surface  102   s  and the second magnet  104  has its north pole surface  104   n  on the convex side of the magnet pair. Furthermore, the first magnet  102  has its north pole surface  102   n  and the second magnet  104  has its south pole surface  104   s  on the concave side of the magnet pair  100 . As will be seen with alternative exemplary implementations, the magnet pair  100  can be curved in other ways depending upon the particular implementation of the linear electrodynamic system. 
         [0043]    An exemplary magnet assembly  106 , shown in  FIG. 2 , has a holder portion  108  with a first illustrative edge  110 , a second illustrative edge  111 , an exterior surface  112 , and an interior surface  113 . The holder portion  108  typically is an integral part of a larger assembly as discussed below. Consequently, the first illustrative edge  110  and the second illustrative edge  111  may not be actual edges since the holder portion  108  may not be necessarily a separately distinct member as utilized. The magnet pairs  100  are positioned in the holder portion  108  such that the north pole surface  104   n  of the second magnet  104  is near the first illustrative edge  110  for every other one of the magnet pairs. For the other of the magnet pairs  100 , the north pole surface  104   n  of the second magnet  104  is near the second illustrative edge  111 . The north pole surface  104   n  of the second magnet  104  is positioned in the holder portion  108  to substantially coincide with the exterior surface  112  of the holder portion. Similarly, the south pole surface  104   s  of the second magnet  104  substantially coincides with the interior surface  113  of the holder portion. 
         [0044]    A stator member  114  is shown in  FIG. 3  to be substantially cylindrical with an outer surface  116  and an inner surface  118 . In this first depicted implementation, the stator member  114  is sized to concentrically receive therewithin in coaxial arrangement the magnet assembly  106  further discussed below. The stator member  114  has a width substantially equal to the width, W, of the first magnet  102  and the second magnet  104 . 
         [0045]    A stator assembly  120  is shown in  FIG. 4  as having a pole support  122  and stator poles  124  extending from the pole support. The stator poles  124  include a mid-portion  126  and an end portion  128 . The end portion  128  is shown to be flared with an expanded end surface  130 . A representative winding  132  is shown wound around the mid-portion  126  of one of the stator poles  124 , which is partially held in place by the flared end portion  128 . The end portions  128  of the stator poles  124  each have a width substantially equal to the width, W, of the first magnet  102  and the second magnet  104 . As further shown, the windings  132  are wound around the mid-portion  126  of each of the stator poles  124 . 
         [0046]    A linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  as having the stator assembly  120  concentrically positioned inside of the magnet assembly  106  in coaxial arrangement. In turn, the magnet assembly  106  is concentrically positioned inside of the stator member  114  in coaxial arrangement. In operation, the magnet assembly  106  reciprocates along a path of travel substantially parallel with a Z axis shown in  FIG. 5 . Consequently, for each of the stator poles  124 , one of the first magnets  102  and one of the second magnets  104  consecutively pass by both the end surface  130  of the stator pole and the inner surface  118  of the stator member  114  as the magnet assembly  106  axially reciprocates. 
         [0047]    Magnetic flux lines  135  are shown in  FIG. 7 , each completing a loop through adjacent ones of the stator poles  124 . In tracing one of the loops, each of the flux lines  135  emits from the south pole surface  102   s  of one of the first magnets  102  (for instance, positioned adjacent the stator pole  124  at the 6:00 position of  FIG. 7 ) into the stator member  114 . The flux line  135  then follows along inside of the stator member  114  to enter into the north pole surface  104   n  of one of the second magnets  104  (for instance, positioned adjacent the stator pole  124  between 3:00 and 6:00 positions of  FIG. 7 ). The flux line  135  then travels through the second magnet  104  and through the stator pole  124  adjacent the second magnet, on through the pole support  122 , on through the stator pole  124  adjacent the first magnet  102  in the loop, and on through the first magnet to complete the loop. 
         [0048]    A slotted magnet assembly  136  is shown in  FIG. 8  as having a slotted holder portion  137  containing the magnet pairs  100  as described above for the magnet assembly  106 . The slotted holder portion  137  has slots  138  that are used to allow for more compact linear electrodynamic system implementations. The slots  138  are sized to allow a full range of motion of the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104  to align each of them with the stator member  114  and the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  at different points of travel of the magnet assembly  106 . The slotted holder portion  137  is shown as part of a slotted mover  139  in  FIG. 9  in combination with a coupler portion  140 . The coupler portion  140  is used to secure the slotted mover  139  as described further below. 
         [0049]    In the implementation depicted above, the stator member  114  is configured for concentric positioning in juxtaposition with the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108  and the magnet pairs  100 , and the stator assembly  120  is configured for concentric positioning in juxtaposition with the inner surface  113  of the holder portion. In other implementations, the stator member  114  is configured for concentric positioning in juxtaposition with the inner surface  113  and the stator assembly  120  is configured for concentric positioning in juxtaposition with the outer surface  112 . 
         [0050]    For exemplary linear electrodynamic systems using the slotted mover  139 , a support member  142 , shown in  FIG. 9 , has an outer stator support portion  144  that can be used to support one of the stator member  114  or the stator assembly  120  configured to be concentrically juxtapositioned with the outer surface  112  of the slotted holder portion  137 . The support member  142  has an inner stator support portion  146  that can be used to support one of the stator member  114  or the stator assembly  120  configured to be concentrically juxtapositioned with the inner surface  113  of the slotted holder portion  137 . The support member  142  has coupler portions  148  to attach the inner stator support portion  146  to the outer stator support portion  144  with slots  149  that receive the slotted mover  139 . The slotted mover  139  is aligned with the support member  142  so that the slots  138  of the slotted mover receive the coupler portions  148  of the slotted mover therein during reciprocal motion of the slotted mover. 
         [0051]    An exemplary implementation of a linear electrodynamic system  150  is shown in  FIGS. 10-12  having the coupler portion  140  of the slotted mover  139  coupled to a shaft  152 .  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  show the slotted mover in three positions of its reciprocal movement: a first end position ( FIG. 10 ), a mid-position ( FIG. 11 ), and a second end position ( FIG. 12 ). The shaft  152  is further coupled to an inner flexure bearing  154  and an outer flexure bearing  156  to allow the shaft and the slotted mover  139  to reciprocate along the Z axis shown. The shaft  152  is further coupled to a mechanical system (not shown) to either extract work from the linear electrodynamic system  150  if the linear electrodynamic system is used as a motor or to supply work to the linear electrodynamic system when the linear electrodynamic system is used as an alternator. 
         [0052]    The inner flexure bearing  154  is affixed to a cylindrical support member  158 , which in turn is affixed to the end portions  128  of the stator poles  124  of the stator assembly  120  configured in this implementation to be concentrically juxtapositioned with the inner surface  113  of the slotted holder portion  137  of the slotted mover  139 . The end portions  128  of the stator poles  124  are also shown affixed to the inner stator support portion  146  of the support member  142 . The stator member  114  is configured in this implementation for concentric juxtapositioning with the outer surface  112  of the slotted holder portion  137  of the slotted mover  139 . The stator member  114  can be affixed to the outer stator support portion  144 . The linear electrodynamic system  150  further has a housing  160  that contains its components and can provide structural support. For instance, the housing  160  can be affixed to the support member  142  to be coupled to both the stator member  114  and the stator assembly  120 . Furthermore, the housing  160  can serve as a pressure vessel and extend to house a thermodynamic component such as a Stirling cycle engine or cooler coupled with the linear electrodynamic system  150  through the shaft  152 . Power lines  162  are shown being routed through the housing  160  to the windings  132  on the stator poles  124 . 
         [0053]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is depicted in  FIG. 13  to show detail regarding shape of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is integral with the end portion  128 , which is flared. The stator pole  124  also is shown as being integral with the pole support  122 . 
         [0054]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a first exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a first exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  is depicted in  FIG. 14  to show detail regarding shape of a first exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively wide and has a central opening such that the end portion  128  is not flared. The stator pole  124  of this first alternative is shown as being integral with the pole support  122 . 
         [0055]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a second exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a second exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  is depicted in  FIG. 15  to show detail regarding shape of a second exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is shown as a separate piece from the flared end portion  128 . As assembled, the mid-portion  126  and the end portion  128  can either be glued, press fit, or coupled together in other ways. The stator pole  124  of this second alternative is shown as being integral with the pole support  122 . 
         [0056]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a third exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a third exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  is depicted in  FIG. 16  to show detail regarding shape of a third exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is shown as a separate piece from, and is inserted into, the flared end portion  128 . In assembly the mid-portion  126  and the end portion  128  can either be glued, press fit, or coupled together in other ways. The stator pole  124  of this third alternative is shown as being integral with the pole support  122 . 
         [0057]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a fourth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and a first exemplary alternative of the stator member  114  is depicted in  FIG. 17  including detail regarding shape of a fourth exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is integral with the flared end portion  128  and the pole support  122 . The stator assembly  120  is configured to position the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  to be external to the housing  160 . The housing  160  is juxtapositioned between the stator assembly  120  and the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . In this implementation, since the stator poles  124  are external to the housing  160 , assembly and maintenance issues may be lessened. The stator member  114  is positioned to be adjacent the inner surface  113  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . 
         [0058]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a fifth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a fifth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and the first exemplary alternative of the stator member  114  is depicted in  FIG. 18  including detail regarding shape of a fifth exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively wide with a central opening and is integral with the non-flared end portion  128  and the pole support  122 . The stator assembly  120  is configured to position the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  adjacent the housing  160  and facing the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . The stator member  114  is positioned to be adjacent the inner surface  113  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . 
         [0059]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a sixth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a sixth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and the first exemplary alternative of the stator member  114  is depicted in  FIG. 19  including detail regarding shape of a sixth exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is integral with the flared end portion  128 , but is shown as a separate piece from the pole support  122 . As assembled, the mid-portion  126  could be glued, press fit, or otherwise coupled together with the pole support  122 . The stator assembly  120  is configured to position the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  adjacent the housing  160  and facing the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . The stator member  114  is positioned to be adjacent the inner surface  113  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . 
         [0060]    A fragmentary cross-sectional view of a seventh exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  having a seventh exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and the first exemplary alternative of the stator member  114  is depicted in  FIG. 20  including detail regarding shape of a seventh exemplary alternative of the stator pole  124  and how it is joined to the pole support  122 . In this case the mid-portion  126  of the stator pole  124  is relatively narrow and is integral with the flared end portion  128 , but is shown as a separate piece from the pole support  122 . As assembled, the mid-portion  126  uses a key and keyway with the pole support  122  as shown in  FIG. 20 . The stator assembly  120  is configured to position the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  adjacent the housing  160  and facing the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . The stator member  114  is positioned to be adjacent the inner surface  113  of the holder portion  108  of the magnet assembly  106 . 
         [0061]    An isometric view of an exemplary alternative implementation of the linear electrodynamic system  150  using the seventh exemplary alternative of the electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIG. 21 . Since this implementation uses the magnet assembly  106 , which is not slotted, the housing  160  is used to tie the outer stator support portion  144  to the inner stator support portion  146 . The stator member  116  is shown in  FIG. 21A  in two sections, which are press fit together during assembly. 
         [0062]    A second exemplary version of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  as having a second exemplary version of the magnet assembly  106  in which the first magnet  102  and the second magnet  104  are affixed to the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108 . The stator member  114  is so sized to accommodate for additional dimensional thickness of the magnet assembly  106  caused by this positioning of the first magnet  102  and the second magnet  104 . In other implementations the magnet pairs  100  can be affixed to the inner surface  113  of the holder portion  108 . 
         [0063]    An eighth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25  with an eighth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and a second exemplary alternative of the stator member  114 . In this implementation the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  are concave. Portions of the inner surface  118  of the stator member  114  are convex that are adjacent the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104 . To accommodate this shaping of the stator poles  124  and the stator member  114 , the first magnets  102 , the second magnets  104 , and portions of the holder portion  108  have convex surfaces adjacent the stator poles and concave surfaces adjacent the stator member. The size of the radii of curvature of these surfaces are varied for different implementations. 
         [0064]    A second exemplary version of the eighth linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27  in which the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104  are affixed to the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108 . 
         [0065]    A ninth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29  with a ninth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  and a third exemplary alternative of the stator member  114 . Here the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124  are convex. Portions of the inner surface  118  of the stator member  114  are concave that are adjacent the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104 . To accommodate this shaping of the stator poles  124  and the stator member  114 , the first magnets  102 , the second magnets  104 , and portions of the holder portion  108  have concave surfaces adjacent the stator poles and convex surfaces adjacent the stator member. The concave surfaces have radii of curvature that are smaller than those of the holder portion  108  and the magnet pairs  100  in the first implementation shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0066]    A second exemplary version of the ninth alternative linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIGS. 30 and 31  in which the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104  are affixed to the outer surface  112  of the holder portion  108 . 
         [0067]    A tenth exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIG. 32  as using the magnet assembly  106  shown in  FIG. 2  and the stator assembly  120  shown in  FIG. 4 . Furthermore, the fourth alternative stator assembly of  FIG. 17  is used instead of using the stator member  114 . Other implementations may use other alternatives of the stator assembly  120  and the magnet assembly  106 . 
         [0068]    A fourth exemplary alternative of the magnet assembly  106  is shown in  FIG. 33  as having the magnet pairs  100  affixed directly to the shaft  152 . The magnet pairs  100  are arranged on the shaft  152  in an X pattern since there are four of the magnet pairs  100  used with each adjacent two of the magnet pairs forming a V pattern. In other implementations other numbers of the magnet pairs  100  are used for other patterns. 
         [0069]    An eleventh exemplary alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134  is shown in  FIG. 34  has having the fourth alternative magnet assembly  106  with a tenth exemplary alternative of the stator assembly  120  with the stator poles  124  each having two of the end surfaces  130  opposingly angled in a shape to be positioned within the V pattern of two of the magnet pairs  100 . In this eleventh alternative of the linear electrodynamic assembly  134 , each side of the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104  are near one of the end surfaces  130  of the stator poles  124 . Consequently, the stator member  114  is not used.  FIGS. 35 and 36  further show how the first magnets  102  and the second magnets  104  are arranged on the shaft  152 . Flux lines are shown in  FIG. 37  to loop through a first of the magnet pairs  100 , through a first one of the stator poles  124 , through a portion of the pole support  122  to a second one of the stator poles adjacent the first stator pole, through the second one of the stator poles back to the first of the magnet pair. 
         [0070]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, particular four and eight pole exemplary implementations were depicted herein, however, other even numbers of poles could also be used in other implementations. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.