Abstract:
A wheeled vehicle is disclosed where that vehicle includes at least one disk, i.e. wheel, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed around that wheel. The vehicle further includes a frame, where the wheel is rotatably connected to that frame. The vehicle further includes a source of electric power, and one or more electromagnet assemblies, each assembly comprising a first electromagnetic pole and a second electromagnet pole, where the first electromagnet pole and the second electromagnet pole are separated by a gap, and where one or more electromagnet assemblies are disposed on the frame such that each of the plurality of permanent magnets sequentially passes through the gaps in each assembly as the wheel rotates. The vehicle further includes a control unit capable of receiving power from the power source and selectively providing power to the one or more electromagnet assemblies.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a wheeled vehicle which includes an electromagnet propulsion system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Prior art vehicles using some sort of electric propulsion, such as for example electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, generally utilize electricity provided by batteries and/or generators to power electric motors. The output that electric motor is coupled to a drive shaft output to propel the vehicle forward.  
         [0003]     Such prior art devices necessarily require complex motor mounting and output shaft coupling to the drive wheel which takes up precious space, increases weight and loses mechanical efficiency.  
         [0004]     In addition, operation of the vehicle, particularly for long distances, demands large amounts of power which then requires large and multiple batteries. Such battery arrays increase the weight, i.e. the load, of the vehicle, which in and of itself greatly increases the consumption of electric power.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Applicant&#39;s invention includes a wheeled vehicle. That wheeled vehicle comprises at least one disk, i.e. a wheel, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on that wheel. The vehicle further includes a frame, where the wheel is rotatably connected to that frame. The vehicle further includes a source of electric power, and one or more electromagnet assemblies, each such assembly comprising a first electromagnetic pole and a second electromagnet pole separated by a gap. The electromagnet assemblies are disposed on the frame such that each of the plurality of permanent magnets sequentially pass through the gap in each of the one or more electromagnet assemblies as the wheel rotates. Applicant&#39;s vehicle further includes a control unit capable of receiving power from the power source and selectively providing power to the one or more electromagnet assemblies. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of Applicant&#39;s wheeled vehicle which includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on one wheel, an electromagnet assembly disposed on the frame, a battery disposed on the frame, and a control unit disposed on the frame;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of one of the wheels of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  in combination with a Hall sensor and an electromagnet assembly;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a wheel assembly which includes two permanent magnets symmetrically disposed adjacent the periphery of that wheel;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of Applicant&#39;s electromagnet assembly;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a permanent magnet disposed on a wheel disposed within a gap in the electromagnet assembly of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  shows the electromagnet assembly of  FIG. 4  further comprising a pair of flux guides;  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of Applicant&#39;s control unit;  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing the orientations of two permanent magnets disposed on a wheel and the electromagnet assembly attached to the frame and a Hall sensor disposed in Applicant&#39;s control unit; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing use of (N) permanent magnets and (N−1) electromagnet assemblies, wherein (N) is  4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     Referring to the illustrations, like numerals correspond to like parts depicted in the Figures. The invention will be described as embodied in bicycle having one wheel which includes two permanent magnets symmetrically disposed adjacent the periphery that wheel. The following description of Applicant&#39;s apparatus and method is not meant, however, to limit Applicant&#39;s invention to a single wheel on a wheeled vehicle, or to bicycles, as the apparatus and method described and claimed can provide a propulsion system for any wheeled vehicle.  
         [0017]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , Applicant&#39;s bicycle  100  includes frame  105 , first rotatable disk  110 , i.e. the rear wheel assembly, second rotatable disk  115 , i.e. the front wheel assembly, a plurality of permanent magnets  120  disposed on rotatable disk  110 , electromagnet  130  disposed on frame  105  such that as disk  110  rotates each of the plurality of magnets sequentially passes adjacent to, or through, electromagnet  130 , and control unit  140  disposed on frame  105  such that as disk  110  rotates each of the plurality of magnets  120  passes adjacent control unit  140 . Applicant&#39;s plurality of permanent magnets comprise (N) permanent magnets disposed with equal spacing around the periphery of a rotatable disk with the same magnetic polarity to one side of the disk, wherein (N) is an integer greater than 1, such as for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and the like.  
         [0018]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , plurality of magnets  120 , electromagnet  130 , and control unit  140 , are disposed on disk  110  but not on disk  115 . In other embodiments, a separate plurality of magnets  120 , electromagnet  130 , and control unit  140 , are disposed on disk  115  as well as on disk  110 . In these embodiments, the plurality of magnets  120 , the electromagnet  130 , and the control unit  140 , are disposed on disk  115  in the same manner as those elements are disposed on disk  110 .  
         [0019]     In certain embodiments, battery  150  provides 12 volt DC current. In other embodiments, battery  150  provides 24 volt DC current. In other embodiments, battery  150  provides 36 volt DC current. In certain embodiments, battery  150  comprises a rechargeable battery.  
         [0020]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , battery  150  comprises a single cell. In other embodiments, battery  150  comprises an array of interconnected batteries. In certain embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus  100  includes one or more interconnected batteries where that battery array provides power to electromagnet  130 .  
         [0021]     In other embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus  100  includes one or more interconnected batteries that provide power to electromagnet  130  in combination with one or more batteries that do not provide power to electromagnet  130 . Therefore in these embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus includes one or more active batteries and one or more reserve batteries. In these reserve battery embodiments, in the event one or more of the active batteries fails, those one or more failed batteries can be replaced by one or more reserve batteries.  
         [0022]     Applicant&#39;s electromagnet propulsion system may be used with any kind of wheeled vehicle. The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows bicycle  100 . In certain embodiments, bicycle  100  comprises what is sometimes referred to as a “road” bicycle engineered for use on paved roads. In certain embodiments, bicycle  100  comprises what is sometimes referred to as a “mountain” bicycle engineered for use on non-paved paths. In certain embodiments, bicycle  100  comprises what is sometimes referred to as a “tandem” bicycle engineered for use by two riders.  
         [0023]     In other embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus comprises a unicycle. In yet other embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus comprises a tricycle. In these tricycle embodiments, one, two, or three wheels may each include a plurality of magnets  120 . Where Applicant&#39;s tricycle includes one magnet-equipped wheel, then the frame of that tricycle includes a one electromagnet  130  and one control unit  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below. Where Applicant&#39;s tricycle includes two magnet-equipped wheels, then the frame of that tricycle includes two electromagnets  130  and two sensors  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below. Where Applicant&#39;s tricycle includes three magnet-equipped wheels, then the frame of that tricycle includes three electromagnets  130  and three sensors  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below.  
         [0024]     In yet other embodiments, Applicant&#39;s apparatus comprises a quadricycle. In these quadricycle embodiments, one, two, three, or four wheels may each include a plurality of magnets  120 . Where Applicant&#39;s quadricycle includes one magnet-equipped wheel, then the frame of that tricycle includes a one electromagnet  130  and one control unit  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below. Where Applicant&#39;s quadricycle includes two magnet-equipped wheels, then the frame of that tricycle includes two electromagnets  130  and two sensors  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below. Where Applicant&#39;s quadricycle includes three magnet-equipped wheels, then the frame of that tricycle includes three electromagnets  130  and three sensors  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below. Where Applicant&#39;s quadricycle includes four magnet-equipped wheels, then the frame of that tricycle includes four electromagnets  130  and four sensors  140  disposed on the frame in the manner described below.  
         [0025]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , (N), that is the number of permanent magnets used, is 2. Referring to  FIG. 2 , axial  230  passes through an aperture disposed at the center point of disk  110  and rides on an axial bearing  145 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , permanent magnets  210  and  220  are symmetrically disposed on disk  110  adjacent its periphery  330 . The distal sides  305  of magnets  210  and  220  are disposed a distance  340  from periphery  330  of disk  110 . In certain embodiments, distance  340  is between 0 centimeters and about 15 centimeters in length.  
         [0026]     Permanent magnets  210  and  220  each comprise a first magnetic pole  310  having a first magnetic polarity and a second magnetic pole  320  having a second magnetic polarity. In certain embodiments, the first magnetic polarity is sometimes referred to as the north or “N” polarity. In certain embodiments, the second magnetic polarity is sometimes referred to as the south or “S” polarity.  
         [0027]     Disk  110  includes a first side  302  and a second side  304 . Magnets  210  and  220  are disposed on disk  110  such that the first pole  310  of each of those magnets extends outwardly from the first side  302  of disk  110 , and such that the second pole  320  of each of those magnets extends outwardly from the second side  304  of disk  110   
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , electromagnet assembly  130  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ) includes first coil  410  and second coil  430 . First coil  410  includes first electromagnetic pole  420 . Second coil  430  includes second electromagnetic pole  440 . A gap  450  separates first electromagnetic pole  420  and second electromagnetic pole  440 . In certain embodiments, gap  450  is between about 1 centimeter and about 10 centimeter in length.  
         [0029]     Electromagnet assembly  130  is formed such that electromagnet pole  420  has no magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is not energized, and such that electromagnet pole  420  has a first magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is energized. Similarly, electromagnet assembly  130  is formed such that electromagnet pole  440  has no magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is not energized, and such that electromagnet pole  440  has a second magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is energized.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows the distal portion of disk  110  in combination with electromagnet assembly  130 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , disk  110  is positioned such that permanent magnet  210  is located within gap  450  ( FIG. 4 ). Further in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , magnetic pole  310  of magnet  210  is disposed a distance  550  from distal end  425  of electromagnet pole  420 . In certain embodiments, distance  550  is between about 1 millimeter and about 10 millimeters. Further in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , magnetic pole  320  of magnet  210  is disposed a distance  560  from distal end  445  of electromagnet pole  430 . In certain embodiments, distance  560  is between about 1 millimeter and about 10 millimeters. In certain embodiments, distance  450  substantially equals distance  460 . By “substantially equals,” Applicant means within about plus or minus ten percent (10%). In other embodiments, distance  450  differs from distance  460 .  
         [0031]     Electromagnet pole  420  has no magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is not energized. Permanent magnet  210  is disposed on disk  110  such that permanent magnet pole  310  comprises the first magnetic polarity. Electromagnet pole  440  has no magnetic polarity when electromagnet assembly  130  is not energized. Permanent magnet  210  is disposed on disk  110  such that permanent magnet pole  320  comprises the second magnetic polarity.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in certain embodiments Applicant&#39;s electromagnet assembly  130  further includes flux guide  610  and/or flux guide  620 . Flux guide  610  comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as without limitation iron or steel. Portion  612  of flux guide  610  is attached, physically and magnetically, to distal end  425  of electromagnet pole  420  such that flux guide  610  comprises the same magnetic polarity as does electromagnet pole  420 . Portion  614  of flux guide  610  is offset from portion  612  by angle φ 1 . In certain embodiments, offset angle φ 1  is between 0 degrees and about 30 degrees. In certain embodiments, offset angle φ 1  is about 5 degrees.  
         [0033]     Flux guide  620  comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as without limitation iron or steel. Portion  622  of flux guide  620  is attached, physically and magnetically, to distal end  445  of electromagnet pole  440  such that flux guide  620  comprises the same magnetic polarity as does electromagnet pole  440 . Portion  624  of flux guide  620  is offset from portion  622  by angle φ 2 . In certain embodiments, offset angle φ 2  is between 0 degrees and about 30 degrees. In certain embodiments, offset angle φ 2  is about 5 degrees. In certain embodiments, offset angle φ 2  substantially equals offset angle φ 2 . In other embodiments, offset angle φ 1  differs from offset angle φ 2 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , flux guide portion  614  and flux guide portion  624  are formed and disposed in electromagnet assembly such that the gap between portions  614  and  624  decreases from the distal ends of portions  612 / 614  to the proximal ends of portions  612  and  614 . As disk  110  rotates and permanent magnet  210  approaches electromagnet assembly  130 , magnet  210  is first disposed between portions  614  and  624  having a gap  710 . As disk  110  continues to rotate, permanent magnet  210  moves within offset portions  614  and  624  having continuously decreasing gaps  720 ,  730 ,  740 ,  750 , and  760 .  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , control unit  140  includes switch  810 , hall sensor  820 , and control chip  830 . In certain embodiments, control chip  830  comprises a FET. Hall sensor  820  is disposed on frame  105  such that when permanent magnet  210  is disposed within gap  450  of electromagnet assembly  130 , permanent magnet  220  is disposed adjacent hall sensor  820 .  
         [0036]     As disk  110  rotates, i.e. as Applicant&#39;s wheeled vehicle  100  moves forward, a permanent magnet, such as permanent magnet  210 , approaches the magnetic flux guides, such as flux guides  610  and  620 . The magnetic polarity of the flux guides when electromagnet assembly  130  is not energized attracts the approaching permanent magnet. Because the gap between the flux guides and the permanent magnets decreases as the permanent magnet moves into electromagnet assembly  130 , i.e. moves toward portions  612  and  624  of the flux guides, the increasing magnet attraction between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet pulls disk  110  forward.  
         [0037]     When permanent magnet pole  210  and electromagnet poles  420  and  440  align, permanent magnet  220  is adjacent hall sensor  820 . Hall sensor  820  then becomes active and signals control chip  830 . Control chip  830  then energizes electromagnet assembly  130  such that electromagnet pole  420  and permanent magnet pole  310  have the same magnetic polarity and such that electromagnet pole  440  and permanent magnet pole  320  have the same magnetic polarity. Thus when electromagnet assembly  130  is energized, electromagnet pole  420  and permanent magnet pole  310  repel each other and electromagnet pole  440  and permanent magnet pole  320  repel each other. This combined magnetic repulsion pushes rotating disk  110  forward.  
         [0038]     Then as permanent magnet  220  moves away from hall sensor  820 , that hall sensor becomes inactive causing the circuit controller  830  to deactivate electromagnet assembly  130  thereby stopping the consumption of electrical energy. The moment of inertia will continue rotating disc  110  such that permanent magnet  220  approaches the flux guides. The cycle of energizing and de-energizing electromagnet assembly  130  is repeated and the disc rotates continuously. Applicant&#39;s energy efficient propelling invention can be mounted on any simple or complex structure to propel bicycles, vehicles or generators.  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , in certain embodiments Applicant&#39;s wheeled vehicle utilizes (N) permanent magnets disposed with equal spacing around the periphery of a wheel, in combination with (N−1) electromagnet assemblies  130  and one control unit  140  disposed on frame  105 .  
         [0040]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10 , (N) is four. The (N−1) electromagnet assemblies  130 ( a ),  130 ( b ), and  130 ( c ), and the control unit  140 , are disposed on frame  105  such, as wheel  1010 , rotates, as a first permanent magnet, such as permanent magnet  1020 , moves into a gap  450  ( FIG. 4 ) of one of the (N−1) electromagnet assemblies, such as electromagnet assembly  130 ( a ), then a second permanent magnet, such as permanent magnet  1050  is aligned with control unit  140 , and each of the remaining (N−2) permanent magnets, such as magnets  1030  and  1040 , moves into a gap  450  of a different one of the electromagnet assemblies, such as electromagnet assemblies  130 ( b ) and  130 ( c ), respectively.  
         [0041]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10 , as permanent magnets  1020 ,  1030 , and  1040 , approach electromagnet assemblies  130 ( a ),  130 ( b ), and  130 ( c ), respectively, magnets  1020 ,  1030 , and  1040 , are magnetically attracted to assemblies  130 ( a ),  130 ( b ), and  130 ( c ), respectively, and the combined magnet attraction pulls wheel  1010  forward.  
         [0042]     As wheel  1010  moves into the orientation shown in  FIG. 10 , control unit  140  energizes electromagnet assemblies  130 ( a ),  130 ( b ), and  130 ( c ), and those energized electromagnet assemblies repel permanent magnets  1020 ,  1030 , and  1040 , respectively. The magnetic repulsion pushes wheel  1010  forward.  
         [0043]     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.