Abstract:
A rotational kinetic energy conversion system includes a magnetic piston with an associated winding and an actuating magnet. Relative motion between the actuating magnet and the magnetic piston causes the magnetic piston to induce a current and voltage in the winding creating electrical energy. The amount of electrical energy induced in the winding is varied by adjusting a spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. The spacing may be based on a relative speed between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. Maximum energy output may be increased by including additional sets of magnetic pistons and actuating magnets. The spacing between each individual set of magnetic pistons and actuating magnets may be changed to control the energy output.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/768,834 filed Feb. 25, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/154,971, filed Jun. 7, 2011, entitled “ROTATIONAL KINETIC ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/352,120, filed Jun. 7, 2010, entitled “ROTATIONAL KINETIC ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This application is also related to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/171,641, filed Apr. 22, 2009, entitled “Kinetic Energy Conversion Device”, and to Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Serial Number PCT/US 10132037, filed Apr. 22, 2010, entitled “Energy Conversion Device”. All disclosures in these prior applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is related generally to energy conversion systems capable of inputting either mechanical energy and/or electrical energy and outputting electrical and/or mechanical energy. In particular, the energy conversion system is adapted for converting one form of input energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy, into an output energy selected from a mechanical energy and electrical energy, using an orbiting magnetic component and a reciprocating magnetic component, where the mechanical energy of the orbiting magnetic component is associated with a moving fluid. 
     SUMMARY 
     A rotational kinetic energy conversion system for converting between kinetic energy and electric energy is provided, wherein an orbiting magnetic component interacts cyclically with a reciprocating magnetic component, such as a magnetic piston, to transfer energy there between. 
     An exemplary system comprises a magnetic piston reciprocable along a first axis, such as a first longitudinal axis, relative to a longitudinal frame, and an actuating magnet orbitable about a second longitudinal axis, to cyclically move towards and away from the magnetic piston. In particular, the magnetic piston may be associated with a fixed longitudinal frame defining the first longitudinal axis and the actuating magnet may be associated with a rotating frame defining and rotating about the second longitudinal axis. The interaction of the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet may be used to translate between reciprocating kinetic energy associated with the motion of the piston and rotational kinetic energy associated with the movement of the rotating frame and the actuating magnet. 
     The actuating magnet may be mounted to a rotor rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The rotor may be moved axially relative the second longitudinal axis to selectively vary a spacing distance between the actuating magnet and the magnetic piston for varying an electrical output. 
     An energy conversion system includes a magnetic piston displaceable along a first path and a winding disposed about the first path. The system further includes an actuating magnet cyclically interacting with the magnetic piston based on relative motion of the actuating magnet with respect to the magnetic piston such that the actuating magnet exerts a force on the magnetic piston to oscillate the magnetic piston along the first path to induce an electrical current and voltage in the winding, thereby creating an amount of electrical energy. The system further includes a control element configured to change a spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet to vary the force, thereby changing the amount of electrical energy. The spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet may be a nearest distance between a centerline of the magnetic piston and a centerline of the actuating magnet during relative motion of the actuating magnet with respect to the magnetic piston. The system may further include a rotatable frame that rotates about an axis, wherein the actuating magnet is attached to the rotatable frame and moves in an orbital path about the axis such that the actuating magnet moves relative to the magnetic piston. The control element may move one of the actuating magnet and the rotatable frame axially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. The control element may move one of the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet radially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. The control element may move the magnetic piston axially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. The system may further include a rotatable frame that rotates about an axis, wherein the magnetic piston is attached to the rotatable frame and moves in an orbital path about the axis such that the magnetic piston moves relative to the actuating magnet. The control element may move the magnetic piston radially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet. The control element may change the spacing between the magnetic piston and the actuating magnet based on a relative speed of the actuating magnet with respect to the magnetic piston. The spacing may be increased as the relative speed decreases when the relative speed is less than a predetermined value. 
     A rotational kinetic energy conversion system includes a linear energy conversion device, a rotatable frame that rotates about an axis, and an actuating magnet attached to the rotatable frame. The actuating magnet rotates in an orbital path to cyclically interact with the linear energy conversion device to cause the linear energy conversion device to create electrical energy. The system further includes a control element to move one of the rotatable frame, the actuating magnet, and the linear energy conversion device to change a spacing between the orbital path and the linear energy conversion device to change an amount of electrical energy created. The linear energy conversion device may include a magnetic piston displaceable along a first path and a winding disposed about the first path. The control element may move one or more of the rotatable frame and the actuating magnet axially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the orbital path and the linear energy conversion device. The control element may move the linear energy conversion device axially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the orbital path and the linear energy conversion device. The control element may move one of the linear energy conversion device and the actuating magnet radially with respect to the axis to change the spacing between the orbital path and the linear energy conversion device. The control element may change the spacing between the orbital path and the linear energy conversion device based on a rotational speed of the actuating magnet. The rotatable frame may further include a plurality of fluid resisting devices such that the rotatable frame is driven to rotate about the axis by motion of a fluid. 
     A method of converting rotational energy into electrical energy includes driving an actuating magnet to move in an orbital path relative to a magnetic piston to cyclically exert a force on the magnetic piston, thereby inducing an electrical current in a winding disposed about a path of the magnetic piston to create electrical energy. The method further includes changing a spacing between the orbital path and the magnetic piston to adjust an amount of electrical energy. The spacing may be increased as a relative speed between the actuating magnet and the magnetic piston decreases. The spacing may be changed by moving one of the actuating magnet and the magnetic piston. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some configurations of the energy conversion device will now be described, by way of example only and without disclaimer of other configurations, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an exemplary rotational kinetic energy conversion system; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of a rotational kinetic energy conversion system taken along section line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional end view of a linear kinetic energy conversion device taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the linear kinetic energy conversion device of  FIGS. 3 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of an the linear kinetic energy conversion device that may be employed with the rotational kinetic energy conversion device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the rotational kinetic energy conversion with an actuating magnet positioned at a distance removed from the linear kinetic energy conversion device; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of an alternately configured rotational energy conversion device employing separate linear kinetic energy conversion devices and associated actuating magnets; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view of the alternately configured rotational energy conversion device of  FIG. 7 , with the actuating magnets positioned at a distance removed from their respective linear kinetic energy conversion device; 
         FIG. 9  is a is a partial sectional view of another alternately configured rotational energy conversion device employing separate linear kinetic energy conversion devices and independently positionable actuating magnets; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial sectional view of the alternately configured rotational energy conversion device of  FIG. 9 , with one of the actuating magnets positioned at a distance removed from its respective linear kinetic energy conversion device; 
         FIG. 11  is another alternative rotational kinetic energy conversion system including a vane style fan and multiple linear kinetic energy conversion devices and employing a variable output control mechanism; 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of yet another alternative rotational kinetic energy conversion system employing a variable output control mechanism; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial sectional view of the rotational kinetic energy conversion with a linear kinetic energy conversion device positionable in a radial direction relative to a shaft and positioned at a distance removed from the actuating magnet; and 
         FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view of the rotational kinetic energy conversion with a linear kinetic energy conversion device positionable in an axial direction relative to a shaft and positioned at a distance removed from the actuating magnet. 
         FIG. 15  depicts an example of a rotational kinetic energy conversion system with actuating magnets that move in a radial direction relative to a shaft axis in a rest position. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a rotational an example of a rotational kinetic energy conversion system with actuating magnets that move in a radial direction relative to a shaft axis during rotation of the shaft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings, exemplary energy conversion devices with variable output are illustrated. Although the drawings represent alternative configurations of energy conversion devices, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to provide a better illustration and explanation of a configuration. The configurations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to otherwise limit the device to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  schematically illustrating an exemplary rotational kinetic energy conversion system  10  capable of variable output. The rotational kinetic energy conversion system  10  includes an exemplary linear kinetic energy conversion device  100  and an exemplary rotational kinetic energy conversion device  200 . Although illustrated as including a single energy conversion device  100 , energy conversion system  10  may employ multiple energy conversion devices  100 , as may be required by the performance and design requirements of a particular application. The linear kinetic energy conversion device  100  may further include a fixed frame  104 , defining a first longitudinal axis  108  (see  FIG. 1 ). A complex magnetic piston  110  is constrained by mechanical and/or magnetic means, to be reciprocable along first longitudinal axis  108  about a neutral center position in which it is illustrated. Fixed frame  104  may include a housing  112  surrounding the piston  110 , as well as axial end magnets  114  and/or radial side magnets capable of interacting with the piston  110  to position the piston  110  within the housing  112 . Fixed frame  104  may be provided with a coil or toroidal winding  120  capable of interacting with complex magnetic piston  110  to generate an electrical current in the winding in response to oscillation of the magnetic piston along first longitudinal axis  108 . 
     Rotational kinetic energy conversion device  200  has a rotatable frame  204  mounted, for example to a shaft  202  defining a second longitudinal axis  208  (see  FIG. 2 ) about which rotatable frame- 204  is constrained to rotate. The rotatable frame  204  may be powered, for example, by hydro, wind or solar energy, or any other kinetic energy source. Hydro power may be harnessed by using river current or the wave action of lakes and oceans. Wind power may be harnessed, for example, by using propellers or blades, or cups, such as illustrated variously in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The rotatable frame  204  may include one or more generally cylindrically shaped rotors  206 , which may be located adjacent the linear kinetic energy conversion device  100 . One or more actuating magnets  210  are fixed to portions of the rotor  206  remote from the second longitudinal axis  208 , and define a circular orbital path about longitudinal axis  208  generally coinciding with an inner circumference of rotor  206  when the rotatable frame  204  is rotated about longitudinal axis  208 . Rotor  206  is movable axially relative to longitudinal axis  208  for selectively controlling the spacing between actuating magnet  210  and piston  110  (see  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  10 ), which effects the rate of movement of piston  110  within housing  112  and thus the energy output of energy conversion device  10 . 
     Although illustrated as including a single actuating magnet  210 , additional actuating magnets may be provided at different angular positions about the second longitudinal axis to also selectively interact with the piston  110 . The multiple actuating magnets may be arranged within a common plane and generally equally spaced along rotor  206 . Employing multiple uniformly spaced actuating magnets  210  provides a balanced force on the piston  110  and may reduce undesirable vibration of rotor  206 . It will be appreciated that the components may be scaled dimensionally and in magnetic strength and weight so as to provide a smooth reciprocation or oscillation of the piston  110  for the expected range of rotational speeds of the rotatable frame  204 . The oscillation frequency of the piston  110  may be the same or greater than the rotational frequency of the magnet  210 . 
     Rotatable frame  204  may be rotated by a moving fluid, such as air or water, by the use of vanes, or similar devices, so as to capture the kinetic energy of the moving fluid. It will further be appreciated that the fixed frame  104  may be fixed in position relative to the second longitudinal axis  208  and the rotatable frame  204  by any convenient means. The support structure for devices  100  and  200  has been omitted from  FIGS. 1 and 2  to provide clearer visibility of the components of these devices. 
     In use, as the rotatable frame  204  rotates, the actuating magnets  210  orbit the second longitudinal axis  208  into and out of the range of the complex magnetic piston  110  to cyclically interact with the complex magnetic piston and cause the oscillation of the piston  110  relative to the fixed frame  104 . This oscillation of the piston  110  generates a current in the toroidal winding  120 , thereby permitting the rotational kinetic energy conversion system  10  to convert the kinetic energy of a moving fluid to rotational kinetic energy of the rotatable frame  204 , then into linear kinetic energy of the piston  110 , and finally into electrical power in the form of electric current through the toroidal winding  120 . 
     The complex magnet piston  110  may be manufactured or selected so as to have an axial magnetic component and/or a radial magnetic component. The axial magnetic component may interact with axial end magnets  114  to limit the movement of the piston  110  and to accelerate the piston  110  to return to the neutral central position in the fixed frame  104 , while the radial magnetic component may interact with the toroidal winding  120  to generate electrical current. The axial magnetic component is also used to interact with actuating magnets  210 . The radial magnetic component may also interact with radial side magnets to help position the piston and reduce friction. 
     The actuating magnets  210  may be selected and oriented, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , so as to effectively present a face of either identical or opposite polarity to the radial magnetic component of the piston  110  as the actuating magnets  210  approach the piston and to effectively present a face of either identical or opposite polarity to the radial magnetic component of the piston  110  as the actuating magnets  210  pass and retreat from the piston along their orbital paths. For example, as the actuating magnet  210  moves towards the piston  110 , the interacting faces of the piston  110  and actuating magnet  210  repel each other, causing the actuating magnet  210  to impart a biasing force on the piston  110  tending to move the piston towards an end magnet. When the actuating magnet  210  passes the piston  110 , the opposite faces of the piston  110  and actuating magnet  210  begin interacting and the piston  110  is pushed in an opposite direction. The end magnets  114  also act on the piston to slow and eventually reverse its direction of motion. 
     It will be appreciated that either identical or opposing polarities may be utilized in the above described configurations for many applications such that magnet  210  attracts the piston  110  and accelerates it towards the axial end magnet, provided that each of the polarities are selected so that the forces balance to produce the desired action of the piston  110 . 
     An example of one possible configuration of the linear kinetic energy conversion device  100  is shown in  FIGS. 3 through 5 . Fixed frame  104  of device  100  may include a tube or inner housing  140  formed of a suitable non-conductive material, such as plastic, supporting a toroidal winding  120  there around and a pair of axial end magnets  114  at each end of the inner housing  140 . 
     The inner housing  140  defines a channel  144  for the piston  110 . The toroidal winding  120  may be sized as shown to extend only partially towards the ends of inner housing  140  to provide a gap of more than the thickness of the piston  110  so that the field is broken as the piston approaches the end magnets  114 , causing an electrical spike in the current generated in the toroidal winding  120 . Alternatively, the toroidal winding  120  may be sized to extend sufficiently close to the ends of inner housing  140 , such that the piston  110  does not completely exit the toroidal winding  120  and at least a portion of the piston  110  is positioned within the toroidal winding at a given instance. 
     Fixed frame  104  may further include an outer housing  142  enclosing the inner housing  140 , the toroidal winding  120  and the end magnets  114 . The outer housing  142  may include a cylindrical wall  148  closed at each end by a wall  150  (see  FIG. 5 ) to form an enclosure for the magnetic components of kinetic energy conversion device  100 . Axial end magnets  114  may be affixed to or abut walls  150 . It should be noted that in  FIGS. 3-5 , piston  110  is shown spaced away from inner housing  140  so as to avoid loss of energy to friction between components. Piston  110 , however, may be proportioned with a sufficiently large diameter relative to the inner diameter of toroidal winding  120  to restrict airflow between the sides of piston  110 . To prevent air pressure buildup on either side of piston  110  from inhibiting movement of piston  120 , housing  112  may be provided with openings  146  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) permitting airflow to the respective sides of the piston  110 . 
     Linear energy conversion device  100  may be configured to provide either alternating current or direct current output. Wires  154  from the windings  120  may extend through apertures  156  through the outer housing  142  to connect to an electrical load  160 . The electrical load  160  may be one or more electrical devices capable of consuming the power, one or more storage devices used to store power for later use, or a power distribution system. Exemplary storage devices for electrical load  160  include batteries, flywheels, capacitors, and other devices of capable of storing energy using electrical, chemical, thermal or mechanical storage systems. Exemplary electrical devices for electrical load  160  include electric motors, fuel cells, hydrolysis conversion devices, battery charging devices, lights, and heating elements. Exemplary power distribution system electrical load  160  includes a residential circuit breaker panel, or an electrical power grid. Electrical load  160  may also include an intermediate electrical power conversion device or devices capable of converting the power to a form useable by electrical load  160  such as an inverter. 
     Outer housing  142  may be provided with appropriate legs or mounting points for selectively mounting the linear kinetic energy conversion device  100  to a stationary structure, such as a tower for an airfoil based rotating wheel. 
     It should be noted that exemplary linear energy conversion device  100  does not include a radial magnetic source, as their use is optional depending on the application. 
     The energy output from kinetic energy conversion system  10  may be affected by the speed at which piston  110  travels past toroidal winding  120  and the magnitude of the biasing force exerted between piston  110  and actuating magnet  210 . The piston speed is linearly related to frequency, and in accordance with Faradays law, electrical power is directly proportional to frequency. Changes in either parameter will have an effect on the energy output from kinetic energy conversion device  10 . For example, increasing the spacing between actuating magnet  210  and piston  110  tends to reduce the biasing force exerted on piston  110  as actuating magnet  210  passes by the piston  110 . This in turn reduces the velocity at which piston  110  travels past toroidal winding  120 , thereby causing a corresponding drop in electrical current output from the kinetic energy conversion device  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , kinetic energy conversion device may include a control element for selectively moving actuating magnet  210  towards and away from the region of piston  110  for controlling the electrical energy output from linear energy conversion device  100 . For example, actuating magnet  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  positioned adjacent the linear energy conversion device  100 . This position will result in actuating magnet  210  exerting a maximum biasing force on piston  110  as the actuating magnet  210  passes by the linear energy conversion device  100 . The electrical energy output from linear energy conversion device  210  may be selectively reduced by increasing the spacing between actuating magnet  210  and linear energy conversion device  100 . For example, positioning actuating magnet  210  at a further location from linear energy conversion device  100 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , decreases the biasing force exerted by actuating magnet  210  on piston  110 , and thus, the electrical energy output from the linear energy conversion device  100 . Linear energy conversion device  100  will generally produce a higher electrical output with actuating magnet  210  positioned in the location shown in  FIG. 2  than with the actuation magnet  210  positioned as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Various control elements or mechanisms may be provided for selectively adjusting the position of actuating magnet  210  relative to linear energy conversion device  100  and piston  110 . For example, a control element may be provided for selectively moving rotor  206  and attached actuating magnet  210  axially relative to longitudinal axis  208 . The control element may be hydraulically, pneumatically and electrically actuated, or any combination thereof. Sensors may be employed for detecting and monitoring the location of actuating magnet  210  relative to linear energy conversion device  100 , and monitoring the electrical output from linear energy conversion device  100 . One or more control modules may be employed to analyze signals received from the sensors and formulate a control strategy for moving and positioning actuating magnet  210  relative to linear energy conversion device  100 . One possible control element may utilize a hub  300  and a shift fork  302 . The hub  300  may be attached to the shaft  202  and rotate with the shaft  202 . A shift fork  302  may engage the hub  300  and as the shift fork  302  is moved in an axial direction, the shaft  202  and rotor  206  will move axially as well. The shift fork  302  may be controlled hydraulically, pneumatically and electrically actuated, or any combination thereof. 
     An alternative control element may include one or more magnets  210  attached to a slender shaft affixed to the rotor  206 . The rotor  206  may include an opening to enable the magnet  210  to be displaced between the 0% output position, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and the 100% output position, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The shaft may be substantially located at a centerline of the magnet&#39;s vertical axis. The slender shaft biases the magnet  210  to a neutral position corresponding to the 0% output position. 
     Other alternative control elements for adjusting the relative position of the actuating magnet  210  and the linear energy conversion device  100  are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 .  FIG. 13  depicts a control element  312  in which the linear energy conversion device  100  is moved in a radial direction relative to the rotor  206 .  FIG. 14  depicts a control element  314  in which the linear energy conversion device is moved in an axial direction relative to the actuating magnet  210 . The control element  312 ,  314  may be controlled hydraulically, pneumatically and electrically actuated, or any combination thereof. The control elements  312 ,  314  may be a type of linear actuator that interfaces with the linear energy conversion device  100  to create motion in the desired direction. For example, the control element  312 ,  314  may be a rack and pinion type arrangement in which a linear gear is attached to the linear energy conversion device  100 . A pinion meshing with the linear gear may be driven by an electric motor to position the linear energy conversion device in the desired position. 
     The actuating magnet  210  may also be displaced in a radial direction with respect to the axis  208  of the shaft  202 .  FIGS. 15 and 16  depict a system in which the actuating magnet  210  is moved radially with respect to the shaft  202 . The rotor  206  may be attached to the shaft  202  via spokes  350 . Actuating magnets  210  may be slideably mounted to the spokes  350 . The actuating magnets  210  may be configured with one or more openings through the body of the actuating magnet  210  that fits around the spoke  350 . Alternatively, the openings may fit through rods attached to the spoke  350 . A stop mechanism  352  may be attached to the spoke  350  to limit the travel of the actuating magnet  210  in the stopped position. The stop  353  may be attached to the spoke  350  and have a larger diameter than the spoke  350  and the opening.  FIG. 15  depicts the case in which the shaft  202  is at rest. At rest, the actuating magnets  210  may lie near the stop  352  of the spoke  350 . As the rotational speed of the shaft  202  is increased, centrifugal force acting upon the actuating magnets  210  may cause the actuating magnets  210  to move along the spoke  350  toward the rotor  206 .  FIG. 16  depicts the case in which the shaft  202  is rotating. The linear energy conversion devices  100  may be fixedly attached to a supporting structure and positioned such that the spacing between the actuating magnets  210  and the linear energy conversion device  100  is reduced as the speed is increased. Such a system may be achieved mechanically by using a spring  354  between the rotor  206  and the actuating magnet  210  as the control element to create a biasing force on the actuating magnet  210 . The spring  354  force may be selected to allow a desired amount of actuating magnet  210  travel at a selected speed. 
     The distance at which magnet  210  is displaced from its neutral position is generally proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor  206 , and is directly related to the available input energy, such as may be obtained from wind and hydrodynamic sources, as well as others. Rotating rotor  206  tends to cause the magnet  210  to displace radially outward as the centrifugal force acting on the magnet overcomes the counteracting biasing force applied to the actuating magnet  210 . The amount of displacement is directly proportional to the centrifugal force acting on magnet  210 , which is a function of v 2 /r, where “v” is the rotational speed of magnet  210  and “r” is a radial distance from longitudinal axis  208  to the centerline to the magnet  210 . The greater the rotational speed, the greater the radial displacement of magnet  210 . The centerline of the magnet  210  will generally align with a horizontal centerline of the piston  110  to generate maximum power output from linear energy conversion device  100  at a particular input speed. As the input energy decreases, the biasing force tends to move the magnet  210  away from the 100% output position and toward the neutral 0% output position. Generally, the lower the input energy the smaller the displacement of magnet  210  from the neutral 0% output position. The interaction between magnet  210  and piston  110  creates a braking force that acts on the input shaft. If there is insufficient input energy (for example, wind or hydrodynamic) the shaft speed will decrease and the magnet will move away from the piston centerline as the centrifugal force acting on the magnet  210  is reduced and insufficient to maintain the magnet at the previous (higher rotational speed) position. The positioning of magnet  210  relative to piston  110  may alternatively be hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically controlled, or any combination thereof. 
     Kinetic energy conversion device  10  may include multiple linear energy conversion devices  100 , each interacting with a separate set of actuating magnets  210 . For example,  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an alternately configured kinetic energy conversion device  10 ′ having a first linear energy conversion device  100 ′ that operably interacts with a first actuating magnet  210 ′, and a second linear energy conversion device  100 ″ that operably interacts with a second actuating magnet  210 ″. Each of the actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ may be supported on common rotor  206 . Positioning of actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ relative to their respective linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″ may be accomplished by selectively moving rotor  206  axially relative to longitudinal axis  208 . Attaching both actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ to a common rotor  206  enables a single actuating mechanism to be used to control the positioning of both actuating magnets. Positioning actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ relative to linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″, for example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , will generally produce the maximum electrical output from the linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″. Repositioning the actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″, for example, to the position illustrated in  FIG. 8 , by moving rotor  206  downward (as viewed from the perspective of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) will cause a corresponding reduction in the electrical output from the linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″. 
     In the exemplary configuration of kinetic energy conversion device  10 ′ illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ are shown attached to a common rotor  206 . This arrangement does not conveniently allow the actuating magnets to be independently positioned relative to their associated linear energy conversion device. Additional control of the electrical output from the linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″ may be achieved by enabling independent control over the position of each actuating magnet relative to its associated linear energy conversion device. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternately configured kinetic energy conversion device  10 ″ may include the first linear energy conversion device  100 ′ operatively associated with the first actuating magnet  210 ′, and the second linear energy conversion device  100 ″ operably associated with the second actuating magnet  210 ″. To enable independent control over the positioning of the actuating magnets, actuating magnet  210 ′ is attached to a first rotor  206 ′ and actuating magnet  210 ″ is attached to a second rotor  206 ″. Separate actuating mechanisms may be provided to independently move each of the rotors  206 ′ and  206 ″ to selectively position the associated actuating magnets  210 ′ and  210 ″ relative to their respective linear energy conversion devices  100 ′ and  100 ″. For example, in  FIG. 10  actuating magnet  210 ′ is shown moved away from linear energy conversion device  100 ′ while the location of actuating magnet  210 ″ is maintained relative to linear energy conversion device  100 ″. 
     For example, the rotor  206 ′ may attach to the shaft via a splined hub  308 . The splined hub  308  may engage with the shaft  202  and rotate at the same speed as the shaft  202 . A shift fork  310  may interact with the splined hub  308  to move the rotor  206 ′ in an axial direction. The rotor  206 ″ may attach to the shaft  202  using another splined hub  318 . Axial motion of rotor  206 ″ may be achieved by axial movement of another shift fork  316  that interacts with splined hub  318 . The shift forks  310 ,  316  may be independently operated and controlled such that the spacing between each rotor  206 ′,  206 ″ and associated linear energy conversion device  100 ′,  100 ″ may be independently adjusted. The shift forks  310 ,  316  may be controlled hydraulically, pneumatically and electrically actuated, or any combination thereof. Note that other configurations are possible and the example provided is but one possible implementation. 
     Another alternative exemplary rotational kinetic energy conversion device  200 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Rotational energy conversion device  200 ′ may employ the previously described mechanisms, illustrated in FIGS.  2  and  6 - 10 , for selectively controlling the device&#39;s electrical output. Device  200 ′ includes a post  232  mounted in turn to fluid resisting device  238 . The device has a rotating frame  236  rotatably mounted to the post  232 . The device  200 ′ has a plurality of blades, for example cups  238 , mounted on the ends of arms  240  extending radially from the post  232 . A pair of linear kinetic energy devices  100  are fixedly mounted to the post  232  adjacent the rotating frame  236  at opposing radial locations about the post. A plurality of actuating magnets  242  are mounted to a rotor  243  so as to cyclically sweep by the linear kinetic energy device  100  and thereby interact with the piston  110  in the linear kinetic energy device  100  in the manner described previously to generate electrical power. The electrical output from rotation energy conversion device  200 ′ may be controlled by selectively moving rotor  243  axially relative to a longitudinal axis of post  232  so as to increase the separation between actuating magnets  242  and linear kinetic energy conversion devices  100 . 
     Yet another alternative exemplary rotational kinetic energy conversion device  200 ″ is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Rotational energy conversion device  200 ″ may employ the previously described mechanisms, illustrated in FIGS.  2  and  6 - 10 , for selectively controlling the device&#39;s electrical output. Device  200 ″ comprises a wind resisting vane  250  mounted to an axle  252  extending generally perpendicularly from a vertical post  254 , which may be mounted in turn, to the ground. Device  200 ″ has a plurality of blades or vanes  256  mounted on the ends of arms  258  extending radially from the axle  252 . The arms  258  may be cylindrical rods. Alternatively, the arms  258  may be shaped to capture a portion of the wind, such as by being shaped as propellers or turbine blades or any airfoil configuration. Three linear kinetic energy devices  100  are fixedly mounted to the post  254  at arcuately spaced locations about the axle  252 . A plurality of actuating magnets  260  are mounted to a rotor  261  so as to cyclically sweep by the linear kinetic energy device  100  and thereby interact with the piston  110  in the linear kinetic energy device  100  in the manner described previously to generate electrical power. The electrical output from rotation energy conversion device  200 ″ may be controlled by employing the previously described self-adjusting, centrifugal force driven control device or by selectively moving rotor  261  axially relative to a longitudinal axis of post  254  so as to increase the separation between actuating magnets  260  and linear kinetic energy conversion devices  100 . 
     Additionally, the spoke or shaft mounted actuating magnets may be moved radially as a function of shaft rotational speed thereby increasing the force acting on the magnetic piston as a function of the shaft or actuating magnet rotational speed. The linear energy conversion devices and the actuating magnets may be fixed relative to one another. One or more rotors may be mounted to a common shaft with each rotor having a corresponding bank of one or more linear energy conversion devices fixedly attached and independent of the rotating input shaft that the rotors are attached to. Each rotor may have a corresponding group of one or more linear energy conversion devices fixedly attached to a non-rotating platform. The number of rotors may be determined by power output requirements of the system. It is possible to have as many as twenty or thirty rotors interacting with their corresponding linear energy conversion device groups containing a similar number of fixed groupings of linear energy conversion devices per grouping. This applies when the actuating magnets move radially or axially with respect to the linear energy conversion devices. 
     Although the diagrams depict the actuating magnet  210  radially positioned at a greater distance from the shaft  202  than the linear energy device  100 , the system is not limited to this configuration. The actuating magnet  210  may be positioned at a radial distance that is less than the radial distance of the linear energy device  100 . As another alternative, the actuating magnets  210  may be located in a different plane at the same radial distance as the linear energy device  100 . 
     It is to be understood that the described and illustrated invention is not to be limited to the disclosed examples but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and appended claims which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.