Abstract:
A machine for generating reciprocal motion includes a first magnet rotatable about a first magnet axis, a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet and rotatable about a second magnet axis, and a third magnet arranged between the first and second magnets and reciprocatable therebetween. A switching mechanism is associated with the first and second magnets to rotate the first and second magnets between a first position, in which the first and second magnets respectively attract and repel the third magnet, and a second position, in which the first and second magnets respectively repel and attract the third magnet. The third magnet can be reciprocatable along a reciprocation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second magnet axes. The switching mechanism can include a first suspended weight that is selectively releasable to impel rotation of at least one of the first and second magnets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to machines for generating reciprocal motion and related methods, and more particularly, to machines for generating reciprocal motion using magnetism. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    In the past, machines have been devised for switching opposed magnet polarities to cause reciprocal motion in a magnet placed therebetween. However, providing a motive force to such machines can result in an unwieldy arrangement. Additionally, harnessing the reciprocal motion generated by the machine to perform some other type of work can be challenging. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine and method for generating reciprocal motion. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a machine includes a first magnet rotatable about a first magnet axis, a second magnet spaced apart from the first magnet and rotatable about a second magnet axis, and a third magnet arranged between the first and second magnets and reciprocatable therebetween. A switching mechanism is associated with the first and second magnets to rotate the first and second magnets between a first position, in which the first and second magnets respectively attract and repel the third magnet, and a second position, in which the first and second magnets respectively repel and attract the third magnet. 
         [0004]    According to an aspect of the present invention, the third magnet is reciprocatable along a reciprocation axis and the reciprocation axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second magnet axes. According to another aspect of the present invention, the switching mechanism includes a first suspended weight that is selectively releasable to impel rotation of at least one of the first and second magnets. 
         [0005]    According to a method aspect, a method for generating reciprocal motion includes orienting opposed first and second magnets such that a third magnet is attracted to the first magnet and repelled from the second magnet. Once the third magnet reaches a first predetermined point, a first suspended weight is released long enough to rotate the first and second magnets such that the third magnet is repelled from the first magnet and attracted to the second magnet. Once the third magnet reaches a second predetermined point, the first suspended weight or a second suspended weight is released long enough to rotate the first and second magnets such that the third magnet is attracted to the first magnet and repelled from the second magnet. 
         [0006]    These and other embodiments, aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a machine for generating reciprocal motion, including a switching mechanism and first, second and third magnets, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2-4  are schematic views of the basic operation of the machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the machine of  FIG. 1  adapted to convert reciprocal motion to rotational motion; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view, partially cut-away to show internal components, of the machine of  FIG. 1  adapted to pump a fluid; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the machine of  FIG. 1 , including a position detector and a weight control mechanism of the switching mechanism; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the position detector of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the weight control mechanism of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10-12  are schematic views of the operation of components of the weight control mechanism of  FIG. 9 , with hidden components shown in broken lines; 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the weight control mechanism of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the weight control mechanism of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention) a machine  10  for generating reciprocal motion includes opposed first and second magnets  12 ,  14 , a third magnet  16  arranged between the first and second magnets  16 , and a switching mechanism  18  associated with the first, second and third magnets  12 - 16 . The first and second magnets  12 ,  14  are rotatably mounted about respective first and second magnet axes  24 ,  26 . The first and second magnet axes  24 ,  26  are substantially parallel. The third magnet  16  is slidably mounted between the first and second magnet axes  24 ,  26 , such that the third magnet  16  is reciprocatable between the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  along a reciprocation axis  28 . 
         [0018]    The switching mechanism  18  is configured to detect the position of the third magnet  16 , and based on the detected position, to rotate the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  to generate reciprocal motion in the third magnet  16 . The generation of reciprocal motion in the third magnet  16  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  are in a first position, and third magnet  16  is between first and second predetermined points  32 ,  34 . In the first position, the polarity of the first magnet  12  attracts the third magnet  16  and the polarity of the second magnet  14  repels the third magnet  16 . As a result, the third magnet  16  moves in the direction of arrow  36 , towards the first magnet  12 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the third magnet  16  eventually reaches the first predetermined point  32 , as detected by the switching mechanism  18  (see  FIG. 1 ). In response, the switching mechanism  18  causes the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  to rotate into a second position. In the second position, the polarity of the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  are reversed from the first position; the first magnet  12  repels the third magnet  16  and the second magnet  14  attracts the third magnet  16 . As a result, the third magnet  16  moves in the direction of arrow  38 , towards the second magnet  14 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the third magnet  16  eventually reaches the second predetermined point  34 , as detected by the switching mechanism  18 . In response, the switching mechanism  18  causes the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  to rotate back to the first position and the third magnet  16  moves back towards the first magnet  12  in the direction of the arrow  36 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , according to an aspect of the present invention, the reciprocal motion of the third magnet  16  is convertible into rotational motion. The third magnet  16  is arranged in a plate  44 . Rails  46  extend through the plate  44  substantially parallel to the reciprocation axis  28  and guide the third magnet  16  in reciprocal motion between the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). A connecting rod  48  extends between the third magnet  16  and a crankshaft  50 . The connecting rod  48  is pivotally mounted to the plate  44  and the crankshaft  50  such that the reciprocal motion of the third magnet  16  is transferred through the connecting rod  48  to the crankshaft  50  and converted into rotational motion. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , according to another aspect of the present invention, the reciprocal motion of the third magnet  16  can be used to pump a fluid. The third magnet  16  is arranged in a fluid-tight enclosure  56 . The third magnet is arranged in a plate  58  formed with notches  60 . The notches  60  engage rails  62  (only one shown in  FIG. 6 ) along the length of the enclosure  56  to guide the third magnet  16  in reciprocal motion between the first and second magnets (see  FIG. 1 ). First and second enclosure ends  66 ,  68  have respective first and second fluid inlets  70 ,  72  and outlets  74 ,  76   
         [0024]    In operation, when the third magnet  16  moves toward the first end  66 , fluid is expelled through the first outlet  74  and inducted through the second inlet  72 . The first inlet  70  and the second outlet  76  are closed. When the third magnet  16  moves toward the second end  68 , fluid is inducted through the first inlet  70  and expelled through the second outlet  76 . The first outlet  74  and the second inlet  72  are closed. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary embodiment of the switching mechanism  18  is explained in greater detail. The switching mechanism  18  includes a position detector  80  and a weight control mechanism  82 . The position detector  80  is configured to detect when the third magnet  16  reaches first and second predetermined points  32 ,  34  proximate to the first and second magnets  12 ,  14 , respectively. The position detector  80  supplies an input to the weight control mechanism  82 , which rotates the magnets  12 ,  14  to generate the reciprocal motion of the third magnet  16 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the position detector  80  includes a mounting bracket  86  with slidably-mounted element  88  extending therethrough (alternate position shown in broken lines). The element  88  is engaged by the third magnet  16  (or an associated plate or the like) when the first or second predetermined point  32 ,  34  (see  FIG. 7 ) is reached. The element  88  is displaced to the broken-line position when the third magnet  16  reaches the first predetermined position  32  and to the solid-line position when the third magnet  16  reaches the second predetermined position  34 . An extension  90  mechanically links the position detector  80  with the weight control mechanism  82 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the weight control mechanism  82  includes a rotatably-mounted weight axle  96  and rotatably-mounted first and second magnet axles  98 ,  100 , on which the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  are mounted. The weight axle  96  is divided into first and second sections  102 ,  104  connected by a ratchet  106 . A weight  110  is suspended from a spool  112  mounted on the second section  104  such that lowering of the weight  110  causes rotation of the first and second sections  102 ,  104  in the direction of arrow  114 . Raising of the weight  110  is accomplished by rotating the second section  104  in the direction of arrow  116 . Due to the ratchet  106 , the first section  102  does not turn during raising of the weight  110 . 
         [0028]    A plurality of gears  120  and belts  122  transmit the rotation of the first section  102  to the first and second magnet axles  98 ,  100 , such that rotation of the weight axle  96  in the direction of arrow  114  results in corresponding rotations of the first and second magnets  12 ,  14 . The rotation of the weight axle  96  and the first and second magnet axles  98 ,  100  is limited by the engagement of teeth  124  of a control gear  126 , mounted to the weight axle  96 , with a blocking element  128 . 
         [0029]    The entire weight axle  96  is mounted so as to be slidable up and down in the directions of arrows  134 ,  136 . The weight axle  96  is biased in the direction of arrow  136 , for example by gravity and spring pressure and can be displaced in the direction of arrow  134  against the biasing force by engagement between the weight axle  96  and a cam surface  140  on the extension  90 . Cooperation of the cam surface  140  of the extension  90  with the weight control mechanism  82  to selectively lower the weight  110  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the extension  90  is fully displaced to the right (directional terms herein referring to the orientation of the components in the Figures). The extension  90  is in this position when the third magnet  16  travels in the direction of arrow  36 , prior to reaching the first predetermined point  36  (see  FIG. 2 ). The cam surface  140  is not in engagement with the weight axle  96 . The weight axle  96  is prevented from turning because the lower tooth  124  on the control gear  126  is engaged by the blocking element  128 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , as the third magnet  16  approaches the first predetermined position, the slidably-mounted element  88  of the position detector  80  is engaged by the third magnet  16 , such that the extension  90  begins to be displaced in the direction of arrow  146 . As a result, the cam surface  140  is brought into engagement with the weight axle  96 . The cam surface  140  lifts the weight axle  96  in the direction of arrow  148 , bringing the lower tooth  124  out of engagement with the blocking element  128 . With the lowering of the weight  110 , the weight axle  96  begins to rotate in the direction of arrow  150 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , once the third magnet  16  has fully displaced the slidably-mounted element  88  and extension  90  to the left, the cam surface  140  is brought out of engagement with the weight axle  96 . The weight axle moves back in the direction of arrow  154 , such that the lower tooth  124  (previously the upper tooth  124  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) engages the blocking element  128 , ceasing lowering of the weight  110  and rotation of the weight axle  96 . 
         [0033]    When the third magnet  16  approaches the opposite end of the slidably-mounted element  88 , the interactions between the cam surface  140  and weight axle  96  will happen again in reverse, again resulting in lowering of the weight  110  and rotation of the weight axle  96 . The cam surface  140  and the total travel distance of the slidably-mounted element  88  are preferably dimensioned such that the cam surface  140  is engaged with weight axle  96  for less time than is required for 180 degrees of axle  96  rotation. As a result, the weight axle  96 , and the associated first and second weights  12 ,  14 , turn only 180 degrees before the blocking element  128  is re-engaged. 
         [0034]    In an alternate embodiment, a weight control mechanism  282  has substantially the same components as the above-described mechanism  82 , except that duplicate weight axles  296  are employed, such that the first and second magnets  12 ,  14  are rotated by separate weights  210 . Duplicate extensions  290  and cam surfaces  240  extend from the position detector to engage the weight axles  296 . 
         [0035]    In a further embodiment, a weight control mechanism  382  has a winding mechanism  384 . The winding mechanism includes a winding axle  400  connected with a weight axle  396 . A winding weight  402  is suspended from a spool  404 , mounted on the winding axle  400 . A winding axle control mechanism  408  includes a control gear  410 , mounted on the winding axle  400 , and a slidably-mounted element  410 , displaceable between solid- and broken-line positions. 
         [0036]    When the element  412  is in the broken-line position, the element  412  engages the control gear  410  and prevents rotation of the winding axle  400 . When a weight  310  lowers to a lower limit, the element  412  is displaced to the solid-line position, disengaging the element  412  from the control gear  410 . As a result, the winding weight  402  lowers, rotating the winding axle  400  in the direction of arrow  418 . Since the winding axle  400  is connected to the weight axle  396 , the weight axle  396  rotates in the direction of arrow  420 , resulting in raising of the weight  310 . 
         [0037]    When the weight  310  raises to an upper limit, the slidably-mounted element  412  displaces to the broken-line position, re-engaging the control gear  410  and securing rotation of the winding axle  400 . Ratchets  422  allow the winding axle  400  to be rotated to raise the winding weight  402  without lowering the weight  310  or rotating the control gear  410 . 
         [0038]    The above embodiments are described for exemplary and illustrative purposes. The present invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. Instead, those skilled the art will appreciate that various modifications, and adaptations for particular circumstances are possible within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    For example, in the described embodiments, linear reciprocal motion is generated. However, reciprocal motion over an arc, curve, sinusoid or other shape could also be generated. Also, while the inventor has found having first and second magnets that are rotatable about axes substantially perpendicular to a reciprocation axis to be advantageous, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a relationship. For instance, first and second magnets rotatable about axes substantially parallel with the reciprocation axis could also be employed. Additionally, the present invention is not necessarily limited to particular types, sizes or combinations of magnets. The inventor has found permanent magnets to be advantageous, but electromagnets could also be used, for example. 
         [0040]    An example is given of the present invention converting reciprocal motion to rotational motion using a crankshaft. The present invention is not necessarily limited to using a crankshaft. For instance, an escapement could be employed. Also, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a single machine connected to a single crankshaft; a plurality of machines connected to one or a plurality of crankshafts could also be utilized. Likewise, in connection with a machine adapted to pump fluid, multiple machines could be employed. The present invention is also not necessarily limited to what work is performed by the machine. For example, the rotational motion or pumped fluid could be used to respectively turn a generator or a turbine. Additionally, the device could be used as a toy or learning aid. 
         [0041]    The present invention is not necessarily limited to the switching mechanism embodiments described herein. Different position detectors and weight control mechanisms could be employed. For instance, position detectors utilizing optical, magnetic or electromagnetic sensors could be used to determine the position of the third magnet. Determining when the third magnet reaches a predetermined point need not be a direct assessment that the third magnet has reached the point. For example, such a determination could include assessing a distance or time traveled. Also, travel of a connecting rod or rotation of a crankshaft could also be used to indirectly determine the position of the third magnet. 
         [0042]    Also, a predetermined point need not be constant. For instance, as the reciprocation rate of the third magnet increases, the predetermined points detected by the position detector could be moved further from the first and second magnets to allow more time to overcome the increased momentum of the more rapidly moving third magnet. 
         [0043]    Additionally, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a weight control mechanism having the particular combination of elements shown and described herein for transferring the motive force of one or more weights to rotate the first and second magnets. Other combinations of linkages, gears, wheels, belts, chains and other elements could also be employed. Also, where multiple machines are utilized, separate weight control mechanisms could be employed for each machine or weight control mechanisms could be shared between machines. 
         [0044]    Weight control mechanisms receiving an electronic position input from a position detector could be used. For example, a weight control mechanism could be employed having a timed switch that released the weight for a predetermined interval upon receiving an input form the position detector. 
         [0045]    The present invention is also not necessarily limited to a particular motive force for raising weights in the weight control mechanism. Ultimately, any power source could be employed, including manual hoisting, hydraulic power, wind power, or animal power, as some examples. 
         [0046]    The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of possible modifications or adaptations. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these and other modifications and adaptations are possible within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described.