Patent Description:
A toroidal electric generator typically comprises a stator, which includes a toroidal tubular body, which supports one or more windings or coils of conductor wire, and a rotor rotatable inside the toroidal tubular body of the stator. The rotor comprises a plurality of hydraulic blades mounted on an annular support element, wherein each blade is provided with a respective magnet. The rotor is rotated inside the toroidal tubular body of the stator by a pressurized fluid entering the tubular body of the stator, so that the magnets of the hydraulic blades generate a magnetic field, which induces electric energy in the windings or coils of the stator.

A toroidal electric generator according to the prior art is disclosed, for example, in the patent <CIT>, in the name of the same applicant of the present application.

However, the toroidal electric generators according to the prior art have the drawback of generating dispersion phenomena of the magnetic field, which is produced by the magnets of the hydraulic blades which rotate in the toroidal tubular body of the stator.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured to have increased efficiency and to produce a greater quantity of electric energy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured to withstand, without being damaged, external shocks and high pressures of the fluid entering the stator.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured in such a way that it can be replaced in a short time, without interrupting the correct performance of work activities for a long time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator which is simple in the maintenance or replacement of parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured to operate correctly while maintaining safety standards.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured to be compact and usable on any land, naval, air or space vehicle for the generation of electric energy on board of the same.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator configured to produce sufficient electricity to power batteries or storage systems, or electric motors and/or electric systems or lighting systems, for any home, building, industry, town or city.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator that is reversible, i.e. capable of operating as a compressor or a high-pressure pump, to feed storage systems, such as for example high-pressure cylinders or tanks for liquids.

Not least object of the present invention is to provide a toroidal electric generator which is substantially simple and reliable.

These and other objects, which will appear better below, are achieved by a toroidal electric generator according to independent claim <NUM>. Other features of the present invention are also defined in the dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The invention therefore relates to a toroidal electric generator comprising a stator, which includes a tubular body supporting a plurality of windings, and a rotor rotatable within the stator and comprising a support element and a plurality of hydraulic blades, each provided with a respective magnet and mounted on the support element integral to it.

The toroidal electric generator is characterized in that it further comprises an external casing and a plurality of separating elements, each separating element being arranged between a respective pair of adjacent windings of the plurality of windings of the stator.

The afore-mentioned combination of features, and in particular the presence of the external casing and of the plurality of separating elements between pairs of adjacent windings, allows to close the circuit of the magnetic flux generated by the magnets of the hydraulic blades as they pass inside each winding. This allows to eliminate or significantly reduce dispersion phenomena of the magnetic field generated by the magnets of the hydraulic blades of the rotor which rotates inside the stator, thus advantageously increasing the amount of electricity generated and the efficiency of the toroidal electric generator. Furthermore, the external casing advantageously allows the the toroidal electric generator, in particular the stator windings, to be protected from external shocks and stresses.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of preferred embodiments of a toroidal electric generator, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the attached drawings, in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, they show a toroidal electric generator according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The toroidal electric generator, indicated in general by the reference number <NUM>, is configured to produce electrical energy starting from a pressurized fluid, such as for example compressed air, compressed gas, water or pressurized steam, and comprises a stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM> rotatable inside the stator <NUM>.

The stator <NUM> comprises a toroidal tubular body <NUM> on an external surface of which a plurality of windings or coils <NUM> of conductor wire is wound, for example a conductor wire made of high conductivity copper, preferably enamelled or coated with insulating material. Preferably, a layer of insulating material (not shown) is present between the outer surface of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> and the windings <NUM>.

The toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> consists of two semi-circular tubes, i.e. a first semi-circular tube 21a and a second semi-circular tube 21b.

The first and second semi-circular tubes 21a, 21b are joined together by means of two pairs of perforated flanges 22a, 22b, each pair of perforated flanges being welded at end portions of a respective semi-circular tube 21a, 21b. The perforated flanges 22a, 22b for coupling the first and second semi-circular tubes 21a, 21b are joined together by known means, for example by means of nuts, bolts and washers. Alternatively, the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> can be composed of a number of tubular portions other than two, for example three or four portions, coupled therebetween by means of respective perforated flanges.

The first and second semi-circular tubes 21a, 21b preferably have a circular or square section or a section of any other closed geometric shape and are made of non-magnetic stainless steel or any other material capable of withstanding high pressures and corrosion, for example carbon fibre.

The rotor <NUM> has an annular shape and rotates inside the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, pushed by a fluid, which is fed under pressure inside the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

More specifically, the pressurized fluid enters the stator <NUM> through at least one inlet duct <NUM>, which is welded at a free end of the first semi-circular tube 21a of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> and preferably equipped with a perforated end flange <NUM> and exits from the stator <NUM> through at least one outlet duct <NUM>, which is welded at a free end of the second semi-circular tube 21b of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> and preferably provided with a perforated end flange <NUM>.

As shown in detail in <FIG>, <FIG>, the rotor <NUM> comprises a support element <NUM> and a plurality of hydraulic blades <NUM> mounted on the support element <NUM>, integral with it.

Each hydraulic blade <NUM> comprises a magnet <NUM>, of annular or square shape or of any geometric shape similar to the cross-section of the toroidal tubular body <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> being covered on the sides by a pair of discs <NUM> made of metallic or non-magnetic material. The discs <NUM> protect the respective magnet <NUM> from impacts against the pressurized fluid entering the stator <NUM>.

To further protect the magnets <NUM> from corrosion and from impact with the pressurized fluid, a ring, for example made of very resistant plastic material, is preferably provided around each magnet <NUM>. The protection ring has an external diameter equal to or slightly greater than the external diameter of the metal discs <NUM> and is close to the internal wall of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

The support element <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> preferably has a square or circular or triangular section or a section of any other closed geometric shape and preferably consists of two, three or four portions, preferably four portions, which form a ring or circle when they are joined together. Alternatively, the support element <NUM> has the shape of an open ring.

The hydraulic blades <NUM> are preferably made of ferromagnetic material and are twenty-four or more in number and the magnets <NUM> are made of neodymium or other magnetic or super magnetic material.

To facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the rotor <NUM> inside the stator <NUM>, magnets (not shown) are provided at respective ends of at least two portions of the support element <NUM>, wherein the magnets form the support element <NUM> by being joined together through magnetic attraction.

Preferably, the magnets <NUM> all have polarities directed in the same direction (all North-South or all South-North), so as to induce a positive direct current in the windings <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. Alternatively, the position of the rotor <NUM> is inverted inside the stator <NUM>. In this way, a negative direct current is obtained by maintaining the same direction of rotation of the rotor <NUM>.

In yet another alternative embodiment, to obtain alternating electric current by the toroidal electric generator <NUM>, groups of magnets <NUM>, for example three magnets with South-North polarity, are alternated with groups of magnets <NUM> with opposite polarity, for example three magnets with North-South polarity. In this case, the stator <NUM> will have a series of windings, one for each group of magnets, with the windings associated with the groups of magnets having the same polarity being electrically connected therebetween.

Furthermore, depending on the number of turns of the windings <NUM> of the stator <NUM> and the angular pitch between the magnets <NUM>, the windings <NUM> can be connected in various known configurations, thereby optimizing the output energy.

The rotor <NUM> further comprises a series of bearing-holding carriages <NUM>, preferably from a minimum of three to preferably eight bearing-holding carriages <NUM>, which are mounted, for example screwed, on the support element <NUM>.

Each bearing-holding carriage <NUM> is equipped with at least three, preferably four, bearings <NUM> positioned externally to the bearing-holding carriage, cross- or "X"-shaped, and tangent to the internal wall of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. These bearings <NUM> keep the rotor <NUM> centred, allowing it to slide and therefore to rotate inside the stator <NUM>.

The bearing-holding carriages <NUM> are preferably composed of two parts, preferably the same, in the shape of a semi-cylinder or of the same shape as the internal section of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. The two parts comprise an upper part and a lower part, which are coupled together, and to the support element <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>, by means of a respective locking screw.

The rotor <NUM> also comprises band-holding carriages <NUM> mounted, for example screwed, on the support element <NUM>.

Each band-holding carriage <NUM> externally supports one or more elastic bands <NUM>, which allow the band-holding carriage <NUM> to slide inside the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, while keeping all the above described components of the rotor <NUM> centred. This advantageously increases the compression of the pressurized fluid entering the toroidal electric generator <NUM>, which pushes the rotor <NUM> to rotate inside the stator <NUM> without generating dispersions of fluid and pressure, during rotation, between the internal wall of the stator <NUM> and the elastic bands <NUM> of the band-holding carriages <NUM>.

The band-holding carriages <NUM> are preferably composed of two parts, preferably the same, in the shape of a semi-cylinder or of the same shape as the internal section of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. The two parts comprise an upper part and a lower part, which are coupled together, and to the support element <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>, by means of a respective locking screw.

In a different embodiment, depending on the fluid entering the generator <NUM>, all or part of the bearing-holding carriages <NUM> can be replaced by corresponding band-holding carriages <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> further comprises a plurality of spacers <NUM> mounted, for example screwed, on the support element <NUM>. The spacers <NUM> are mounted on the support element <NUM>, for example interposed between the hydraulic blades <NUM>, the bearing-holding carriages <NUM> and/or the band-holding carriages <NUM>. When interposed between two adjacent hydraulic blades <NUM>, the spacers <NUM> have the purpose of advantageously avoiding the attraction between the hydraulic blades <NUM>, and therefore the union of one with the other, while preventing the pressure and thrust received by each hydraulic blade <NUM> to be discharged onto a support element (not shown) which blocks the hydraulic blade <NUM> on the support element <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>.

Thanks to its configuration, the toroidal electric generator <NUM> according to the present invention is of the reversible type. In other words, by applying electrical energy to the windings <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, an electromotive force is induced in the magnets <NUM> of the hydraulic blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>, which causes the rotor <NUM> to rotate, with consequent suction or compression of the fluid. In this case the toroidal electric generator <NUM> will behave like a compressor or a high-pressure hydraulic pump.

Preferably, at the inlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM> there is mounted an inlet valve (not shown) adapted to control the quantity of the fluid entering the toroidal electric generator <NUM>. Alternatively, i.e. when the generator <NUM> is used as a compressor, the inlet valve will behave like a non-return valve, causing the fluid not to re-enter the electric generator <NUM>, but forcing it to exit, compressed, from the outlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

The toroidal electric generator <NUM> further comprises an external casing <NUM>, preferably annular in shape with a circular or square section, made of metal material, preferably iron, which comprises an upper half-shell <NUM> and a lower half-shell <NUM>. The upper and lower half-shells <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled therebetween by mechanical means, for example screwed with screws <NUM> passing through respective openings <NUM> provided at edge portions of the half-shells, thereby hermetically closing the toroidal electric generator <NUM> inside them.

The upper half-shell <NUM> is formed by two equal portions, which, in the assembled condition, cover the toroidal electric generator <NUM>, in particular the stator <NUM>, at the top, with respective terminal ends abutting against the perforated flanges 22a and 22b for coupling the first and second half-tubes 21a, 21b of the stator <NUM>. Similarly, the lower half-shell <NUM> is formed by two equal portions, which, in assembled condition, cover the toroidal electric generator <NUM>, in particular the stator <NUM>, at the bottom, with respective terminal ends abutting against the perforated flanges 22a and 22b for coupling the first and second half-tubes 21a, 21b of the stator <NUM>.

Each portion of the upper half-shell <NUM> and of the lower half-shell <NUM> ends with a respective half-tube-shaped element, respectively 43a, 43b and 44a, 44b, which, in the assembled condition, form a first tube <NUM> for housing the inlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM> and a second tube <NUM> for housing the outlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

The toroidal electric generator <NUM> further comprises a plurality of upper separating elements <NUM> and a plurality of lower separating elements <NUM>, with a semi-circular or semi-square shape depending on the shape of the outer casing <NUM>, and all made of metallic material, for example iron.

Preferably, the upper separating elements <NUM> are joined together to form an upper half-ring of separating elements and the lower separating elements <NUM> are joined together to form a lower half-ring of separating elements.

In the assembled condition of the generator, the upper separating elements <NUM> are sandwiched between the upper half-shell <NUM> of the outer casing <NUM> and the upper half of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, in contact with them, and positioned between pairs of adjacent windings <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

In the assembled condition of the generator, the lower separation elements <NUM> are sandwiched between the lower half-shell <NUM> of the outer casing <NUM> and the lower half of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, in contact with them, and positioned between pairs of adjacent windings <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the presence of the external casing <NUM> and of the plurality of separating elements <NUM> and <NUM> between adjacent windings <NUM>, closes the circuit of the magnetic flux generated by the magnets of the hydraulic blades as they pass inside each winding, thereby eliminating or considerably reducing the dispersion phenomena of the magnetic field generated by the magnets <NUM> of the hydraulic blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> rotating inside the stator <NUM>. This advantageously increases the quantity of electrical energy generated and the efficiency of the toroidal electric generator <NUM>. Furthermore, the external casing advantageously allows the toroidal electric generator, in particular the stator windings, to be protected from external impacts and stresses.

With reference to <FIG>, they show a toroidal electric generator according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The toroidal electric generator, indicated in general by the reference number <NUM>, is similar to the toroidal electric generator <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, from which it differs for the different configuration of the outer casing and of the toroidal tubular body of the stator.

The toroidal electric generator <NUM> thus comprises a stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM> rotatable inside the stator <NUM>.

The stator <NUM> comprises a toroidal tubular body <NUM> on an external surface of which a plurality of windings or coils <NUM> made of conductor wire is provided. Preferably, between the outer surface of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> and the windings <NUM> a layer of insulating material (not shown) is provided.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM> consists of an upper annular half-tube 121a and a lower annular half-tube 121b, which are coupled together with known means, for example by welding, by means of a sealant and/or wrapped with a carbon fibre or fibreglass. A gasket (not shown) is preferably interposed between the upper annular half-tube 121a and the lower annular half-tube 121b.

The toroidal tubular body <NUM> comprises at least one duct <NUM> for the inlet, in the stator <NUM>, of a pressurized fluid and at least one duct <NUM> for the outlet, from the stator <NUM>, of the pressurized fluid. The inlet duct <NUM> and the outlet duct <NUM> have a respective end flange <NUM> and <NUM>.

Once assembled, the toroidal tubular body <NUM> preferably has a circular or square section or a section of any other closed geometric shape and is made of non-magnetic stainless steel or any other material capable of withstanding high pressures and corrosion, for example carbon fibre. In a completely similar way to the rotor <NUM> of the toroidal electric generator <NUM>, the rotor <NUM> comprises a support element <NUM> and a plurality of hydraulic blades <NUM>, mounted on the support element <NUM>, integral with it.

Each hydraulic blade <NUM> comprises an annular magnet <NUM> (see <FIG>), having a section equal to the internal section of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> being covered on the sides by a pair of discs <NUM> of metallic or non-magnetic material (see <FIG>), which protect the respective magnet <NUM> from impacts against the pressurized fluid entering the stator <NUM>.

The support element <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> preferably has a square or circular section, or any other closed geometric shape, and is preferably constituted by two, three or four portions, preferably by four portions, which are joined together to form a ring or circle. Alternatively, the support element <NUM> has the shape of an open ring.

The rotor <NUM> also preferably comprises a series of bearing-holding carriages <NUM>, a series of band-holding carriages <NUM> and/or spacers <NUM>, which are the same as those described with reference to <FIG>, and therefore they are not further described here.

The toroidal electric generator <NUM> further comprises an external casing <NUM>, preferably of an annular shape with a circular or square section or a section of any other closed geometric shape, made of metallic material, preferably iron.

The external casing <NUM> comprises an upper half-shell <NUM> and a lower half-shell <NUM> coupled together, for example screwed with screws <NUM> passing through respective openings <NUM> provided at edge portions, thereby hermetically closing the toroidal electric generator <NUM> inside them.

The upper half-shell <NUM> and the lower half-shell <NUM> have a pair of terminal portions in the shape of a half-tube, respectively 143a, 144a and 143b, 144b, which, in the assembled condition, form a first tube <NUM> for housing the inlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM> and a second tube <NUM> for housing the outlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the external casing <NUM> further comprises a pair of gaskets <NUM>, <NUM> housed in respective annular seats <NUM>, <NUM> formed at the external diameter and the internal diameter of the upper <NUM> or lower half-shell <NUM> and the respective end portions 143a, 144a or 143b, 144b thereof.

One or more gaskets <NUM> are further provided on the inlet <NUM> and outlet ducts <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, preferably in proximity to the perforated flanges <NUM>, <NUM>. The gasket(s) are housed in respective seats <NUM> formed in end portions 143a, 144a and 143b, 144b of the upper <NUM> and lower half-shells <NUM> of the outer casing <NUM>.

The toroidal electric generator <NUM> further comprises a plurality of upper separating elements <NUM> and a plurality of lower separating elements <NUM>, all made of metallic material, for example iron.

In the assembled condition of the generator, the upper separating elements <NUM> are sandwiched between the upper half-shell <NUM> and the upper half-tube 121a of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, in contact with them, and positioned between two adjacent windings <NUM>.

In the assembled condition of the generator, the lower separating elements <NUM> are sandwiched between the lower half-shell <NUM> and the lower half-tube 121b of the toroidal tubular body <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, in contact with them, and positioned between two adjacent windings <NUM>. As previously mentioned, the presence of the external casing <NUM> and of the plurality of separating elements <NUM> and <NUM> between adjacent windings <NUM>, closes the circuit of the magnetic flux generated by the magnets of the hydraulic blades as they pass inside each winding, thereby eliminating or considerably reducing the dispersion phenomena of the magnetic field generated the hydraulic blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> rotating inside the stator <NUM>. This advantageously increases the quantity of electrical energy generated and the efficiency of the toroidal electric generator <NUM>. Furthermore, the external casing advantageously allows the toroidal electric generator, in particular the stator windings, to be protected from external impacts and stresses.

With reference to <FIG>, they show a variant of the external casing of the toroidal electric generator according to the invention. This variant is described with reference to the external casing <NUM>, but it is equally applicable to the external casing <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

In particular, the upper and lower separating elements <NUM> and <NUM>, instead of being separate elements, are formed in a single body with the upper half-shell <NUM> and the lower half-shell <NUM> of the external casing <NUM>, by making cavities <NUM> in the two half-shells, one for each winding <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. The separating elements are constituted by side walls, preferably arcuated, of the cavities.

The operation of the toroidal electric generator according to the alternative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the embodiment of <FIG>, but it is understood that what is set out below applies to the toroidal electric generator <NUM> in accordance with the second embodiment.

In a first operating condition, the inlet valve of the inlet duct <NUM> is open, so that the pressurized fluid enters the stator <NUM> and impacts substantially perpendicularly on the hydraulic blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> begins to rotate inside the stator <NUM> with consequent generation of a rotating magnetic field by means of the magnets <NUM> of the hydraulic blades <NUM>. The magnetic field generated by the magnets <NUM> induces a large amount of electrical energy in the windings <NUM> of the stator. The fluid exits from the stator <NUM> through the outlet duct <NUM> at reduced pressure, having yielded it to the rotor <NUM> in the form of a thrust force.

Since the toroidal electric generator is of the reversible type, in a second operating condition it can operate as a high-pressure pump or a compressor for a fluid, such as for example air or water.

In this case, electrical energy is applied to the ends of the windings <NUM> and the electromotive force that is generated attracts the magnets <NUM>, rotating the hydraulic blades <NUM> in the direction of the electric current that passes inside the windings <NUM>, and causing the rotor <NUM> to rotate inside the stator <NUM>. The fluid is then re-directed inside the stator <NUM> through the inlet duct <NUM>, where there is a non-return valve, which prevents the fluid from returning back from where it is entered. The rotor <NUM>, rotating very quickly, compresses the fluid and pushes it out with force through the outlet duct <NUM> of the stator <NUM>, where there is another non-return valve, which prevents the fluid from returning back inside the stator <NUM>. The toroidal electric generator <NUM> therefore behaves like a compressor or a high-pressure pump.

From the above description the characteristics of the toroidal electric generator of the present invention are evident, as are the relative advantages. In particular, the toroidal electric generator has increased efficiency and is configured to resist, without being damaged, the high pressures of the fluid entering the stator. Furthermore, the toroidal electric generator can be replaced quickly, without interrupting the correct performance of work activities for a long time and its maintenance and/or replacement of parts are simple and immediate.

Claim 1:
A toroidal electric generator (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising a stator (<NUM>; <NUM>), which includes a tubular body (<NUM>; <NUM>) supporting a plurality of windings (<NUM>; <NUM>), and a rotor (<NUM>; <NUM>) rotatable within the stator (<NUM>; <NUM>) and comprising a support element (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a plurality of hydraulic blades (<NUM>; <NUM>), each provided with a respective magnet (<NUM>; <NUM>) and mounted on the support element (<NUM>; <NUM>) integral to it;
characterized in that it further comprises an external casing (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a plurality of separating elements (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>), each separating element being arranged between a respective pair of adjacent windings (<NUM>; <NUM>) of the plurality of windings (<NUM>; <NUM>) of the stator (<NUM>; <NUM>).