Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosures relates to the field of motors and generators, specifically generators harvesting energy and converting it to power. 
         [0002]    In recent years, several new types of motors and generators have been developed in an effort to improve efficiency. In particular, as hybrid, electric (EV), and fuel-cell vehicles have gained more attention, the need has risen to create smaller and more powerful motors. 
         [0003]    A major drawback of alternative vehicles that exist today is that their primary recharging systems are external (other than minimal recharging created by regenerative braking in some vehicles). In other words, EV&#39;s need to be plugged-in, hybrids internal combustion engine usually kicks in after a short distance, and infrastructure for fuel-cell hydrogen fueling stations are extremely limited. As a result, manufacturers are working on integrating the charging and propulsion systems. However, achieving compatibility and balance between power, range, and infrastructure can be a challenge for alternative powered vehicles. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an on-board charging system that can use the motion of a vehicle to power the electrical system while still being efficient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of the present device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of one embodiment of a generator of the present device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of another embodiment of the present device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3   a  shows a side view detail of a controller in an embodiment of the present device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   c  shows a side view of a dual-controller in an embodiment of the present device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view detail of the generator in an alternate embodiment of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the present device can comprise a rotating generator  104  and a controller  106 . A generator  104  can have a rotor  103  that can be attached to a hub  101 , and an exterior shell that can be fixed to a controller  106 . 
         [0013]    A stator  102  and rotor  103  can have an interior plurality of indentations and protrusions that can serve as poles. The controller  106  can lock onto generator  104  with a plurality of dual purpose quick-release snap fittings  112  containing system control electrical and electronic input/output devices. 
         [0014]    A controller  106  can convert the energy flow into streamable electricity and flow it to the electrical control system using capacitors  107 , seed coils  105 , transfer bars  112 , and regulators  108 . A controller  106  can further comprise a seed coil  105  that can be first energized by electrical flux from a generator  104 . A seed coil  105  can then electrify a transfer bar  112 . An embedded card  110  and a RF transmitter  109  are part of a real-time system to act upon a generator  104 . Stabilizer lines  111 , which can be flexible, can connect a controller  106  to a vehicle&#39;s electrical control system from a generator  102 . 
         [0015]    A controller  106  utilizing an embedded card  110  as part of a real-time system to act upon a generator  104  and a controller  106 . In some embodiments of the present device, real-time deadlines and operations can be accomplished in an inverse peer-to-peer manner. While the controller can over-ride instructions from the generator, the generator can perform functions autonomously while monitored by controller so that function speed is optimized. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments of the present device, as shown in  FIG. 2  control of on/off and regulation of heat and power in a motor/generator can be accomplished by a shape-adaptive mechanism. Although depicted in  FIG. 2  as a 3-phase motor with a four-pole rotor and a six-pole stator, the motor can have any other known and/or convenient configuration. 
         [0017]    A rotational generator  104  can have an inner and outer housing allowing expansion  203 . This space of any known and/or convenient geometry can exist between these housings to allow for radial expansion and contraction of a stator  201 . A rotor  211  can be connected to a hub  217 . 
         [0018]    A stator  201  can be comprised of a plurality of radially separated plates  204 . Although depicted in  FIG. 2  as having six plates  204 , a stator  201  can have any known and/or convenient number of plates  204 . Expansion shields  214  can be housed in expansions shield pockets  215 , which can be located at the interior edges of seams of plates  204  to cover the seams when open. 
         [0019]    A plate  204  can have a linear motion controller  219  positioned in a substantially central location on a surface of a plate  204 . A linear motion controller  219  can employ a ball-and-screw mechanism, as shown in  FIG. 2  or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. A linear motion controller  219  can also further comprise of a rechargeable battery  212  and an embedded card  213 . At least one wire  218  can connect a linear motion controller  219  to an output/input device  210 . 
         [0020]    To operate the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a user can switch on a generator  104  via a dashboard control system or any other known and/or convenient device. An embedded card  213  can analyze speed, temperature, braking, acceleration/deceleration, and/or any other desired parameters. This data is fed into an algorithm that can best determine the pole position in a generator  104 . When system data indicates a “normal” range, as determined by an embedded card  213 , the plates  204  can be moved via linear motion controllers  219  to a position of maximum charge for a 3-mm air gap, for example. However, if less than optimal conditions are detected, plates  204  can be moved to create a 3.04-mm, or any other known and/or convenient spacing between the rotor and stator poles, for example. Assuming that a 3-mm air gap is optimal for harvesting the maximum amount of energy in a generator  104 , any air gap greater than 3-mm can yield less energy, but prevents heat build-up and frequent on/off cycling, which can smooth the waveform, and, therefore power efficiency of a motor. 
         [0021]    In a “full-on” position, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , plates  204  can be in the maximum radially inward position, with no gaps between the plate seams, to give an air gap on 3-mm, for example. When a generator  104  is running at less than “full-on” capacity, plates  204  can be moved radially outward such that gaps between plate seams would open up. In this situation, expansion shields  214  can slide out of expansion-shield pockets  215  and be attached to neighbor poles to shield these gaps. When a generator  104  is in an “off” position, creating a 7-mm air gap, for example, no power can be generated and expansion shield  214  can be fully deployed if plates are fully deployed outward. When “full-on operation resumes, plates  204  can move radially inward to close the gaps, while expansion shields  214  can slide back into expansion-shield pockets  215 . 
         [0022]    By controlling power at the source, i.e. flux levels directly in the generator, if desired, a user can choose various power-generating need/settings. For example, using lower desired range preset algorithms, a generator  104  can deactivate after a recharging goal is achieved (i.e. charging on-demand), thus extending the life of the device. 
         [0023]    An algorithm can control a generator  104  by using parameters such as potential, velocity and geometric progression to predict speed, braking, acceleration, or deceleration similar to that in anti-lock braking systems (ABS). The success of a generator  104  can be predicated on the waveform of the power output. An algorithm&#39;s primary function can be to matched against a waveform preset allowing optimal waveforms by prediction of the rotation of a hub  217  so that an algorithm can then signal linear motion controllers  219  to radially move plates  204 , and therefore, stator poles, to accomplish a desired task, that is to deliver clean and usable power to a controller  104  and subsequent output to batteries or directly to the electrical system. 
         [0024]    The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the device can include a primary/secondary coil wire  205 , a primary coil  209 , secondary coil  206 , a transfer bar  207 , and a plate movement track  208 . 
         [0025]    The transfer bar  207  can be located proximate to the edge of a stator plate  204  and can be coupled with a plate movement track  208  adapted to allow radial, rectilinear motion of the transfer bar relative to the device. In some embodiments, any desired number of transfer bars  207  can be incorporated. 
         [0026]    A primary coil  209  can be coupled with the stator plate and located adjacent to the transfer bar  207  and the transfer bar  207  can be coupled with a secondary coil  206  via a primary/secondary coil wire  218 . In some embodiments, the secondary coil  206  can be located in any other known and/or convenient location within the device and/or may be coupled in any other known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0027]    Introduction of the primary and secondary coils  209   206  and transfer bar  207  can result in generation of a greater amount of heat than would be anticipated from the device. The configuration can increase the energy generated by the device at the source and increase the energy supplied to the controller  104 . Heat generation can be mitigated and/or controlled by appropriate control of the stator plates  201  and design factors including the number of poles including primary and/or secondary coils  206   209 . In operations, the device can include any number of desired paired and/or unpaired primary and/or secondary coils  206   209  which can be located in any desired and/or convenient location within the device. 
         [0028]    Depicted in  FIG. 4 , electrical generation can be switched on/off by radio-frequency (RF) receiver  409  from signal sent by controller  104  deactivating rotor rotation by slip-ring  405  (bearings  407 ) via controller  408 . While hub  402  speed is constant, rotor  403  rotation works with toggle  404  (depicted engaged) by tilt mechanism  406  or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of another embodiment of the present device. In this embodiment, which can be used in circumstances, where limited space is not an impediment, such as in some industrial applications, an idler rim  306  can be attached to a spinning axle or hub  305  via a collar  304 . Idler rim  306  can have a plurality of indentations on the outer perimeter edge or one or both surfaces of an idler rim  306  with attached rotor poles  303 . Heat vents  300 / 302  assist cooling. 
         [0030]    Depicted in  FIG. 3   a  side view detail is a single rotor/stator embodiment  309  on the idler rim perimeter edge  310 . In a vehicular application, only one side of an idler rim  310  or the idler rim perimeter edge  310  (depicted) are available where space may be limited. A linear motion controller  308  on track  313  can regulate the optimal distance (air gap) of the stator poles  312  from rotor poles  311  formed by indentations  316  in an rotor pole  309 . A seed coil  307  than can be first energized by electrical flux from rotor poles  311  passing through stator poles  312 . A seed coil  307  can then electrify a transfer bar  315 , which can ramp the wattage potential approximately by a factor of 10 when a secondary coil  314  is energized. A secondary coil  314  can then generate electricity. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3   c  side view depicts a detail drawing of an integrated dual-sided controller/generator  320 . In dual embodiments, a plurality of stators can be on both sides of an idler rim  324 . A plurality of rotor posts  322 , on each side of an idler rim (wheel)  324 , can be directly fixed, attached, or part of an idler rim  324 . Stator pole  321 , depicted in a full-outward position or maximum air gap via linear motion controller  325 . Secondary coil then streams electricity at no or minimal levels. 
         [0032]    In use, the embodiments shown in  FIG. 3  operates similarly to that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An algorithm can signal linear motion controllers  325  to regulate power. By increasing or decreasing the air gap and regulating the distance between stator poles  321  and rotor poles  322 , power generation efficiencies and deficiencies regulate the power efficiencies demanded by the integrated controller caliper  320 . 
         [0033]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident than many alternative, modifications, and variations will be apparent t those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed intended to embrace all such alternative, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 5