Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(c) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/279,423, filed Oct. 20, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including specifically but not limited to the systems, devices, and methods relating to magnet arrays. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention generally relate to magnet arrays, and more specifically, Halbach magntic arrays. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is general familiarity with a compass or a simple horseshoe magnet. However, does any one wonder why in the simple refrigerator magnet, the magnetism exists only on one side and not on the other? It is a simple arrangement in the construction of the magnet that allows magnetic field to only to be present on one side of the magnet. This arrangement is known as the Halbach effect. The theory behind this effect was originally discussed by J. C. Mallinson in 1973, who mathematically proved that it is possible to construct a magnet such that that a magnetic flux would exist just on one side of the magnet. 
         [0004]    Picture a single, long bar magnet with your standard North and South poles at each end. Now slice this magnet up into several even, smaller pieces and you will end up with several smaller magnets, each with its own North and South Pole. Arrange these pieces side-by-side so that each consecutive piece&#39;s North Pole has been rotated a quarter turn from the previous magnet. What you will end up with is the same bar magnet; however, the direction of magnetization will be rotating uniformly as you progress in a particular direction. The name for this magnet is a Halbach array, after the physicist Klaus Halbach who invented it. 
         [0005]    Generally a Halbach array is an arrangement of permanent magnets that can augment the magnetic field on one side of the Halbach array while canceling the magnetic field to near zero or substantially near zero on the other side of the Halbach array. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the magnetic field can be enhanced on the bottom side of the Halbach array and cancelled on the top side (a one-sided flux) of the Halbach array. The quarter turn rotating pattern of permanent magnets (on the front face; on the left, up, right, down) can be continued indefinitely and have the same effect. This arrangement can result in roughly similar to many horseshoe magnets placed adjacent to each other, and with similar poles touching. 
         [0006]    The magnetic flux diagram shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  clearly demonstrates the one sided flux. Some advantages of one sided flux distributions can be at least the following: 
         [0007]    The field can be twice as large on the side on which the flux is confined (in the idealized case). 
         [0008]    Stray fields are not likely produced (in the ideal, infinite length case) on the opposite side. This can be helpful with field confinement, which can usually be a problem in the design of magnetic structures. 
         [0009]    However in a realistic scenario, the field of a Halbach array may be anywhere between 1.2-1.4 times of a bar magnet of similar dimensions. Several designs of electric motors using the Halbach array have been reported in the literature. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The embodiments of the invention generally relate to a novel magnet arrangement to further enhance the performance of the array. The new arrangement or assembly of magnets (for example, five configurations) can result in significantly much higher percentage gain in magnetic flux with respect to the largest magnetic flux of a component magnet, as compared to Halbach array configurations. By an appropriate mechanism, a shift in the various sub-magnets of the assembly can be achieved, which can result in a permanent magnet with a variable magnetic field capability having usefulness for various applications, for example, including but not limited to, a fork lift or a crane where heavy magnets are used to lift heavy equipment. The novel magnet array disclosed herein can replace every, or substantially every, use of conventional magnets which are used in motors, generators, transformers, or any device that produces or transmits electricity with the use of permanent magnets. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, a magnet array comprises a center magnet block with an equivalent north pole, a first magnet block having an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block; a second magnet block having an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block, whereby said center magnet block is sandwiched between said first magnet block and said second magnet block and said three magnet blocks are aligned along a linear line resulting in a magnetic flux of said magnet array with an equivalent north pole pointing in a substantially same direction of said equivalent north pole of said center magnet block and perpendicular to said equivalent north poles of said first and second magnet blocks; and at least one of said three magnet blocks comprises a sub-array having an equivalent north pole direction; said one of said three magnet blocks having its equivalent north pole pointing in a substantially same direction of said equivalent north pole of said sub-array. In certain embodiments, the magnet array can be used in one of an electric motor, an electric generator, an electric magnetic crane or forklift. 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, a magnet array comprises a center magnet block having a first three magnet array with an equivalent north pole; a first magnet block, having a second three magnet array with an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block; and a second magnet block having a third three-magnet array with an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block, whereby said center magnet block is sandwiched between said first magnet block and said second magnet block and said three magnet blocks are aligned along a linear line resulting in a magnetic flux of said magnet array with an equivalent north pole, perpendicular to said north poles of said first and second magnet block, pointing in a substantially same direction of said equivalent north pole of said center magnet block. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, a magnet array comprises a center magnet block having a first three magnet array with an equivalent north pole; a first magnet block having a second three magnet array with an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block; a second magnet block having a third three-magnet array with an equivalent north pole pointing into said center magnet block, whereby said center magnet block is sandwiched between said first magnet block and said second magnet block and said three magnet blocks are aligned along a linear line resulting in a magnetic flux of said magnet array with an equivalent north pole, perpendicular to said north poles of said first and second magnet block, pointing in a substantially same direction of said equivalent north pole of said center magnet block. 
         [0014]    For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows the configuration of a conventional Halbach array. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  shows a typical performance of the magnetic flux of a Halbach array. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array comprising three magnetic blocks with one center block having the north pole side pointing downward sandwiched between two magnetic blocks having the north pole sides pointing to the center block magnet. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array comprising three magnetic blocks with one center block having the north pole side pointing downward sandwiched between two magnetic blocks having the north pole sides pointing to the center block magnet. Notice the N denotes the north pole side and S denotes the South Pole side. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array having nine magnetic blocks with one magnetic block in the center having the north pole side facing upward whereby sides of the blocks of magnets are of the same sizes. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array having nine magnetic blocks with one magnetic block in the center having the north pole side facing upward whereby the sides of the blocks of magnetic are not the same in sizes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array having twenty-seven magnetic blocks. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a novel magnet array with seventeen magnetic blocks. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  reports the results of a series of experiments to determine changes in electromagnetic field and motor torque/horsepower. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The embodiments of the novel magnet array disclosed herein can increase the magnetic flux as compared to a single block magnet. In certain embodiments, the magnet array can comprise a three magnet configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 2  or  3 A. 
         [0025]    The magnetic flux of the three magnet array  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The magnetic flux of the novel magnet array  20  is concentrated downward with little flux pointing upward. The downward pointed magnetic flux of the three magnet array  20  is greater than the magnetic flux generated by a single block magnet with the North Pole pointing downward whereby the size of the single magnet is equivalent in size to the combination of the three 3-magnet array  20 . In certain embodiments, the three magnet array  20  can comprise a sub-array  20 . The sub-array  20  can comprise a first magnet block  22  with the north pole pointing to a center magnet  24  whose a north pole pointing downward or upward being sandwiched between the first magnetic block  22  and a second magnet block  26  with its north pole pointing to the center magnet block  24 . If the center magnet block  24  has the north pole pointing upward, the sub-array  20  will have an equivalent north pole pointing upward. If the center magnet block  24  has the north pole pointing downward, the sub-array  20  will have an equivalent north pole pointing downward. 
         [0026]    In general, while maintaining the x dimensions of the magnetic blocks  22 ,  24  and  26  to be equal, maintaining the z dimensions of the magnetic blocks  22 ,  24  and  26  to be equal and making the y dimension of the magnet block  24  preferably bigger or larger in size than the y dimension of the magnet block  22  and  26 , the magnetic flux in the north pole can be made stronger or increased. 
         [0027]    For example,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a configuration of a magent array  10  of comprising a first sub-array  20  with an equivalent north pole pointing toward (−X direction) the center sub-array  30  with an equivalent north pole pointing upward (+Z direction), and a second sub-array  40  with an equivalent north pole pointing toward the center sub-array (+X direction). The first sub-array  20  comprises a first magnet block  22  with the north pole pointing in the −Y direction, a center magnet block  24  with north pole pointing towards the −X direction, and a second magnet block  26  with the north pole pointing to the +Y direction. The sub-array  20  has an equivalent north pole pointing to the center sub-array  30  (−X direction). In certain embodiments, the magnet array  10  can comprise a center sub-array  30  having a first block magnet  32  with the north pole pointing towards −Y direction, a center magnet block  34  with the north pole pointing to +Z direction and a second block magnet  36  with the north pole pointing to the center magnet block  34 . The center sub-array  30  has an equivalent north pole pointing in the +Z direction. In certain embodiments, the magnet array  10  can comprise a second sub-array  40  having a first magnet block  42  with the north pole pointing to (+X direction) the center magnet block  44  and a third magnet block  46  with the north pole pointing to the center magnet block  44  (+Y direction). The second sub-array  40  has an equivalent north pole pointing to the center sub-array  30  (+X direction). The magnet array  10  has an equivalent north pole pointing to the +Z direction. If the north pole of center block magnet  34  is inverted resulting in the north pole pointing to the −Z direction, the magnet array  10  will have an equivalent north pole pointing to the −Z direction. The sub-arrays  20 ,  30 , and  40  may be identical or substantially the same in size, or in certain embodiments, the sub-arrays  20 ,  30 , and  40  may be different sizes, or in certain embodiments, the sub-arrays  20 ,  30 , and  40  may have a combination thereof. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 4B , in certain embodiments, the x dimension of sub-array  30  may be bigger or larger than the x dimension of sub-array  20  and  40 , and/or the y dimension of sub-array  30  may be bigger or larger than the y dimension of sub-array  20  and  40 , and/or the x and y dimensions of sub-array  20  and  40  are equal, resulting in a configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . In particular, the x dimension of magnet blocks  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  are identical or substantially identical to each other; the y-dimension of the magnet blocks  22 ,  26 ,  42  and  46  are identical or substantially identical to each other; the y dimension of magnet blocks  24 ,  34 , and  44  are identical or substantially identical to each other; and the x dimension of magnet blocks  32 ,  34  and  36  are identical or substantially to each other. 
         [0029]    In reference to  FIG. 5 , in certain embodiments, the magnetic blocks of the sub-array  20 , and  40  are identical or substantially identical except for in the z-dimension. For example, the z-dimension the sub-array  20 ,  30  and  40  can be bigger or larger than the x-dimensions and y-dimensions. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a magnet array  10 , whereby each magnetic block can be replaced by a sub-array with the equivalent north pole pointing to the same direction of the replaced magnetic block. For example, the magnetic block  22  of  FIG. 4  can be replaced by three magnetic blocks  22 A,  22 B and  22 C, whereby the north pole of the magnetic block  22  can be pointing to the same direction of the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  22 A,  22 B, and  22 C. The magnetic block  24  of  FIG. 4  can be replaced by three magnetic blocks  24 A,  24 B and  24 C, whereby the north pole of the magnetic block  24  can be pointing to the same direction of the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  24 A,  24 B, and  24 C. The magnetic block  26  of  FIG. 4  can be replaced by three magnetic blocks  26 A,  26 B and  26 C, whereby the north pole of the magnetic block  26  is pointing to the same direction of the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  26 A,  26 B, and  26 C. The magnetic block  32  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  32 A,  32 B and  32 C with the north pole of magnetic block  32  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  32 A,  32 B and  32 C. The magnetic block  34  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  34 A,  34 B and  34 C with the north pole of magnetic block  34  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  34 A,  34 B and  34 C. The magnetic block  36  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  36 A,  36 B and  36 C with the north pole of magnetic block  36  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  36 A,  36 B and  36 C. The magnetic block  42  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  42 A,  42 B and  42 C with the north pole of magnetic block  42  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  42 A,  42 B and  42 C. The magnetic block  44  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  44 A,  44 B and  44 C with the north pole of magnetic block  44  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  44 A,  44 B and  44 C. The magnetic block  46  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  46 A,  46 B and  46 C with the north pole of magnetic block  46  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  46 A,  46 B and  46 C 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the novel magnet array  10 , whereby some of the magnet blocks,  24 ,  32 ,  36  and  44  can be replaced by a sub-array with the equivalent north pole of the sub-array pointing to the same direction of the north pole of the replaced block. The magnetic block  24  of  FIG. 4  can be replaced by three magnetic blocks  24 A,  24 B and  24 C, whereby the north pole of the magnetic block  24  can be pointing to the same direction of the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  24 A,  24 B, and  24 C. The magnetic block  32  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  32 A,  32 B and  32 C with the north pole of magnetic block  32  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  32 A,  32 B and  32 C. The magnetic block  36  is replaced by magnetic blocks  36 A,  36 B and  36 C with the north pole of magnetic block  36  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  36 A,  36 B and  36 C. The magnetic block  42  can be replaced by magnetic blocks  42 A,  42 B and  42 C with the north pole of magnetic block  42  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  42 A,  42 B and  42 C. The magnetic block  44  is replaced by magnetic blocks  44 A,  44 B and  44 C with the north pole of magnetic block  44  pointing to the same direction as the equivalent north pole of magnetic blocks  44 A,  44 B and  44 C. 
         [0032]    A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate and compare the increase of magnetic flux achieved by the novel magnetic arrays disclosed herein as compared to other magnets, for example, neodymium magnets (NIB magnets or also known as neodymium-iron-boron magnets) or Halbach magnet arrays. Specifically, the experiments focused on changes in electromagnetic field (emf) and motor torque or horsepower. The data are reported in  FIG. 8 . The experimental data illustrates the increased electromagnetic field and/or motor torque generated by the novel magnetic arrays in comparison to NIB magnets and/or Halbach magnets. 
         [0033]    With an increase in magnetic field and/or motor torque, various applications requiring a magnet can be made more efficient and/or more powerful. For example, by an appropriate mechanism, a shift in the various sub-magnets of a magnet assembly can be achieved, which can result in a permanent magnet with a variable magnetic field capability having usefulness for various applications, for example, including but not limited to, a fork lift or a crane where heavy magnets are used to lift equipment. The novel magnet array disclosed herein can also replace every, or substantially every, use of conventional magnets which are used in motors, generators, transformers, or any device that produces or transmits electricity with the use of magnets, in order to make such applications more efficient and/or powerful. 
         [0034]    Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
         [0035]    While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims. Additionally, the skilled artisan will recognize that any of the above-described methods can be carried out using any appropriate apparatus. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set, forth herein. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 
         [0036]    Although the embodiments of the inventions have been disclosed in the context of a certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the inventions have been illustrated and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combine with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. For all of the embodiments described herein the steps of the methods need not be performed sequentially. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Technology Category: h