Dual linear electrodynamic system and method

Abstract

An exemplary description provided for patent searches includes a linear electrodynamic system involving conversions between electrical power and mechanical motion uses unique magnet assemblies that move and unique stator assemblies and stator members shaped and oriented with respect to the moving magnet assemblies.

1 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a member configured to reciprocate along a path of travel, the path of travel including a first position of travel and a second position of travel;    a stator system having a plurality of first stator surface portions and a plurality of second stator surface portions, each of the first stator surface portions positioned across from a different one of the second stator surface portions to define a plurality of gap portions; and    a magnet assembly containing a plurality of magnets, the magnet assembly fixedly coupled to the member, the magnet assembly having a first plurality of magnets each positioned in the magnet assembly to be in a different one of the gap portions and each being closer than the other magnets of the first plurality to both the first stator surface portion and the second stator surface portion of the gap portion when the member is at the first position of travel, the magnet assembly having a second plurality of magnets each positioned in the magnet assembly to be in a different one of the gap portions and each being closer than the other magnets of the second plurality to both the first stator surface portion and the second stator surface portion of the gap portion when the member is at the second position of travel.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the magnets of the first plurality shares a different one of the plurality of the gap portions with a different one of the magnets of the second plurality, the first stator surface portion of the gap portion being nearest a first surface of the first magnet at the first position of travel, the first surface having a first polarity, and the first stator surface being nearest a second surface of the second magnet at the second position of travel, the second surface having a second polarity, the first polarity being opposite in polarity to the second polarity.  
   
   
       3 . A system comprising: 
 a first stator portion and a second stator portion, the first stator portion fixedly coupled to and positioned across from the second stator portion to form a gap therebetween;    a member configured to reciprocate along a path oriented with respect to the gap, the path including a first point of travel; and    a magnetic material having a first surface and a second surface, the magnetic material being arranged to produce a plurality of flux lines proceeding out of the first surface and returning into the second surface, the magnetic material coupled to the member and being positioned in the gap with the plurality of flux lines proceeding into the first stator portion from the first surface of the magnetic material and proceeding out of the second stator portion into the second surface of the magnetic material when the member is at the first point of travel.    
   
   
       4 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a member configured to reciprocate having a path of travel including a first position of travel and a second position of travel;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion coupled to the member for movement therewith;    a magnetic material coupled to the holder portion; and    a first stator portion and a second stator portion, the first stator portion coupled to the second stator portion and spaced therefrom, the inner surface portion of the holder portion being in juxtaposition with the first stator portion and the outer surface portion of the holder portion being in juxtaposition with the second stator portion when the member is at the first position of travel, the magnetic material positioned between the first stator portion and the second stator portion when the member is at the second position of travel.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the magnetic material includes a first side nearest the first stator portion when the member is at the first position of ravel, the first side being concave.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the inner surface of the holder portion has a first radius of curvature and a portion of the first side of the magnetic material has a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the inner surface of the holder portion has a first radius of curvature and the magnetic material includes a first side nearest the first stator portion when the member is at the first position of travel, the first side being convex.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the magnetic material is recessed within a wall of the holder portion.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the magnetic material is affixed o the outer surface of the holder portion.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the magnetic material is affixed to the inner surface of the holder portion.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the holder portion is shaped as a portion of a cylinder.  
   
   
       12 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a member configured to reciprocate having a path of travel including a first position of travel and a second position of travel;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion fixedly coupled to the member;    a magnetic material coupled to the holder portion; and    a first stator portion and a second stator portion, the first stator portion coupled to the second stator portion and spaced therefrom, the inner surface portion of the holder portion being in juxtaposition with the first stator portion and the outer surface portion of the holder portion being in juxtaposition with the second stator portion when the member is at the first position of travel, the magnetic material being positioned between the first stator portion and the second stator portion when the member is at the second position of travel.    
   
   
       13 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a housing;    a member flexibly coupled with the housing;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion fixedly coupled to the member;    a plurality of instances of magnetic material, the instances of magnetic material affixed to the holder portion;    a stator assembly having stator poles wrapped with windings, the stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the stator assembly to extend outward toward the inner surface portion of the holder portion, the stator ends being in juxtaposition with the inner surface portion of the holder portion; and    a stator member concentrically juxtapositioned with the outer surface of the holder portion, the stator poles being fixedly coupled with and spaced from the stator member by separation spaces, the member flexibly coupled with the housing to an extent sufficient to provide travel of the holder portion with the instances of magnetic material into the separation spaces.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the stator ends are shaped with an outward flare.  
   
   
       15 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a housing;    a member flexibly coupled with the housing;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion fixedly coupled to the member;    a plurality of instances of magnetic material, the instances of magnetic material affixed to the holder portion;    a stator assembly having stator poles wrapped with windings, the stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the stator assembly to extend inward toward the outer surface portion of the holder portion, the stator ends being in juxtaposition with the outer surface portion of the holder portion; and    a stator member concentrically juxtapositioned with the inner surface of the holder portion, the stator poles being fixedly coupled with and spaced from the stator member by separation spaces, the member flexibly coupled with the housing to an extent sufficient to provide travel of the holder portion with the instances of magnetic material into the separation spaces.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  comprising a plurality of flexure bearings and wherein the member is flexibly coupled with the housing by being fixedly coupled to the flexure bearings.  
   
   
       17 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a shaft configured to reciprocate along a longitudinal direction;    a plurality of magnets coupled to and extending from the shaft; and    a stator assembly having stator poles wrapped with windings, the stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the stator assembly to extend inward toward the shaft, each of the stator ends having a surface spaced apart from and positioned across from a surface of another of the stator ends to form a gap, each magnet positioned on the shaft to pass through one of the gaps, the magnet being in juxtaposition with the surfaces of the two stator poles forming the gap during a portion of the shaft reciprocation.    
   
   
       18 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a shaft configured to reciprocate along a longitudinal direction;    a plurality of magnets coupled to and extending from the shaft in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal end at an angle with respect to another of the magnets; and    a stator assembly having stator poles wrapped with windings, the stator poles having stator ends, each stator pole positioned in the stator assembly to extend inward toward the shaft, each of the stator ends shaped to fit into a different one of the angles between a different pair of the magnets extending from the shaft.    
   
   
       19 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a housing;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion positioned inside of the housing;    a plurality of instances of magnetic material, the instances of magnetic material affixed to the holder portion;    a stator assembly positioned outside of the housing, the stator assembly having stator poles wrapped with windings, the stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the stator assembly to extend inward toward the housing; and    a stator member positioned inside of the housing and fixedly coupled with and spaced from the housing by separation spaces to allow for travel of the holder portion into the separation spaces.    
   
   
       20 . A linear electrodynamic system comprising: 
 a housing;    a member flexibly coupled with the housing;    a holder portion having an inner surface portion and an outer surface portion, the holder portion fixedly coupled to the member;    a plurality of instances of magnetic material, the instances of magnetic material affixed to the holder portion;    a first stator assembly having first stator poles wrapped with windings, the first stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the stator assembly to extend inward toward the outer surface portion of the holder portion;    a second stator assembly having second stator poles wrapped with windings, the second stator poles having stator ends and positioned in the second stator assembly to extend outward toward the inner surface portion of the holder portion, the first stator poles being fixedly coupled with and spaced from the second stator poles to allow for travel of the holder portion between the first stator poles and the second stator poles.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein portions of the housing are positioned between the first stator poles and the second stator poles.