flywheel

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a magnetic gear coupling for transmitting torque from a flywheel to a driveshaft, the coupling employing permanent magnet arrays and magnetic flux coupling elements therebetween, and at least one of the arrays and coupling elements being circumferentially staggered or spread, so as to avoid complete alignment of the arrays and elements, and thereby mitigate torque coupling capability variations.

1 . Apparatus for coupling force between first and second movable members,
 each of the first and second members having an array of alternating magnetic poles, the alternating poles having a spacing therebetween in a direction of relative motion between the members,   a magnetic flux coupling element being arranged between the first and second members, thereby providing a flux density region of relatively high magnetic flux density between a pole of the first member and a pole of the second member, wherein:   the first and second members and the coupling element are arranged relative to one another to prevent complete alignment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which one of first and second pole arrays are split along their axis into split pole parts and one of the split pole parts is differently aligned in the direction of motion than another split pole part. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  in which the split pole part alignments form a symmetrical pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  in which the split pole part alignments form a chevron or a sinusoidal pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the coupling element is split along its axis and one of the split coupling parts is arranged with a different alignment in the direction of motion relative to one of the poles of the first and second members than another of the split coupling parts. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which the split pole part alignments form a symmetrical pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  in which the split pole part alignments form a chevron or a sinusoidal pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first and second members are rotatable, and the first and second spacings are angular spacings. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first array is arranged inside the second array. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first array is arranged opposite the second array. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first array is arranged alongside the second array. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first and second members are linearly movable, and the first and second spacings are linear spacings. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which one of the first and second members is rotatable, the corresponding one of first and second spacings is an angular spacing, the other one of the first and second members is linearly movable, and the corresponding other one of first and second spacings is a linear spacing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the coupling element comprises one or more coupling elements of material having a high relative magnetic permeability. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which the relative permeability is greater than about 400. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the coupling element has a low electrical conductivity. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which each coupling element is incorporated in a membrane separating the first and second members. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which each coupling element is substantially the same thickness as the membrane or thicker than the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which a dimension of each coupling element increases with radius from an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  in which between each coupling element is a material having a low magnetic permeability and low conductivity. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the poles of each array are substantially equally spaced with respect to other poles in the same array. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the poles of the first array have substantially the same spacing as those of the second array. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which poles of first array have a greater or lesser spacing than the spacing of poles in the second array. 
     
     
         24 . A method of making a coupler for coupling force between first and second movable members, the method comprising:
 arranging an array of alternating magnetic poles on each of first and second members, the poles having a spacing therebetween in a direction of relative movement between the members;   arranging magnetic flux coupling means between the first and second members, thereby providing a flux density region of relatively high magnetic flux density between a pole of the first member and a pole of the second member; and   arranging at least one of the first member, the second member and the coupling means so as to prevent complete alignment.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled)