Radial Flux Alternator

Abstract

An energy conversion system includes rotor, stator and shell components configurations for increasing power efficiency and improving replacement and repair efficiency. The system harvests environmental energy for lower power generation and accounts for non-mechanical sources of rotational resistance within the generator.

1 . An alternator comprising:
 a rotor having alternating magnetic and non-magnetic portions on an outward facing circumference thereof;   a shell component surrounding the outward facing circumference of the rotor and having ferromagnetic portions located opposite the magnetic portions of the outward facing circumference of the rotor, wherein the rotor and the shell component are connected to a rotatable shaft; and   one or more dielectric components wound with copper wire located between the rotor and the shell component;   wherein the alternator generates power in a range of 2 to 20 watts when the rotatable shaft simultaneously rotates the rotor and the shell component at a rate as low as 1 rpm such that there is no relative motion therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The alternator according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic portions of the outward facing circumference of the rotor are permanent magnets affixed thereto. 
     
     
         3 . The alternator according to  claim 2 , wherein the permanent magnets are neodymium magnets. 
     
     
         4 . The alternator according to  claim 3 , wherein the spacing between the permanent magnets is approximately equal. 
     
     
         5 . The alternator according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more dielectric components has an air core and, a length and width and notches at a top and bottom of the length thereof, wherein each of the one or more dielectric components includes a piece of copper wire wound around the length of the component through the top and bottom notches thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The alternator according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the one or more dielectric components is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass, phenolic resin, plastic, polycarbonate, wood, glass-reinforced nylon, and glass. 
     
     
         7 . The alternator according to  claim 1 , wherein the ferromagnetic portions of the shell component are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, chromium (IV) oxide, ferrite, iron, magnetite, neodymium, permalloy, and samarium-cobalt. 
     
     
         8 . The alternator according to  claim 7 , wherein the ferromagnetic portions of the shell have a thickness of at least 16 gauge. 
     
     
         9 . An alternator comprising:
 a rotor having alternating magnetic and non-magnetic portions on an outward facing circumference thereof, wherein the spacing between the magnetic and non-magnetic portions is approximately equal;   a shell component surrounding the outward facing circumference of the rotor and having ferromagnetic portions located opposite the magnetic portions of the outward facing circumference of the rotor, wherein the rotor and the shell component are connected to a single rotatable shaft; and   a stator located between the rotor and the shell component, wherein the stator remains stationary while the rotor and shell component rotate simultaneously.   
     
     
         10 . The alternator according to  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic portions of the outward facing circumference of the rotor are permanent magnets affixed thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The alternator according to  claim 10 , wherein the permanent magnets are neodymium magnets. 
     
     
         12 . The alternator according to  claim 11 , wherein the spacing between the permanent magnets is approximately equal. 
     
     
         13 . The alternator according to  claim 9 , wherein the stator is form of a dielectric material selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass, phenolic resin, plastic, polycarbonate, wood, glass-reinforced nylon, and glass. 
     
     
         14 . The alternator according to  claim 9 , wherein the ferromagnetic portions of the shell component are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, chromium (IV) oxide, ferrite, iron, magnetite, neodymium, permalloy, and samarium-cobalt. 
     
     
         15 . The alternator according to  claim 14 , wherein the ferromagnetic portions of the shell have a thickness of at least 16 gauge.