WO2005064777A1

WO2005064777A1 - The process of electric re-generation

Info

Publication number: WO2005064777A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/001966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jayantha Liyanage
Original assignee: Jayantha Liyanage
Priority date: 2003-12-17
Filing date: 2004-06-09
Publication date: 2005-07-14

Abstract

The Process of re-generating electricity by rotating the shaft of an electric generator coupled to a flywheel with permanent magnets attached and rotated by magnetic force from a smaller driver flywheel with magnets attached and placed close to the driven flywheel and in turn rotated by a smaller force. This method produces a surplus energy due to the action of leverage and Inertia, which' ensures the rotation of a heavy flywheel with relatively little effort. The magnetic power in permanent magnetic poles offers a lasting source of internal energy. The simplest method of rotation described in the invention produces a natural synchronization effect for stable rotation. The surplus energy produced or gained is used to charge continuously, an internal storage battery, which in turn supplies electric power to sustain the process. The rest is available for external use directly or through conversion process.

Description

01.00 TITLE OF THE INVENTION

THE PROCESS OF ELECTRIC RE-GENERATION

02.00 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

02 .01 INTRODUCTION

The Invention is about generating electricity from a power source, which is currently not used. This is achieved by a new method of rotating a relatively heavy flywheel Using and manipulating magnetic field force that exists in permanent magnets as an. internal power source and a new process to drive & control the shafts of electric generators by coupling of such flywheels. This process uses part of its generated electricity to sustain the process, therefore there is a regenerative process, hence the title THE PROCESS OF ELECTRIC RE-GENERATION.

02.02 FIELD OF INVENTION

The Invention is related to the following fields:

The Method of Flywheel Rotation - Applied Physics,

The Process of Electricity Generation - Electrical Engineering.

02.03 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) ELECTRICITY GENERATION:

Today small, medium and large-scale electricity is generated by rotating the shafts of electric generators. When the shaft of an electric generator rotates, it generates a voltage & a current depending on the design of the armature and the field coil. Now, this method of electricity generation has been known for a long time. What has basically changed over the years is the type of external power sources and methods of power conversion. Below are. a list of power sources that are derived from naturally occurring materials such as Coal, wood, petroleum, Uranium and created under natural conditions such as water reservoirs, wind, wave and under currents and the methods of converting of such power to rotate the shafts of electric generators.

(2) POWER SOURCES

(A) Power Sources: Water, Wind, Wave, Steam, Gas Power converter Turbine

(B) Power Source: Fuel engine Power converter: Pulley wheel, Crankshaft

(3) POWER CONVERSION

Most widely used power converting mechanism is the turbine. Turbines receive energy from an external power source linearly to its outer rim area and converts that energy to angular motion by transferring to a drive shaft.

Figure (1) shows the way in which power is imparted to a turbine and converted into angular motion to drive a shaft, which can be coupled, for example to a shaft of an electric generator to generate electricity. (4) CHARACTERISTICS OF A FLYWHEEL

The main component of this invention is the flywheel. A flywheel basically converts linear motion into angular motion or vice versa and accumulates energy as it rotates. The energy accumulated depends on its mass, radius and angular velocity and increases as these three factors are increased.

(A). MASS: - Larger the mass of a flywheel, the more energy it can store due to Inertia.

(B). VELOCITY: -Higher the angular velocity, higher the Kinetic Energy gains.

(c). RADIUS: - The amount of external energy needed to be imparted on the rim of a flywheel becomes less and less as the radius increases due to the leverage effect. But the speed at which the external energy needed to impart on the rim becomes higher in order to get a desired angular velocity of the shaft.

(5) PERMANENT MAGNETS:

It is known that permanent magnets have two magnetic poles, namely North Pole and South Pole and when, two like poles are brought close to each other they repulse, and unlike poles attract each other. This repulsion and attraction becomes stronger when the poles are close to each other. It is this phenomenon that has been basically manipulated and put to use as shown in figure (2) in this invention to create a sufficient force to rotate a relatively heavy flywheel from a smaller flywheel rotated by a relatively smaller force.

02.04 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

(1) THE METHOD: .

In this Invention, a smaller driver flywheel with magnets attached and rotated by a smaller force is placed close to a relatively large driven flywheel with magnets attached. Magnetic power in permanent magnets (north & south poles) of the driver flywheel, which imparts a field force and made to interact with the magnetic field forces of the magnets attached to the driven flywheel as it rotates. This makes the driven flywheel rotate when synchronized with the driver flywheel and converts the imparted force into angular motion and transferred to the drive shaft of the driven flywheel. The driven flywheel rotates due to push force when similar pples face each other and due to pull force when different poles gets close to each other. Basically the driven flywheel rotates due to force and from reaction to the magnetic field : forces exerted from the driver flywheel

(2) THE PROCESS:

The process involves generating electricity by rotating and controlling the speed of the shafts of electric generators by coupling to flywheels rotated by the above method and a re-generating process to sustain the entire electricity generating process. The driver flywheel, which supplies the initial field force, is rotated by a smaller force and in this invention by an electric motor. An electric motor has being chosen, as it is the most suitable method to supply a smaller force and to include an example of a detailed description. The speed of the driven flywheel is controlled by controlling the speed of the electric motor shaft and the dimensions of the driver flywheel. An internal battery supplies the starting current required to start the electric motor. The impetus to rotate the driven flywheel can be given by manual rotation or from a starter motor. A part of the electricity generated is used to re-charge an internal battery that supplies the current to the electric motor to start and sustain the process. The rest of the electricity generated is available for external use. 02.05 ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THE INVENTION

This Invention offers a new and a. unique way to generate small, medium and large-scale electricity using the basic process described with almost any kind of a generator even by coupling to existing generators that use other methods and power sources with a few modifications and adaptations. The process can charge almost all kinds, especially high capacity batteries directly and easily. There are only a few maintenance parts and hence less maintenance costs, insignificant environmental pollution and the re-generative method eliminates the need of an external power source and hence the main operating costs.

02.06 METHODS OF FLYWHEEL ROTATION.

The magnetic pole arrangement and its rotational procedure described below is the simplest method to implement out of many pole arrangements and their rotational methods.

(1) THE SIMPLEST METHOD - With Reference to Figure (3)

(A). Figure (3) shows a relatively large driven flywheel (DF) with permanent magnets attached to the outer rim area with magnetic poles as shown and rotated in the direction (R) shown.

(B). A relatively smaller driver flywheel (X) with two poles (NX & SX) as shown is rotated by an electric motor (M) placed close to the driven flywheel.

(C) Figure shows when the system is at rest where NX pole of the driver flywheel has been attracted to the S 1 magnet of the driven flywheel.

(D). When the driver flywheel starts to rotate in the direction (R) shown, SI magnet will pull a little, more towards the NX pole making the driven flywheel start to rotate a little in the direction shown.

(E). When NX pole moves away from SI magnet, then SX pole of the driver flywheel reaches SI magnet. Since both SX and SI are of the same pole, SX will push SI away, which is already moving away from SX, making the driven flywheel rotate further. At the same time Nl magnet is attracted towards the SX pole of the driver flywheel making the flywheel rotate faster;

(F). Next NX pole of the driver flywheel reaches the Nl magnet of the driven flywheel and starts to push away from it making the driven flywheel move further and faster.

(G). This way, the rotation of the driven flywheel is maintained at a specified speed until the speed of the driver flywheel is increased or decreased. So the cycle continues until the driver flywheel stops rotating by stopping the electric motor

(2) OTHERMETHODS OFROTATION

Based on the magnetic phenomena of attraction of unlike poles and repulsion of like poles and the way in which magnetic pole pieces that can be attached, that is alternatively, serially or in combination and the way in which magnetic pole surfaces that can be positioned in the outer rim area to achieve push - pull, push only or pull only, synchronized, non-synchronized rotation of both driven and the driver flywheels are virtually unlimited. 02.07 FLYWHEEL CONSTRUCTION

(1). FLYWHEELS

The driven and the driver flywheels can be made of any heavy hard metal or any hard material that can withstand high stresses of angular velocity and torque. Mild steel would be the most suitable material or a metal with similar properties. Lead alloys in conjunction with mild steel would make the flywheel thinner while keeping the mass and radius constant.

(2) PERMANENT MAGNETS

The permanent magnets that can be used in both the driven flywheel and the driver flywheel can be made of any material that is used to manufacture magnets that can impart a sufficient -field force and offer a sufficient pole strength. Materials such as Ceramic Ferrite, Neodymium Iron Boron, Samarium Cobalt or similar magnetic materials are particularly suitable.

(3) PLACING OF PERMANENT MAGNETS

Permanent magnets that are attached to the driven and driver flywheels can be placed, imbedded, screwed or bolted, strapped, inserted, glued to the outer rim area. Pole surfaces can be protruding outwardly, inwardly, sideways or angularly or the outer rim area of both or one can be constructed entirely of magnetic material in a manner where the poles are separated from one another and protruding according to the above positions.

(A) MAGNETIC POLE SHAPES & POSITIONS

The magnetic poles (North & South) can be attached to flywheels alternatively, serially or in combination with almost any shape that offers a clear pole force depending on the rotational procedure used.

02.08 SMALLER FORCES

There are several ways in which, a smaller force can be provided to rotate the smaller driver flywheel. An electric motor directly coupled is the best method. Using a gear wheel or a pulley , wheel & belt mechanism to rotate the driver flywheel could be adopted.

(1). ELECTRIC MOTORS

Electric motors such as DC motors, brush type AC motors and stepper motors are more suitable as their motor speed can be controlled easily and gradually using electronic control methods. The speed of certain motors like induction motors are difficult to control but if it can be controlled, then they too will be suited.

(2); THERMAL ENGINES:

Thermal engines can provide the necessary smaller force as its speed too can be controlled well.

(3). FLUID FORCE

Using coal, wood, fuel and other combustible material to generate steam, heated gas can be used with the existing turbine techniques. Water streams flowing naturally under the force of gravity can also be used.

(4). MUCH SMALLER DRIVER FLYWHEEL

This technique is an extension from the technique that has been developed to rotate the main driven flywheel. The force necessary t rotate a much smaller driver flywheel can be derived from one of the above methods. 02.09 THE PROCESS OF ELECTRICITY RE-GENERATION

The following description gives the general details of the main components of the electricity regenerating process with reference to figures (7) & (8).

(1 STARTER MECHANISM

This gives the impetus to start the generator by rotating the driven flywheel. The simplest way. of rotating the driven flywheel is by hand. Using a pulley wheel and a string or gear wheels with a detachable mechanism are more convenient methods. An electric motor connected to the driven flywheel through a magnetic clutch powered by the internal battery or from an external electricity supply or from a thermal engine with a magnetic clutch could be used as an auto start. A starter dynamo to rotate the flywheel and then to re-charge the battery could be adopted.

(2). DRIVEN FLYWHEEL ^' X ^"

The driven flywheel with magnets attached converts magnetic force imparted from the driver flywheel to the shaft that couples the electric generator. The dimension of the driven flywheel i.e. the mass, radius determines the power that it generates and need to be adjusted according to . the type, angular velocity and power rating of the generator used. The dimensions of magnet pieces to be attached and the number of pieces depends on the size of the driven flywheel and need to be adjusted by taking above parameters into considerations.

(3). DRIVER FLYWHEEL

The driver flywheel imparts the magnetic field force to the driven flywheel when rotated by the electric motor. This flywheel has a fewer magnet pieces than the driven flywheel along its rim area and needs to be rotated much faster in order to get a higher speed for the driven flywheel. The magnetic poles attached to the driver flywheel are placed very close to the magnetic pole attached to the driven flywheel to impart a higher push or pull force to the driven flywheel. As in the driven flywheel, the dimensions of the magnet pieces to be attached have to be decided accordingly.

(4). ELECTRIC GENERATOR:

This generates electricity when its shaft is rotated with the required force and speed. The following generators could be used. Generators mcluding AC or DC generators, Single phase or three phase generators, dynamos, alternators, starter dynamos, synchronous generators, . magnetos, permanent magnet generators, special purpose generators, large capacity AC or DC generators and DC motors. Basically it can be any generator new, modified or converted that is capable of generating a voltage and a current and also motors modified as generators.

(5 ). SMALLER FORCE

The smaller force that rotates the driver flywheel could be an electric motor, a thermal engine, a controlled jet of fluids like water, steam, gas or air from a fluid generator or it can be another much smaller driver flywheel rotated by above methods as shown in figure (8). Electric motors are the most suitable. Motors mcluding DC motors, AC motors, Stepper motors, high-speed motors, Universal AC-DC motors could be used with electronic speed controlled.

(6). INTERNAL BATTERY:

This is the power storage device that provides the starting current to the electric motor and to sustain it. The battery is continually re-charged by the battery charger from the current generated in the electric generator. A battery with a sufficient storage capacity is necessary to provide the starting current to the. electric motor or to a motor that can be used as a starter motor to give the initial impetus to the driven flywheel. 02.10. ELECTRONIC CONTROL

(1). THE CONTROL PANEL ^■.

The control panel basically contains a battery charger circuit, an ON/OFF switch, an AUTό/MAN: switch, a motor speed control unit and a manually operated control knob. When a Dc drive motor is used and powered by the internal battery, the speed of the motor could be varied by using a variable voltage regulator circuit either operated automatically using a digital circuit or manually from a speed control potentiometer. If a stepper motor is used, then a stepper motor control circuit is necessary for speed control.

If an AC drive motor is used, then an Inverter circuit is needed to convert the battery voltage into an AC supply and an AC phase control circuit to vary the input voltage to the drive motor for speed control. This could be done manually or automatically as shown in figure (10).

If a DC generator is used as the electric generator, then the internal battery could be charged directly from the output voltage from the generator thereby eliminating the battery charger, circuit. The generated electricity will be a DC voltage and current from the outlet socket. If an external DC or AC supply is used, then the same control procedure could be used eliminating the internal battery and the battery charger circuit. (2). ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS

(A). BATTERY CHARGER CIRCUIT:

The battery charger consists of a 220v to 12v/ 24v step-down transformer and a rectifier circuit. B). ON / OFF ^■ & AUTO / MANUAL SWITCHES

The ON/OFF switch is an ordinary switch to turn the battery supply voltage ON and OFF and the

AUTO/MANUAL switch is a two-way switch to direct the input voltage to the motor.

(C). VARIABLE VOLTAGE REGULATOR.

This circuit can be an ordinary DC variable voltage regulator circuit that can handle a relatively high voltage and current and could be used directly for manual speed control for a DC drive motor. An analogue to digital circuit with a ramp generator could be used for auto speed control. D). INVERTER & PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS

The inverter circuit converts a 12v / ^"24y DC battery voltage to a 220v AC equivalent to the mains voltage supply, which can be used to power an AC electric motor and could be used directly for manual speed control from a potentiometer using an AC Phase control circuit. An automatic AC voltage controller is needed for auto speed control together with above circuits.

NOTE: The circuits described above are mostly standard circuits as far as their functions are concerned. Advanced circuits that ensure the same functions . are being offered by the manufacturers for general usage. Such circuits could be adopted directly or with modifications.

(3). BASIC MODE OF MANUAL OPERATION. With reference to figure (9).

(A). Set the speed control knob to a very low speed.

(B). Switch ON the ON/OFF switch and AUTO/MANUAL switch to manual position.

(C). Rotate the driven flywheel manually and wait for synchronization with driver flywheel.

(D). When two flywheels synchronize & both rotate at low speed.

(E). Increase the drive motor speed using the control knob until the generator output voltage is increased to the desired value. 03.00 DETAILS OF THE DRAWING

The Arrow- > - points to an item.

The Arrow- ► - points to a direction of a signal, power or rotation.

FIGURE (IV

Figure (1) shows the basic way in which, an external: power imparts to a turbine and is made to rotate a generator shaft to generate electricity. Where,

T = Turbine

GE - Generated electricity

G = Electric generator

EP = External power

SH = Shaft

FIGURE (2)

Figure (2) shows the basic method that has been developed by manipulating the known magnetic phenomena of attraction of unlike poles and repulsion of like poles to rotate a relatively heavy flywheel from a smaller flywheel rotated by a smaller force. Where,

DF = Driven flywheel

X = Driver flywheel

SH = Shaft

N = North Pole pieces attached to the driven flywheel

S = South Pole pieces attached to the driven flywheel

NX = North Pole piece attached to the driver flywheel

SX = South Pole piece attached to the driver flywheel

R = Direction of rotation of driven and driver flywheels

FIGURE (3)

Figure (3) shows the simplest method, as described in detail in the section 02.06, where magnetic pole pieces are attached to the surface of the outer rim of a driven flywheel with magnetic pole surfaces protruding outwardly with North & South poles placed alternatively and as shown according to figure (4). North and South Pole pieces are attached to the outer rim of the driver flywheel with North and South Pole surfaces protruding outwardly. Where,

DF X = Driven flywheel

N1, N2 = North Pole pieces attached to the driven flywheel

S1, S2 = South Pole pieces attached to the driven flywheel

SH = Shaft

X = Driver flywheel

NX = North Pole piece attached to the driver flywheel

SX • ^■ = South Pole piece attached to the driver flywheel

M _. . = Electric Motor

R = Direction of rotation of driven and driver flywheels FIGURE (4)

Figure (4) shows the way in which, North, and South poles of the magnets pieces are placed alternatively.

FIGURE (5

Figure (5) shows the way in which, North or South poles of the magnet pieces are placed serially.

FIGURE (6)

Figure (6) shows the way in which, North and South poles of the magnet pieces are placed in combination.

FIGURE (7)

Figure (7) shows the basic process of generating electricity by coupling a generator to a flywheel rotated by the method described in the section 02.06 with reference to figure (3) and the method of electronic control described in the section 02.10. Where,

DF = Driven flywheel

X = Driver flywheel

SH = Shaft

SM = Starter mechanism

G = Electric generator

IB = Internal battery

EC = Electronic Control panel

OS = Outlet socket

GE = Generated electricity

SF = Smaller Force

FIGURE (8

Figure (8) shows the way in which, a driver flywheel can be rotated by using a smaller force. The smaller force can be an electric motor directly coupled to the driver flywheel or it can be a thermal engine where it's crankshaft is directly coupled to the flywheel. Also, it can be provided from a fluid force where, a heated gas or steam is directed to a turbine blade and in turn coupled to the driver flywheel or, from a controlled jet of water or air. It also can be another much smaller driver flywheel in turn rotated by above methods used to rotate the main driver flywheel. Where,

CP "Coupling

M ^• = Motor . ^{• '■}. .

TEG = Thermal Engine

FG = Fluid force

Y = Much smaller driver flywheel

X = Driver flywheel (Main)

SH = Shaft FIGURE (9)

Figure (9) shows the basic electronic control diagram for a system using a DC motor as the drive motor and an AC electric generator. The electricity generated by the electric generator is used to re- charge an internal battery.

An ON. / OFF switch is turned ON to start the system, where it supplies the current to the drive motor through a motor speed control circuit. The speed of the motor can be controlled manually from a manual control knob or automatically. An Auto/Manual switch is used to choose manual control or auto control. Where,

OS . -^■ = Outlet socket

GE = Generated electricity

BC = Battery Charger Circuit

IB = Internal Battery

S ^'= ON / OFF Switch

MSC = Motor speed control circuit

AMS = Auto-Manual switch

MC = Manual control

G = Electric generator

M = Electric motor

X = Driver Flywheel

DF = Driven flywheel

FIGURE (10)

Figure (10) shows the basic electronic control diagram for a system using an AC motor as the drive motor and an AC electric generator. The electricity generated by the electric generator is used to re-charge an internal battery.

An ON / OFF switch is turned ON to start the system, where the battery DC voltage is fed to an DC to AC Inverter circuit to convert the DC voltage into an AC voltage. This AC voltage is fed to the motor speed control unit, which is basically an AC Phase control circuit together with an automatic AC voltage control circuit. This voltage is used to drive the AC motor. The motor speed is controlled either manually from a potentiometer or from the automatic voltage control circuit. Where,

OS = Outlet socket

GE = Generated electricity

BC = Battery Charger Circuit

IB = Internal Battery

S . = ON / OFF Switch • X

INN = Inverter circuit

MSC = Motor speed control circuit

AMS = Auto-Manual switch

MC = Manual control

G = Electric generator

M = Electric motor

X = Driver Flywheel ,

DF = Driven flywheel

Claims

(01). The method of rotating a flywheel by magnetic force, in which a driven flywheel with, permanent magnets attached is rotated from the magnetic force exerted from a relatively smaller driver flywheel with permanent magnets attached, placed close to the driven flywheel and rotated by a relatively smaller force.

(02). The method of rotating a flywheel by magnetic force according to Claim (01), where both the driven and driver flywheels can be made of any hard material or, metal and particularly with mild steel or, from a metal with similar properties or, with a lead alloy in combination with the above materials.

(03). The method of rotating a flywheel by magnetic force according to Claim (01), where the permanent magnets that are attached can be made of any magnetic material with any shape that can impart a sufficient pole force to an opposing magnetic pole and particularly suitable with magnets made of materials such as Ceramic Ferrite, Neodymium Iron Boron, Samarium Cobalt and similar materials.

(04). The method of rotating a flywheel by magnetic force according Claims (01), (02), (03), where the permanent magnets attached can mean placing, imbedding, screwing or bolting, strapping, gluing directly or, with a support and with North and South Poles positioned alternatively, serially or, in combination and where poles can be protruding outwardly, inwardly, sideways, angularly or, the area in which magnets to be attached can be constructed of magnetic material, where the poles are separated and positioned, protruding in a manner according to the above combination of pole positions and arrangements.

(05). The method of rotating a flywheel according to Claim (01), in which a relatively smaller force can be provided by an electric motor or, from a thermal engine or, from a stream of water or wind or, from a jet of steam, gas, air or, from another smaller driver flywheel with permanent magnets attached and rotated by above smaller forces. (06). The process of Re-Generating electricity by rotating the shafts of electric generators coupled to driven and driver flywheels constructed and rotated by magnetic force according to any of the preceding Claims, where an impetus is given to rotate the driven flywheel and the driver flywheel is rotated by a relatively smaller force and an internal battery is re-charged from the current generated by the electric generator and the entire electric re-generating process is controlled electronically. (07). The process of Re-Generating electricity according to Claim (06), in which the impetus to rotate the driven flywheel can be given manually by hand or, by a pulley wheel and string or, by gear wheels with a detachable mechanism or, it can be done from a starter motor or, from a starter dynamo powered by the internal battery connected through a magnetic clutch or, from a thermal engine connected to the driven flywheel shaft through a magnetic clutch powered by the internal battery.

(08). The process of Re-Generating electricity according to Claim (06), where the electric generators that can be used include AC or DC generators, single phase generators, three phase generators, dynamos, alternators, starter dynamos, synchronous generators, magnetos, permanent magnet generators, special purpose generators, large capacity generators, modified or adopted generators or motors used as generators and similar generators (09). The process of Re-Generating electricity according to Claims (06), (07), (08), where the electric motors used include DC motors, AC motors, AC-DC universal motors, stepper motors and their variations or, similar or, modified motors.

(10). The process of Re-Generating electricity according to Claim (06), where electronic control is done from electronic circuits in the control panel in which the internal battery is re-charged directly or, through a battery charger from the electricity generated by electric generator and when the smaller force is provided by an electric motor, the motor speed is controlled manually or, automatically from electronic circuits.

(11). The electronic control method according to Claim (10), in which the driver motor is powered by the internal battery and the speed ϊs controlled manually from a potentiometer using a variable voltage regulator circuit or, the motor speed can be controlled automatically from a variable voltage regulator controlled by an automatic voltage controller.

(12). The electronic control method according to Claim (10), in which the driver motor is powered from the internal battery, when the DC battery voltage is first converted into an AC voltage from a DC to AC inverter circuit and the motor speed is controlled manually from a potentiometer using an AC phase control circuit or, the motor speed can be controlled automatically using an AC phase control circuit controlled by an automatic AC voltage controller.