# US 10,873,274 B2 · Energy generation system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,274 B2 - Document ID: US10873274B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/561,812 - Filed: 2016-03-31 - Published: 2018-04-26 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-31 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Steven Ernest Franklin; Lutz Christian Gerhardt; Willem Potze; Hans Kroes; Mark Thomas Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873274B2 ## CPC - H02N 1/04: Friction generators - F03B 3/126: {Rotors for essentially axial flow, e.g. for propeller turbines (with adjustable blades F03B3/14)} - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: an electrical power generator, comprising: a first element and a second element at least one of which is configured for comprising an electrical charge, the first and second element being further configured to be rotatable with respect to each other in order to thereby generate the electrical power when at least one of the first element and second element comprises the electrical charge, wherein a planar surface of at least one of the first element and the second element comprises grooves or radially spaced rotor blade elements for generating a fluid-force between the first element and the second element in response to a relative speed of rotation between the first element and the second element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated fluid-force controls a distance between the first element and the second element that is dependent on the relative speed of rotation between the first element and the second element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves curve inwardly toward a center of rotation of the first and second elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves comprise a spiral, a v-groove shaped or a herringbone pattern, or combination thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves have a cross-sectional area which increases as a function of radial distance as measured from a center of rotation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first element or the second element comprises two or more radially extending grooves, each of which having a depth which varies as a function of radial distance measured from a center of rotation between the first and second elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grooves at least partially delimit triboelectrically material active portions of the planar surface of the respective element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar surface comprises first and second annular regions, and wherein the first annular region comprises a pattern of grooves, and the second annular region comprises a plurality of triboelectrically active surface regions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially spaced rotor blade elements comprise propeller blades or wing-shaped blades. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially spaced rotor blade elements comprise one or more layers of triboelectric material. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising providing an electrical power generator for generating electrical power, the electrical power generator comprising: a first element and a second element at least one of which comprising an electrical charge, wherein one or both of the first and second elements comprises: a planar surface comprising grooves or radially spaced rotor blade elements for generating a fluid-dynamic force between the first element and the second element in response to a relative speed of rotation, the first and second element being further configured to be rotatable with respect to each other in order to thereby generate the electrical power when at least one of the first element and second element comprises the electrical charge; rotating the first element and the second element with respect to each other; and controlling a distance between the first element and the second element by controlling a relative speed of rotation between the first element and the second element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein rotating the first element and the second element comprises rotating at a relative speed of rotation which is a function of an output voltage of the electrical power generator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the relative speed of the rotating is controlled so as to periodically transition the first element and the second element between a charging phase, during which the first and second elements are in mutual contact, and a power generating phase, during which the first and second elements are not in mutual contact. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the grooves curve inwardly toward a center of rotation of the first and second elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the grooves comprise a spiral, a v-groove or a herringbone pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the grooves have a cross-sectional area which increases as a function of radial distance as measured from a center of rotation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first element or the second element comprises two or more radially extending grooves, each of which having a depth which decreases as a function of radial distance measured from a center of rotation between the first and second elements.