Active balancing system powered by light

Apparatus for balancing a machine having a circumference comprising:

• a first balance ring coupled to the machine and a second balance ring coupled to the machine, each of said first and second balance rings having at least one balancing element;
• a first actuator mounted to said first balance ring and a second actuator mounted to said second balance ring which is spaced from said first actuator relative to the circumference of the machine, each of said first and second actuators being effective to move at least one of said balancing elements;
• a device for generating electrical energy coupled to the machine;
• a light source spaced from said electrical energy generating device across an air gap, said light source being positioned to direct radiant energy to said electrical energy generating device;
• said first and second actuators being effective to move said at least one balancing element of respective first and second balance rings to a selected location powered by electrical energy from said electrical energy generating device.

Apparatus for balancing a machine, comprising:

• a balance ring coupled to the machine, said balance ring having a number of balancing elements;
• a number of actuators mounted to said balance ring, each of said actuators being coupled to one of said balancing elements;
• a device for generating electrical energy coupled to the machine;
• a light source spaced from said electrical energy generating device across an air gap, said light source being positioned to direct radiant energy to said electrical energy generating device;
• said actuators being effective to move a respective balancing element to a selected location powered by electrical energy from said electrical energy generating device.