Torque multiplier

A torque multiplier for converting an input torque to an output torque, comprising:

• a frame;
• an input drive assembly including a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and a magnetic cam mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, the magnetic cam providing a magnetic field that varies in strength about a circumference of the drive shaft;
• a first output shaft rotatably mounted to the frame;
• and
• a first lever mounted to the frame for pivoting between a resting position and an activated position, the first lever bearing a first magnet pivotally mounted at one end of the first lever for pivoting between a first magnet position and a second magnet position wherein the first magnet pivots in the same rotational direction as the magnetic cam when pivoting from the first magnet position to the second magnet position, the first lever connected at an opposite end thereof by a mechanical linkage to rotationally drive the first output shaft when the first lever is moved from the resting position to the activated position, the magnet bearing end of the first lever being located adjacent the magnetic cam, the first lever being normally biased into the resting position,
• wherein during rotation of the magnetic cam changes in repulsive magnetic forces between the magnetic cam and the first magnet cause:
• (a) the first magnet to pivot from the first magnet position to the second magnet position;
• (b) the first lever to pivot from the resting position to the activated position;
• (c) the first magnet to pivot from the second magnet position back to the first magnet position while the first lever moves from the resting position to the activated position, and (d) the first lever to return to the resting position.

A torque multiplier for multiplying an input torque to a larger output torque, comprising:

• a first magnetic cam rotatable about a first axis and providing a magnetic field that is radially asymmetrical relative to the first axis;
• a first output shaft;
• and
• a first lever biased into a first position and bearing a first magnet spaced apart from the first magnetic cam, wherein the first magnet is pivotally mounted to the lever, the first lever being operatively connected to rotationally drive the first output shaft, wherein magnetic coupling between the first magnetic cam and the first magnet causes the first lever to pivot from the first position to a second position during rotation of the first magnetic cam.

A torque multiplier for multiplying an input torque to a larger output torque, comprising:

• a frame;
• an input drive assembly including a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and a magnetic cam mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, the magnetic cam providing a magnetic field that varies in strength around a circumference of the drive shaft;
• a first output shaft rotatably mounted to the frame;
• and
• a magnet pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between a resting position and an activated position, the magnet being connected by a mechanical linkage to rotationally drive the first output shaft when the magnet is moved from the resting position to the activated position;
• a travel limiter that impedes the magnet from pivoting beyond a set position,
• the magnet being located adjacent the magnetic cam such that repulsive magnetic forces between the magnetic cam and the magnet cause the magnet to move from the resting position to the activated position and subsequently return to the resting position during rotation of the cam.

A torque multiplier for converting an input torque to an output torque, comprising:

• a cam mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith when an input torque is applied to the drive shaft, the cam providing a magnetic field that is radially asymmetrical relative to the drive shaft;
• a first output shaft for providing an output torque;
• a magnet spaced apart from the cam and pivotally mounted to move relative to the cam in response to magnetic coupling forces between the cam and the magnet as the cam rotates, and
• a travel limiter that impedes the magnet from pivoting beyond a set position, the magnet being operatively connected to drive the first output shaft, wherein magnetic coupling forces between the cam and the magnet return part of rotational energy to the drive shaft during part of the cam rotation.

A torque multiplier for multiplying an input torque to a larger output torque, comprising:

• a frame;
• an input drive assembly including a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and one or more magnetic cams mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, each of the magnetic cams providing a magnetic field that varies in strength around a circumference of the drive shaft;
• a first output shaft rotatably mounted to the frame;
• one more levers, each lever mounted to the frame to pivot between a resting position and an activated position;
• one or more magnets, each pivotally mounted to one of the levers, hereinafter “lever-mounted magnets”, each of the lever-mounted magnets being connected by a mechanical linkage to rotationally drive the first output shaft when each of the lever-mounted magnets is moved in turn from the resting position to the activated position,
• one or more travel limiters provided on the frame each impeding one of the levers from pivoting beyond a maximum pivot limit,
• each of the lever-mounted magnets being located adjacent the one or more magnetic cams such that repulsive magnetic forces between the one or more magnetic cams and each of the lever-mounted magnets cause the one or more lever-mounted magnets to move from the resting position to the activated position and subsequently return to the resting position during rotation of the one or more cams.