Electromagnetic convertor with stationary variable-reluctance members

A converter comprising:

• a. permanent magnet means having spaced-apart poles of opposite polarity and having a permanent magnetic field externally of said magnet means, said field comprising magnetic lines of force extending from pole to pole of said magnet means,
• b. variable-reluctance means for shifting the pattern of said lines of force, said variable-reluctance means having a relatively low magnetic reluctance in one direction therethrough when electrically energized and a relatively high magnetic reluctance in said one direction therethrough when electrically de-energized, said variable-reluctance means being disposed in said permanent magnetic field and in fixed relation to said permanent magnet means, said variable-reluctance means comprising at least one unmagnetized but magnetizable core having spaced-apart faces and side edges extending between said faces, the distance between said faces being the least distance through said core, said core having a lamellar distribution of magnetism from face to face thereof when magnetized,
• c. means for cyclically electrically energizing and de-energizing said variable-reluctance means and including an electrically conductive excitation coil means surrounding said core, the plane of said coil means being substantially inclined relative to the planes of said faces,
• d. electrical conductor means disposed in said permanent magnetic field in fixed relation to said permanent magnet means and having at least one conductor positioned to be cut by lines of magnetic force in said field during a shift in the pattern of said lines of magnetic force.