Linear electrodynamic machine and method of using same

A method of converting mechanical energy to electrical energy, comprising:

• using means defining a closed loop magnetic flux path, and using an inner portion of the path;
• using an outer portion of said closed loop magnetic flux path, said outer portion and inner portion being spaced apart from one another;
• using at least one pair of aligned spaced apart magnetic poles forming a gap for passing magnetic flux therebetween;
• causing magnetic flux to flow along said closed loop magnetic flux path including said gap;
• and
• moving a pair of spaced apart slug means into and out of said aligned gaps to interact with the magnetic flux within said gap.

A linear electrodynamic machine, comprising:

• a plurality of spaced apart radially extending inner stator means for defining a plurality of inner stator poles and inner winding slots;
• a plurality of spaced apart radially extending outer stator means opposed spaced apart from corresponding ones of said plurality of inner stator means for defining a plurality of outer stator poles and outer winding slots;
• permanent magnet means mounted to said outer stator means radially spaced apart from said plurality of outer stator poles for producing magnetic flux to be carried along a closed loop magnetic flux path and for facilitating heat dissipation therefrom;
• inner winding means mounted within said plurality of said inner winding slots for carrying electrical current;
• outer winding means mounted within said plurality of said outer winding slots and electrically connected to said inner winding means for carrying electrical current;
• means defining a space for separating said inner stator pole, from said outer stator poles;
• and
• annular shaped mover means arranged for reciprocation within said means defining a space between said plurality of inner stator poles and said plurality of outer stator poles.

A linear electrodynamic machine, comprising:

• outer stator means having outer pole means for defining an outer magnetic flux path therebetween;
• inner stator means having inner pole means for defining an inner magnetic flux path therebetween;
• means defining a space between said outer and inner stator means for completing a closed loop magnetic flux path between said outer magnetic flux path and said inner magnetic flux path;
• mover means arranged for reciprocation within said means defining a space between said outer pole means and said inner pole means;
• and
• axial permanent magnet means for producing axial magnetic flux to be carried along said closed loop magnetic flux path.

A linear electrodynamic machine, comprising:

• outer stator means for defining an outer portion of a closed loop magnetic flux path;
• inner stator means for defining an inner portion of said closed loop magnetic flux path;
• said outer and inner stator means each having at least one pair of axially spaced apart poles and a coil mounted therebetween for carrying electrical current;
• said outer and inner stator mean poles being spaced apart opposed to one another for defining a space to complete said closed loop magnetic flux path;
• axial permanent magnet means mounted to said outer stator means for linking the outer and inner stator mean coils with magnetic flux;
• and
• mover means arranged for reciprocation within said space between said outer and inner stator mean poles;
• whereby a voltage is induced in the outer and inner stator mean coils as said mover means moves reciprocatively in said space to change the magnetic flux linking the coils.