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US 8,786,389 B1Granted
Magnetostrictive resonant energy converter
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorDavid W. Cripe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A resonant energy conversion apparatus may utilize magnetostrictive properties of a toroidal magnet. Electrical current induces periodic, complementary magnetic fields around separate quadrants of a toroidal magnet. The periodic, complementary magnetic fields induce mechanical changes in the toroidal magnet due to magnetostriction, causing mechanical stress in the toroidal magnet. Energy is stored as mechanical stress, and later released as electrical current.
Claims7
An energy conversion apparatus comprising:
- a toroidal magnet for storing energy as mechanical strain through magneto-mechanical resonance comprising at least four circumferentially magnetized regions having alternating handedness;
- an electrically conductive input coil for inducing mechanical strain in the toroidal magnet, wrapped around a minor circumference of the toroidal magnet;
- and
- one or more electrically conductive output coils for conducting electrical current induced by oscillations in the toroidal magnet, wrapped around the minor circumference of the toroidal magnet.
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A method of converting energy comprising:
- generating a magnetic field with an axial solenoid coil around a toroidal magnet comprising four circumferentially magnetized regions of alternating handedness;
- inducing oscillating mechanical strain in the toroidal magnet;
- and
- converting energy from an electromagnetic field induced by oscillating mechanical strain in the toroidal magnet into electrical current with the axial solenoid coil.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.