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US 9,470,210 B2Granted
Magnet configurations for magnetic levitation of wind turbines and other apparatus
OwnerCheong S. Choi, Michael Anthony Jenkinsinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wind turbine having one or more magnets for reducing friction between the turbine support and a turbine rotor. The reduction of friction between the turbine rotor and the turbine support allows for an increase in energy production and scale of the wind turbines. The magnet configuration employs a ring of cylindrically-shaped magnets at the bottom and opposed by a corresponding number of generally rectangular-shaped magnets. Bearing magnets are also employed for axial stabilization.
Claims24
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a turbine rotor;
- a turbine support;
- a first magnet set located on a lower surface of said turbine rotor, magnets therein having a generally rectangular shape and disposed in a ring along said lower surface of said turbine rotor;
- and
- a second magnet set located on an upper surface of said turbine support, magnets therein having a generally cylindrical shape, each of said cylindrically-shaped magnets being disposed in a ring and substantially aligned below a respective rectangularly-shaped magnet in said first magnet set,
- whereby, in operation, a space between said first magnet set on said turbine rotor and said second magnet set on said turbine support opens, wherein the space is created by the magnet sets in opposition.
3 more elements
A wind turbine, comprising:
- a turbine rotor;
- a turbine support;
- a first magnet set located on a lower surface of said turbine rotor, magnets therein having a generally rectangular shape and disposed in a ring along said lower surface of said turbine rotor;
- and
- a second magnet set located on an upper surface of said turbine support, magnets therein having a generally cylindrical shape, each of said cylindrically-shaped magnets being disposed in a ring and substantially aligned below a respective rectangularly-shaped magnet in said first magnet set.
2 more elements
A method for generating electricity, comprising:
- lifting a vertical turbine rotor off of a turbine support using a pair of opposing magnet sets, thereby reducing the friction between the vertical turbine rotor and the turbine support,
- wherein a first magnet set being located on a lower surface of said vertical turbine rotor, magnets therein having a generally rectangular shape and disposed in a ring along said lower surface of said vertical turbine rotor, and
- wherein a second magnet set being located on an upper surface of said turbine support, magnets therein having a generally cylindrical shape, each of said cylindrically-shaped magnets being disposed in a ring and substantially aligned below a respective rectangularly-shaped magnet in said first magnet set;
- rotating the vertical turbine rotor relative to the turbine support using the wind, the rotation of said vertical turbine rotor generating energy;
- and
- converting the energy of the moving vertical turbine rotor into electric power.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.