The present invention relates to a polyphase alternator/motor device capable of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and vice versa. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that transforms kinetic energy into electromagnetic induction, which is then converted into electrical energy to be stored in energy accumulators or in any case to be reused substantially with little energy dissipation. According to a possible application of the present invention, the device is actually a polyphase alternator/motor. The fields of application of this device are varied. The device can be used on any medium or device that moves in space, or on any device that by means of a kinetic force performs a certain function.

For example, in the "automotive" sector it can be used as an alternator for charging the battery of a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied in all power generation plants involving a transformation of kinetic energy into electricity. In addition, it can be used as a portable or stationary power generator (e.g. as a small or large generator set) or as a small alternator to be inserted into a household appliance, or into any device that needs electricity. An alternator consists of a fixed hollow part, called the stator, inside which a cylindrical part keyed on the rotation shaft rotates, called the rotor. The rotor generates the rotating magnetic field by means of electromagnets, alternatively, permanent magnets that do not require a power supply are used. On the stator there are the electric windings on which the electromotive forces that will support the produced electric current are induced.

The Applicant has observed that alternators of the known type exhibit a depotentiation caused by the physical Lenz's law (a metal that captures the magnetic flux of a magnet, transforms it into electromagnetic induction, has difficulty in moving in space, and for this reason has limited applications). The present invention aims to solve these problems by proposing a device for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy having the characteristics of the attached claim 1.

Further features of the present invention are contained in the dependent claims. The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the schematic attached drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of principle of the device according to the present invention applied to a wheel,

• Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein one of the three modules is illustrated without windings;

• Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the device of Figure 2 according to the present invention;

• Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the device of Figure 2 according to the present invention,

• Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the device of Figure 2 according to the present invention, wherein the movements of the magnets and of the field lines are highlighted with arrows;

• Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a single module without windings;

• Figure 7a illustrates a perspective view of the device according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

• Figure 7b is an enlarged detail of Figure 7a;

• Figure 8 illustrates a particular embodiment of the secondary magnets;

• Figure 9 illustrates a further application module.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the device (according to the present invention) comprises at least one kinematic conversion module 1 that receives rotation from at least one main rotation transmission member 2 arranged along a longitudinal axis X of the device. The kinematic energy is applied on this member, for example by a wheel R as illustrated in Figure 1, or by a turbine or otherwise.

The modules 1 (from 1 to n) can be positioned in series along said member 2 and can be in any number (in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 for example there are three of them).

Each module comprises a transverse shaft 11 which is keyed, in its central area, for example onto elbows 21, or loops, or otherwise, of said member by means of special bearings 22, so that when it rotates the shafts performs an alternating (forward and reverse) movement along a transverse axis Y, orthogonal to the axis of rotation X of the member.

Along these shafts with opposite sides of the central area keyed to the main member there are main magnets Ml (with North-South polarity), which move back and forth with the shaft 11 inside respective electrical windings 3 shaped like a solenoid on which electricity is generated (or applied in the case where the device is used as a motor). The device also comprises secondary magnets M2 arranged on the sides of the shaft 11 close to the keying with the member 2 with polarity arranged so as to oppose (repulsion effect) the forward and reverse movement of the main magnets.

When the member 2 is started, it allows the shafts and consequently the main magnets to move inside the solenoids 3 and consequently to produce an induced current inside them.

At the same time, when the shaft 11 is in motion, the secondary magnets M2 attached to it also move, which depending on how they are positioned thanks to the rotation of the elbow 21 attract or repel the main magnets.

According to the illustrated embodiment, in addition to the main and secondary magnets, the device preferably also comprises supplement magnets M3 arranged along the shaft 11 which have the function of not affecting the field lines of the main magnets when they are attracted or repelled depending on the position of the member 2.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in addition to a main member placed in a central position, there are two other lateral rotation members 4 and 5 parallel to the central one placed at the opposite ends of the shafts 11.

In contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the members are two 4 and 5 and are placed at the ends of the shaft 11, and the device is without the central shaft.

Each lateral member comprises respective elbows 41 and 51 or loops on which the ends of the shafts 11 are keyed and on which further secondary magnets M2 are installed, similar to those positioned in the elbows 21 of the central main shaft. These further magnets enhance the effect of attraction and repulsion towards the main magnets. In the further embodiment of Figures 7a and 7b and 9, (wherein Figures 7ab also illustrate a test set of the device comprising a base S and support posts P), the shaft 11 near its opposite ends comprises springs N as the shaft slides perpendicularly with respect to the elbows 41 and 51. As an alternative to the springs, damping systems may be provided to help optimise the horizontal translation of the shaft with respect to the elbows on a bridge keyed on the rotation members.

The secondary magnets M2 placed on the shaft 11 can have shapes and dimensions as desired, but on the version with the springs N in particular it can also have the elongated triangular ogive shape (Figure 8) to favour repulsion or attraction, considering that the tube moves away from or close to the semi-axis taking into consideration that it slides on the bridge keyed to the ball bearings, or similar element that favours rotation with the least possible friction.

The ogive or triangular shape is made in such a way that the longer vertex has the function of coming as closer as possible to the supplement magnet M3, which is more distant; in doing so, the longer vertex of the triangular-shaped magnet M2 with bevelled or non-bevelled vertices favours the attraction or repulsion of the secondary or supplement magnets on the shaft 11, considering that the shape of the triangular magnet does in fact come further closer. The shaft 11 supporting the magnets may be either made of metal or otherwise of a conductive, or of a non-conductive material to avoid current losses from the solenoid 3.

Furthermore, all the magnets can be made of any permanent magnetic material and can be of various shapes and sizes. In addition, the magnets can be covered with a protective material, with or without ventilation holes, to improve their integrity.

If neodymium is used as a material for the magnets, they can be covered with a material that is protective and transparent to magnetic fields with or without ventilation holes. Neodymium as a magnet is quite fragile as a material, so a protective coating would favour its integrity.

In the present invention, the use of copper solenoids 3 is assumed; these solenoids can be covered in non-conductive materials, so that if produced close to each other, there is no current exchange or current losses in general in other points. Advantageously on the elbows between the two secondary magnets M2 there are separator discs D (as illustrated for example in Figures 7a and 7b) which protect and separate from attraction or repulsion the magnets on the semi-axis which are close to and in the middle of the ball bearing or externally to such magnets.

Advantageously, the rotation of the members can be carried out by means of a transmission belt, link chain, multiplier or speed reducer, which allows correct rotation and operation of the system in question, or to enhance its effect.

The magnets (Ml, M2, M3) can also be electromagnets of any shape, size and conductive material.

The device further comprises a ventilation or direct air flow cooling system on the magnets that could be overheated by the Foucault currents or by the possible joule effect of the solenoid.

The device works in pairs, as shown in Figure 5, and can also be used as a motor, applying electric current in the solenoids, and carrying out the movement of the main member (e.g. a wheel as illustrated in Figure 1).

To optimise the device, the secondary magnets should be more powerful than the main and supplement magnets for this impedance to be cancelled out.

The device can be completely or partially covered/enclosed by the system by a container of any shape, material and size.