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Title:
MAGNETIC DRIVE ASSEMBLIES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2010/121303
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An apparatus for inducing drive, the apparatus comprising at least one drive element having at least one drive face; at least one driven disc having at least one driven face; the at least one-driven disc being rotatable about an axis relative to the or each drive element; the or respective ones of the drive face and the driven face being positioned such that they are opposed to one another and spaced apart in the direction of the axis of rotation; relative rotation of the at least one driven disc being effected by repulsive or attractive magnetic forces between the at least one driven face and the at least one drive face. Various embodiments are disclosed including a magnetic coupling for rotating shafts, a linear actuator comprising levitation magnets mounted on rails and drive magnets mounted on a wheel suitable for use in a sliding door, a magnetic belt conveyor comprising magnets mounted on a endless belt, rollers and supporting frame.

Inventors:
FRENCH ANDREW BOYD (AU)
BREMNER CHRISTOPHER (AU)
ILIUTA RADU (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2010/000447
Publication Date:
October 28, 2010
Filing Date:
April 20, 2010
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
FRENCH ANDREW BOYD (AU)
BREMNER CHRISTOPHER (AU)
ILIUTA RADU (AU)
International Classes:
B65G23/16; B61B13/08; B61D19/02; B65G54/02; F16D7/10; H02K49/00; H02K51/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2008136692A22008-11-13
Foreign References:
JPH07308060A1995-11-21
JPS6231364A1987-02-10
US4866321A1989-09-12
EP1232974A12002-08-21
US20060081446A12006-04-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GRIFFITH HACK (Northpoint100 Miller Stree, North Sydney New South Wales 2060, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

CLAIMS :

1. An apparatus for inducing drive, the apparatus comprising: at least one drive element having at least one drive face ; at least one driven disc having at least one driven face; the at least one driven disc being rotatable about an axis relative to the or each drive element; the or respective ones of the drive face and the driven face being positioned such that they are opposed to one another and spaced apart in the direction of the axis of rotation; relative rotation of the at least one driven disc being effected by repulsive or attractive magnetic forces between the at least one driven face and the at least one drive face.

2. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in claim 1, the apparatus further comprising an output drive shaft which is fixed relative to the at least one driven disc.

3. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in claim 1 or 2, the at least one drive element comprising a plurality of drive discs.

4. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising magnets positioned on the at least one drive face and the at least one driven face .

5. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the magnets are oriented such that magnetic forces between the magnets on the drive face and the magnets on the driven face effect rotation of the driven face with respect to the drive face.

6. An apparatus for inducing drive in an output drive shaft as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising cavities between the drive discs and the driven discs.

7. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in claim 6, wherein the cavities contain air.

8. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a casing, the drive discs being fixed with respect to the casing.

9. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in claim 4, wherein the casing is aluminium.

10. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of drive discs comprises at least three drive discs and the at least one driven disc comprises at least two driven discs positioned between the at least three drive discs.

11. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the driven discs do not contact the drive discs or the casing.

12. An apparatus for inducing drive as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flywheel.

13. An apparatus for inducing drive in an output drive shaft as defined in claim 12, wherein the flywheel stabilises rotation.

14. An assembly for effecting linear motion comprising: a magnetic drive, the magnetic drive having drive magnets and adapted to rotate about an axis; a linear actuator, the linear actuator having driven magnets and levitation magnets; a support, the support having supporting magnets, wherein the supporting magnets act to repel the levitation magnets to support the linear actuator vertically and the drive magnets act to repel the driven magnets to support the linear actuator horizontally and wherein rotation of the magnetic drive effects linear movement of the linear actuator.

15. An assembly for effecting linear motion as defined in claim 14, wherein the support engages a sliding door and linear motion of the linear actuator results in linear motion of the sliding door.

16. A magnetic belt drive comprising: at least one drive wheel; a conveyor belt extending around the at least one drive wheel, wherein the drive wheel and the conveyor belt interact magnetically to reduce or eliminate contact between the drive wheel and the conveyor belt and wherein rotation of the drive wheel effects movement of the conveyor belt.

17. A magnetic belt drive as defined in claim 16, wherein the drive wheel and the conveyor belt each includes a plurality of magnets oriented such that repulsive magnetic forces act to reduce or eliminate contact.

18. A magnetic belt drive as defined in claim 16 or 17, wherein the plurality of magnets are oriented such that rotation of the drive wheel effects movement of the conveyor belt .

19. A magnetic belt drive as defined in any one of claims 16 through 18, further comprising a frame, the frame being fitted with a magnetic element oriented such that repulsive or attractive forces reduce or remove contact between the conveyor belt and the frame.

Description:
MAGNETIC DRIVE ASSEMBLIES Field of the Disclosure

The present application relates to magnetic drive assemblies. The assemblies utilise a magnetic element or elements to induce drive in rotatable objects. The assemblies have broader use in drive induction applications for all manner of shapes of rotatable objects.

Background Art Known methods of driving rotatable objects and elements include various couplings attaching the rotatable object to a motor or engine, including pulley belts, chains, gears, disks, cogs, diaphragm and viscous fluid type couplings. There are many problems associated with mechanical couplings, such as the requirement for periodic lubrication of gears, close alignment requirements of disc, diaphragm and hydraulic couplings and the limited life of elastomer and rubber element couplings. Energy losses in the form of friction and heat loss can be considerable in such apparatus.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention in a first aspect provides an apparatus for inducing drive, the apparatus comprising at least one drive element having at least one drive face; at least one driven disc having at least one driven face,- the at least one driven disc being rotatable about an axis relative to the or each drive element; the or respective ones of the drive face and the driven face being positioned such that they are opposed to one another and spaced apart in the direction of the axis of rotation; relative rotation of the at least one driven disc being effected by repulsive or attractive magnetic forces between the at least one driven face and the at least one drive face.

In one form the apparatus further comprises an output drive shaft which is fixed relative to the at least one driven disc .

In one form the apparatus further comprises magnets positioned on the at least one drive face and the at least one driven face .

In one form the magnets are oriented such that magnetic forces between the magnets on the drive face and the magnets on the driven face effect rotation of the driven face with respect to the drive face.

In one form the apparatus further comprises cavities between the drive discs and the driven discs.

In one form the apparatus further comprises a casing, the drive discs being fixed with respect to the casing.

In a second aspect disclosed is an assembly for effecting linear motion comprising a magnetic drive, the magnetic drive having drive magnets and adapted to rotate about an axis; a linear actuator, the linear actuator having driven magnets and levitation magnets; a support, the support having supporting magnets, wherein the supporting magnets act to repel the levitation magnets to support the linear actuator vertically and the drive magnets act to repel the driven magnets to support the linear actuator horizontally and wherein rotation of the magnetic drive effects linear movement of the linear actuator.

In one form the support engages a sliding door and linear motion of the linear actuator results in linear motion of the sliding door.

In a further aspect disclosed is a magnetic belt drive comprising at least one drive wheel; a conveyor belt extending around the at least one drive wheel , wherein the drive wheel and the conveyor belt interact magnetically to reduce or eliminate contact between the drive wheel and the conveyor belt and wherein rotation of the drive wheel effects movement of the conveyor belt.

In one form the drive wheel and the conveyor belt each includes a plurality of magnets oriented such that repulsive magnetic forces act to reduce or eliminate contact.

In one form the plurality of magnets are oriented such that rotation of the drive wheel effects movement of the conveyor belt .

In one form the assembly further comprises a frame, the frame being fitted with a magnetic element oriented such that repulsive or attractive forces reduce or remove contact between the conveyor belt and the frame.

One advantage of the present drive apparatus and assemblies over those known in the art involving conventional mechanical couplings is that there are minimal frictional or heat losses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present disclosure, preferred forms will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a magnetic stacked coupling;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an exploded shaded view of the magnetic stacked coupling of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a linear actuator assembly;

Figure 9 is a front escalation of the linear actuator assembly of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a front escalation view of the linear actuator assembly of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a side escalation of the linear actuator assembly of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a linear actuator; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a linear actuator of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a linear actuator of Figure 12 ;

Figure 15 is a front perspective view of a linear actuator;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a linear actuator assembly;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a linear actuator assembly;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a linear actuator assembly; Figure 19 is a shaded perspective view of a linear actuator assembly;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a magnetic belt drive ;

Figure 21 is a bottom perspective view of the belt drive of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is an exploded view of the belt drive of Figure 20 ;

Figure 23 is a side view of the belt drive of Figure 20;

Figure 24 is a side view of the belt drive of Figure 20;

Figure 25 is a partially exploded view of the belt drive of Figure 20;

Figure 26 is a cutaway perspective view of a gear box and generator; Figure 27 is a cutaway perspective view of a gear box and generator;

Figure 28 is a cutaway perspective view of a gear box and generator;

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a gear box and generator;

Figure 30 is a top view of a gear box and generator; Figure 31 is a perspective view of a gear box and generator;

Figure 32 is a side view of a magnetic bearing; Figure 33 is a side view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 36 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 37 is an exploded view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32; Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 39 is an exploded view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 40 is a side view is an exploded view of the magnetic bearing of Figure 32;

Figure 41 is a perspective view of a magnetic propel ler ;

Figure 42 is a perspective view of the interior of the propeller of Figure 41.

Preferred Embodiments

Referring to figures 1-7, an apparatus for inducing drive 10 is disclosed. The apparatus 10 comprises a three drive elements 12 in a drive disc 13 with magnets 14 positioned therein.

The apparatus 10 further comprises driven discs 15 which are positioned between the drive elements 12. Driven discs each includes two driven faces 16 which are opposed to one another. The driven discs 15 and drive elements 12 are positioned in a facing relationship to one another such that they are substantially parallel .

Driven discs 15 are rotatable about an axis 18. Driven discs 15 in use rotate about this axis 18 with respect to the drive elements 12. Each of the drive elements 12 and the driven discs 15 include a plurality of magnets 20 positioned on the drive faces 14 and the driven faces 16.

The magnets extend through the drive elements 12 and the driven discs 15. The magnets are oriented such that polarity extends from one drive face or driven face to the respective drive face or driven face.

The apparatus 10 further includes an aluminium casing 21. The aluminium casing 21 encases the drive elements 12 and the driven discs 15 and include a plurality of channels 22 the channels 22 are adapted to allow bolts 23 to be inserted therein. These bolts 23 engage with the channels 22 and also engage with drive element channels 24 which are positioned in the circumference of the drive elements 12. These bolts 23 interact with the channels 24 to fix the drive elements 12 in position with respect to the aluminium casing 21. The apparatus 10 further includes a output drive shaft 28 which extends through the centre of the drive elements 12 and the driven disc 15 in line with the axis of rotation 18. The output drive shaft 28 is fixed with respect to the driven discs 15. As a result, rotation of the driven discs 15 results in rotation of the output drive shaft 28.

The apparatus 10 further includes a fly wheel 31 which is attached with the aluminium casing 21 by means of a fly wheel adapter 32 the fly wheel 31 acts to stabilise the rotation of the output drive shaft 28 and maintain momentum of the output drive shaft 28.

The drive elements 12 and the driven discs 15 are positioned such that there is an air cavity 34 positioned therebetween. Specifically, the two outer drive elements 12a are attracted to their respective backing plates 35 which are a part of the aluminium casing 21. The central drive element 12b may be floating or alternatively spaces may be used to position the central drive element 12 separately to the outer drive elements 12a. The drive elements 12 are driven by the aluminium casing 21. The driven discs 15 maintain a clearance to all the walls of the aluminium casing 21 and to the bolts 23. In contrast, the drive elements 12 are locked to the aluminium casing utilising the bolts 23. As a result drive caused by the aluminium casing 21 results in drive to the drive elements 12. These drive elements 12 are magnetically aligned with the driven discs 15 such that rotation of the drive elements 12 in space results in relative rotation of the driven discs 15 with respect to the drive elements 12. The magnets 20 are aligned such that the magnetic fields between the magnets of the drive elements and in magnets of the driven discs 15 interact to cause rotation of the driven discs 15. Specifically in one embodiment, the driven discs polarity is aligned such that the magnets 20 in the driven discs 15 are repelled by the magnets 20 in the drive elements 12. This causes rotation of the driven disc 15 with respect to the drive elements 12. The output shaft 28 is connected to the driven discs 15 using a bolt 38. As such, rotation of the driven discs 15 results in rotation of the output drive shaft 28.

The magnets can comprise simple magnets or an electromagnet or any other magnetisable material, for example metals such as iron formed into any convenient shape.

Typically the output drive shaft 28 is connected to an electric current alternating or generating device (not illustrated) . However, if the output drive shaft can be arranged to directly drive other devices. Alternatively the output can in turn be transferred to the magnetic means to rotate the same, and one or more conductive coils can be arranged around the outside of the housing such that an electrical current can be imparted thereto by the moving magnetic means. In this regard, the drive inducing apparatus can be configured to operate as an alternator/generator .

The magnets may be oriented to cause rotation of the driven discs 15 due to attractive or repulsive magnetic forces. In the case of repulsive forces, the north pole of the magnet is in facing opposition to the north pole of a magnet on the drive elements 12. This causes rotational motion of the driven disc 15 in response to the alignment of the repulsive north pole faces of the driven discs 15 and the drive elements 12. It is also possible to have the magnets positioned in the drive elements alternate in their polarity orientation while the magnets affixed with the driven discs 15 do not alternate in their polarity orientation. The driven discs 15 are then first repelled and then attracted by the magnets positioned in the drive elements 12. This again leads to rotational motion of the driven discs due to a repeated combination of attractive and repulsive forces.

The advantages of the present drive apparatus over prior art conventional mechanical couplings are that there are minimal frictional or heat losses, because each moving part is not in physical contact with parts moving relative to one another.

The materials of construction of the apparatus can comprise any suitable materials which can be shaped, formed and fitted in the manner so described, such as hard plastics or metal to give a structurally sound apparatus that can withstand high speed rotation.

The embodiments of the invention shown can provide an improved efficiency of energy transfer over the known methods of transferring drive from engines and motors to such items as gearboxes, pumps, alternators, generators and compressors without a physical or mechanical coupling to generate frictional and heat losses. Maintenance issues are also likely to be minimised when using the present apparatus. The risk of injury to persons operating such apparatus is considerably less than for apparatus featuring mechanical couplings with belts, chains, cogs and the like, because clearance is provided between all moving parts which reduces the likelihood of fingers, arms etc becoming jammed. Finally the systems have a decreased noise level when compared with similar systems that have greater contact between moving parts.

Turning to figures 8 through 19, disclosed is a levitating linear actuator 43 for inducing linear motion. The linear actuator 43 can be engaged with any member. For example, as shown in the figures, the levitating linear actuator 43 can work with a magnetic drive 42 to actuate a sliding door 50. The levitating linear actuator 43 comprises an elongate frame 44. The elongate frame 44 is formed in segments 45 which can be combined longitudinally to provide greater length or in parallel to provide greater strength of actuation.

The elongate frame 44 includes levitation cavities into which levitation magnets 46 are inserted. The levitation magnets 46 are typically in the form of permanent magnets though they can alternatively comprise an electromagnet or any other magnetisable material, for example metals such as iron, formed into any convenient shape .

As shown best in Figures 8 and 9, the door 50 includes a support bar 51. Support bar 51 includes support magnets 52 which interact with levitation magnets 46 to retain the linear actuator in position above the support bar 51. The support magnets 52 act repulsively upon levitation magnets 46 to hold the linear actuator 43 in position, however it is possible to arrange the system so that support magnets act attractively upon levitation magnets to allow levitation.

The elongate frame 44 further includes drive cavities 48 into which driven magnets 49 are inserted. The drive magnets 49 are typically in the form of permanent magnets though they can alternatively comprise an electromagnet or any other magnetisable material, for example metals such as iron, formed into any convenient shape.

Magnetic drive 42 comprises drive wheels 55 which include drive wheel magnets 56. The drive 42 engages the linear actuator 43 to induce linear motion.

Repulsive forces between drive wheel magnets 56 and driven magnets 49 maintain the position of the linear actuator 43 with respect to the magnetic drive 42. This allows for smooth running with no contact between the drive 42 and the actuator 43.

The orientation of the wheel drive magnets 56 and the driven magnets 49 allows for linear motion of the linear actuator 43 in response to rotation of the magnetic drive 42 by either repulsive or attractive magnetic forces. In the case of repulsive magnetic forces, typically the north pole of a wheel drive magnet 56 comes into close proximity to the north pole of driven magnet 49 and the latter magnet is repelled, causing linear motion of the linear actuator 43. An equivalent effect can be achieved if the south poles of the two respective magnets are brought into close proximity. It is also possible that a pole of a wheel drive magnet 56 comes into close proximity to the opposing pole of a driven magnet 49, and the latter magnet is attracted, causing linear motion of the linear actuator. It has also been shown in experiments that, if the sequential magnets attached to the wheel drive are alternated in their polarity orientation, the driven magnets 49 (which are not alternated in their polarity orientation) may first be repelled and then attracted by the wheel drive magnets 56 as they move by, again leading to linear motion of the linear actuator due to a repeated combination of attraction and repulsion forces.

Drive wheels 42 are rotatable about an axis 54. Rotation of drive wheels 42 with respect to the linear actuator 43 induces longitudinal motion in linear actuator 43 along its longitudinal axis. Linear actuator 43 engages door 50 and thus movement of door 50 is actuated by rotation of drive wheels 42. Drive wheels 42 comprise two or more wheels, each having two wheel faces 45.

Turning to Figures 20 through 25, disclosed is a magnetic belt drive 70. The magnetic belt drive 70 comprises four magnetic drive wheels 71, each being rotatable about a central axis 72. The magnetic drive wheels 71 interact with a magnetic conveyor belt 75.

The magnetic drive wheels 71 include a plurality of drive wheel magnets 73 positioned about the circumference of the magnetic drive wheel 71.

The magnetic conveyor further includes conveyor magnets 77 which are positioned at the inside surface of the conveyor belt 75. The conveyor magnets 77 may be inserted into the conveyor belt 75 or may be attached thereto. Alternatively the conveyor may be composed partly of magnets. The forces of the drive wheel magnets 73 and the conveyor magnets 77 engage repulsively such that the conveyor belt 75 levitates over the drive wheels 71.

Contact between the conveyor belt 75 and the drive wheels

71 is therefore removed.

The magnetic fields resulting from conveyor magnets 77 and drive wheel magnets 73 intermesh to engage the conveyor belt 75 with the drive wheels 71. As a result, rotation of the drive wheels 71 induces movement of the conveyor belt longitudinalIy.

Conveyor belt 75 is composed of polymer, textile, rubber, plastic segments or any suitable conveyor belt material .

The magnetic belt drive 70 further includes a support frame 79. The support frame 79 extends between the drive wheels 71 to support them in position. The support frame 79 includes a plurality of levitation magnets 80. The levitation magnets act to repel the conveyor belt 75 such that the conveyor belt 75 levitates away from the drive wheels and the support frame. The conveyor magnets 77 and the levitation magnets 80 can be arranged perpendicular to one another to reduce the interference between their magnetic fields.

In one form, as shown in Figure 23, a track support 82 can be positioned extending downwardly from the support frame 79. This track support 82 enables the belt drive 70 to be utilised as a track for tracked vehicles.

Turning to Figures 26 to 31, disclosed is a magnetic gear box and generator. The magnetic gear box and generator 80 comprises an input shaft 81 which engages contact gears 83 and 84. Contact gear 84 in turn induces rotation in magnetic gears 85, 86 or 87. The contact gear 84 can be shifted to induce rotation in each of the magnetic gears.

Thus the contact gears 83 and 84 magnetically engage the magnetic gears 85, 86 and 87. The magnetic gear box and generator 80 further comprises a pick up coil 89. A magnetic field is created around the contact gears and induces an electric current in the pick up coil 89. The magnetic gear box and generator 80 comprises an electric output plug 90 and an output shaft 91.

The contact gears 83 and 84 include contact magnets 94 and the magnetic gears 85 86 and 87 include transmission magnets 95. The contact magnets and transmission magnets interact such that drive is induced in the magnetic gears.

Figures 32 to 40 show a magnetic levitating bearing having stator discs 110, rotor discs 111 and an air gap 112 therebetween. The presence of different diameter discs produces an internal conical cavity 113. If the discs include chamfering a smooth internal cavity 115 is formed. The stator discs 110 and rotor discs 111 work in repulsion to one another. Bearings 116 can be used to stabilise the shaft. However the magnetic bearing 116 will take the load so there are no touching parts between load bearing parts.

Figures 41 and 42 show a magnetic propeller drive comprising a propeller 100 and a plurality of magnets 101.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms .

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.