MAGNETIC MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ENERGY DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention The present invention relates to the field of magnetic machines, i.e. machines that use the magnetic force for producing energy.

Background of the invention

As well known, magnetic machines exist that use the magnetic attractive force, or the magnetic repulsive force, between objects that are all made of magnetic material, for producing energy.

An example of this machine is described in WO2010/141822. This document describes a motor that uses the magnetic field generated by a series of permanent magnets for producing energy.

More in detail, the document describes an embodiment, which provides many magnets mounted on a camshaft. The magnets are arranged on the camshaft such that the north pole and the south pole of each magnet is staggered with respect to the magnet to it adjacent.

More in detail, in the case of 4 magnets, these are positioned on the camshaft staggered of 90° one with respect to another. In particular, when the first magnet is positioned with its north pole directed towards the outside of the page, the second magnet has its north pole directed towards below, the third magnet has its north pole directed towards the inside of the page, and the fourth magnet has its north pole directed towards the above .

The camshaft is positioned close to the crankshaft, on which as much as permanent magnets of the camshaft are mounted. More in detail, each permanent magnet of the crankshaft is mounted on a piston. During the functioning of the motor, the magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet of the camshaft interacts with the magnetic field generated by the respective permanent magnet of the crankshaft causing an alternate motion of the corresponding piston. More precisely, if the magnet of the crankshaft is oriented with its north pole directed towards the north pole of the corresponding magnet of the camshaft, it is subjected to a repulsive force, instead, if the magnet of the crankshaft is oriented with its north pole directed towards the south pole of the camshaft, it is subjected to an attractive force. The alternation of these steps caused by the camshaft rotation, produces an alternate motion of all the pistons of the crankshaft, thus obtaining a determined energy that is collected.

Notwithstanding, the technical solution described in

WO2010/141822 has many drawbacks.

Firstly, in fact, since only permanent magnets are used, a high energy cost is required. This happens because for each couple of magnets, there is an interaction between magnetic fields. Therefore, the moment applied to the shaft, on which the first group of magnets is fixed, is high. Therefore, the solution described in WO2010/141822 does not allow to have a high efficiency. Another drawback is the need to use a great number of magnets. Therefore, this solution is also not economically favourable . Other solutions of prior art that use exclusively permanent magnets are also described in US2007/0210659 e WO2011/153979. In particular, in US2007/0210659 a magnetic cam is described, whilst WO2011/153979 relates to an actuator and a Stirling motor.

A common drawback of the solutions above described is to use both magnetic attractive force and magnetic repulsive force, because of the exclusive use of permanent magnets. This choice produces a asymmetry in the functioning of the motor, or generator, or the cam, because the attractive force is always greater than the repulsive force.

The above described asymmetry produces stresses and vibrations that dissipate an important amount of the energy. This causes a further loss of efficiency.

Summary of the invention

It is, thus, an object of the present invention to provide a machine for producing energy that is able to overcome the above described drawbacks of the prior art magnetic machines.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a machine for producing energy that has a greater efficiency than analogous machines of prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a machine for producing energy that is economically advantageous with respect to analogous machines of prior art.

These and other objects are achieved by a magnetic machine for producing energy equipped with:

- a mobile group comprising: a member made of magnetic material arranged to generate a magnetic field and having an axis of magnetization N-S oriented along a predetermined direction, said member made of magnetic material being mounted on a carriage configured in such a way to slide along a predetermined rectilinear sliding direction;

a group for moving comprising:

a first and a second member made of metallic material arranged at opposite sides with respect to said member made of magnetic material, said metallic material not being able to generate a magnetic field;

an actuation device configured in such a way to move simultaneously and alternatively said first and said second member made of metallic material on a respective plane orthogonal to said sliding direction between a first position, in the quale e minima the distance da said sliding direction, and a second position, in which the distance from said sliding direction is the maximum distance, said member made of magnetic material being forced by the magnetic attractive force, to slide along said sliding direction approaching said member made of metallic material positioned in said first position, and departing, therefore, from said member made of metallic material positioned in said second position, said group for moving being, then, arranged to operate a reverse movement, i.e. to dispose into said second position, said member made of metallic material positioned in said first position, and simultaneously, in said respective first position, said member made of metallic material positioned in said second position, when said member made of magnetic material, during the sliding, arrives at a predetermined distance d* from said member made of metallic material arranged in said first position, said reverse movement of said member made of metallic material causing a reverse translation of said member made of magnetic material along said rectilinear sliding direction, whereby an alternative sliding of said member made of magnetic material is obtained;

a store group operatively connected to said mobile group and configured in such a way to store the mechanical energy produced by the alternative sliding along the rectilinear sliding direction of the member made of magnetic material.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the group for moving is arranged to cause a rotation of the first and the second member made of metallic material in order to cause the passage of one between the first and the second member made of metallic material from the first position to the second position, and contemporaneously, the passage of the other member made of metallic material, from the second position to the first position.

In particular, the mobile group can be configured in such a way that the predetermined sliding direction is parallel to said axis of magnetization N-S, preferably coincident with said axis of magnetization N-S. Therefore, the motion of the members made of metallic material is carried out on a plane orthogonal to the axis of magnetization N-S of the magnetic member.

Alternatively, the actuation device can be arranged to cause one between the first and the second member made of metallic material to translate for causing its passage from the first position to the second position, and contemporaneously the other member made of metallic material, to translate for causing its passage from the second position to the first position.

The actuation device can be operatively connected both to said first member made of metallic material, and to said second member made of metallic material.

Advantageously, the store group comprises a transformation device arranged to transform the alternative linear motion of the member made of magnetic material in a rotational motion.

In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of mobile groups is provided, said mobile groups of said plurality being operatively connected each other by means of said store group.

Advantageously, the store group comprises a crankshaft operatively connected to each mobile group of said plurality .

In particular, the metallic material can be selected from the group comprised of:

- iron;

cobalt;

nickel;

dysprosium;

gadolinium;

- an alloy containing iron;

an alloy containing cobalt; an alloy containing nickel;

an alloy containing dysprosium;

an alloy containing gadolinium.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the member made of magnetic material comprises at least 2 Halbach array. In particular, the 2 Halbach arrays are mounted in such a way to be symmetrically and adjacently positioned at the face where the magnetic field is reduced.

According to another aspect of the invention, a magnetic machine for producing energy is equipped with:

a mobile group comprising:

a member made of metallic material mounted on a carriage arranged to slide along a predetermined rectilinear sliding direction, said metallic material not being able to generate a magnetic field;

un group for moving comprising:

a first and a second member made of magnetic material arranged at opposite sides with respect to said member made of metallic material, said first and second member made of magnetic material being arranged to generate, respectively, a first and a second magnetic field and having a respective axis of magnetization N-S;

an actuation device arranged to synchronously move said first and said second member made of magnetic material, said actuation device being configured in such a way to position one between said first and said second member made of magnetic material in a first position, in which the distance from said sliding direction is the minimum distance, and simultaneously, the other member made of magnetic material in a second position, in which the distance from said sliding direction is the maximum distance, said member made of metallic material being, therefore, forced by the magnetic attractive force to slide along said trajectory approaching said member made of magnetic material positioned in said first position, and therefore, departing from the other member made of metallic material, said actuation device being, poi, arranged to operate a reverse movement, i.e. to dispose into said second position said member made of magnetic material positioned in said first position, and into said respective first position said member made of magnetic material positioned in said second position, when said member made of metallic material, during said sliding, arrives at a predetermined position d* from said member made of magnetic material arranged in said first position, said reverse movement causing a reverse translation of said member made of metallic material along said trajectory, whereby an alternate sliding of said member made of metallic material is obtained;

a store group arranged to store the mechanical energy produced by said member made of metallic material during said alternate sliding along said traj ectory .

Advantageously, the actuation device is energetically supplied by means of a supply device using a source of renewable energy. For example, at least one energy solar panel, or a photovoltaic panel, or a wind turbine, etc., can be provided operatively connected to said actuation device in such a way to provide the necessary energy to operate said actuation device.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be now shown with the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a first embodiment of a magnetic machine for producing energy, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 diagrammatically shows the magnetic machine for producing energy of figure 1 in a different working configuration;

Figures from 3 to 9B diagrammatically show some possible alternative embodiments of the machine for producing energy of figure 1;

- Figures from 10 to 15 diagrammatically show some possible alternative embodiments of the magnetic member that can be used in the magnetic machine of figure 1;

Figures 16 and 17 diagrammatically show two different working configurations of a magnetic machine for producing energy, according to the invention, that uses the magnetic member of figure 13;

Figure 18 diagrammatically shows an alternative embodiment of the machine of figure 1, in which the alternative linear motion to which the device for storing energy is connected, is carried out by the member made of metallic material;

Figures 19 and 20 diagrammatically show the apparatus that has been used for the numerical demonstration of the validity of the present invention;

the figures 21 and 22 diagrammatically show the magnetic field lines, respectively, in the case of interaction between 2 magnets, and in the case of 1 magnet with a plate made of iron.

Descrizione dettagliata di alcune forme realizzative

As diagrammatically shown in figure 1, a magnetic machine 1, according to the invention, for producing energy comprises a mobile group 5, a group for moving 40 and a store group 60 arranged to store the mechanical energy produced by the motion of the mobile group.

In particular, the mobile group 5 comprises a member 10 made of magnetic material having an axis of magnetization N-S oriented along a predetermined direction and arranged to generate a magnetic field. More in detail, member 10 made of magnetic material is mounted on a carriage 20 arranged to slide along a predetermined rectilinear sliding direction 110.

II group for moving 40 comprises a first and a second member made of a metallic material 41, 42 arranged at opposite sides with respect to the member made of magnetic material 10. More precisely, the above described metallic material is such that it is not able to generate a magnetic field. In other words, the metallic material is not a magnetic material. Preferably, the members 41 and 42 are made of a metallic material, for example an iron-based material, i.e. containing a predetermined amount of iron, in particular steel, or completely made of iron. Alternatively the iron-based material, the metallic material can be selected from the group comprised of cobalt, nickel, dysprosium, gadolinium, or an alloy of the same .

In particular, the group for moving 40 comprises an actuation device 50 arranged to synchronously move the first and the second member made of metallic material 41 and 42 from, and towards, the above described sliding direction 110. More precisely, the members made of metallic material 41 and 42 are moved by the actuation device 50 simultaneously and alternatively, on a respective plane orthogonal to the sliding direction 110, between a first position, in which the distance from the sliding direction 110 is the minimum distance D _mln , and a second position in which the distance from the sliding direction 110 is the maximum distance D _max (figure 1) . The term "distance" of position from the sliding direction 110, is to be interpreted as the distance of centre of gravity C of metallic member 41, or 42, from the sliding direction 110. Therefore, in the particular case of figure 1, the distance D _mln =0 in the first position.

Therefore, the member made of magnetic material 10 is forced by the magnetic attractive force, to slide towards the member made of metallic material 41, or 42 positioned in the first position, in the case of figure 1, the member 41, and therefore, departing from the member made of metallic material arranged in the second position, i.e. in figure 1, from member 42. This is two to the greater magnetic attractive force between member made of magnetic material 10 and the metallic member 41, or 42, arranged in the first position, than the magnetic attractive force between the magnetic member 10 and the metallic member 41, or 42, positioned in the second position.

The second position can be located both at the opposite side (figure 1), and at the same side of the first position (figure 8), with respect to the sliding direction of carriage 20, which is advantageously mounted, free to slide, on a guide 120. In both cases, however, as above described, the member made of magnetic material 10, because of the magnetic attraction slides towards the member made of metallic material 41, or 42, that is positioned in the first position. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at the first position, the member made of metallic material 41, or 42, has a face orthogonal to the sliding direction of member made of magnetic material 10, whilst, when it is in the second position, the same face of member made of metallic material is external to the magnetic axis.

The group for moving 40 is, then, arranged to operate a reverse movement, i.e. to dispose in the second position, the member made of metallic material positioned in the first position, in the case shown in figure 2, the member 41, and in the first position, the member made of metallic material positioned in the second position, in the case shown in figure 2, the member 42. More precisely, the group for moving 40 operates the reverse movement when the member made of magnetic material 10, during its sliding, arrives at a predetermined position d* from member made of metallic material arranged in the first position. This reverse movement causes a reverse translation of member made of magnetic material 10 along the sliding direction 110, whereby an alternate sliding of member made of magnetic material 10 is obtained from, and towards, the 2 members made of metallic material 41 and 42.

In particular, during the passage from the first position to the second position, the portion of volume of metallic member immersed in the magnetic field, gradually decreases, and, therefore, the magnetic attractive force gradually decreases. On the contrary, during the passage from the second position to the first position, the portion of volume of metallic member immersed in the magnetic field 10, gradually increases, and, therefore, also the magnetic attractive force gradually increases.

As diagrammatically shown in figure 2, the actuation device 50 can comprise at least one motor 51 operatively connected, by means of a transmission group 90, to the members made of metallic material 41 and 42. More in detail, the transmission group 90 can be operatively connected to a first and to a second support member 191 and 192, on each of which a respective member made of metallic material 41 and 42, is mounted.

In the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in figure 3, a control unit 250 is provided. This is operatively connected to a first and to a second sensor of presence 31, 32, each of which positioned at a distance d* from a respective member made of metallic material 41 and 42. In particular, each sensor of presence 31, 32, is arranged to detect the positioning of member made of magnetic material 10 in the above described distance d* and to send a corresponding signal of presence to the control unit 250. This commands the group for moving 40, accordingly, to operate the above described reverse movement. This makes it possible to determine distance d* more easily and assures to locate it more accurately.

The store group 60 can comprise a transformation device 80 arranged to transform the alternative linear motion of the member made of magnetic material 10 in a rotational motion. For example in the case shown in figure 4, the store group 60 comprises a crankshaft mechanism.

In the examples diagrammatically shown in the figures 4 to 6, the group for moving 40 is arranged to cause the first and the second member made of metallic material 41 and 42 to rotate, on a plane orthogonal to the sliding direction of carriage 20, in order to cause the passage of one between the first and the second member made of metallic material 41, 42, from the first position to the second position, and contemporaneously, the passage of the other member made of metallic material 41, 42, from the second position to the first position.

In the alternative embodiments shown in the figures 4 to 6, a plurality of motors 51 and 52 is provided, and each motor is operatively connected to a respective member made of metallic material 41, or 42. In this case, therefore, the motion of single members made of metallic material 41 and 42 is independent, even though simultaneous. In the case in which the actuation device 50 is arranged to cause the passage from the first to the second position, each member made of metallic material 41, 42 is preferably mounted on the respective support member 191, 192 in an eccentric position. More in detail, each support member 191, 192 is arranged to rotate about a rotational axis parallel, or coincident, with said sliding direction 110.

Instead, in the example that is diagrammatically shown in figure 7, the actuation device 50 is arranged to cause one between the first and the second member made of metallic material 41, 42, to translate, in order to cause its passage from the first position to the second position, and the simultaneous translation of the other member made of metallic material 41, 42, in order to cause its passage from the second position to the first position. More in detail, the actuation device 50 can comprise a single hydraulic, or pneumatic, or mechanic, actuator or, instead, a motor, operatively connected both to the first and to the second member made of metallic material 41, 42. Alternatively, an actuation device 50 can be provided for each member made of metallic material 41, 42.

More in detail, in the example of figure 7, the actuation device 50 comprises two hydraulic actuators 51 and 52 that are hydraulically connected by means of an electric valve 55. As it is easy to understand, the plurality of actuators can be replaced by a plurality of motors, each of which operatively connected to a respective member made of metallic material to operate a translation of the same.

Advantageously, furthermore, a conversion group 70 can be provided arranged to convert the energy, which has been stored by the store group 60, in electric energy and/or mechanical energy. For example, the conversion group 70 can comprise a dynamo, or an alternator, arranged to convert the rotational motion in electric energy.

In the alternative embodiments diagrammatically shown in the figure 8 to 9B, a plurality of mobile groups 5 is provided. For example, in the alternative embodiment of figure 8, 2 mobile groups 5a and 5b are provided, each of which comprising a respective member made of magnetic material 10a and 10b mounted on a respective carriage 20a and 20b sliding along a respective rectilinear sliding direction 110a and 110b. The carriages 20a and 20b can be mutually connected by means of a connection device 80. In the embodiment of figure 8, the connection device 80 comprises 2 crankshaft mechanisms 80a and 80b and a connection shaft 85. More precisely, each crankshaft mechanism 80a and 80b has a first end 81a and 81b connected to a respective carriage 20a and 20b and a second end 82a and 82b mounted on the connection shaft 85. The 2 crankshaft mechanisms 80a and 80b are advantageously staggered of a predetermined angle a. In the case of 2 mobile groups 5a and 5b, as shown in figure 8, the phase displacement angle can be 90°. In an embodiment of the invention, phase displacement angle a of 2 consecutive crankshaft mechanisms, can be equal to 360/ (number of mobile groups) . Therefore, also a phase displacement of the positions of the magnetic members 10a and 10b along the respective trajectories thus increasing the efficiency of machine 1. At the instant shown in figure 8, for example, the member made of magnetic material 10b is ahead of the magnetic member 10a. Still with reference to figure 8, the different mobile groups 5 that are provided in the machine 1 can be operated by a sole actuation device 50, for example a sole motor 51, and provide, therefore, a movement transmission group 90 arranged to transmit the motion of motor 51 to the members made of metallic material 41 and 42. For example, motor 51 can operate the rotation of a first rotation shaft 92b, on which supports 191b and 192b are mounted, on each of which a respective member made of metallic material 41b and 42b is positioned. On the shaft 92b is, then, mounted a crown wheel 91b, which transmits the rotational motion to a second crown wheel 91a and, therefore, to the rotation shaft 92a, on which is mounted, by means of a drive belt 95. In this way, the motion is also transmitted to the members made of metallic material 41a and 41b mounted on a respective support 191a and 192a integral to shaft 92a.

It is appropriate to note that, as it can be easily deduced by a person skilled in the art, the different mobile groups of machine 1 can be positioned on a same plane, therefore flanked one another, or one above the other, or according to a predetermined angle, without substantially changing the invention.

In the alternative embodiments of figure 9A and 9B, 4 mobile groups 5a-5d are provided, each of which comprising a member made of magnetic material lOa-lOd, each of which arranged to slide along a respective rectilinear sliding direction HOa-llOd between a first and a second member made of metallic material 41a-41d and 42a-42d.

As above described for the case of 2 mobile groups, as well as in case of a greater number of mobile groups 5a-5d can be, advantageously, provided movement transmission devices 80 arranged to operatively connect all the mobile groups 5a-5d to the same store group 60 (figure 9B) . What above described with reference to the embodiment of figure 8, in particular concerning the connection device 80, it is to be considered valid also in the case of more than 2 mobile groups 5.

Alternatively, each member made of metallic material 41a-42d can be moved between the first position and the second position by a respective actuation device, for example by a respective motor 51a-52d (figure 9A) .

Furthermore, the homologous members made of metallic material 41a-41d and 42a-42d can be operated by a same actuation device, for example by the same motor 51 and 52, respectively (figure 9B) .

In the figures 10 to 17 are shown some possible, particularly advantageous, embodiments for the member made of magnetic material 10, according to the present invention. More precisely, the member made of magnetic material 10 can be constituted by at least one Halbach array. As well known, a Halbach array comprises a plurality of permanent magnets 11, for example 5 magnets lla-lle (figure 10), arranged in a configuration such that the magnetic field is reinforced along a face of the member made of magnetic material 10, and to reduce the magnetic field at the opposite face, substantially to zero .

As shown in detail in figure, the magnets lla-lle are positioned in the array in such a way that the magnetic field of each magnet is oriented along a predetermined direction indicated in figure by the arrows

and the symbols indicating that it is directed into or out of ®, the plane of the paper.

In the linear Halbach array, or first order Halbach array, figure 10, the field direction of a magnet 11 is orthogonal to the direction of the field adjacent to it.

In this case, the upper face is the one that generates the increased magnetic field, whilst the lower face is the one at which the magnetic field is substantially null.

In the example of figure 11, instead, the magnetic member 10 is constituted of a Halbach array having a matrix configuration and comprising a predetermined number of rows r, e.g. 5 rows, of magnets lla-lle, 12a-12e, 13a- 13d, 14a-14d and 15a-15e. More precisely, in the configuration of figure 11, proceeding along each row of an array, the direction of the field changes by 180° from one magnet to the magnet that is adjacent to it.

In the alternative embodiments shown in the figures 12 to 17, the magnetic member 10 is, instead, comprises 2 Halbach arrays 100a and 100b. Also in this alternative embodiments, each Halbach array 100a, 100b, comprises a plurality of permanent magnets 101a-105d arranged in a configuration such that it reinforces the magnetic field along a face 110a, or 110b, of the member made of magnetic material, and to reduce the magnetic field at the opposite face 120a, or 120b, substantially to zero (figure 13) . In the configuration of figures 12 and 13, proceeding along each row of the array, the field direction of a magnet is rotated 90 degree anticlockwise with respect to the precedent magnet. In this configuration, at predetermined positions, there is no magnet and, therefore, each array 100a, or 100b, has empty spaces 130. This solution, therefore, has the advantage that a low number of magnets is requested.

In the alternative embodiments shown in the figure 14 and 15, each array 100a and 100b forming the magnetic member 10, comprises a determined number of magnets 101a- 105o arranged adjacent such to define a rectangular matrix having a predetermined number of rows r and a predetermined number of columns c.

More precisely, in the array of figure 14, each row comprises a predetermined number of magnets distributed according to the known first order Halbach array di configuration, i.e., proceeding along a row, the field direction of a magnet is orthogonal to the field direction of the following magnet. More precisely, the field direction of a magnet of the row is rotated of 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the magnet that come before along the row. Proceeding along a column, instead, two adjacent magnets have a magnetic field staggered of 180°.

Also in the configuration of figure 15, the magnets positioned on a same row, have the disposition of a traditional first order Halbach array shown in figure 10. In this case, however, the columns provides, alternatively, magnets arranged as in the configuration of a traditional Halbach array alternated to columns in which all the magnets have a magnetic field oriented along a same direction.

In the different Halbach configurations, above described, and shown in the figure, the solution provided by the present invention, of a member made of magnetic material 10 sliding between two members made of metallic material 41 and 42, is particularly advantageous. In fact, the magnetic interaction between the members that are involved, i.e. the 2 Halbach coupled at the face having the minimum magnetic intensity, is completely contained within the field that is generated by the same, ignoring the interferences of the dipoles on the same face.

In fact, in the case in which the interaction is between two magnets, the magnetic interaction that is set up, in spite of its strength, is, however, low, due to its presence at the faces of the two magnets having opposite poles. In the case, instead, of interaction between a magnet and a member made of metallic material, as in the present invention, the magnetic interaction between the member made of magnetic material 10 and the member made of metallic material 41, or 42, is independent from the type of magnetic pole that is present on the magnet.

In particular, the magnets of Halbach array can have all a same cubic shape. Furthermore, all the magnets of Halbach array are permanent magnets. For example, the magnets of the array can be Neodymium magnets (NdFeB) .

As shown in the figure 16 and 17, in working conditions, the 2 Halbach arrays forming the member made of magnetic material 10, are positioned adjacent in such a way to direct the face with the maximum magnetic field 110a, 120a, orthogonal to the direction of the motion of the magnetic member 10.

What above described concerning the magnetic machine 1 that is shown in the figure from the 1 to the 17, is also valid for the machine that is shown in figure 18.

In this case, however, the mobile group comprises a member made of metallic material 45 that is mounted on carriage 20 arranged to slide along a predetermined alternate rectilinear sliding direction 110 between 2 members made of magnetic material 10' and 10". A person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in adapting what above described with reference to the figures 1 to 17, to the case of figure 18. EXPERIMENTAL DATA

In the following, the results will be presented of some tests carried out on a device reproducing the main technical characteristics of the machines for producing energy, according to the invention.

As shown in figures 19 and 20 a magnet 230 has been used constrained to a carriage 220 mounted on a linear guide 210. Through the tests 1 and 2, which are described in the following, have been determined, respectively, the stroke of carriage 220, and the energy that is necessary to cause the plates made of iron 241 and 242, to rotate.

TEST 1

With reference to the scheme of figure 19, for test

1, a fixed linear guide 210 has been used, on which a carriage 220 is slidingly mounted that is made of aluminium in order to avoid interferences with the magnetic field. A permanent magnet 230 has been fixed on carriage 220. It has been, furthermore, used an inextensible cable 250 to constrain the magnet 230 to a dynamometer 260 that is mounted on a threaded bar 270. This latter is fixed, by means of nuts and bolts, to a frame 275 orthogonal to the fixed linear guide 210. In this way, it is possible to detect, with accuracy, the position of carriage 220, because a step-by-step movement of the same is carried out. The dynamometer 260 allows, then, to determine the force of magnet 230 at each position of carriage 220 that is detected. The layout that has been used allows, furthermore, to support the load of dynamometer 260 that, then, does not interfere with the measuring. Since it is of fundamental importance that the plate made of iron 240 is as light as possible, because the greatest is the weight of the plate made of iron 240, and the highest is the energy consumption of the electric motor that constrains its rotational motion, it has been decided to use a plate made of iron 50x50x3 mm. This solution is the best arrangement between the mass of the plate and the average force of magnet associated to it. Concerning, instead, permanent magnet 230, the following sizes have been chosen: 25,4x25,4x12.7 mm and a magnetization N40. In particular, the permanent magnet 230 has been arranged with its north pole directed towards the plate 240.

The device so obtained, has been used for determining the attractive force between magnet 230 and a fixed plate 240 made of iron arranged in a determined position along the sliding direction of carriage 220. In particular, by means of dynamometer 260 the attractive force has been determined for each known distance of permanent magnet 230 from plate 240. From each distance d, the value determination of the force has been repeated for 10 times. More precisely, the force value in kgf, read on dynamometer, it has been determined the force value in N. It is appropriate to note that it has been not possible to determine the force attractive value between plate 240 and permanent magnet 230 for distances less than 5-6 mm. However, it is possible to determine analytically the trend of the same. Therefore, it has been possible to determine the distance value minima d* for which it is possible to obtain the movement above described of plate 240 from the first position to the second position. Furthermore, it has been seen that for distances greater than 40 mm, the attractive force is substantially negligible. Therefore, in this case, the total stroke of magnet between the 2 members made of metallic material, cannot be greater than 30-40 mm.

Tab . 1 (Attractive force in N vs di stance in mm)

Then it has been calculated, for each distance, the average value of attractive force. The results are indicated in table 2. Tab. 2 (average attractive force vs distance)

It has been, then, calculated the average attractive force along the stroke, thus obtaining an average value of 15,47303 N. By multiplying this value for 2, because the magnet 10 in the machine 1 according to the present invention, slides one time towards the right metallic member, and one time towards the left metallic member di (see figure 1), the total attractive force that has been measured is about 30,9 N. TEST 2

As shown in figure 20, also in this case, carriage 220, to which the magnet 230 is fixed, is slidingly mounted on linear guide 210. The magnet 230 is then mounted on a threaded bar, through which it is possible to set the distance of magnet 230 from the plate made of iron 240 positioned on pulley 280.

An inextensible cable 250', which is connected to a dynamometer 260', is wound on the pulley 280.

For each distance of the magnet 230 from plate made of iron 240, the force is applied, by means of cable 250', that is necessary to win the attractive force between magnet 230 and plate 240 and to cause the pulley 280 to rotate. This way, it has been possible to read on dynamometer 260' the data of force in kgf for each distance d of permanent magnet 230 from plate 240. Also in this case, for each distance, the measuring has been carried out 10 times.

The values calculated in kgf have been converted in N and, by knowing the distance of plate from the centre of the pulley 280, i.e. the arm of the applied force, the corresponding values are calculated of the torque in Nm, that have been indicated in the following table 3:

Tab . 3 ( Force in Nm vs di s tance in mm)

From the data of table 3 has been measured the average torque, for each distance d, the data are indicated in table 4 : Tab . 4 ( average torque vs di s tance )

As it is easy to deduce, when the distance d is the minimum distance (7mm) the value is maximum (equal to 0,71564 Nm) of the torque that is necessary to cause the movement of plate 240, instead, when the distance d is the maximum distance (25mm) , the minimum value of the torque is obtained (equal to 0,111551 Nm) .

Through the calculation alghoritm of the crankshaft (RRT) system, the values of position, speed, acceleration and torque, are determined considering, as speed, 1 rad/s, equal to 9,55 rpm. It changes depending on the speed of rotation that the gear motors impress simultaneously to the plates made of iron 240, that, as a consequence, will modify the field distribution, moving the magnet 230, mounted on carriage 220, to increase the frequency of alternation of motion. Then, the values of the torque for each angle are calculated. In table 5, for reasons of simplicity, the torque value is indicated in Nm at each 30°: Tab . 5 ( average torque vs rad)

By integrating the values of the so calculated torque, a value of the torque is obtained equal to 21,071 Nm for one turn.

It is appropriate to note that the distribution of the vector force of the field, at the instant of minimum distance d between the magnetic member 230 and the plate 240, is arranged tangential to the wheel. Therefore, the average force is obtained, instant by instant, by combining the single vectors. Therefore, the force can be approximated, in absolute value, direction and towards to a single vector that is tangent to the wheel and perpendicular to the arm, i.e. about the wheel radius. In order to calculate the braking moment of the latter, it has to note that the wheel is subjected to a changed braking moment, because, when the plate 240 is coaxial to the magnet position, it assumes a value always less than the angular value of maximum attraction, in the specific case 45°. In the remaining part of the rotation of the braking force is 0. The moment applied to the plate 240 arranged that the forces applied to it are, in absolute value, less than a rectilinear application, because, it can be associated to a translation, distributing the vectors of force parallel each to the other, with a concentration that is inversely proportional to the decreasing of the surface of interaction. Here it happens that at 45° the maximum value of the force is obtained.

For the work-theorem and kinetic energy, the braking work is also the value of work that has been made for braking it.

At each turn of the crank, two braking moments correspond, and from experimental results it has been seen that the power expressed in Watt observes the following inequality: W _m >2-Wf, this because at the first turn, i.e. not at the running condition, i (crank Watt) W _m = (Nm ·7Τ ^* rpm) /30=21W (energy produced) and

(brake Watt) W _f = (2 -Nm ·π - rpm) /30=1. W (energetic cost) .

From the calculation above indicated is, therefore, clear that the energy that is used for moving the plates 230 is decidedly less than the energy recovered at the foot of the connecting-rod.

In the above tables N.D. means Not Determinate and N.R. means Not Relevant.

TEST 3

Some tests have been carried out in order to calculate the energetic cost that is necessary to rotate, in one case, a member made of magnetic material 230b, and precisely a Neodymium magnet, and in another case, a member made of a no-magnetic metallic material 240, and precisely made of iron, arranged at a same predetermined distance from a member made of magnetic material 230a, also this a Neodymium magnet. More in detail, in the test it has been assumed that each member 230a, 230b and 240 has a same shape, in particular parallelepiped-shaped, and that has the following size 25,4 mmx25,4 mmxl2,7 mm with a magnetization quality of N40 with a direction of magnetization along z axis.

The results so obtained have been indicated in the figure 21 and 22.

This way it has been demonstrated, that arranged a permanent dipole 230a in a predetermined position, that the energy necessary to cause a rotation of the other dipole 230b is always higher than the energy necessary to rotate a plate made of iron having an equal volume, in the case into consideration, well higher than 2 times. This because the iron is passively subjected to the action of dipole, because it is not able to generate a significant magnetic field, and in fact, in this case, it is of random system. More precisely, in the case of dipole-dipole interaction (figure 21), the value calculated for the force F along axis y is 35, 7N, that is definitely greater than the force F' along axis y (figure 22) and that is equal to 15 N calculated, instead, in the case of system magnet-iron. In the case of interaction dipole-dipole, furthermore, through a calculation algorithm, it has been possible to define the moment applied to one of the 2 magnets, for different distances. In particular, the maximum calculated value is about 2,5 Nm. Instead, in the case of random system dipole-iron, the maximum calculated value is 0,4 Nm.

In order to calculate the above described force values, known relations of magnetos tat ics have been applied. It is appropriate to remind that, as well known, the sum of the interaction forces is not linear and reasons at stake between dipole-dipole and dipole- iron.

Therefore, the test has clearly demonstrated that the use, according to the present invention, of permanent magnet and members made of metallic material, require an energetic cost that is definitely less than the case of interaction between permanent magnet and permanent magnet described in the state of the art.

What above described is also valid in the case in which it is used one of the Halbach configurations provided by the present invention, instead of the single permanent dipole.

What above described, in particular with reference to the figures 1 to 22, has to be considered valid a apart from the type, from the shape, and from the magnetization, of the dipole that is used for the member made of magnetic material and, therefore, can be considered to be valid for any magnetic material that is able to generate a magnetic field.

The foregoing description of an embodiment of the method and of the apparatus according to the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view so that other, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt in various applications this specific embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is meant that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the exemplified specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.