US3699370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Homopolar generator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-03
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A homopolar generator having a rotor with a disc shaped portion which rotates in a stator. A magnetic field is induced in the rotor and stator by at least one field winding which may be mounted about the rotor or on the stator or on both. A pair of annular bus bars are situated adjacent to and on opposite sides of the disc shaped portion of the rotor for collecting the generated current passing through the rotor. A liquid metal brush interfaces the disc portion of the rotor and the bus bars for an efficient conduction of current therebetween. The internal resistance of the generator is substantially reduced since the length of the current path through the disc is relatively small compared to the cross-sectional area thereof. In one embodiment the field windings are mounted about the stator which windings generate a magnetic field that is cut by the rotating disc portion of the rotor thereby generating a current in the rotor which passes from one side to the other side of the disc substantially transverse to the direction of the magnetic flux lines and the rotation of the rotor. In a second embodiment the field windings are mounted about the rotor and therefore a rotating magnetic field is generated which field rotates with the rotor and cuts once each revolution of the rotor, a pair of but bars which extend through the stator thereby generating a current in the bus bars.
Inventors
- 👤 Deane B Caldwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:57
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A direct durrent generator comprising a rotor, said rotor having a body portion and at least one disc portion, means for rotating said rotor, a stator in which said rotor rotates, a pair of stationary bus bars being positioned on opposite sides of said disc portion of said rotor each being proximate a surface thereof, means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said rotor, and means for establishing a magnetic flux field in said rotor and said stator, said field rotating with said rotor and cutting through said stator and said bus bars, a current being generated in said bus bars when cut by said rotating field said generated current flowing from one surface of said disc to the other forming a current path having a small length and a large cross-sectional area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A direct durrent generator comprising a rotor, said rotor having a body portion and at least one disc portion, means for rotating said rotor, a stator in which said rotor rotates, a pair of stationary bus bars being positioned on opposite sides of said disc portion of said rotor each being proximate a surface thereof, means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said rotor, and means for establishing a magnetic flux field in said rotor and said stator, said field rotating with said rotor and cutting through said stator and said bus bars, a current being generated in said bus bars when cut by said rotating field said generated current flowing from one surface of said disc to the other forming a current path having a small length and a large cross-sectional area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The generator of claim 1 wherein said bus bars each have an annular portion positioned proximate said disc portion of said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The generator of claim 2 wherein said means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said rotor comprises a liquid conductive metal, and means for distributing said liquid metal between and in contact with said bus bars and said rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The generator of claim 3 wherein said means for establishing a magnetic flux field comprises at least one coil mounted about the body portion of said rotor, and means for feeding direct current thereto, said current in said coil inducing a magnetic flux field in said stator and said rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The generator of claim 4 wherein field coils are mounted on each side of said disc portion of said rotor such that the magnetic field generated by each coil when current is fed thereto is summed in the disc portion of said rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The generator of claim 5 wherein said stator comprises a pair of cup-shaped yokes being positioned on opposite sides of said disc shaped portion of said rotor and each having at least one hole therethrough for receiving said bus bars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A direct current generator comprising a rotor having a body portion and at least one disc portion, means for rotating said rotor, a stator in which said rotor rotates, means for establishing a magnetic flux field in said rotor and said stator, said rotating rotor cutting said magnetic flux field thereby generating a current in said disc, a pair of bus bars being aligned on opposite sides of said disc portion of said rotor each being proximate a surface thereof, and means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said disc portion of said rotor, said generated current flowing from one surface of said disc to the other forming a current path having a small length and large cross-sectional area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A direct current generator comprising a rotor having a body portion and at least one disc portion, means for rotating said rotor, a stator in which said rotor rotates, means for establishing a magnetic flux field in said rotor and said stator, said rotating rotor cutting said magnetic flux field thereby generating a current in said disc, a pair of bus bars being aligned on opposite sides of said disc portion of said rotor each being proximate a surface thereof, and means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said disc portion of said rotor, said generated current flowing from one surface of said disc to the other forming a current path having a small length and large cross-sectional area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The generator of claim 7 wherein said means for electrically connecting said bus bars to said disc portion comprises a liquid metal, and means for forcing said liquid metal between and in contact with said bus bars and said disc portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The generator of claim 8 wherein said bus bars each have an annular portion having a large surface area adjacent to the surfaces of said disc portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The generator of claim 9 wherein said means for establishing a magnetic flux field comprises at least one coil mounted on said stator and means for feeding a DC current thereto, said current in said coil inducing a magnetic flux field in said stator and rotor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The generator of claim 10 wherein two field coils are mounted on the stator, said coils being wound so that said flux field in said disc portion is unidirectional.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The generator of claim 9 wherein said means for establishing a magnetic flux field comprises at least one coil mounted about the body portion of said rotor and at least one coil mounted on said stator, and means for feeding a DC current thereto, said current in said coils inducing a magnetic flux field in said stator and rotor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The generator of claim 12 wherein said means for feeding a DC current to said coils includes means receiving current generated in said rotor for energizing said rotor coils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The generator of claim 9 further comprising means for shielding the magnetic field generated by said generated current from said stator and rotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |