Patent US3903808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3903808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eddy current propulsion system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-18
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle is provided with a variable-pitch eddy-current propulsion system. As part of the propulsion system, the vehicle is equipped with a prime mover and two rotors mechanically coupled to the prime mover for rotation thereby. Each of the rotors carries a plurality of magnetic elements helically distributed on the rotor. In operation the magnetic elements carried by the rotors induce currents in two conductive rails of arcuate cross-section respectively disposed adjacent the rotors. These induced currents have associated magnetic fields which interact with the magnetic field of the helically distributed magnetic elements to develop forces on the rotors. Levitating forces, lateral stabilizing forces and thrust forces are all controllably developed. Central to the control of these forces is the speed of rotation of the prime mover, the helix pitch of the helically distributed magnetic elements carried by the rotors, and the field strengths of the magnetic elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Foldes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:12
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K49/00; H02K49/02; H02K49/04; H02K41/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A pRopulsion system for a vehicle of the type adapted to follow a fixed roadway comprising: at least one rotor rotatably carried by said vehicle and having an axis of rotation aligned with the axis of displacement of said vehicle; a prime mover carried by said vehicle and coupled to said rotor for rotation thereof; an elongated conductive rail disposed on said roadway along and defining a path of travel for said vehicle, said rotor being disposed in alignment with and adjacent to but spaced apart from said conductive rail; and means associated with said rotor for developing a circumferentially varying magnetic field pattern circulating about said rotor and a corresponding magnetic field pattern circulating about said conductive rail whereby rotation of said rotor produces reactive forces between said rotor and said rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A pRopulsion system for a vehicle of the type adapted to follow a fixed roadway comprising: at least one rotor rotatably carried by said vehicle and having an axis of rotation aligned with the axis of displacement of said vehicle; a prime mover carried by said vehicle and coupled to said rotor for rotation thereof; an elongated conductive rail disposed on said roadway along and defining a path of travel for said vehicle, said rotor being disposed in alignment with and adjacent to but spaced apart from said conductive rail; and means associated with said rotor for developing a circumferentially varying magnetic field pattern circulating about said rotor and a corresponding magnetic field pattern circulating about said conductive rail whereby rotation of said rotor produces reactive forces between said rotor and said rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said means associated with said rotor for developing magnetic fields comprises a plurality of magnetic elements helically distributed on said rotor, said magnetic elements being disposed to induce currents in said conductive rail during rotation by said rotor, said induced currents having associated magnetic fields interacting with the magnetic fields of said magnetic elements to develop forces on said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein said plurality of magnetic elements comprising a plurality of permanent magnets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of magnetic elements comprises a plurality of dc electromagnets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 2, including means for adjusting the helix pitch of said plurality of magnetic elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 2, including means for adjusting the helix pitch of said plurality of magnetic elements to reverse the thrust forces on said rotor to effect braking in said propulsion system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 2, including means for adjusting the helix pitch of said plurality of magnetic elements to reverse the sense of said helix pitch to effect plugging to brake said propulsion system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said means for adjusting the helix pitch of said plurality of magnetic elements includes means for respectively axially displacing said plurality of magnetic elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said means for adjusting the helix pitch of said plurality of magnetic elements includes means for respectively circumferentially displacing said plurality of magnetic elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said conductive rail comprises a bimetallic rail including an electrically conductive metallic portion and a ferromagnetic metallic portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 10, wherein said conductive rails is of arcuate cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 11, wherein said conductive rail substantially envelopes said rotor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A system as in claim 11, including a second rotor mechanically coupled with said prime mover for rotation thereby; a second elongated conductive rail of arcuate cross-section; and a plurality of magnetic elements helically distributed on said second rotor, said magnetic element being disposed to induce currents in said second conductive rail during rotation by said second rotor, said induced currents of said second conductive rail having associated magnetic fields interacting with the magnetic fields of said plurality of magnetic elements distributed on said second rotor to develop forces on said second rotor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said rotors and said conductive rails are disposed such that the magnetic fields of said rotors and said conductive rails interact to develop levitating forces on said rotors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said rotors and said conductive rails are disposed such that the magnetic fields of said rotors and said conductive rails interact to develop lateral stabilizing forces on said rotors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said rotors and said conductive rails are disposed such that the magnetic fields of said rotors and said conductive Rails interact to develop thrust, levitating, and lateral forces on said rotors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electromagnetic propulsion system comprising: a prime moves for developing rotary motion; a rotor mechanically coupled with said prime mover for rotation thereby; a stationary elongated conductive rail disposed in proximity to said rotor; and means for developing magnetic fields in both said rotor and said conductive rail during rotation by said rotor, said magnetic fields interacting to develop forces on said rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electromagnetic propulsion system comprising: a prime moves for developing rotary motion; a rotor mechanically coupled with said prime mover for rotation thereby; a stationary elongated conductive rail disposed in proximity to said rotor; and means for developing magnetic fields in both said rotor and said conductive rail during rotation by said rotor, said magnetic fields interacting to develop forces on said rotor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electromagnetic propulsion system comprising: a vehicle; means defining a path of travel for said vehicle and including a conductive element extending along said path of travel and having an arcuate section taken perpendicular to said path of travel; and means including direct current electromagnet elements or permanent magnet elements movably carried by the vehicle and arranged to produce a spatially phase-varying helical electromagnetic field configuration proximate to and reacting with said conductive element to drive the vehicle along said path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electromagnetic propulsion system comprising: a vehicle; means defining a path of travel for said vehicle and including a conductive element extending along said path of travel and having an arcuate section taken perpendicular to said path of travel; and means including direct current electromagnet elements or permanent magnet elements movably carried by the vehicle and arranged to produce a spatially phase-varying helical electromagnetic field configuration proximate to and reacting with said conductive element to drive the vehicle along said path.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |