US5696419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-efficiency electric power generator
Assignee: ALTERNATIVE GENERATION DEVICE Inc
•
Filing: 1994-06-13
•
Granted: 1997-12-09
•
Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrical generator has a plurality of C-shaped stator members which are made of magnetically permeable material. Each C-shaped stator member includes a respective stator winding, and the stator members are positioned such that the ends of the members form first and second planar rings of equal diameter to establish a gap therebetween. A flat, ring-shaped rotor defines a periphery, and a plurality of permanent magnets are positioned around the periphery. The rotor is positioned with the magnets of the rotor disposed in the gap defined by the stator members. Consequently, when the rotor is rotated by a prime mover to move the magnets through the gap, an electrical current is induced in the stator windings.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Rakestraw
- 👤 Alan E. Rakestraw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:03
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K21/00; H02K21/12; H02K21/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An electric power generator, comprising: a stator including a plurality of stator members made of material characterized by high magnetic permeability, each stator member having a back side element wound with electrically conductive wire and opposed top and bottom elements connected to the back side element and extending perpendicularly away therefrom to establish a gap between the top and bottom elements; a wheel-shaped shaftless rotor defining a periphery and having at least one permanent magnet mounted thereon, said rotor circumscribing a hollow circular region within which said stator members are at least partially positioned, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted such that the magnet passes between successive gaps in the stator when the rotor is rotated with respect to the stator; and a rotor, driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electric power generator, comprising: a stator including a plurality of stator members made of material characterized by high magnetic permeability, each stator member having a back side element wound with electrically conductive wire and opposed top and bottom elements connected to the back side element and extending perpendicularly away therefrom to establish a gap between the top and bottom elements; a wheel-shaped shaftless rotor defining a periphery and having at least one permanent magnet mounted thereon, said rotor circumscribing a hollow circular region within which said stator members are at least partially positioned, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted such that the magnet passes between successive gaps in the stator when the rotor is rotated with respect to the stator; and a rotor, driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The generator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of permanent magnets mounted in a circular pattern on the rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The generator of claim 2, wherein each stator member is generally C-shaped, and each stator member is made of a plurality of thin, flat, C-shaped stator elements, each stator element positioned flush against its immediately adjacent stator elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The generator of claim 3, wherein the stator members are electrically connected with each other in parallel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The generator of claim 3, wherein the stator elements are electrically connected together in series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The generator of claim 1, wherein the wheel-shaped rotor is thin, flat, and ring-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The generator of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of bearings juxtaposed with the rotor for supporting the rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The generator of claim 1, wherein the vane is a turbine blade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The generator of claim 1, wherein the vane is a windmill vane extending outward from the periphery of said rotor and the external fluid force is air moving relative to the generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The generator of claim 6, wherein the periphery of the rotor surrounds the back side elements of the stator members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The generator of claim 1, wherein said rotor is rotatably mounted between a plurality of bearings connected to a base.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for generating electricity, comprising: a stator made of magnetically permeable material, the stator defining an annular gap; an electrically conductive winding in electro-magnetic engagement with the stator; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed adjacent the winding for generating a magnetic field, said plurality of permanent magnets mounted on a shaftless rotatable rotor movably disposed relative to the stator such that when the rotor is rotated relative to the stator an electric current is generated in the winding, said rotor having a flat shape and central opening defining an inner periphery surrounding said stator; and a rotor driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor, said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for generating electricity, comprising: a stator made of magnetically permeable material, the stator defining an annular gap; an electrically conductive winding in electro-magnetic engagement with the stator; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed adjacent the winding for generating a magnetic field, said plurality of permanent magnets mounted on a shaftless rotatable rotor movably disposed relative to the stator such that when the rotor is rotated relative to the stator an electric current is generated in the winding, said rotor having a flat shape and central opening defining an inner periphery surrounding said stator; and a rotor driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor, said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the magnets are mounted on the rotor in a circular pattern such that the magnets pass through the gap of the stator when the rotor is rotated, and wherein the stator includes a plurality of stator members made of material characterized by high magnetic permeability, each stator member having a back side element wound with electrically conductive wire and opposed top and bottom elements connected to the back side element and extending perpendicularly away therefrom to establish the annular gap between the top and bottom elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each stator member is generally C-shaped, and each stator member is made of a plurality of thin, flat, C-shaped stator elements, each stator element positioned flush against its immediately adjacent stator elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the rotor is thin, flat, and ring-shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of bearings juxtaposed with the rotor for supporting the rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said inner periphery defines a circular plane, and wherein each stator member is generally C-shaped, said stator members being disposed in a radial pattern with respect to the center of said circular plane such that the back side element of each stator member passes through said circular plane and the annular gap of each stator member surrounds said rotor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said rotor is rotatably mounted between a plurality of bearings connected to a base.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
141 words
A generator of electricity, comprising: a magnetically permeable stator forming first and second planar rings of equal diameter and defining a central axis, the rings being generally parallel and axially spaced from each other to establish a gap therebetween: at least one stator winding engaged with the stator; a circularly-shaped shaftless rotor having alternating regions of magnetized and unmagnetized material, the rotor disposed for rotation about the central axis and around the stator, with the regions of magnetized and unmagnetized material disposed generally on the periphery of the rotor for movement within and through the gap to thereby induce an electrical current in the stator winding; and a rotor driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor, said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
141 words
A generator of electricity, comprising: a magnetically permeable stator forming first and second planar rings of equal diameter and defining a central axis, the rings being generally parallel and axially spaced from each other to establish a gap therebetween: at least one stator winding engaged with the stator; a circularly-shaped shaftless rotor having alternating regions of magnetized and unmagnetized material, the rotor disposed for rotation about the central axis and around the stator, with the regions of magnetized and unmagnetized material disposed generally on the periphery of the rotor for movement within and through the gap to thereby induce an electrical current in the stator winding; and a rotor driver coupled directly to the periphery of the rotor, said rotor driver comprising at least one vane against which an external fluid force can be applied to cause the rotor to rotate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The generator of claim 19, wherein the stator includes a plurality of stator members made of material characterized by high magnetic permeability, each stator member having a back side element wound with electrically conductive wire and opposed top and bottom elements connected to the back side element and extending perpendicularly away therefrom to establish the annular gap between the top and bottom elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The generator of claim 20, wherein each stator member is generally C-shaped, and each stator member is made of a plurality of thin, flat, C-shaped stator elements, each stator element positioned flush against its immediately adjacent stator elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The generator of claim 19, wherein the rotor is thin, flat, and ring-shaped.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The generator of claim 20, wherein the rotor defines an inner periphery, and the inner periphery of the rotor surrounds the back side elements of the stator members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The generator of claim 19, wherein said rotor is rotatably mounted between a plurality of bearings connected to a base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4074157A
Cited
US4303843A
Cited
US4318019A
Cited
US4475075A
Cited
US4866321A
Cited
US4639626A
Cited
US4798986A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |