Magnetic heat generation

Abstract

A magnetic heater is provided having a conductor assembly and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the conductor assembly about an axis so as to induce eddy currents in the conductor assembly when relative motion is produced between the conductor assembly and first magnet assembly. The conductor assembly defines a fluid path therein for the transfer of heat from the conductor assembly to a fluid. The magnetic heater is a component of a heat generation system comprising an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft for rotating the magnet assembly. The heat generated by the magnetic heater, as well as the heat generated by the engine from the engine exhaust and engine cooling system, is combined to heat a fluid.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A magnetic heater assembly, comprising:
 a blower including a motor, a blower housing, and a blower fan; and   a magnetic heater including a magnet assembly, the blower housing defining an annular volume in fluid communication with an axial inlet and a tangential outlet, the blower fan including a plurality of fan blades coupled to a conductive member, the conductive member comprising an electrically conductive material such that eddy-currents are induced within the conductive member when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, the magnet assembly comprising an axial shaft annulus, the magnet assembly coaxially located within the annular volume, the blower fan coaxially located within the annular volume such that the conductive member of the blower fan is located co-axially and adjacent the magnet assembly, the motor is coupled to the blower housing such that a shaft of the motor is located coaxially with the magnet assembly and the blower fan, the shaft extending into the annular volume, passing through the shaft annulus of the magnet assembly, and coupled in operative engagement to the conductive member so as to rotate the conductive member when in operation, the magnet assembly coupled to the blower housing, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to induce eddy currents in the conductive member when the conductive member is rotated relative to the magnet assembly, the blower fan operable to draw fluid into the axial inlet and expel fluid out the tangential outlet.   
   
   
       24 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the fan blades are adapted to act as heat sinks for the transfer of heat from the conductive member. 
   
   
       25 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 23 , the magnet assembly comprising a plurality of magnets, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the magnets in close proximity to the conductive member. 
   
   
       26 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the magnet assembly comprises:
 a magnet plate in the form of a substantially circular disk, a plurality of magnet pockets disposed on a side of the magnet plate and at a predetermined distance adjacent a magnet plate peripheral edge, the plurality of magnet pockets adapted to at least partially receive at least one magnet therein;   at least one magnet at least partially disposed within each magnet pocket; and   at least one retainer plate coupled to the magnet plate capturing the magnet within the magnet pocket.   
   
   
       27 . The heat generation system of  claim 26 , wherein the retainer plates comprise a plurality of fastener apertures adapted to receive suitable fasteners there through, the fastener apertures adapted to align with threaded bores disposed in the magnet plate. 
   
   
       28 . The heat generation system of  claim 27 , wherein the retainer plate comprises a plurality of retainer pockets complementary with the magnet pockets and adapted to receive at least a portion of at least one magnet therein. 
   
   
       29 . The heat generation system of  claim 26 , wherein the magnet pockets are adapted to receive the magnet entirely therein, and the retainer plate comprises a substantially flat surface to contain the magnet therein. 
   
   
       30 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 24 , the magnet assembly comprising a plurality of magnets, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the magnets in close proximity to the conductive member. 
   
   
       31 . A magnetic heater assembly, comprising:
 a blower including a motor, a blower housing, and a blower fan; and   a magnetic heater including a magnet assembly, the blower housing defining an annular volume in fluid communication with an axial inlet and a tangential outlet, the blower fan including a plurality of fan blades coupled to a conductive member, the conductive member comprising an electrically conductive material such that eddy-currents are induced within the conductive member when exposed to a time-varying magnetic flux, the magnet assembly comprising an axial shaft annulus, the magnet assembly coaxially located within the annular volume, the blower fan coaxially located within the annular volume such that the conductive member of the blower fan is located co-axially and adjacent the magnet assembly, the magnet assembly comprising a plurality of magnets, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to dispose the magnets in close proximity to the conductive member, the motor coupled to the blower housing such that a shaft of the motor located coaxially with the magnet assembly and the blower fan, the shaft extending into the annular volume passing through the shaft annulus of the magnet assembly and coupled in operative engagement to the conductive member so as to rotate the conductive member when in operation, the magnet assembly coupled to the blower housing, wherein the magnet assembly is adapted to induce eddy currents in the conductive member when the conductive member is rotated relative thereto, the blower fan operable to draw fluid into the axial inlet and expel fluid out the tangential outlet.   
   
   
       32 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the fan blades are adapted to act as heat sinks for the transfer of heat from the conductive member. 
   
   
       33 . The magnetic heater assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the magnet assembly comprises:
 a magnet plate in the form of a substantially circular disk, a plurality of magnet pockets disposed on a side of the magnet plate and at a predetermined distance adjacent a magnet plate peripheral edge, the plurality of magnet pockets adapted to at least partially receive at least one magnet therein;   at least one magnet at least partially disposed within each magnet pocket; and   at least one retainer plate coupled to the magnet plate capturing the magnet within the magnet pocket.   
   
   
       34 . The heat generation system of  claim 33 , wherein the retainer plates comprise a plurality of fastener apertures adapted to receive suitable fasteners there through, the fastener apertures adapted to align with threaded bores disposed in the magnet plate. 
   
   
       35 . The heat generation system of  claim 34 , wherein the retainer plate comprises a plurality of retainer pockets complementary with the magnet pockets and adapted to receive at least a portion of at least one magnet therein. 
   
   
       36 . The heat generation system of  claim 33 , wherein the magnet pockets are adapted to receive the magnet entirely therein, and the retainer plate comprises a substantially flat surface to contain the magnet therein.