Electrical generator that utilizes rotational to linear motion conversion

Abstract

A method and device for energy conversion from a moving fluid to electrical energy. The device includes at least one magnetic structure, at least one coil structure, a rotating component, and a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism. The at least one coil structure includes electrically conductive material. The rotating component rotates relative to a corresponding axis of rotation in response to forces applied by the moving fluid on a structure coupled to the rotating component. The rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism is coupled to the rotating component. Rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure. The relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil generates electrical energy in the at least one coil structure.

1 . An apparatus for conversion of energy from a moving fluid to electrical energy, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one magnetic structure, the magnetic structure comprising at least one pair of magnets with like poles facing each other and separated by a spacing;   at least one coil structure;   a rotating component to rotate relative to a corresponding axis of rotation in response to forces applied by the moving fluid on a structure coupled to the rotating component; and   a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism coupled to the rotating component and the magnetic structure, wherein rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the relative linear displacement is oriented at some non-perpendicular direction relative to the corresponding axis of rotation of the rotating component. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil is along a direction substantially parallel relative to the corresponding axis of rotation of the rotating component. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism comprises at least one cam, wherein the rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation results in forces applied by the at least one cam to generate the relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism comprises at least one gear. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic structure comprises a permanent magnet array, wherein adjoining magnets in the permanent magnet array have like poles facing each other. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coil structure comprises a coil array. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein a spacing between magnets in the permanent magnet array is substantially similar to a spacing between coils in the coil array. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic structure or the at least one coil structure comprises one or more high permeability components to provide flux paths and/or increase flux change. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism comprises at least one magnet to apply magnetic forces on a support structure holding the at least one magnetic structure to facilitate the relative linear displacement of the at least one magnetic structure relative to the at least one coil. 
     
     
         11 . A device for generation of electrical energy, comprising:
 at least one magnetic structure, the magnetic structure comprising at least one pair of magnets with like poles facing each, and wherein the at least one pair of magnets with like poles are separated by a spacing;   at least one coil structure;   a rotating component; and   a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism coupled to the rotating component and the magnetic structure, wherein rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one pinion gear coupled with at least one primary gear, wherein the primary gear is coupled to a main shaft and rotates at a speed substantially equivalent to a speed of the main shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil structure occurs out of synchronization relative to a second relative linear displacement between a second at least one magnetic structure and a second at least one coil structure in the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one cardan gear. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one magnetic structure comprises a permanent magnet array, wherein adjoining magnets in the at least one magnetic structure have like poles facing each other. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one coil structure comprises a coil array and the at least one magnetic structure comprises a magnet array. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a spacing corresponding to at least two permanent magnets in the at least one magnetic structure is substantially similar to a spacing corresponding to at least two coils in the at least one coil structure. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one magnetic structure or the at least one coil structure comprises one or more high permeability components to provide flux paths and/or increase flux change. 
     
     
         19 . A method for conversion of energy from a moving fluid to electrical energy, the method comprising:
 rotating a rotating component about an axis of rotation;   converting the rotation of the rotating component to a linear displacement between at least one magnet structure and a coil structure, wherein the at least one magnetic structure comprises at least one pair of magnets with like poles facing each other and separated by a spacing; and   generating electrical energy based on the relative displacement between the magnet structure and the coil structure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first generation component is a permanent magnet array with adjoining magnets having like poles facing each other, and wherein the second generation component is a coil array.