Apparatus comprising counter-rotational mechanisms and related methods to convey current

Abstract

The invention relates to devices including rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising
 at least one rotary mechanism that comprises at least first and second rotational components and at least a first counter-rotational mechanism that operably engages at least the first and second rotational components, wherein the first and second rotational components are configured to rotate substantially non-concentrically relative to one another at least partially around a rotational axis and wherein at least one surface of the first and/or second rotational component comprises at least a first implement, which first implement comprises at least a first winding, at least a first pole, a first electromagnetic radiation source, and/or at least a first magnet; and,   at least one drive mechanism component or portion thereof that operably engages one or more of the rotational components and/or the first counter-rotational mechanism such that when the first rotational component rotates in a first direction, the second rotational component rotates in a second direction, and the first implement rotates proximal to at least a second implement, which second implement comprises at least a second winding, at least a second pole, a second electromagnetic radiation source, and/or at least a second magnet, wherein at least one other rotational component and/or at least one stator component comprises the second implement.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising more than two rotational components. 
     
     
         3 . A motor and/or generator comprising the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . A device or vehicle comprising the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive an electrical power input and to generate a mechanical output. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a mechanical input and generate an electrical power output. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises at least one pole rotor, at least one magnet rotor, and/or at least one winding rotor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises two or more substantially equi-angularly positioned windings. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises two or more magnets comprising alternating north/south and south/north orientations and separated by non-magnetic material spacer components. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises one or more pole assemblies comprising one or more sets of bar poles. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising two or more pole assemblies, wherein at least one non-magnetic material separates the pole assemblies from one another. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the non-magnetic material is disposed in at least one arbor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stator component comprises at least one housing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises at least two rotary units that each comprises:
 at least one rotational component that comprises at least one sun gear component and at least one ring gear component, and   at least one gear structure that comprises at least one support component and at least one planetary gear component rotatably coupled to the support component, and wherein the planetary gear component is configured to operably engage the ring gear component,   wherein the sun gear component of at least a first rotary unit operably engages the planetary gear component of at least a second rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises:
 at least a first rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second sun gear components;   at least a second rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least first and second ring gear components; and,   at least a first planetary gear component that is configured to operably engage the second sun gear component of the first rotary unit and the first ring gear component of the second rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises at least two rotary units that each comprises:
 at least one rotational component that comprises at least one ring gear component; and,   at least one second gear component configured to operably engage the ring gear component.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises:
 at least two rotational components that each comprises at least one ring gear component; and,   at least one counter-rotational mechanism that comprises at least a first gear component that operably engages the ring gear component of at least a first rotational component, at least a second gear component that operably engages the ring gear component of at least a second rotational component, and at least a third gear component that operably engages at least the second gear component such that when the first gear component rotates in the first direction, the first rotational component rotates in the first direction and the second gear component and the second rotational component rotate in the second direction.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary mechanism comprises:
 at least a first rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least two ring gear components;   at least a second rotary unit that comprises at least one rotational component that comprises at least two ring gear components; and,   
       at least a first planetary gear component that is configured to operably engage at least one of the ring gear components of the first rotary unit and at least one of the ring gear components of the second rotary unit such that when the rotational component of the first rotary unit rotates in the first direction, the rotational component of the second rotary unit rotates in the second direction. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least first, second, and third rotational components, wherein at least one of the rotational components comprises at least a first implement, which first implement comprises at least a first winding, at least a first pole, a first electromagnetic radiation source, and/or at least a first magnet;   at least first and second counter-rotational mechanisms, wherein the first counter rotational mechanism operably engages at least the first and second rotational components, and wherein the second counter-rotational mechanism operably engages at least the second and third rotational components; and,   at least one drive mechanism component or a portion thereof operably engaged with one or more of the rotational components and/or with one or more of the counter-rotational mechanisms, which drive mechanism component or portion thereof is configured at least to effect rotation of the rotational components and the counter-rotational mechanisms such that the first and third rotational components rotate in a first direction, the second rotational component rotates in a second direction, and the first implement rotates proximal to at least a second implement, which second implement comprises at least a second winding, at least a second pole, a second electromagnetic radiation source, and/or at least a second magnet, wherein at least one other rotational component and/or at least one stator component comprises the second implement.   
     
     
         20 . A method of inducing current, the method comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising:
 at least one rotary mechanism that comprises at least first and second rotational components and at least a first counter-rotational mechanism that operably engages at least the first and second rotational components, wherein the first and second rotational components are configured to rotate substantially non-concentrically relative to one another at least partially around a rotational axis and wherein at least one surface of the first and/or second rotational component comprises at least a first implement, which first implement comprises at least a first winding, at least a first pole, and/or at least a first magnet; and 
 at least one drive mechanism component or portion thereof that operably engages one or more of the rotational components and/or the first counter-rotational mechanism; and, 
   rotating the first rotational component in a first direction such that the second rotational component rotates in a second direction, and the first implement rotates proximal to at least a second implement, which second implement comprises at least a second winding, at least a second pole, and/or at least a second magnet, wherein at least one other rotational component and/or at least one stator component comprises the second implement, thereby inducing current.