Systems and methods for power generation, transmission, amplification and/or storage
A machine ( 101 ) including a vertical rotatable shaft ( 4 b ) levitated by magnets ( 5 ) so as to minimize frictional losses. Magnets ( 5 ) are arranged on the machine body ( 7 ) and/or the shaft ( 4 b ) of the machine ( 101 ) to thereby exert a repelling force so that the rotating shaft ( 4 b ) is uplifted against gravitational forces. The machine ( 101 ) may additionally or alternatively incorporate a magnetic bearing ( 6 ), a variable inertia flywheel ( 24 ), a magnetic gear ( 29 ), and/or a magnetic clutch ( 19 ). The magnetic gear ( 29 ) may incorporate arrow shaped magnets ( 28 ).
1 . A magnetic bearing assembly, including a substantially vertically disposed rotatable shaft configured to rotate about a rotation axis which is disposed substantially centrally within a shaft hole of a machine body, said magnetic bearing assembly including:
a first magnetic bearing portion associated with said shaft hole of said machine body, including a first magnetic bearing surface which is shaped to face substantially upwardly and inwardly; and,
a second magnetic bearing portion associated with said rotatable shaft, including a second magnetic bearing surface which is of complementary shape to said first magnetic bearing surface;
wherein, said magnetic bearing portions are configured to solely exert a repelling force substantially vertically along the rotation axis therebetween to thereby support and levitate said rotatable shaft within said shaft hole of said machine body.
2 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic bearing portions are of complementary annular/ring shape such that said rotatable shaft is rotatably balanced within said hole of said machine body.
3 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein:
one end of one of said bearing portions is shaped to include any of a linear or non-linear tapered end section, a convergent or divergent shaped end section, a convex or concave end section, a conical or hemispherical end section, or any other shaped end section; and,
the other of said bearing portions is shaped to be of a compatible shape so that the adjacent surfaces of the bearings complement each other.
4 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each said magnetic bearing portion includes a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.
5 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each magnetic bearing portion is either embedded within, formed integrally with, or, fitted to the rotatable shaft of the machine shaft hole.
6 . A machine including a machine body and a substantially vertically disposed rotatable shaft which is configured to rotate about a rotation axis which is disposed substantially centrally within a shaft hole of the machine body, the machine including a magnetic bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1 .
7 . The machine according to claim 6 , further including a pair of magnets adapted to cooperate with one another so as to exert a repelling force therebetween and thereby levitate at least a portion of said rotatable shaft.
8 . The machine according to claim 6 , wherein said magnetic bearing portions are of complementary annular/ring shape such that said rotatable shaft is rotatably balanced within said hole of said machine body.
9 . The machine according to claim 6 , wherein:
one end of one of said bearing portions is shaped to include any of a linear or non-linear tapered end section, a convergent or divergent shaped end section, a convex or concave end section, a conical or hemispherical end section, or any other shaped end section; and,
the other of said bearing portions is shaped to be of a compatible shape so that the adjacent surfaces of the bearings complement each other.
10 . The machine according to claim 6 , wherein each said magnetic bearing portion includes a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.
11 . The machine according to claim 6 , further including a rotatable mass positioned above said bearing assembly on said rotatable shaft.
12 . The machine according to claim 11 , wherein the rotatable mass is embodied as one or more flywheel embedded with permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.
13 . The machine according to claim 11 , wherein the rotatable mass includes an energy harvesting apparatus.
14 . The machine according to claim 13 , wherein said energy harvesting apparatus includes, any one or combination of:
an electric coil apparatus, via which an electric current is induced to flow as said apparatus is rotated; and,
a secondary rotatable shaft, which is rotated via repulsion or attraction of magnets embedded therein as said flywheel rotates.
15 . The machine according to claim 6 , wherein said rotatable shaft is rotated by a drive mechanism, including, but not limited to, a motor, a generator, a wind turbine, or a magnetic coupling device.
16 . The machine according to claim 6 , further including magnetic gears.