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DUAL FORCE MOTOR
Abstract
A direct current electric motor having particular utility as a
means of substantially reducing the size and weight of such dynamos
by increasing the mechanical output power and torque of the rotor
shaft.
The Dual-Force Motor configuration includes a gear set which
directly couples counter rotating motions in a one to one (1:1)
ratio.
By directly coupling together the rotor assembly Figure 2, to
the case-rotor assembly Figure 3, the energy input of the operating
power electromagnetic field that would normally be wasted in a
stationary motor case is allowed to add such stored inertial energy
input to the output of the motor.
The Dual-Force Motor configuration includes a bevel gear set
which directly couples counter rotating motions of the rotor
assembly and the case-rotor assembly in a one to one (1:1) ratio.
The rotor assembly and the case-rotor assembly must rotate at the
same speed.
Such provision for coupling the stored energy of both the rotor
assembly the case-rotor assembly creates a substantial increase in
output mechanical power of a standard rated direct current electric
motor.
Background
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Direct Current Electric Motor
adapted to a mechanical configuration which provides a previously
unused store of mechanical inertial energy. The Dual Force Motor
configuration effectively utilizes the counter-rotational motion and
energy stored in the normally stationary field/stator case rotor
(case-rotor assembly) of an electric motor to significantly amplify
mechanical power output and torque. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an improved D.C. electric motor by a specially
designed mechanical configuration of the rotor assembly with respect
to the case-rotor assembly.
Description
of the Related Art
Electric motors, both alternating current (AC), and Direct
Current (DC), are used in virtually all applications requiring
motive power not employing internal combustion engines. Electric
motors typically consist of a single rotor assembly and a single
case assembly. The motor rotor being that assembly element which is
allowed to rotate for the purpose of providing a rotational power
output and degree of torque for operating mechanical machines based
upon the principle of spin physics. Invariably, and virtually
without exception, electric motors are mechanically configured so
that only the benefits of the induced electric power input,
converted to mechanical rotating power output and torque, relative
to the motor rotor, are utilized. The potential power output and
torque inherent in the electric motor case is usually wasted by
being bolted to some type of stationary frame and prohibited from
spinning or rotating.
Most generally, electric motors are mechanically configured with
two basic assemblies; a rotor assembly, consisting of a central
rotor shaft upon which a laminated rotor assembly is mounted, and a
stator assembly which is mounted to the electric motor case which is
stationary with respect to the rotor and therefore, also identified
as the motor stator.
Typically, with respect to a DC electric motor, the laminated
rotor assembly hosts copper wire conductor windings which are
mechanically and electrically connected to a segmented commutator
which allows electrical power input to specific rotor assembly
copper wire windings through commutator brushes, to create
electro-magnets and thus electromagnetic fields in the rotor
assembly. The field or stator assembly is composed of either
permanent magnets or electro-magnets. For the purposes of this
discussion, permanent magnets in the field assembly will be assumed.
The proximity of the magnetic fields of the rotor and field cause
mechanical rotation of the electric motor rotor.
It is a well known fact that a law of physics relates that “for
every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This
principle of Earthly physics is the basis of the laws governing the
performance of the Dual Force Motor. By suspending the case-rotor on
ball bearings in order to allow the case-rotor to rotate, the
inducement of electric power to the rotor copper conductor windings
will cause counter-rotation of the rotor and case-rotor assemblies.
By allowing the case-rotor assembly to freely counter-rotate
around the rotor assembly axis and by mechanically coupling the
counter-rotational masses of the two assemblies, the combined
mechanical energy, created by the applied electric power, increases
the efficiency of the conversion of the electric power input to
mechanical rotational force or torque.
Although electric motor rotor assemblies and case-stator
assemblies have been mechanically coupled in the past, such
configurations have not focused on the equal counter-rotational spin
rate and equal weight of the electric motor assemblies for the
purpose of increasing the efficiency of electric motor power input
with respect to mechanical rotational force output. The
configuration embodied in the Burtis Patent, U.S. Patent 4,056,745,
Nov. 1, 1977, uses planetary gearing which prohibits equal spin rate
of the rotor assembly and the case-rotor assembly, thereby
attenuating the potential mechanical force output of the
counter-rotating electric motor assemblies. The Holka Patent, U.S.
Patent 5,262,693, Nov. 16, 1993, utilizes the same concept as Burtis
for a mechanically driven alternator generator. A Planetary gear set
guarantees a counter-rotational rate of spin offset which prohibits
full potential output of the counter-rotational-fields alternator.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome
the deficiencies of the known embodiments for coupling the
counter-rotational spin of the rotor assembly and case-rotor
assembly of an electric motor.
Summary
Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, apparatus is provided for coupling the electric power
induced inertial energy rotational forces of the equally weighted
masses of the counter-rotating rotor assembly and case-rotor
assembly of a direct current permanent magnet electric motor. The
dual-force motor configuration can be applied to virtually any
electric motor and provide a single mechanical rotational power
output (single output shaft) either/or double mechanical rotational
power output (double ended mechanical power output shafts).
Additionally, the dual force motor can be configured as an
infinitely variable-speed electro-magnetic transmission, Figure 5,
by providing a means to disconnect the bevel gear set coupling,
Figure 5, item 36, to allow independent counter-rotation of the
rotor and case-rotor assemblies. Output speed variance is obtained
by mechanically controlling the rotational speed of one of the
counter-rotating electric motor assemblies. Figure 5, items 33, 34,
35. Mechanically retarding the rotational speed of one of the
counter-rotating electric motor assemblies will cause a
corresponding increase of the counter-rotational speed of the other
electric motor assembly. By electronic and mechanical controls, an
infinitely variable electro-magnetic transmission is created without
the problem of mechanical mesh gears. The “gearing” of such a
transmission is embodied in the counter-rotating electro-magnetic
fields of the electric motors rotor assembly and case-rotor
assembly.
Brief
Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a composite side view of the complete Dual Force
Motor configuration.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view of the Dual Force Motor
composite drawing showing the electric motor rotor assembly.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the Dual Force Motor
composite drawing showing the electric motor case-rotor
assembly.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of the Dual Force Motor
composite drawing showing the electric motor stationary case for the
counter-rotational electric motor assemblies.
Figure 5 is a composite side view of the complete Dual Force
Motor Transmission configuration.
Description
of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1 through
4 thereof, there is shown a stationary case assembly, Figure 4,
items 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, having an elongated cylinder shape to
which are mounted the pinion gear adjust housings 32 within which
are mounted the pinion gear bearing housing 31. Stationary case
assembly support bearings 16, 17, 19, 22, 24, are incorporated to
provide ball bearing rotational support for the counter-rotating
rotor assembly, Figure 2, items 1, 2, 3, 4, 25, 27 and case-rotor
assembly. Figure 3, items 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 26.
Case-Rotor
Assembly
The dual force motor configuration case-rotor assembly end caps
Figure 3, items 7, and 9, incorporate hollow shaft extensions to
facilitate ball bearings Figure 4, items 16 and 19 suspension. The
end cap extension of Figure 3, item 7 also facilitates mounting of
case-rotor bevel gear Figure 3, item 26. End cap Figure 3, item 9
also incorporates two concentric slip-rings Figure 3, item 11 for
transmission of applied electrical power input through
brush/brush-holder assemblies Figure 3, item 10 to the rotor
commutator assembly Figure 2, item 2. Figure 3, item 6 depicts
relative 4 pole position of case-rotor permanent magnets.
Rotor
Assembly
The dual force motor configuration rotor assembly Figure 2
demonstrates the components which rotate with the laminated rotor
Figure 2, item 1. The commutator Figure 2, item 2 incorporates wedge
shaped segments which are connected to the coil windings of the
laminated rotor according to standard electric motor rotor winding
requirements. The wedge shaped commutator segments arrayed in a 90
degree offset to standard commutator segment orientation provides a
method of commutation wherein the brushes Figure 3, item 10 will not
separate from the commutator due to centrifugal forces which are
imposed thereon by the counter-rotation of the case-rotor assembly.
The rotor shaft Figure 2, item 3 upon which the laminated rotor and
commutator are mounted, also connects to a hollow shaft coupling
Figure 2, item 27 with a key and key-way arrangement that secures
the coupling to the rotor shaft. Attached to the rotor coupling in
like manner with a key and key-way arrangement are the equalizer
weight Figure 2, item 4 and the rotor bevel gear Figure 2, item 25.
The equalizer weight Figure 2, item 4 is machined to a weight that
compensates for any difference between the case-rotor assembly and
the rotor assembly. Equal mass of the two counter-rotating
assemblies insures that an equal mechanical counter-rotating torque
will be coupled with the bevel gear set Figure 1 items 25 and 26
bevel gears and items 28 and 29 pinion gears into the single output
of the rotor assembly shaft Figure 1 item 3.
Stationary Case
The dual force motor stationary case is comprised of 6 basic
elements, (1) Figure 4 item 13 motor outer case, (2) item 14
stationary case end cap, (3) item 18 stationary case bulkhead, (4)
item 20 bevel gear set case, (5) item 21 bevel gear case end cap,
(6) item 23 rotor output shaft bearing cap. The pinion gears items
28 which actually couple the counter-rotating rotor and case-rotor
assemblies are supported by pinion gear shafts items 29, pinion gear
bearings items 30, pinion gear bearing housings items 31, and pinion
gear adjuster housings items 32, which are secured to bevel gear set
case item 20. The pinion gear adjustability is provided to properly
engage the gear teeth of the bevel gear set.
It is well known to those skilled in the art, that a bevel gear
set arrangement, such as that depicted in Figure 1, is the most
convenient method to couple counter-rotating shafts of equal spin
rate or speed. The dual force motor configuration may be scaled in
size to provide motive power to virtually any application as long as
the basic bevel gear set configuration, as depicted, is maintained
in associate scale with the power and speed output of the electric
motor counter-rotating rotor and case rotor assemblies. Electronic
speed control systems for controlling the output shaft speed of the
dual force motor may be applied without modification or deviation
from standard direct current electric motor speed control practices.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the dual force motor configuration herein described results
in an overall performance efficiency increase for direct current
electric motors. Alternating current motors may also be configured
in the dual force motor configuration to effect comparable gains in
output efficiency.
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is intended to encompass within the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the
present invention.
Claims:
1. Counter Rotational Energy Conversion of
a. the electrical power induced inertial energy of the
case-rotor assembly of a direct current electric motor,
b. coupled, and thereby added to,
c. the electrical power induced inertial energy of the
rotor assembly of same electric motor; and
2. That the Dual-Force Motor directly couples the counter-rotating
electrical power induced inertial forces created by a Direct Current
electric motor when the motor case assembly is mechanically
configured with a ball bearing suspension allowing counter-rotation
with respect to the electric motor’s rotor rotation; and,
3. That the Dual-Force Motor couples the electrical power induced
inertial-force energy stored in both the rotor assembly and the
rotating case-rotor assembly into a single rotating shaft; and,
4. That the Dual-Force Motor couples the counter-rotating
electrical power induced inertial forces of the case-rotor assembly
and the rotor assembly together with a bevel gear set; and
5. That the Dual-Force Motor bevel gear set maintains a 1:1 ratio
between the rotational speeds of the counter-rotating case-rotor
assembly and the rotor assembly; and
6. That the Dual-Force Motor counter-rotating case-rotor assembly
and the rotor assembly are configured to be of equal weights; and
7. That the Dual-Force Motor substantially increases the efficiency
and mechanical force and torque output of a direct current electric
motor; and,
8. That the Dual-Force Motor increases the ratio between the input
power required to operate a direct current electric motor and the
mechanical force and torque output of a direct current electric
motor; and,
9. That the Dual-Force Motor greatly reduces the required size and
weight of a direct current electric motor, with respect to the
standard requirements of weight and size of standard electric motors
to produce a given output; and,
10. That the Dual-Force Motor configuration greatly enhances the
efficiency of direct current and alternating current electric
motors. |
