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US Patent 4,595,975 Edwin Gray
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| "I think we should post the two Gray patents to provide a firm foundation for this project as it may develop into a project for a motor suitable for an electric vehicle as Gray intended. Both these patents are expired, but they are often referred to in my work." -- G.M. |
 United States Patent [19] Gray, Sr. |
[11]
4,595,975 |
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Primary Examiner—William H. Beha, Jr. |
[57] ABSTRACT
Disclosed is an Electrical Driving and Recovery System for a High Frequency environment. The recovery system can be applied to drive present day direct-current or alternating-current loads for better efficiency. It has a low-voltage source coupled to a vibrator, a transformer and a bridge-type rectifier to provide a high voltage pulsating signal to a first capacitor. Where a high-voltage source is otherwise available, it may be coupled directly to a bridge-type rectifier, causing a pulsating signal to the first capacitor. The first capacitor in turn is coupled to a high voltage anode of an electrical conversion switching element tube. The switching element tube also includes a low voltage anode which is connected to a voltage source by a commutator and a switching element tube. Mounted around the high voltage anode is a charge receiving plate which is coupled to an inductive load to transmit a high voltage discharge from the switching element tube to the load. Also coupled to the load is a second capacitor for storing the back EMF created by the collapsing electrical field of the load when the current to the load is blocked. The second capacitor is coupled to the voltage source. When adapted to present day direct-current or alternating-current devices the load could be a battery or capacitor to enhance the productivity of electrical energy. 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures |
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FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical driving system.
FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the alternating-current input circuit.
FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the electrical conversion element.
FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2.
EFFICIENT POWER SUPPLY SUITABLE FOR
INDUCTIVE LOADS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical driving system and a conversion
element, and more particularly, to a system for driving an inductive load in a
greatly improved and efficient manner.
2. Description of the Prior Act
In the opinion of the inventor, there is no known device which provides the
conversion of energy from a direct-current electric source or an
alternating-current electric source to a mechanical force based on the principle
of this invention. EXAMPLE: A portable energy source, (1) such as a battery, (2)
such as alternating-current, (3) such as the combination of battery and
alternating-current, may be used with highly improved efficiency to operate a
mechanical device, whose output is a linear or rotary force, with an attendant
increase in the useful productive period between external applications of energy
restoration for the energy source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a more efficient driving system comprising a
source of electrical voltage; a vibrator connected to the low-voltage source for
forming a pulsating signal; a transformer connected to the vibrator for
receiving the pulsating signal; a high-voltage source, where available,
connected to a bridge-type rectifier; or the bridge-type rectifier connected to
the high voltage pulse output of the transformer; a capacitor for receiving the
voltage pulse output; a conversion element having first and second anodes,
electrically conductive means for receiving a charge positioned about the second
anode and an output terminal connected to the charge receiving means, the second
anode being connected to the capacitor; a commutator connected to the source of
electrical voltage and to the first anode; and an inductive load connected to
the output terminal whereby a high energy discharge between the first and second
anodes is transferred to the charge receiving means and then to the inductive
load.
As a sub-combination, the present invention also includes a conversion element
comprising a housing; a first low voltage anode mounted to the housing, the
first anode adapted to be connected to a voltage source; a second high voltage
anode mounted to the housing, the second anode adapted to be connected to a
voltage source; electrically conductive means positioned about the second anode
and spaced therefrom for receiving a charge, the charge receiving means being
mounted to the housing; and an output terminal communicating with the charge
receiving means, said terminal adapted to be connected to an inductive load.
The invention also includes a method for providing power to an inductive load
comprising the steps of providing a voltage source, pulsating a signal from said
source; increasing the voltage of said signal; rectifying said signal; storing
and increasing the signal; conducting said signal to a high voltage anode;
providing a low voltage to a second anode to form a high energy discharge;
electrostatically coupling the discharge to a charge receiving element;
conducting the discharge to an inductive load; coupling a second capacitor to
the load; and coupling the second capacitor to the source.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a system for driving an
inductive load which system is substantially more efficient than any now
existing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for driving an
inductive load which is reliable, is inexpensive and simply constructed.
The foregoing objects of the present invention together with various other
objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those
skilled in the art in light of this disclosure may be achieved with the
exemplary embodiment of the invention described in detail hereinafter and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[Inserted above after each drawing -- SDA.]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and
alternative constructions, an embodiment is shown in the drawings and will
herein be described in detail. It should be understood however that it is not
the intention to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed; but on
the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and
alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as expressed in the appended claims.
There is disclosed herein an electrical driving system which, on theory, will
convert low voltage electric energy from a source such as an electric storage
battery to a high potential, high current energy pulse that is capable of
developing a working force at the inductive output of the device that is more
efficient than that which is capable of being developed directly from the energy
source. The improvement in efficiency is further enhanced by the capability of
the device to return that portion of the initial energy developed, and not used
by the inductive load in the production of mechanical energy, to the same or
second energy reservoir or source for use elsewhere, or for storage.
This system accomplishes the results stated above by harnessing the “electrostatic”
or “impulse” energy created by a high-intensity spark generated within a
specially constructed electrical conversion switching element tube. This element
utilizes a low-voltage anode, a high-voltage anode, and one or more “electrostatic”
or charge receiving grids. These grids are of a physical size, and appropriately
positioned, as to be compatible with the size of the tube, and therefore,
directly related to the amount of energy to be anticipated when the device is
operating.
The low-voltage anode may incorporate a resistive device to aid in controlling
the amount of current drawn from the energy source. This low-voltage anode is
connected to the energy source through a mechanical commutator or a solid-state
pulser that controls the timing and duration of the energy spark within the
element. The high-voltage anode is connected to a high- voltage potential
developed by the associated circuits. An energy discharge occurs within the
element when the external control circuits permit. This short duration,
high-voltage, high-current energy pulse is captured by the “electrostatic”
grids within the tube, stored momentarily, then transferred to the inductive
output load.
The increase in efficiency anticipated in converting the electrical energy to
mechanical energy within the inductive load is attributed to the utilization of
the most optimum timing in introducing the electrical energy to the load device,
for the optimum period of time.
Further enhancement of energy conservation is accomplished by capturing a
significant portion of the energy generated by the inductive load when the
useful energy field is collapsing. This energy is normally dissipated in load
losses that are contrary to the desired energy utilization, and have heretofore
been accepted because no suitable means had been developed to harness this
energy and restore it to a suitable energy storage device.
The present invention is concerned with two concepts or characteristics. The
first of these characteristics is observed with the introduction of an
energizing cur- rent through the inductor. The inductor creates a contrary force
(counter-electromotive force or CEMP) that opposes the energy introduced into
the inductor. This CEMF increases throughout the time the introduced energy is
increasing.
In normal applications of an alternating-current to an inductive load for
mechanical applications, the useful work of the inductor is accomplished prior
to terminating the application of energy. The excess energy applied is thereby
wasted.
Previous attempts to provide energy inputs to an inductor of time durations
limited to that period when the optimum transfer of inductive energy to
mechanical energy is occurring, have been limited by the ability of any such
device to handle the high current required to optimize the energy transfer.
The second characteristic is observed when the energizing current is removed
from the inductor, As the current is decreased, the inductor generates an EMF
that opposes the removal of current or, in other words, produces an energy
source at the output of the inductor that simulates the original energy source,
reduced by the actual energy removed from the circuit by the mechanical load.
This “regenerated”, or excess, energy has previously been lost due to a
failure to provide a storage capability for this energy.
In this invention, a high-voltage, high-current, short duration energy pulse is
applied to the inductive load by the conversion element. This element makes
possible the use of certain of that energy impressed within an arc across a
spark-gap, without the resultant deterioration of circuit elements normally
associated with high energy electrical arcs.
This invention also provides for capture of a certain portion of the energy
induced by the high inductive kick produced by the abrupt withdrawal of the
introduced current. This abrupt withdrawal of current is attendant upon the
termination of the stimulating arc. The voltage spike so created is imposed upon
a capacitor that couples the attendant current to a secondary energy storage
device.
A novel, but not essential, circuit arrangement pro- vides for switching the
energy source and the energy storage device. This switching may be so arranged
as to actuate automatically at predetermined times. The switching may be at
specified periods determined by experimentation with a particular device, or may
be actuated by some control device that measures the relative energy content of
the two energy reservoirs.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the system 10 will be described in additional detail.
The potential for the high- voltage anode, 12 of the conversion element 14 is
developed across the capacitor 16. This voltage is produced by drawing a low
current from a battery source 18 through the vibrator 20. The effect of the
vibrator is to create a pulsating input to the transformer 22. The turns ratio
of the transformer is chosen to optimize the volt- age applied to a bridge-type
rectifier 24. The output of the rectifier is then a series of high-voltage
pulses of modest current. When the available source is already of the high
voltage, AC type, it may be coupled directly to the bridge-type rectifier.
By repetitious application of these output pulses from the bridge-type rectifier
to the capacitor 16, a high-voltage, high-level charge is built up on the
capacitor.
Control of the conversion switching element tube is maintained by a commutator
26. A series of contacts mounted radially about a shafts or a solid-state
switching device sensitive to time or other variable may be used for this
control element. A switching element tube type one-way energy path 28 is
introduced between the commutator device and the conversion switching element
tube to prevent high energy arcing at the commutator current path. When the
switching element tube is closed, current from the voltage source 18 is routed
through a resistive element 30 and a low voltage anode 32. This causes a high
energy discharge between the anodes within the conversion switching element tube
14.
The energy content of the high energy pulse is eletrostatically coupled to the
conversion grids 34 of the conversion element. This electrostatic charge is
applied through an output terminal 60 (FIG. 2) across the load inductance 36,
inducing a strong electromagnetic field about the inductive load. The intensity
of this electromagnetic field is determined by the high electromotive potential
developed upon the electrostatic grids and the very short time duration required
to develop the energy pulse.
If the inductive load is coupled magnetically to a mechanical load, a strong
initial torque is developed that may be efficiently utilized to produce physical
work.
Upon cessation of the energy pulse (arc) within the conversion switching element
tube the inductive load is decoupled, allowing the electromagnetic field about
the inductive load to collapse. The collapse of this energy field induces within
the inductive load a counter EMF.
This counter EMF creates a high positive potential across a second capacitor
which, in turn, is induced into the second energy storage device or battery 40
as a charging current. The amount of charging current available to the battery
40 is dependent upon the initial conditions within the circuit at the time of
discharge within the conversion switching element tube and the amount of
mechanical energy consumed by the work load.
A spark-gap protection device 42 is included in the circuit to protect the
inductive load and the rectifier elements from unduly large discharge currents.
Should the potentials within the circuit exceed predetermined values, fixed by
the mechanical size and spacing of the elements within the protective device,
the excess energy is dissipated (bypassed) by the protective device to the
circuit common (electrical ground).
Diodes 44 and 46 bypass the excess overshoot generated when the “Energy
Conversion Switching Element Tube” is triggered. A switching element U allows
either energy storage source to be used as the primary energy source, while the
other battery is used as the energy retrieval unit. The switch facilitates
interchanging the source and the retrieval unit at optimum inter- vals to be
determined by the utilization of the conversion switching element tube. This
switching may be accomplished manually or automatically, as determined by the
choice of switching element from among a large variety readily available for the
purpose.
FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show the mechanical structure of the conversion switching
element tube 14. An outer housing 50 may be of any insulative material such as
glass. The anodes 12 and 22 and grids Ma and 34b are firmly secured by
nonconductive spacer material 54, and 56. The resistive element 30 may be
introduced into the low-voltage anode path to control the peak currents through
the conversion switching element tube. The resistive element may be of a piece,
or it may be built of one or more resistive elements to achieve the desired
result.
The anode material may be identical for each anode, or may be of differing
materials for each anode, as dictated by the most efficient utilization of the
device, as determined by appropriate research at the time of production for the
intended use.
The shape and spacing of the electrostatic grids is also susceptible to
variation with application (voltage, current, and energy requirements).
It is the contention of the inventor that by judicious mating of the elements of
the conversion switching element tube, and the proper selection of the
components of the circuit elements of the system, the desired theoretical
results may be achieved. It is the inventor’s contention that this mating and
selection process is well within the capabilities of intensive research and
development technique.
Let it be stated here that substituting a source of electric alternating-current
subject to the required cur- rent and/or voltage shaping and/or timing, either
prior to being considered a primary energy source, or there- after, should not
be construed to change the described utilization or application of primary
energy in any way. Such energy conversion is readily achieved by any of a
multitude of well established principles. The preferred embodiment of this
invention merely assumes optimum utilization and optimum benefit from this
invention when used with portable energy devices similar in principle to the
wet-cell or dry-cell battery.
This invention proposes to utilize the energy contained in an internally
generated high-voltage electric spike (energy pulse) to electrically energize an
inductive load.: this inductive load being then capable of converting the energy
so supplied into a useful electrical or mechanical output.
In operation the high-voltage, short-duration electric spike is generated by
discharging the capacitor 16 across the spark-gap in the conversion switching
element tube. The necessary high-voltage potential is stored on the capacitor in
incremental, additive steps from the bridge-type rectifier 24.
When the energy source is a direct-current electric energy storage device, such
as the battery 12, the input to the bridge rectifier is provided by the voltage
step-up transformer 22, that is in turn energized from the vibrator 20, or
solid-state chopper, or similar device to properly drive the transformer and
rectifier circuits.
When the energy source is an alternating-current, switches 64 disconnect
transformer 22 and the input to the bridge-type rectifier 24 is provided by the
voltage step-up transformer 66, that is in turn energized from the vibrator 20,
or solid-state chopper, or similar device to properly drive the transformer and
rectifier circuits.
The repetitions output of the bridge rectifier incrementally increases the
capacitor charge toward its maximum. This charge is electrically connected
directly to the high-voltage anode 12 of the conversion switching element tube.
When the low-voltage anode 32 is connected to a source of current, an arc is
created in the spark-gap designated 62 of the conversion switching element tube
equivalent to the potential stored on the high-voltage anode, and the current
available from the low-voltage anode.
Because the duration of the arc is very short, the instantaneous voltage, and
instantaneous current may both be very high. The instantaneous peak apparent
power is therefore, also very high. Within the conversion switching element
tube, this energy is absorbed by the grids 34a and 34b mounted circumferentially
about the interior of the tube.
Control of the energy spike within the conversion switching element tube is
accomplished by a mechanical, or solid-state commutator, that closes the circuit
path from the low-voltage anode to the current source at that moment when the
delivery of energy to the output load is most auspicious. Any number of standard
high-accuracy, variable setting devices are available for this purpose. When
control of the repetitive rate of the system’s output is required, it is
accomplished by controlling the time of connection at the low-voltage anode.
Thus there can be provided an electrical driving system having a low-voltage
source coupled to a vibrator, a transformer and a bridge-type rectifier to
provide a high voltage pulsating signal to a first capacitor. Where a
high-voltage source is otherwise available, it may be coupled direct to a
bridge-type rectifier, causing a pulsating signal to a first capacitor. The
capacitor in turn is coupled to a high-voltage anode of an electrical conversion
switching element tube. The element also includes a low-voltage anode which in
turn is connected to a voltage source by a commutator, a switching element tube,
and a variable resistor. Mounted around the high-voltage anode is a charge
receiving plate which in turn is coupled to an inductive load to transmit a
high-voltage discharge from the element to the load. Also coupled to the load is
a second capacitor for storing the back EMF created by the collapsing electrical
field of the load when the current to the load is blocked. The second capacitor
in turn is coupled to the voltage source.
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical driving system comprising:
a source of electrical voltage;
a vibrator connected to said source for forming a pulsating signal;
a transformer connected to said vibrator for receiving said pulsating signal;
a rectifier connected to said transformer having a high-voltage pulse output;
a capacitor for receiving said voltage pulse output;
[scanned/OCR to here; May 28, 2004]
Click here to view entire patent (PDF)
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Page created by Sterling
D. Allan, May 28, 2004
Last updated May 30, 2004
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