Superconductor-based Static Field Converter “Extracts” Energy from Magnets

InventorOne has announced its Static Field Converter which makes the extraction of that energy from certain types of permanent magnets practical and cost effective (patent number 7,983,726 B2). It extracts that energy and converts it to electric power. The amount of stored energy contained in certain types of permanent magnets and the ease of obtaining it make permanent magnets useful as a large and long lasting source of stored energy. According to the company, the cost of extracting and converting the intrinsic stored energy in permanent magnets to electric power, using the Static Field Converter, is orders of magnitude less expensive than the cost of the acquisition and conversion of energy necessary for conventional power generation. The Static Field Converter is independent of additional fuel sources and equipment.

“Approximately 10% more energy is generated than is necessary to run the machine. The Static Field Convertor uses type 2 high-temperature superconductors and operates at liquid-nitrogen temperatures (about 70k). There is no thermal conflict between the temperature of the superconductor and the proximity of the permanent magnet. Distributed generation was suggested as a possible use and that is in the MegaWatt range. So far a 10W machine has been examined,” commented Andrew Abofaia, founder of InvertorOne.

“The output voltage is also in the single digits and it is as controllable as it is in conventional generators. The machine rotated at 300 rpm. The concept that energy can be extracted from permanent magnets is revolutionary and a demonstration is necessary just to prove that it is possible. NYSTAR, a NY State economic development institution, examined the device and confirmed that it worked as claimed. The challenge of using the Meissner effect in type 2 superconductors is an issue in itself. It could have required a long term research effort but was resolved successfully,” Abolafia concluded.

As described in the patent, a Static Field Converter comprises a magnetic dipole such as a permanent or electromagnet for establishing a magnetic field, a responsive means which generates electric current in response to the magnetic field established by the magnetic dipole, a shielding means interposed between the field of the magnetic dipole and a responsive means, a switching device to periodically open and close the circuit forming the responsive means, and a driving means to rotate the shielding means. The magnetic dipole can be any source of magnetic field such as a permanent or electromagnet. The shielding means comprises a magnetic flux shielding device of diamagnetic material mounted for movement between the magnetic dipole and the responsive means, thereby alternately shielding and unshielding the magnetic flux from the magnetic dipole to the responsive means.

Further, the shielding means of the preferred embodiment comprises a hemisphere of superconductive material mounted such that it rotates around the field of the magnetic dipole and the magnetic field, thereby shielding and unshielding the responsive means from the magnetic field. The shield may form part of a rotatable sphere composed of two hemispherical elements, the first of magnetically inert material and the second of superconductive material. This sphere may be mounted about a sphere of ferromagnetic material such as transformer steel or the like which would enclose and confine the field of the magnetic dipole.

The sensing means may comprise an electrical coil positioned around the shielding means and thus around the magnetic dipole. The coil forming the responsive means may be periodically opened and closed during the operating cycle of the present invention thereby eliminating magnetic resistance to rotation of the shielding means as it rotates around the magnetic dipole and in and out of the responsive means. An electric motor or other means can be used to rotate the shield.