Rockwell Scientific Licensing LLC

Rockwell International Corporation

Teledyne Licensing, LLC

Rockwell Science Center, Inc.

Innovative Technology Licensing LLC

Ciiis, LLC

Teledyne Scientific and Imaging, LLC

Jeffrey T Cheung

Hao Xin

Leslie F Warren, Jr

George M Williams

Bruce Kevin Winker

Zhiming Zhuang

Dong-Feng Gu

Paul H Kobrin

Zhming Zhuang

Richard Raymond Tomsic

James A Latty

A dynamic magnet system, particularly useful for electrical generation, employs multiple magnets in polar opposition to each other for individual movement relative to a support structure. The magnets have a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, with at least some of the magnets having mutually different properties. With different magnetic strengths, a greater movement is produced for both magnets in response to movements of the support structure, for particular ranges of magnetic strength ratios, than would be the case with equal magnets. The magnet movement can be translated into an electrical signal to power an operating system. Ultra low friction ferrofluid bearings can be used to establish static coefficients of friction between the magnets and support structure less than 0.02, enabling useful power generation from only slight movements of the support structure.

Multiple magnet transducer with differential magnetic strengths

The present invention is an improved energy harvester or generator based on a yoked magnet array design based on a plurality of magnets arranged into at least two spaced apart linear or circular magnet arrays. The spaced apart magnet arrays are juxtaposed with each magnet in one array attractively interacting with the corresponding magnet in the other array across a small gap. The magnetic flux across the gap is further enhanced by having adjacent magnets in each array having alternate magnetic orientation and by providing a magnetic yoke of magnetically permeable material for the magnet ends of each array that do not face the gap. The gap is provided to allow a conductor in the form of a coil fit between the magnets. Relative motion between the coil and the magnets results in maximal generation of electrical power by the coil.

Multiple magnet coil in gap generator

A cadmium oxide (CdO) film doped with any of the Group III elements is substantially transparent to radiation between about 0.7 &#x3bc;m and 12 &#x3bc;m. A film made according to the invention having a sheet resistance of &#x3c;600&#x3a9;/&#x25a1; will also have exceptionally low optical absorption throughout the IR range. The film is suitably employed as transparent, electrically conductive electrodes, and can be used in devices such as liquid crystal cells for beam steering, spatial light modulators, optical switches for fiber optical communications, switchable and/or tunable polarization modification components, and top transparent electrodes for SWIR (1.3 and 1.5 &#x3bc;m) VCSELs.

Thin film infrared transparent conductor

An electrical generator includes one or more magnets that move relative to one or more conductors to generate an electrical signal in each conductor. Each magnet has ferrofluid bearings in the vicinity of its opposite ends to provide a low friction interface between the magnet and a support structure. The ferrofluid bearings establish a field expansion medium that directs at least a portion of the magnetic field so that a greater portion of the field intersects the conductors than in the absence of the medium. The magnet aspect ratio is preferably on the order of unity.

Magnetic transducer with ferrofluid end bearings

An autonomous power source comprises a power harvester mounted on a movable structure. The power harvester includes a coil, a magnet, and a low-friction ferrofluidic bearing in contact with the magnet, arranged such that the magnet and coil move with respect to each other when the structure is in motion such that an electrical current is produced in the coil. This current is converted to power and stored in an energy storage system and is thus available to power electronic circuitry. The magnet and bearing are preferably enclosed within a closed linear or circular tube, with the coil mounted around the exterior of the tube. The power harvester and battery are combined with one or more sensors and a wireless transmitter to form a tire pressure monitoring system.

Autonomous power source

A mechanical translator includes at least one magnet that is disposed on a substrate to carry a load and has a magnetic axis generally transverse to the substrate, establishing a magnetic field with maximum external density adjacent the substrate. An ultra low friction interface is obtained with ferrofluid bearings, such as a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid, which establish a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, and preferably less than 10 minutes. A controller of magnetic material can be placed on the opposite side of the substrate to control the movement of the magnets.

Transverse mechanical translator with ferrofluid support

Multiple magnet system with different magnet properties

Mechanical translator with ultra low friction ferrofluid bearings

An electrical generator includes a magnet constrained to move relative to a conductor by a support structure, with a ferrofluid bearing providing an ultra low friction interface between the magnet and support structure. The assembly has a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, and preferably less than 10 minutes. An electrical signal is generated in the conductor by the moving magnetic field.

Electrical generator with ferrofluid bearings

An electrical generator has a plurality of spaced magnets that move together relative to at least one coil to generate an electrical signal in the coils. Equal numbers of magnets and coils, with equal lengths and spacings between them, are preferably employed. Significant enhancements in power output are achieved by orienting successive magnets in magnetic opposition to each other, so that the magnetic fields from successive magnets along the axis of movement substantially cancel each other at locations between the magnets.

Electrical power generation by coupled magnets

A dynamic magnet system, particularly useful for electrical generation, employs multiple magnets in polar opposition to each other and having a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, to induce an electrical signal in one or more surrounding coils. The magnets interact with each other to yield multiple modes of oscillation and a greater range of response to applied inputs than is achievable with a single magnet system. A lubricant for the magnets is preferably a ferrofluid that establishes a static coefficient of friction between the magnets and their support structure less than about 0.02, with a viscosity less than 10 centipoise. The magnets can be oriented for movement in a primarily horizontal direction and are adaptable to numerous different kinds of support structures, including ring-shaped.

Multiple magnet transducer

A doped Cadmium Oxide (CdO) film has been developed for use in applications requiring conductive, films which are highly transparent to IR radiation. Suitable dopants for the film include any of the Group III elements, namely Boron, Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, or Thallium.

Light emitters are formed and patterned on an electrode for an organic light-emitting device by electrochemically polymerizing a monomer across the full length of the electrode. A second electrode is deposited so to define a pixel region between mutually aligned portions of the two electrodes. Electroluminescence of the emitter occurs when a voltage is applied across the electrodes of the device.

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Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey T Cheung