$1U-11 FIP@S02 sR OR 341965296 July 20, 1965 T. T. BROWN 3,196,296 ZTOMNSEND BROWN BY Welle, Cob, Mheadhet helaoms ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent Office 3,196,296 Patented July 20, 1965 1 3,196,296 ELECTRIC GENERATOR ‘Thomas Tarmsend Brown, Beibess, Mi asignor to ‘lectrokinetics, Inc, a corporation of Pennsyivania Filed Sune 26, 1961, Ser. No, 118, 35 Claims. (CL £1011) ‘This invention relates to generators of the electromag- netic type specifically adapted for the production of al- ternating current. Advantageously, the basic concept of the invention may be in two forms, i, those deriving Power from (1) a moving electrically-conducting solid and (2) a moving conducting fluid. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric generator. It is enother object of this invention to provide an im- Proved generator for generating alternating currents. It is a still further object of this invention to provide ‘a device for converting the kinetic energy of moving fluent materia} to electrical energy. It is another object of this invention to provide a do- ‘vice for generating electrical current in response to the ‘moversent of fivent material through a passage, which clectrical current may be employed to indicate the rate of flow of the fluent material, ‘These and various other objects and features of the Wention will be more clearly understood from a reading of the detailed description of the invention in conjunction ‘with the drawing, in which: FIGURE 1c is an illustration of the invention applied in a form deriving kinetic energy for the generation of electricity from a rapidly moving conducting material such 2s ionized vapor; FIGURES 15 and 1c respectively show a longitudinat section of the fluid duct and a transverse section of the ‘ore and duct of the generator shown in FIGURE 12. FIGURES 2 and 2a show longitudinal and transverse views of an are chamber with movable, replaceable 1s might be employed in gencrators utihzing steam under pressure or other fluids of low elec- trical conductivity; and FIGURE 3 is a comprebensive illustration of a com- ‘Plete system employing this invention for the generation of alternating current from steam. Referring more specifically to tte attached drawings: In FIGURE 1, two electrodes 10, 12 are arranged in insulated tube 14, Magnetic core 16 of laminated iron is so arranged in relation to tube 14 that the magnetic ircuit cuts through said tube at right angles. Coil 18, encircling core 16, is the output coil of the generator. ‘The exciter current (alternating current of commerci voltage and frequency) is supplied fom an extemal source (not shown) and is conducted by the leads in- dicated 20, 21 to electrodes 10, 12, When fluid is forced ‘considerable velocity through tube 14 in one direc tion, and an alternating electrical current passes trans- versely through the stream between 10 and 12, an alter- nating magnetic flux is generated, the direction of which is at right angles both to the line of movement of the {vid and the direction of the current in said fluid. This alternating magnetic flux is concentrated by magnetic core 16 and induces current in output coil 18. The leads from the output coil conduct the generated current to ‘an indicating (or recording) electrical measuring instru ‘ment 22 when the generator, in combination with 22, is fo be used for the purpose of indicating flow, ie. as a flowmeter. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the generafor may be used in connection with many other devices consuming electrical energy. FIGURES 2 and 2a are views in section of other arc chambers for use with the core 16 and coil 18 of FIGURE. 10 6 25 30 40 0 1, adapting it for use with air, steam, mercury vapor, oF those fluids less electrically conductive than water oF ‘the ike. Gaseous fluids, like air, steam or mereury vapor, ‘which are normally conductive only to a slight degree, are rendered more conductive by the intense ionization Of the electric arc. In the form of th's invention illus- tated in FIGURE 2, the high voliage alternating current causing and maintaining the arc is likewise the excitation current of the generator. Flat electrodes 10, 12 are ad- justable from feed screws 24, 26. The arc formed be- tween these electrodes is initiated and maintained by a ‘high voltage, making it unnecessary to move the elec- ‘trodes except to offset their gradual burning away. The are is formed in a space restricted by high-refractory plates 28, 30 which, in torn, are beld in position by heavy insulated’ casing 32 and backe dfor mechanical strength by the laminated iron core 16, only a portion of which is shown, Steam, or other fluent material, passes through the are chainber in the direction of arrow 34, forcibly fanning the are in the direction of arrow 34. The movement Of the material, together with the transverse current of the AC. are, creates an alternating magnetic field within coil 18 of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 3 is a combined diagrammatic and schematic itlestration of a complete power unit showing a water for mercury boiler 35, the vapor-lectric generator 36 which includes core 38, coil 40 and electrodes 42, 44, exciter transformer 46, vapor condenser 48, and electrical load 37, together with necessary steam lines and electrical wiring.” The steam ot other vapor generated in boiler 135 passes through the vapor-lectric generator 36 and is Teduced in velocity therety. Thence, the low pressure steam flows in a larger pipe $0 and patses into condenser 48, is condensed and returned in liquid state to boiler 35, ‘wherefrom the cycle is repeated. Tt is obvious that in stating the generator, the exciter current must be present before actual generation begins. For this reason, the exciter 46 must have aa independent source of energy supply 52. However, after the process is started, the power output may be tapped, as at trans- former 37, for that fraction of the current required to ‘excite the generator, but certain control devices attached. to and comprising exciter 46 must bo employed to main- tain proper frequency and phase relation, Whie in the foregoing specification I have outlined, in connection with the broader aspects of this invention, certair structures and details, I desire it understood that specific details have been referred to for the purpose of imparting a clear and concise description of the invention ‘and not for the purpose of limitation, It will be apparent to one skilled ip the art that many changes in design are possible and many forms and applicatioas, other than those illustrated, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. What is claimed 1. Method of generating alternating electric current ‘comprising creating an alternating magnetic flux by the combination and relation of a flowing conducting medium and an applied transverse alternating current through seid medium, arranging 2 stationary coil in the field of said alternating flux, and utilizing said flux to induce alternat- ing current in said coil. 2, Method of generating altsmating electric current comprising subjecting a moving ‘luent material to an alternating current st right angles to the line of motion, supplying a magnetic circuit and a coil under the induc five influence of said circuit, forcibly maintaining said fluid conductor in motion, and utilizing the created alter- nating magnetic lux to induce usable ak=rnating current in sad coil3 ‘Method of creating a directed magnetic field com- prising applying a difference of electrical potential across a movable substance, mechanically moving the substance, relative to the proposed magnetic field, in a direction normal to the line of maximum potential gradient in said substance and maintaining both the difference of potential ‘and the movement of the substance normal to each other to create a directed magnetic flux the direction of which is normal to both the electrical gradient and the line of ‘motion of said substance. 44, An electrical generator comprising a fluid conduit, a pair of opposed electrodes in said conduit, means for moving a fluent conducting medium between said elec- trodes, means for applying an alternating current to said electrodes to initiate and maintain a discharge through said fluent material between said electrodes and electro- magnetic means coupled to said discharge to derive elec- trical energy therefrom. 5. A generator according to claim 4 wherein said fluent ‘conducting material is a liquid. 6. A generator according to claim 4 wherein said fivent material is a gas. 7. A generator according to claim 4 wherein said fluent material is particulate. 8. A generator according to claim 4 further compris- ing means for adjusting the spacing between said elec- trodes. 9, A generator according to claim 4 wherein said elec- 3,196,206 4 trical means includes a magnetic core positioned with its poles aligned substantially normal to the line between said electrodes and an inductance encircling at least a art of said core. 5 10. A generator according to claim 9 wherein said fluent conducting material is a liquid. 1. A generator according to claim 9 wherein said fluent materizl isa gas. __12. A generator according to claim 9 further compris- {ng means for adjusting the spacing between said elec- trodes. 13. A generator according to claim 9 further compris ing output means connected to seid coil, 14, A generator according to claim 13 wherein said output means includes a meter. 10 1s ‘References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 957,242 5/10 Nofggerath. 1,916,076 6/33. Rupp. , 11/35 Softel 2,733,604 2/56 Coulter. FOREIGN PATENTS 25 g41,613 6/52 Germany. 1,161,079 5/58 France. ‘MILTON O, HIRSHFIELD, Primary Examiner.