United States Patent

[151

Tracy et al.

[451 Nov. 21, 1972

[54]

RECIPROCATING MOTOR WITH

MOTION CONVERSION MEANS
[72] Inventors: Robert D. Tracy, 1506 West
Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee,
Wis. 53172; David J. Derouin,
[221 Filed:

12045 West St. Martin Road,

Franklin, Wis. 53132
June9, 1971

{211 Appl.No.: 151,462

[52]

11.8. C1. ..................... ..310/24, 310/35, 310/103

[51]

Int. Cl. ............................................. ..H02k 7/06

[58] Field of Search ...... ..3l0/22, 23, 24, 103, 34, 35,

310/190
[56]

References Cited
UNITED STATES PATENTS

3,636,391

1/1972

3,328,656

6/1967

Horner et al. ............. ..3 10/24

Dotson .......... .; ...... ..310/24 X

1,349,100

8/1920

Reynolds et al. .......... ..310/24

1,724,446

8/1929

3,703,653

Worthington...,...3l0/19O UX

Primary Examiner-D. F. Duggan

AttorneyJames E. Nilles
[57]
ABSTRACT
A permanent magnet motor which utilizes pairs of
permanent magnets as the power source for the mo

tor. The magnets of each pair are arranged with their

like poles adjacent one another so that nonnally the
magnets of the pairs oppose or repel one another.
Shiftable means are provided for being inserted
between the magnets of each pair so as to then to alter
the magnetic ?eld between the magnets to cause the
magnets to move toward one another with considera

ble force. One magnet of each pair is connected to a

common drive shaft member. The shiftable means for

being inserted between and withdrawn from the mag

nets of each pair are shifted by any suitable means in
timed relationship with one another.

6 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures

3,703,653
2

RECIPROCATING MOTOR WITH MOTION

CONVERSION MEANS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

RECIPROCATING MAGNET TYPE .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a small, perspective view of one form of the
invention and shows a motor of the reciprocating mag
net type;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the motor shown in
FIG. 1, certain parts being shown as broken away,
removed, or in section for the sake of clarity in the

The invention pertains to electric motors of the

dynamo~electro type which employ permanent mag

nets as their source of power. The motor of the present

invention can be of either the reciprocating or rotary

type. An example of a prior art device of only generally

similar character is shown in the US. Pat. No.
3,33 l ,973 issued July 18, 1967 to McClure and entitled
Magnetic Motor. In that motor, electro magnets

drawings;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in
FIG. 2;

were moved between two permanent magnets, the two

permanent magnets being stationary and placed in an

the view being taken generally along the line 4-4 in

attract state. The electro-magnet changed current and

FIG. 2;

it was necessary to employ continuous electrical cur

'

FIG. 5 is another side elevational view taken along

line 5-5 in FIG. 2 and showing the shiftable plate

rent for causing this change of current.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

'

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 2 motor,

20 means in the position withdrawn from between the

magnets;

The present invention provides a dynamo-electro

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical diagram of the motor
motor which employs pairs of permanent magnets
shown
in FIGS. 1 to 5;
which are normally placed in a repel state. Shiftable
means are provided for shifting between the magnets of 25 FIG. 7 is an electrical diagram of the motor shown in
FIG. 6;
each pair to thereby cause the ?ux lines therebetween
FIG. 8 is a development chart of the different ter

to be altered and thereby resulting in at least one of the

magnets moving toward the other. This shiftable means

minals of the rotor which are connected at any one

time during a revolution of the motor;

is alternately inserted between and withdrawn from the
magnets of both pairs to thereby continually cause the 30 ' FIG. 9 is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the dis
tributor rotor, the view being taken generally along the
magnets of each pair to' alternately move away and
line 9-9 in FIG. 6;
toward one another. One of the permanent magnets of
FIGS. 10 to 14 show various types of permanent
each pair are connected to a common drive shaft
whereby the force between the pairs of magnets all 35 magnets which may be used with the motor shown in
FIGS. 1 to 7;

contribute in timed relationship with one another to

furnish driving power to the shaft.

ROTARY MAGNET MOTOR TYPE

In one speci?c form of a motor of the above type, the

shifting means is a steel plate which is shifted by a elec
trically actuated solenoid, the solenoids in turn are
operated in timed relationship with one another by a
distributor rotor connected to the drive shaft. A source
of electrical current such as a battery acts to operate
the solenoids in timed relationship with one another

through the distributor rotor.

'

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a permanent magnet

motor of the rotary type made in accordance with the

present invention, certain parts being shown as broken

away, in section, or removed for the sake of clarity in

the drawing;
45

A more limited aspect of the present invention is to

provide a permanent magnet motor of the above type
in which the shiftable means for being inserted between

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken generally along the

line 16-16 in FIG. 15;

'

FIG. 17 is an elevational view taken generally along

the line 17-17 in FIG. 16,v certain parts being shown in

cross section or removed for the sake of clarity;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a portion of the device
as shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a view of the inner end of the shiftable

and withdrawn from the permanent magnets is

mounted on anti-friction means so as to reduce the

force required to withdraw and insert the shiftable

means.

In one speci?c aspect of the invention, the per

manent magnet motor above described is of the 55

reciprocating type wherein a plurality of magnets are

plate means, the view being taken generally along the

line 19-19 in FIG. 18;
"FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18 and in addition

showing the anti-friction means for slideably mounting

the shiftable plate means;

connected by pivoted arms to a common crankshaft.

Another more specific aspect of the invention relates

FIG. 21 is an electrical diagram of the motor shown

to a permanent magnet motor in which one magnet of

each of several pairs of magnets are connected to a

in FIGS. 15 to 17;

common rotary member, and which pairs of magnets

all act simultaneously to apply the driving force to a

FIG. 22 is another electrical diagram of the motor

shown in FIG. 15 to 17, but showing the rotor moved to
a different position from that in FIG. 21;

common drive shaft.

These and other objects and advantages of the

present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclo
sure progresses, reference being had to the accompany
ing drawings.

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the rotor taken

65

generally along the line 23-23 in FIG. 21; and

FIGS. 24 to 28 are various forms of permanent mag- ,

as usable with the motor of nos. 15 m 17.

3,703,653
4

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shownin FIG. 7, contacts 24 and 21 are both en

gaged by the rotor 16 thereby energizing their respec

The invention will ?rst be described in connection

with FIGS. 1 to 14 wherein a dynamo-electro motor is

tive solenoids. The rotor is rotating in the direction in

dicated by the curvilinear arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7 and
thus contact 24 is about to be opened which will cause

shown of the reciprocating magnet type.

Any numberof pairs of permanent magnets may be
employed but for the sake of illustration four pairs of

its solenoid to be de-energized, thereby permitting its

plate 10 to again shift between the magnets 1 and 2.

magnets have been shown in FIGS. 1 to 14. The pairs of

magnets include a stationary magnet 1 which is ?xedly

This will cause those particular magnets l and 2 to then

be forcefully attracted to one another.

mounted on the frame F of the motor. The other mag

It will also be noted in FIG. 7 that because the rotor

net 2 of each of the pairs of magnets is reciprocable

toward and away from its companion magnet 1 and for

16 has closed contact 2l,'its solenoid is also energized

and will continue to be energized after contact 24 is
opened. This causes its solenoid to be energized and
consequently its plate 10 to be held from between its

this purpose a guideway 3 is provided in which the mag

net 2 can reciprocate. The inner end of the reciproca
ble magnets 2 is connected by a crankarm 5 to a com
mon crankshaft 6 having an eccentric or crank portion
7.

magnets 1 and 2, thereby causing these magnets to be

in the repel state. At the same time, it will be noted that
the other two contacts 22 and 23 are open causing their

Each of the magnets 1 and 2 of the pairs of magnets

respective solenoids to be energized, and consequently

are arranged so that their like poles are adjacent to one

their respective plates 10 to be located between their
another, that is to say, so that the permanent magnets 20

respective magnets 1 and 2, thereby causing the mag

of each pair repel one another when there is no inter

nets to be in an attract state.

vening piece of metal between the magnets l and 2.

The magn'etsare of such strength that they repel each
other with considerable force.
Shiftable plate means of a magnetic material such as

As a result, all of the pairs of magnets are caused to

alternately, and in succession, impart a driving force to

25 the common crankshaft 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 14, various forms of

steel are adapted to be shifted in between the magnets

1 and 2 of each pair of magnets and also be withdrawn
therefrom. This shiftable plate means takes the form of

magnets are shown, the form shown in FIG. 10 being

simple permanent magnets being arranged with their

like poles adjacent one another and as shown in FIGS.

a sheet of steel 10 which is pivoted to the frame F as at 30 1 and 6. The magnets shown in FIG. 11 are of the
1 1 (FIG. 5) and an electric solenoid S is connected to a
ceramic type having steel sides 33 which increase their
slotted connection 12 at one end of the steel plate 10.
power.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the solenoid is energized, it
The magnets shown in FIG. 12 are similar to those

acts to pivot the plate upwardly to a position from

shown in FIG. 11, but are arranged in duplicate for ad
between the magnets l and 2. When the plate is in this 35 ditional power.

> withdrawn position, the magnets repel one another.

The magnets shown in FIG. 13 are of the ceramic

When the solenoid is not energized, the plates 10 are

and Alnico type having a generally U-shaped casing 34,

again returned to their position between the magnets 1

such as are made by Indiana General Company of Cu

and 2, such as under the in?uence of a spring 14,

thereby changing the ?ux pattern between the magnets

40

dahy, Wisconsin.
The magnets shown in FIG. 14 are of the lndox type

1 and 2 and causing the magnets to forcefully move

having tapered steel sides 35 which provide extremely

toward one another.

good power, such as are made by Indiana General

Company of Cudahy, Wisconsin.

The solenoids are actuated in timed relationship to

one another by means of the distributor rotor 16 which
45
comprises two rotor portions 16a and 16b which rotate

ROTARY MAGNET MOTOR FIGS. 15

as a unit on its center shaft 17 so that it engages the

THROUGH 27

rotor contacts 21, 22, 2,3, 24, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7

This rotary type motor also employs pairs of per

manent magnets, the magnets 50 of each pair being of
the stationary type while their companion magnets 51

and the development chart, FIG. 8. For example, rotor

16a is shown as engaging contact 24 at the same time

that rotor 16b engages contact 21.
are each attached to a common rotor 55 that is ?xed to
As further shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a source of
the shaft 56. Shaft 56 is rotatably journalled in anti-fric
power, such as a battery 28 provides the electrical cur
tion bearings 57 in the frame of the motor which in
rent to the various contacts 21 to 24 inclusive and the
cludes a pair of parallel, non-magnetic circular plate
contacts are also connected to their respective sole 55 like members 61 and 62. Thus the rotor 55 and its mag

noids. A voltage regulator 30 and an alternator 31 are

also provided so that while the motor is running, the
electric energy is provided by the alternator, thus sav

62.

ing the power output of the battery 28. Each of the

extending therethrough, one slot being provided for

solenoids are also grounded as indicated.

By means of the above structure, the permanent

magnets are operated in timed relationship with one
another, and act to alternately repel or attract each

other, depending on whether, respectively, the shifta

ble plate 10 is located out from between the magnets 1
and 2 or is located directly between the magnets 1 and
2.

nets 51 are rotatably guided between the plates 61 and

It will be noted that the plates have a curved slot 70 60 each pair of permanent magnets 50, 51. A shiftable

magnetic member, such as a sheet of steel 73, is also of

a curved shape so as to complement the curved slots 70

and be slideable therein. These plates 73 are shifted by

means
of the electrically operated solenoids SS, being
65
attached thereto at one end by the stub shaft 74. Thus

the solenoids when energized (FIG. 18) act to

withdraw the plate 73 from the slot 70 and from

3,703,653

between the magnets 50 and 51. Thus the magnets 50,

51 which have their like poles adjacent one another are
then in a repel state. When the solenoids are energized
they act to shift the plate 73 to a position between the

manent magnets are provided, the magnets of each pair

magnets 50, 51, thereby causing the magnets to be in

means acts to change the magnetic ?eld between the

an attract state.

being arranged with their like poles adjacent one

another. This arrangement normally places the pairs of
magnets in a repulse state. The shiftable magnetic plate
magnets so that the repulse state of the pairs of magnets

results in an attract state. The shifting of the various

plate means are timed so that the pairs of magnets act
in cooperation on a common drive shaft to impart a

In this rotary motor embodiment, all of the solenoids

are energized at the same time, thereby causing their
respective plates 73 to be all withdrawn from their

force thereto. The only source of electrical power

required is a battery which actuates the solenoids and

magnets at the same time. The solenoids are also

adapted to be all de-energized at the same time,

the battery is only necessary in the start-up operation;

otherwise the alternator provides the electrical energy

thereby causing their respective plates 73 to be simul

taneously inserted between their respective magnets
50, 51. Thus, in the rotary magnet motor arrangement,

for the solenoids.

It will be appreciated that in the use of permanent

all of the pairs of magnets act simultaneously to apply a

driving force to the common shaft 56.

magnets, a very powerful attract or repulse force can

be obtained between the magnets, while only a very

slight force is necessary to slide or withdraw the mag
netic plate means from or in between the magnets of

The electrical diagram for the rotary magnet type

motor is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 shows a

schematic arrangement wherein all of the pairs of mag

each pair.
Thus a quiet, pollution free and efficient dynamo
electric permanent magnetic motor has been provided.

nets 50, 51 are in he attract state due to the fact that

the plates 73 are interposed between the magnets 50,

51, that is their solenoids are energized.
As shown in FIG. 22, the solenoids have all been
energized to withdraw their plates 73 from between

We claim:
1. A dynamo-electro, permanent magnet motor com

prising pairs of permanent magnets, one magnet of

each pair being stationary and the other magnet of each

their magnets 50, 51 and the magnets 51 are shown in a

moved position in between stationary magnets 50.

pair being shiftable relative thereto, the magnets of

each pair being arranged with their like poles adjacent

When the magnets 51 are thus in the position shown in

FIG. 22, the solenoids are about to be energized,

one another to thereby normally place them in a

thereby causing the plates 73 to be shifted tothe posi

repulse state, shiftable magnetic plate means, and

tion shown in FIG. 21 which will cause an attraction 30 means for shifting said plate means from a position
between each magnet 51 and its particular magnet 50

withdrawn from between the magnets of each pair to a

which it is approaching as the rotor turns in the

position directly between the magnets of each pair

thereby, respectively, causing the magnets of each pair

direction indicated by the curvilinear arrow in FIG. 22.

In this manner, all of the pairs of magnets are simul
to repulse each other and then move toward each
taneously used to apply a driving force to the crank 35 other, means connecting the shiftable magnets of each
shaft 56. As soon as the magnets 51 are in full attract

pair to a common drive shaft.

engagement with their corresponding magnets 50, the

2. The motor set forth in claim 1 further charac

terized in that said means for shifting said plate means
comprises electrical solenoid means attached to said
plate means, and a distributor rotor for alternately

solenoids are again actuated to withdraw their plates

73, thereby again causing a repel state and continuous

smooth movement of the magnets 51 in their rotary

path.

energizing and deenergizing said solenoid means

As shown in FIG. 19, the innermost ends of the plates

whereby said plate means are shifted in timed relation

73 are inclined as at 73a so that proper leading edges of
ship with one another.
the magnets begin to attract before the remainder of 45 3. The motor set forth in claim 1 further charac
the magnets are in full contact with one another and
terized in that anti-friction means are provided for
this insures proper and continued application of mag
shifting and guiding said plate means in their shifting
netic flux lines in the correct driving relationship.
movement.
As shown in FIG. 20, anti-friction rollers 80 may be
4. The motor set forth in claim 1 wherein said shifta
mounted on the stationary frame part 81 of the motor 50 ble magnets are movable in a reciprocating movement,
and the plates 73 can ride on and be guided by rollers
and crankshafts connect each of said shiftable magnets

80, thereby making the plates easier to shift in either

to a common drive shaft.

5. The motor set forth in claim 1 further charac

Referring to FIGS. 24 to 28, these magnets cor
terized in that said shiftable magnets are all connected
respond, respectively to the magnets shown in FIGS. 10 55 to a common rotor for rotary movement together as a
unit.
to 13, the only difference being that their adjacent sur
6. The motor set forth in claim 4 further charac
faces are curved to complement one another and
terized in that said magnets of each pair are of a com
thereby accommodate the rotary movement between
plementary curved shape, and said plate means are also
the stationary and rotating magnets.
direction.

'

curved to complement the curved shape of the magnets

of each pair of magnets.

RESUME
By means of the present invention a plurality of per

65

CERTIFIQATE
r 1 UNETED STATESw
PATENT
mmEmmN v
Patent No. 3, 703, 653i

Inventor(s)

Dated r

rr

NovemQer 21, 11972

Robert D. Tracy and David'J. Der-Quin

It is' certified that error appears in the aBo've-i?gntified patent

and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel 'YRECIPROCATING', fromthe title.

sifgned-ahdsieaiedrthil2th~day"of June 1973;

(SEAL)
Attest:

EDWARDWMELETCHERJR.

Attestlng

OffiQer

"
'

I
r

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK

Commissioner

of

'

Patsnts

,
'

*' U-S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : I959 0-366-334

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFEQE

:CERTWMWES @F WRREWWN
Patent No. 3, 703, 653 '

Inventm-(S)

Dated Y

November 21,,v 11972

Robert D. Tracy arid David'J, Dercpuin

It is certified that error appears in the abo'v'e-i?entified patent

and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel 'FREQ'IPROCATING'F from'the title.

Signed ahd sealed this" 12th day ofJu'ne 1973.

(SEA-L)
EDWARDWMELETCHERJR.

Attestlng

Officer

'

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK

- v

ORM powso 0'69"

\

C0mmi$sijoner

'
_

of

'

Patents

v
-

USCOMM-DC 6O376-P69

* US GOVERNMENT PR|NT|NG OFFICE ; 1969 0-366-335