An inertial actuation magnetohydrodynamic wheel (2) comprising a torus-shaped fluid ring (3) filled with a conductive liquid, at least one effective area (24, 26, 28) for setting the liquid into motion, and at least one magnetohydrodynamic pump (4, 6, 8). The ratio of the set back distance of any magnetic conduction element (24, 26, 28) of the air gap of any electromagnetic pump (4, 6, 8) over the internal size of the fluid ring (3) is greater than or equal to 0.5 and the fluid ring (3) comprises at least two distinct effective areas (24, 26), for setting the conductive liquid into motion, angularly spaced apart by at least 120.

An apparatus providing mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion generates electrical current by moving a conductive fluid in the presence of magnetic field. The motion of the fluid is induced by a mechanical energy source and the generated electrical current is directed to a useful load. The proposed apparatus utilizes a conductive fluid as a liquid rotor has substantially different radial velocity distribution than the conventional, prior art solid rotor. The apparatus includes an inverter. controlled by the flow of the conductive fluid, to generate a train of pulses as an output, where the pulses are used by an associated transformer to provide an AC output voltage.

A method of producing a charge separation in a plasma having a low particle density which comprises a plurality of electrons and a plurality of positive ions. The method includes generating a magnetic field and passing the plasma having a low particle density along a first axis through the magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated having a component which is perpendicular to the first axis and is configured so as to deflect the plurality of electrons from the first axis and allow the plurality of positive ions to travel substantially undeflected along the first axis. Also provided is a magnetohydrodynamic generator and a low earth orbit thruster making use of the charge separation mechanism.

A method of producing a charge separation in a plasma having a low particle density which comprises a plurality of electrons and a plurality of positive ions. The method includes generating a magnetic field and passing the plasma having a low particle density along a first axis through the magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated having a component which is perpendicular to the first axis and is configured so as to deflect the plurality of electrons from the first axis and allow the plurality of positive ions to travel substantially undeflected along the first axis. Also provided is a magnetohydrodynamic generator and a low earth orbit thruster making use of the charge separation mechanism.

The present disclosure describes aspects of in-body power harvesting using flowing fluids. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field to deflect charged particles of a fluid flowing through the body in a space formed by a vessel. The charged particles include positively and negatively charged particles, which the magnetic field deflects such that the positively charged particles are deflected in a first direction within the space and such that the negatively charged particles are deflected in a second direction within the space generally opposing the first direction. The apparatus also includes electrodes configured to harvest energy based on a difference in potential between the positively charged particles and the negatively charged particles. The harvested energy is convertible by a converter coupled to the electrodes into electrical power that is usable by an electronic device.

The present disclosure describes aspects of in-body power harvesting using flowing fluids. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field to deflect charged particles of a fluid flowing through the body in a space formed by a vessel. The charged particles include positively and negatively charged particles, which the magnetic field deflects such that the positively charged particles are deflected in a first direction within the space and such that the negatively charged particles are deflected in a second direction within the space generally opposing the first direction. The apparatus also includes electrodes configured to harvest energy based on a difference in potential between the positively charged particles and the negatively charged particles. The harvested energy is convertible by a converter coupled to the electrodes into electrical power that is usable by an electronic device.

A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation system for powering an electrical system of a spacecraft using space plasma. The system includes an MHD generator and a power control unit. The MHD generator includes an MHD channel and a plasma scoop in fluid communication with the MHD channel. The MHD channel includes a channel oriented in a first direction, magnets operable to provide a magnetic field inside the channel in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and electrodes disposed inside the channel within the magnetic field in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions. The plasma scoop may be formed by a funnel fitted over the outer periphery of a plasma guide and is operable to direct a flow of space plasma into the channel to pass orthogonally through the magnetic field, generating electrical power output through the electrodes. The electrodes are electrically coupled to the electrical system of the spacecraft via a power control unit, which manages the electrical power output to the electrical system of the spacecraft. A method of using the system for powering an electrical system a spacecraft is also described.

A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation system for powering an electrical system of a spacecraft using space plasma. The system includes an MHD generator and a power control unit. The MHD generator includes an MHD channel and a plasma scoop in fluid communication with the MHD channel. The MHD channel includes a channel oriented in a first direction, magnets operable to provide a magnetic field inside the channel in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and electrodes disposed inside the channel within the magnetic field in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions. The plasma scoop may be formed by a funnel fitted over the outer periphery of a plasma guide and is operable to direct a flow of space plasma into the channel to pass orthogonally through the magnetic field, generating electrical power output through the electrodes. The electrodes are electrically coupled to the electrical system of the spacecraft via a power control unit, which manages the electrical power output to the electrical system of the spacecraft. A method of using the system for powering an electrical system a spacecraft is also described.

The compact annular linear pump has a duct, with an inlet and an outlet, positioned to surround an inner core. The duct has a fluid with paramagnetic properties disposed within it. Surrounding the duct is a stator having a first end and a second end. The stator has a plurality of slots that is divisible by three. There is a tooth at each end of the stator and between each slot. There is an electromagnetic circuit with three conductors wired in series disposed within the stator. Within each slot is a coil. Each of the three conductors travel through the stator by alternating through pairs of slots, each coil belonging to a single conductor and alternating conductors every third coil pair. The fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet by application of a current generator to the electromagnetic circuit creating a magnetic flux.

The compact annular linear pump has a duct, with an inlet and an outlet, positioned to surround an inner core. The duct has a fluid with paramagnetic properties disposed within it. Surrounding the duct is a stator having a first end and a second end. The stator has a plurality of slots that is divisible by three. There is a tooth at each end of the stator and between each slot. There is an electromagnetic circuit with three conductors wired in series disposed within the stator. Within each slot is a coil. Each of the three conductors travel through the stator by alternating through pairs of slots, each coil belonging to a single conductor and alternating conductors every third coil pair. The fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet by application of a current generator to the electromagnetic circuit creating a magnetic flux.