Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing magnets, including magnets comprising coil windings which may be multiple meters in length. In an embodiment, the support structure comprises a cylinder in which machined grooves are formed to define the magnet conductor path. The segments may consist of a composite material or a metal in the shape of a cylinder, but which need not be manufactured from a single piece of material. Rather, the support structure may be formed in multiple connectable segments which, when connected together, form a completed wiring support structure. Each segment may be of sufficient length to support multiple individual coil turns in a helical configuration. When the segments are connected the helical configuration continues without interruption from connectable segment to connectable segment. The segmented wiring support structure of the invention may be applied to linear or curved magnet geometries.

Abstract: Microemitter arrays comprising a plurality of microemitters having current transfer features such as microtips or blades to form contactless current transfer structures, and homopolar machines comprising same, are described and claimed. The invention further defines homopolar motors or generators comprising electrical connections formed of electrodes that transfer current without mechanical contact. Micron-size electron field emitters offer contact-free current transfer with high longevity, high reliability and are insensitive to temperature and if needed ionizing radiation. The microemitters may comprise diamond material and may be placed in a vacuum or noble gas environment. The gap between microemitters and electrodes for efficient, reliable current transfer could be in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm. The current transfer can be accomplished without mechanical contact, enabling higher RPM motors than previously achievable with brush or liquid metal electrical connections.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: An electrical system having a current path formed in a region between first and second electrodes. When a low pressure is sustained in the region, and a plasma is generated in a portion of a gap between the electrodes, current flows across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode. In one embodiment the system is operable as a motor or a generator, having a first electrode and a member including a second electrode which is rotatable with respect to the first electrode. In another embodiment a first conductor is positioned to carry current toward or away from a first terminal at a high temperature, and a second conductor is spaced apart from the first terminal to carry current toward or away from a second terminal when the second conductor is at a low temperature relative to the temperature of the first region.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: A power conversion and distribution system. In one embodiment low voltage source components convert a high voltage AC power source to a relatively low voltage supply and provide a direct current output. First superconductor wires carry current from the low voltage source components to a load, and second superconductor wires carry current from the load to the low voltage source components. Individual ones of the first wires are grouped with individual ones of the second wires so that wires connected to carry current in opposite directions are in such sufficiently close proximity that additives of self-fields generated by individual ones of the wires during power transmission result in reduction of the magnetic fringe field generated, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity of the wires.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly. The magnitude of each multipole field component that departs from the field specification is offset.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing magnets, including magnets comprising coil windings which may be multiple meters in length. In an embodiment, the support structure comprises a cylinder in which machined grooves are formed to define the magnet conductor path. The segments may consist of a composite material or a metal in the shape of a cylinder, but which need not be manufactured from a single piece of material. Rather, the support structure may be formed in multiple connectable segments which, when connected together, form a completed wiring support structure. Each segment may be of sufficient length to support multiple individual coil turns in a helical configuration. When the segments are connected the helical configuration continues without interruption from connectable segment to connectable segment. The segmented wiring support structure of the invention may be applied to linear or curved magnet geometries.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing ions of a common charge type from a fluid. In one embodiment of the method a fluid is passed through a flow region. A magnetic field is applied to the region while the fluid is flowing through the region to provide a magnetic field gradient in the flow region. An electric field is applied across the flow region while the fluid is flowing through the region and while applying the magnetic field to the region.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for making an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one series of embodiments the assembly comprises a spiral configuration, positioned along paths in a series of concentric cylindrical planes, with a continuous series of connected turns, each turn including a first arc, a second arc and first and second straight segments connected to one another by the first arc. Each of the first and second straight segments in a turn is spaced apart from an adjacent straight segment in an adjoining turn.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for constructing an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one embodiment the method provides a first insulative layer tubular in shape and including a surface along which a conductor segment may be positioned. A channel formed in the surface of the insulative layer defines a first conductor path and includes a surface of first contour in cross section along a first plane transverse to the conductor path. A segment of conductor having a surface of second contour in cross section is positioned at least partly in the channel and extends along the conductor path. Along the first plane, contact between the conductor surface of second contour and the channel surface of first contour includes at least two separate regions of contact.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for constructing an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one embodiment the method provides a first insulative layer tubular in shape and including a surface along which a conductor segment may be positioned. A channel formed in the surface of the insulative layer defines a first conductor path and includes a surface of first contour in cross section along a first plane transverse to the conductor path. A segment of conductor having a surface of second contour in cross section is positioned at least partly in the channel and extends along the conductor path. Along the first plane, contact between the conductor surface of second contour and the channel surface of first contour includes at least two separate regions of contact.

Abstract: A wiring assembly having a support structure with a surface region formed about a central axis. In one embodiment, a groove formed in the surface region has first and second opposing wall portions each extending inward toward the central axis, and a length of conductor is positioned in the groove to extend along the groove. A sheet of material is positioned about a portion of the conductor, and a continuous medium extends from one of the groove wall portions to the sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing plaque from blood vessels by applying constant or time varying magnetic or electrical fields. In one embodiment a system includes winding configurations positioned about a central axis along which a body region may be placed. Each winding configuration generates a magnetic field in a direction which passes through the body region. A first winding configuration generates a first magnetic field component perpendicular to a second magnetic field component generated by a second winding configuration. In a related method for removing a deposit of plaque from a position along a wall of a blood vessel a magnetic field is applied which has a net direction predominantly orthogonal to the direction of the flow of blood through the vessel.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing plaque from blood vessels by applying constant or time varying magnetic or electrical fields. In one embodiment a system includes winding configurations positioned about a central axis along which a body region may be placed. Each winding configuration generates a magnetic field in a direction which passes through the body region. A first winding configuration generates a first magnetic field component perpendicular to a second magnetic field component generated by a second winding configuration. In a related method for removing a deposit of plaque from a position along a wall of a blood vessel a magnetic field is applied which has a net direction predominantly orthogonal to the direction of the flow of blood through the vessel.

Abstract: An electrical system having a current path formed in a region between first and second electrodes. When a low pressure is sustained in the region, and a plasma is generated in a portion of a gap between the electrodes, current flows across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode. In one embodiment the system is operable as a motor or a generator, having a first electrode and a member including a second electrode which is rotatable with respect to the first electrode. In another embodiment a first conductor is positioned to carry current toward or away from a first terminal at a high temperature, and a second conductor is spaced apart from the first terminal to carry current toward or away from a second terminal when the second conductor is at a low temperature relative to the temperature of the first region.

Abstract: A power conversion and distribution system. In one embodiment low voltage source components convert a high voltage AC power source to a relatively low voltage supply and provide a direct current output. First superconductor wires carry current from the low voltage source components to a load, and second superconductor wires carry current from the load to the low voltage source components. Individual ones of the first wires are grouped with individual ones of the second wires so that wires connected to carry current in opposite directions are in such sufficiently close proximity that additives of self-fields generated by individual ones of the wires during power transmission result in reduction of the magnetic fringe field generated, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity of the wires.