摘要 |
A fuel cell powered magnetically driven shaft assembly comprises: (a) a stationary fuel cell stack having a hollow core; (b) an electrically conductive sleeve lining the hollow core so as to define a cylindrical passage therethrough; and (c) a shaft extending through the sleeve passage and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft is embedded with one or more magnets configured to produce a magnetic field extending substantially perpendicularly to that longitudinal axis. Anodes of the fuel cell stack are connected to one end of the sleeve and cathodes are connected to the other end so as to provide a path for conducting electrons through the sleeve constrained in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Because the current flows perpendicularly through the magnetic field, an electromagnetic force is produced in a direction which is tangential to the shaft, causing the shaft to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
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