TECH NICAL FIELD

This invention relates to any type of rotary equipment where the kinetic motion is delivered by any type of rotating prime mover (motor, engine, turbine, etc.), regardless how it provides the rotating kinetic motion.

BACKGROUND ART

In any conventional mechanical system, the output to input ratio, in terms of forces, is less than one. In other words, irrespective of the system used, output is always less than the input regardless how much the losses (like heat, friction etc) are minimized. This has been the accepted norm for all systems so far.

The need to optimize devices requiring power in whatever form led to imaginative examination of various mechanical aspects of rotary equipment with the objective to introduce a simple method of transfer and subsequent magnification of the ability to do work with less power than is needed with present rotary equipment. This invention was inspired by the Hindu Vedas and relates to similar principles guiding the inventors in patents # PCT WO 2009/021308 Al and # PCT WO 2009/137907 Al. In our present experimental set up, the described below proof of concept has been constructed according to the proportions and instructions as decrypted from the Purusha Sukta (Hymn of Creation) contained in the Rig Veda.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

AVT3 addresses the global need for the optimization of existing power resources utilizing as much as possible the existing equipment and installations. That means either distributed power generation (addressed by the previously mentioned patents) or minimizing the power requirements of the equipment doing the work with some simple and inexpensive device which preserves the machine doing the work, but minimizes the size and power needs of the prime mover, or alternatively, allows a much larger machine doing the work to be supplied with the present prime mover and its present power supply. This requirement applies equally to new or existing stationary, portable or mobile equipment.

While there are many patents and countless papers describing optimization in mechanical systems using gears, sprockets, shafts and chains or pulleys, none addresses the peculiar arrangement described in our invention that gives the results experienced in our proof of concept and described herein. AVT3 design is flexible enough to be adapted to any application of rotary equipment and employed on a massive scale in terms of continuous viable output, manufacturing, safety, simplicity, compactness, sturdiness, and 'plug-in' minimal installation and maintenance. The limiting factor that exists today for this invention is the limitation of rotational speed to about 6,000 RPM max., due to the friction, wear and fragility of the above mentioned mechanical components - all of which will be addressed in future modifications.

Technical Solution

The present innovation is about a specially designed mechanical system in which the applied force on the input side gets optimized about three times (3 : loutput to input ratio) . The AVT3 fits between the prime mover and the recipient of the rotating kinetic force and through the sets of shafts, sprockest, gears and chains, magnifies the delivered power of the prime mover or minimizes the power and size of the prime mover necessary to perform work.

In this system, the applied force at the centre is transferred to periphery of spline (which is 3 times bigger than planetary gears) through series of sprockets, chains and planetary gears and is converted to tangential force which increases the torque at the axis. Advantageous Effects

AVT3 can be installed as a separate device (applicable to existing installations) or be incorporated in new equipment. This can be highly advantageous in any application and hence can lead to use of much lower mechanical input for any given situation, thereby can achieve large savings in energy. For example, in any transportation equipment it can reduce the size of the engine by 2/3 and therefore reduce the fuel requirement by the same ratio. The same applies to the use of electrical power. The same savings ratio applies to equipment using electricity. On the other hand, when applied to centralized (new or existing) power generating facilities, AVT3 allows tripling of generation capacity from the existing turbines. The limitation here is the need to provide additional distribution systems.

Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts side view of AVT3 power optimizer

FIG. 2 depicts the internal structure of AVT3

The present innovation is a mechanical system in which sprockets, gears and splines are assembled in specific a way to get the required output. The entire system consists of: (a) main shaft (SHI) and 2 planetary gear shafts (SH2 and SH3), (b) 8 sprockets (SP1 to SP8), (c) 3 chains, (d) 3 planetary gears (GR1 to GR3) and a fixed gear (GR4), (e) 2 internally geared splines (SPL1 and SPL2), and (f) a side cover plate (SCP). Refer to Fig . 1 and Fig. 2.

Approximate dimensions of various components are as follows: (i) main shaft (SHI) - dia . 20 mm, length 120 mm, (ii) planetary gears - external dia. 68 mm, thickness 15 mm, number of teeth - 32, (iii) splines - internal radius 188 mm, number of teeth - 96, and (iv) side cover plate - thickness 15 mm. The sizes of these components are arbitrary and as long as the proportions are respected, they can be changed as required

On the main shaft (SH I), sprockets SP1 and SP2 are mounted on bearings. The main shaft SHI rests on fixed supports on both sides and is stationary. Sprocket SP2 is linked to sprocket SP3 by means of chain CHI. Sprockets SP3 and SP4 are directly mounted on shaft SH2 and hence SP3 and SP4 rotate simultaneously. Sprockets SP4 and SP5 are linked by chain CH2. Sprockets SP5 and SP6 are mounted on a bearing on the main shaft SHI. Sprockets SP6 and SP7 are linked by chain CH3. Sprocket SP7 is directly mounted on shaft SH3. Planetary gear GRl is directly mounted on shaft SH2 and hence motion from SP3 is also directly transferred to GRl . GRl is locked to spline SPLl (internally geared) and hence drives the spline SPLl. Similarly GR2 is directly mounted on shaft SH3. GR2 is locked to spline SPL2 (internally geared) and hence drives spline SPL2 (similarly to GRl). The planetary gear shaft (SH2) passes through the side cover plate SCP (a sleeve is provided in the cover plate for free rotational motion of shaft SH2).

Similarly planetary gear shaft SH3 passes through the spline SPLl (a sleeve is provided in the spline SPLl for free rotational motion of shaft SH3). Splines SPLl and SPL2 are also supported on main shaft SHI on sleeve bearings. GR3 is an idle gear (dummy). GR4 is directly mounted on main shaft SHI and hence, when GRl rotates part of the system (spline SPLl and connected gears) they rotate around the axis of the main shaft SHI. Sprocket SP8 is directly mounted on projected part of spline SPL2 and hence rotational motion of SPL2 is directly transferred to sprocket SP8. All the 8 sprockets (SP1 to SP8) are of the same size. All planetary gears

(GRl to GR4) are also of the same size. The gear ratio between spline SPLl and planetary gear GRl is 1 : 3. Similarly the gear ratio between spline SPL2 and planetary gear GR2 is alsol :3.

Since the gear ratio between spline SPLl and planetary gear GRl is 1 : 3 (for every 3 rotations of GRl, SPLl rotates once), the input force on sprocket SP2 (similarly for every 3 rotations of GR2, SPL2 rotates once), will be optimized three times on spline by transfer of motion through series of sprocket and gears, and the resultant output is three times the input. In other words, AVT3 has shown that with this system, input power can be optimized three times for any given input. Best Mode

For the best performance, AVT3 and its connecting chains and sprockets shall be enclosed in a sealed case filled with a light lubricant suitable for the application, and have a cooling provision for the lubricant when operating at a higher RPM . Alternatively, new nigh performance composites can be used for working parts and casing. The shaft SH I should be firmly anchored to the enclosure and the enclosure firmly anchored to the power receiving equipment or other suitable anchor. The cover SPC may not be necessary providing, the dummy gear and its shaft are properly attached to the shaft SHI. Mode for invention

It is to be noted that the results of this invention may also be accomplished through the use of gearless approximations to AVT3. Different optimization ratios may be obtained through coupling of AVT3s in series (although it appears that 8 times output relative to prime mover input delivered by three AVT3 units connected in series may be the limit). It is also possible to connect three machines in parallel to the prime mover originally supplying one machine only.

Industrial Applicability

AVT3 can be installed in any rotary equipment. For example, in vehicles and any moving equipment it can be installed between the engine and the transmission. Additionally, it can be installed in the wheels for further optimization. It can be used for rotary aircraft, including turboprop engines, or in the propulsion and power systems of marine vessels, ROVs, mining and other heavy equipment. It can be used between a motor and the powered equipment in direct or indirect connection. Where magnetic couplings or bearings are used, AVT3 can be installed between the prime mover and the magnetic device. It can be applied in any power generating station using turbines as prime movers, optimizing the output three times - but additional distribution system is necessary. Similarly, it can be used in wind or wave powered turbines or in any generator powered with combustion engine. Obviously, each application requires custom designed AVT3, but the main operating principles are the same. It is to be further understood that other features and modifications to the foregoing detailed description are within the contemplation of the present invention, which is not limited by this detailed description. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any number of configurations of the present invention and numerous modifications and combinations of materials, components, geometries, arrangements and dimensions can achieve the results described herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited by the foregoing description, but also by the appended claims.