TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a displacement device. In particular, this invention relates to a displacement device which is configured to allow displacement thereof to be converted into electrical energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a displacement device including: a reservoir for storing a fluid; a first receptacle arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir to allow the reservoir to fill the first receptacle with the fluid including: a first inner receptacle sized, shaped and/or configured to be received within the first receptacle, the first inner receptacle being displaceable relative the first receptacle; a first pressure control member which is configured to be displaced between an open condition where pressure from the fluid in the first receptacle is exerted on the first inner receptacle and a closed condition wherein pressure from the fluid in the first receptacle is inhibited from being exerted on the first inner receptacle; and a first pressure release member arranged in communication with the first inner receptacle which is configured to be displaced between an operative condition wherein pressure is released from the first inner receptacle to atmosphere and an inoperative condition wherein pressure is inhibited from being released form the first inner receptacle; a second receptacle arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir to allow the reservoir to fill the second receptacle with the fluid including: a second inner receptacle sized, shaped and/or configured to be received within the second receptacle, the second inner receptacle being displaceable relative the second receptacle; a second pressure control member which is configured to be displaced between an open condition where pressure from the fluid in the second receptacle is exerted on the second inner receptacle and a closed condition wherein pressure from the fluid in the second receptacle is inhibited from being exerted on the second inner receptacle; and a second pressure release member arranged in communication with the second inner receptacle which is configured to be displaced between an operative condition wherein pressure is released from the second inner receptacle to atmosphere and an inoperative condition wherein pressure is inhibited from being released form the second inner receptacle; and a connector interconnecting the first and second inner receptacle, the connector being configured to allow displacement of the first inner receptacle relative the first receptacle as a result of the displacement of the second inner receptacle relative the second receptacle when displacing the second pressure control member to the open condition, allowing pressure from the fluid in the second receptacle to be exerted on the second inner receptacle and displacing the first pressure release member to the operative condition allowing pressure from the first inner receptacle to be released and visa versa.

The fluid may be in the form of water.

The reservoir may be further arranged in fluid communication with a top portion of the first and second receptacle to allow filling thereof with the fluid by the reservoir. The reservoir may include reservoir valves arranged in fluid flow communication with the reservoir and the first and/or second receptacle to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the first and/or second receptacle. The reservoir valves may be configured to allow flow of fluid from the reservoir into the first and/or second receptacle if a level of fluid therein drops below a desired level. The desired level may be determined by a height of the first and/or second receptacle.

The first and second receptacles may be in the form of a generally cylindrical member which defines a fluid zone between an outer wall thereof and the first and/or second inner receptacle, respectively. The first and second receptacles may further include an inner wall allowing the fluid zone to be defined between the outer and inner wall of the first and/or second receptacle. The inner wall may define a receptacle receiving zone allowing the inner receptacles to be received complementally therein. A bottom portion of the first and second receptacle may define a fluid chamber, preferably being defined between the first and second control members and the first and second inner receptacle, respectively. The first and second receptacles may have a height in the range of 20 to 100 m, preferably being 30 m. It is to be appreciated that the height may be of any suitable height and is dependant on a need of a user. The first and second receptacle may be manufactured from any suitable plastics and/or metallics material.

Fluid release valves may be arranged in flow communication with the fluid chambers of the first and/or second receptacles and a fluid receiving chamber, preferably a top portion of the fluid receiving chamber, to allow fluid to be drained from the fluid chamber, typically into and/or on top of the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber. The fluid release valves may further be configured to allow the drained fluid from the fluid chambers to drain back into the fluid chambers when the first and/or second receptacle is displaced upwards.

A fluid chamber valve, preferably in the form of a release valve, may be arranged in flow communication with the fluid chambers to allow air to be released to atmosphere from the fluid chamber when the fluid is drained therefrom. The first and second inner receptacles may be in the form of a generally cylindrical member which defines a top portion and the fluid receiving chamber, preferably arranged at a bottom portion of the first and second inner receptacles. The top portion may be configured to be open. The fluid receiving chamber may include a plurality of apertures defined therein, the apertures being arranged in fluid communication with the first and/or second receptacle to allow the fluid receiving chamber to be filled with fluid. The first and second inner receptacle may have a height in the range of 20 to 100 m, preferably being 30 m. The fluid receiving chamber may have a height in the range of 1 to 10 m, preferably being 3 m. It is to be appreciated that the heights may be of any suitable height and is dependant on a need of a user. The first and second inner receptacle may be manufactured from any suitable plastics and/or metallics material.

The first and second pressure control members may be in the form of panel doors, preferably two panel doors arranged on opposing sides of the inner wall of the first and second receptacle, respectively. The pressure control members may include a valve, preferably being a pressure relief valve, to allow pressure to be released from the fluid chambers. In particular, the valve may be arranged to release pressure from the fluid chambers into the first and second receptacle to allow the pressure control members to be displaced to the open condition.

The first and second pressure release members may be in the form of panel doors arranged on the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber to allow pressure to be released from the fluid receiving chamber into atmosphere.

The connector may include elongate rods which may be configured to be attached to the first and second inner receptacles, preferably to the top portion thereof. Free ends of the elongate rods may be connected to a crank to allow the displacement, typically being linear reciprocating displacement, of the first and/or second inner receptacles to be converted into rotational displacement. A convertor may be provided which is arranged in communication with the connector for converting displacement of the first and second inner receptacles into electrical energy. In particular, a shaft of the convertor may be connected to the crank of the connector allowing rotational displacement of the shaft as a result of displacement of the first and/or second inner receptacle. The convertor may be in the form of any suitable conventional dynamo or generator.

A pulley system may be provided for further facilitating the displacement of the first and/or second inner receptacles. The pulley system may include a pulley, preferably two, and a cable which is configured to run on the pulley. Free ends of the cable may be configured to be connected to the top portions of the first and/or second inner receptacles. The free ends may be connected to the top portions of the first and/or second inner receptacles via a hook arrangement.

Sealing means may be provided for inhibiting leaking of fluid from the fluid chambers. The sealing means may include a first sealing means arranged on the bottom portion of the first and/or second receptacle and a second sealing means spaced form the first sealing means, preferably being spaced a distance that is equal to the height of the fluid receiving chamber. The sealing means may be in the form of any conventional seal.

Support members may be provided for supporting the first and second receptacles, preferably being arranged on the bottom portion thereof, relative a support surface, preferably being in the form of a ground surface. The support members may be in the form of elongate members, typically struts. The support members may be secured to the first and second receptacles via bolts or welding. The support members may be secured to the support surface via cement or a bolt arrangement. It is to be appreciated that the first and second inner receptacles are displaced due to the pressure exerted on them by the fluid in the first and second receptacles, respectively. It is further to be appreciated that the fluid in the first and second receptacles exert this pressure due to a gravitational force causing the fluid to want to flow downwards in the first and second receptacles. As such it is to be appreciated that the invention acts in accordance with the laws of nature and not contrary thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A displacement device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a schematic showing a displacement device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic showing the displacement device of Figure 1 wherein a first inner receptacle is displaced downwards and a second inner receptacle is displaced upwards; and Figure 3 is a schematic showing the displacement device of Figure 1 wherein the first inner receptacle is displaced upwards and the second inner receptacle is displaced downwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings reference numeral 10 refers generally to a displacement device including a reservoir 12 for storing a fluid (not shown), a first receptacle 14 arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir 12 to allow the reservoir 12 to fill the first receptacle 14 with the fluid (not shown) including a first inner receptacle 16 sized, shaped and configured to be received within the first receptacle 14, first inner receptacle 16 being displaceable relative the first receptacle 14, a first pressure control member 18 which is configured to be displaced between an open condition where pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the first receptacle 14 is exerted on the first inner receptacle 16 and a closed condition wherein pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the first receptacle 14 is inhibited from being exerted on the first inner receptacle 16, and a first pressure release member 20 arranged in communication with the first inner receptacle 16 which is configured to be displaced between an operative condition wherein pressure is released from the first inner receptacle 16 to atmosphere and an inoperative condition wherein pressure is inhibited from being released form the first inner receptacle 16, a second receptacle 22 arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir to allow the reservoir to fill the second receptacle 22 with the fluid (not shown) including a second inner receptacle 24 sized, shaped and configured to be received within the second receptacle 22, the second inner receptacle 24 being displaceable relative the second receptacle 22, a second pressure control member 26 which is configured to be displaced between an open condition where pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the second receptacle

22 is exerted on the second inner receptacle 24 and a closed condition wherein pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the second receptacle 22 is inhibited from being exerted on the second inner receptacle 24, and a second pressure release member 28 arranged in communication with the second inner receptacle 24 which is configured to be displaced between an operative condition wherein pressure is released from the second inner receptacle 24 to atmosphere and an inoperative condition wherein pressure is inhibited from being released form the second inner receptacle 24, and a connector 30 interconnecting the first and second inner receptacle 16, 24 , the connector 30 being configured to allow displacement of the first inner receptacle 16 relative the first receptacle 14 as a result of the displacement of the second inner receptacle 24 relative the second receptacle 22 when displacing the second pressure control member 26 to the open condition, allowing pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the second receptacle 22 to be exerted on the second inner receptacle 24 and displacing the first pressure release member 20 to the operative condition allowing pressure from the first inner receptacle 16 to be release and visa versa.

The fluid (not shown) is in the form of water. The reservoir 12 is further arranged in fluid communication with a top portion of the first and second receptacle 14, 22 to allow filling thereof with the fluid (not shown) by the reservoir 12. The reservoir 12 includes reservoir valves 32 arranged in fluid flow communication with the reservoir 12 and the first and second receptacle 16, 24 to control the flow of fluid (not shown) from the reservoir 12 into the first and second receptacle 14, 22. The reservoir valves 32 are configured to allow flow of fluid (not shown) from the reservoir 12 into the first and second receptacle 14, 22 if a level of fluid therein drops below a desired level. The desired level is determined by a height of the first or second receptacle 14, 22.

The first and second receptacles 14, 22 are in the form of a generally cylindrical member which defines a fluid zone 33 between an outer wall 14a, 22a thereof and the first or second inner receptacle 16, 24, respectively. The first and second receptacles 14, 22 further include an inner wall 14b, 22b allowing the fluid zone 33 to be defined between the outer 14a, 22a and inner wall 14b, 22b of the first and second receptacle 14, 22. The inner wall defines a receptacle receiving zone (not shown) allowing the inner receptacles 16, 24 to be received complementally therein. A bottom portion of the first and second receptacle 14, 22 define a fluid chamber 34, typically being defined between the first and second control members 18, 26 and the first and second inner receptacle 16, 24, respectively. The first and second receptacles 14, 22 have a height in the range of 20 to 100 m, typically being 30 m. It is to be appreciated that the height may be of any suitable height and is dependant on a need of a user. The first and second receptacle 14, 22 is manufactured from any suitable plastics or metallics material.

Fluid release valves (not shown) are arranged in flow communication with the fluid chambers 34 of the first and second receptacles 14, 22 and a fluid receiving chamber 36, typically a top portion of the fluid receiving chamber 36, to allow fluid (not shown) to be drained from the fluid chamber 34, typically into or on top of the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber 36. The fluid release valves (not shown) are further configured to allow the drained fluid (not shown) from the fluid chambers 34 to drain back into the fluid chambers 34 when the first or second receptacle 14, 22 is displaced upwards.

A fluid chamber valve 38, typically in the form of a release valve, is arranged in flow communication with the fluid chambers 34 to allow air to be released into atmosphere from the fluid chamber 34 when the fluid (not shown) is drained therefrom.

The first and second inner receptacles 16, 24 are in the form of a generally cylindrical member which defines a top portion 16a, 24a and the fluid receiving chamber 36, typically arranged at a bottom portion of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24. The top portion 16a, 24a is configured to be open. The fluid receiving chamber 36 includes a plurality of apertures 40 defined therein, the apertures 40 being arranged in fluid communication with the first or second receptacle 14, 22 to allow the fluid receiving chamber 36 to be filled with fluid (not shown). The first and second inner receptacle 16, 24 has a height in the range of 20 to 100 m, typically being 30 m. The fluid receiving chamber 36 has a height in the range of 1 to 10 m, typically being 3 m. It is to be appreciated that the heights may be of any suitable height and is dependant on a need of a user.The first and second inner receptacle 16, 24 is manufactured from any suitable plastics or metallics material.

The first and second pressure control members 18, 26 are in the form of panel doors, typically two panel doors arranged on opposing sides of the inner wall14b, 22b of the first and second receptacle 14, 22, respectively. The pressure control members 18, 26 include a valve 42, typically being a pressure relief valve, to allow pressure to be released from the fluid chambers 34. In particular, the valve 42 may be arranged to release pressure from the fluid chambers 34 into the first and second receptacle 14, 22 to allow the pressure control members 18, 26 to be displaced to the open condition. The first and second pressure release members 20, 28 are in the form of panel doors arranged on the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber 36 to allow pressure to be released from the fluid receiving chamber 36 into atmosphere. The connector 30 includes elongate rods 44 which are configured to be attached to the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24, typically to the top portion thereof. Free ends of the elongate rods 44 are connected to a crank 46 to allow the displacement, typically being linear reciprocating displacement, of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24 to be converted into rotational displacement.

A convertor (not shown) is provided which is arranged in communication with the connector 30 for converting displacement of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24 into electrical energy. In particular, a shaft (not shown) of the convertor (not shown) is connected to the crank 46 of the connector 30 allowing rotational displacement of the shaft (not shown) as a result of displacement of the first and second inner receptacle 16, 24. The convertor (not shown) is in the form of any suitable conventional dynamo or generator.

A pulley system 48 is provided for further facilitating the displacement of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24. The pulley system 48 includes a pulley 50, typically two, and a cable 52 which is configured to run on the pulley 50. Free ends of the cable 52 are configured to be connected to the top portions of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24. The free ends are connected to the top portions of the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24 via a hook arrangement (not shown).

Sealing means 54 is provided for inhibiting leaking of fluid from the fluid chambers 34. The sealing means 54 includes a first sealing means 54a arranged on the bottom portion of the first and second receptacle 14, 22 and a second sealing means 54b spaced form the first sealing means 54a, typically being spaced a distance that is equal to the height of the fluid receiving chamber 36. The sealing means 54 is in the form of any conventional seal.

Support members 56 are provided for supporting the first and second receptacles, typically being arranged on the bottom portion thereof, relative a support surface 58, typically being in the form of a ground surface. The support members 56 are in the form of elongate members, typically struts. The support members 56 are secured to the first and second receptacles 14, 22 via bolts (not shown) or welding (not shown). The support members 56 are secured to the support surface 58 via cement 60 or a bolt arrangement (not shown).

In use, as shown in Figure 1 , the first and second pressure control members 18, 26 are displaced to the open condition. The first and second pressure release members 20, 28 are also displaced to the operative condition. The reservoir valves 32 are opened allowing water (not shown) to flow from the reservoir into the fluid zone 33 and into the fluid receiving chamber 36 through the apertures 40 or fluid release valves (not shown). Then as shown in Figure 2, the second pressure control members 26 are displaced to the closed condition and the first pressure release member 20 is displaced to the inoperative condition allowing the pressure form the fluid (not shown) in the second receptacle 22 exerted on the second inner receptacle 24 to decrease and increase the pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the first receptacle 14 exerted on the first inner receptacle 16, respectively. The fluid chamber valve 38 of the second receptacle 22 is opened to allow air to be released into atmosphere from the fluid chamber 34 allowing the fluid (not shown) to be drained therefrom and inhibiting a vacuum from occurring. The water (not shown) in the fluid chamber 34 of the second receptacle 22 is drained via the fluid release valves (not shown) on top of the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber 36 further decreasing the pressure exerted on the second inner receptacle 24. As a result, the first inner receptacle 16 is displaced downwards and the second inner receptacle 24 is displaced upwards, as shown in Figure 2. Then, to get the displacement device into the position as shown in Figure 3, the first pressure control members 18 are displaced to the closed condition and the second pressure release member 28 is displaced to the inoperative condition allowing the pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the first receptacle 14 exerted on the first inner receptacle 16 to decrease and increase the pressure from the fluid (not shown) in the second receptacle 22 exerted on the second inner receptacle 24, respectively. The fluid chamber valve 38 of the fist receptacle 14 is opened to allow air to be released into atmosphere from the fluid chamber 34 allowing the fluid (not shown) to be drained therefrom and inhibiting a vacuum from occurring. The water (not shown) in the fluid chamber 34 of the first receptacle 14 is drained via the fluid release valves (not shown) on top of the top portion of the fluid receiving chamber 36 further decreasing the pressure exerted on the first inner receptacle 16. As a result, the second inner receptacle 24 is displaced downwards and the first inner receptacle 16 is displaced upwards, as shown in Figure 3. These actions are repeated allowing the first and second inner receptacles 16, 24 to be displaced in a linear reciprocating motion allowing the crank 46 be rotated, and in turn the shaft (not shown) of the convertor (not shown) allowing electrical energy to be generated by the convertor (not shown).

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the displacement device in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention. The inventor believes that the displacement device in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it allows electrical energy to be generated from the linear reciprocating displacement of the first and second inner receptacles through the use of the pressure of fluid.