LINEAR HYDRAULIC AND GENERATOR COUPLING SYSTEM AND

METHOD OF USE THEREOF

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present international application contains subject matter which is related to the non- provisional patent application serial number 12/709,499 entitled "LINEAR

HYDRAULIC AND GENERATOR COUPLINGSYSTEM AND METHOD", filed on March 8, 2010.

FEDERALLY SPONCERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

PARTIES TO A JOINT REASERCH AGREEMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a motor/hydraulic cylinder system coupled with various types of current producing devices; mainly a generators/alternators. The hydraulic force is used to initiate the generator/alternator.

Description of Related Art

Hydraulics is a system where an applied pressure is placed upon a fluid at one point of a contained unit. The pressure is transmitted to every part of the fluid and to the walls

l of the container. Since pressure is the force per unit area, the pressure will be expressed by the area of the container. In turn, the force is multiplied by the square of the radius of the container.

A generator/alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. Alternators generate electricity by the same principle as DC generators, namely, when the magnetic field around a conductor changes, a current is induced in the conductor. Typically, a rotating magnet called the rotor turns within a stationary set of conductors wound in coils on an iron core, called the stator. The field cuts across the conductors, generating an induced EMF, as the mechanical input causes the rotor to turn.

Furthermore, many devices teach machinery utilizing a motor directly or indirectly connection to a generator/alternator to produce an electrical current but, as the electrical requirement of the article utilizing the energy from the generator/alternator increases, the electrical drag within the electrical network increases; causing the mechanical input to meet an increase resistance while engaged. However, while such devices are feasible for many applications, the devices do not couple the mechanical input device with a hydraulics system to counter the increase in electrical load.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a system that can be configured to address the changes in electrical load while holding the entire system toward a higher efficiency. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantage and meets the recognized need for such an apparatus by providing a system of increasing the mechanical input force and a method of use thereof, wherein the system and method utilizes a hydraulic system, and a generator/alternator, coupled with a drive network. Also, the system further provides for the differing diameters of the containing units in respect to the demand.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its form is a system of coupling a hydraulic system, and generator/alternator, wherein the system comprises a motor, hydraulic cylinder and drive. The drive network is configured using gearing and clutches to achieve same rotational direction. Furthermore, the motor is initiated by a stored energy source which pumps fluid to initiate the hydraulic cylinder. The output shaft of the hydraulic cylinder is in communication with the drive network which initiates the drive to turn the generator/alternator. The electrical parameters are controlled by a computer processing unit (CPU).

Another embodiment provides a system where mechanical advantages, as well as multiple motors/cylinders are use to increase the efficiency of the coupled system. One such mechanical advantage is to provide leverage between the output shaft of the hydraulic cylinders and the rack, such as, a lever. The cylinders are arranged so that the output shafts are in opposition to push and pull on the lever. Yet another embodiment provides a system where a linear generator/alternator is utilized to create a pure linear system.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to use the exponential force of the hydraulic system to initiate the generator/alternator.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to use different size hydraulic containing units to meet the changing electrical demands.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be use as a means to transferring power.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is an exploded perspective of the entire machine with a view from slightly above and slightly to the right.

FIG.2 is an exploded level view from a slight angle to show all gears.

FIG.3 is an exploded perspective of the entire machine as in FIG. 1 and including the end supports.

DETAILED DISCRETION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate

corresponding structure throughout the view, a system and method 1 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a pump2, hydraulic cylinder 3, an energy output producing device (ex. alternator/generator) 4, connecting gears5a,5b, and 6, 6a, 6b, standard bearings8, 8a, 8b,8c,8d,8e,8f,8g,8h and shafts 9,9a,9b,9c, rack5, linear bearing system5c, two support housings 14, 14a, two

electromagnetic clutch/brakes 10, 10a attached thereto, an energy storage unit/source (ex. battery) 1 1, and a central processing unit (CPU) 12.

Once the CPU 12 closes the circuit, the energy storage unit/source (ex. battery) 1 1 energizes the pump2 to carry fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 3; which causes the rack 5 to slide backwards or forward along a horizontal axis on a linear bearing network5c; thus causing the pinion gears5a, 6 to rotate simultaneously onto a bearing8, 8a and a common shaft9. As gear5a rotates, it drives gear5b onto a bearing8c which drives shaft9b to rotation. As gear6 rotates, it drives gear6a onto a bearing8b and a shaft9a, which in turn, drives gear6b in opposite direction of shaft9b. Shaft9b is coupled with an

electromagnetic clutch/brake 10 and shaft9c. Shaft9c is coupled with another

electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a. The electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a is also coupled with the gear6b and alternator/generator4. While the rack is in horizontal forward or reverse motion, the CPU 12 keeps the electromagnetic clutch/brake lOis in a holding position and the other electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a in an opened position or vice verse. The holding/closing system allows torque to be transferred to the alternator/generator4; either by shaft9b or gear6b and to keep the same desired direction of rotation and speed. The same desired direction of rotation is achieved by allowing each drive unit to freewheel based on the direction of the rack5 movement. When the rack5 moves forward, torque (ex. clock-wise) is transferred from shaft9b through the closed electromagnetic clutch/brake 10, to the opened electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a; which allows the drive gear6b to freewheel and the torque is transferred through to the alternator/generator4. As the rack5 reverses, the CPU 12 opens electromagnetic clutch/brake 10 and closes electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a. Gear5b will begin to freewheel in the opposite direction. Shaft9b will no longer drive due to the engagement of the electromagnetic clutch/brake 10. Gear6b is now the drive for the system as the electromagnetic clutch/brake 10a locks the gear into position. Due to the three gear6,6a,6b configuration, the same direction is made possible as that of the two gear5a,5b configuration. The switching between drives gears5b,6b, allows the alternator/generatoM to continuously rotate, in turn allowing the alternator/generator4 produce applicable auxiliary electrical current and/or provide a charge throughout the electrical network of the system and method of.

Furthermore, the CPU 12 adjusts different parameters (ex. speed and electrical current) to compensate for any direct/indirect changes (ex. rack5 direction, load, thermal) to keep a desired rotational speed and/or current from the electrical output producing device4. Also, bearings8d,8e,8f,8g,8h are mounted in a designated housing for structural support, as well as rotation. The end of the hydraulic shaft 13 is directly/indirectly attached to one end of the rack5. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the maters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in within the appended claims are expressed.