BY USING BUOYANT FORCE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the energy area and can be used for generation of mechanical and electrical energy.

Background of the Invention

The alternative option for energy production is a long-standing issue, as it contributes to the resolution of crucial economic challenges of our time and provides for the creation of the clean technologies that will be our future. This invention focuses on the alternative hydropower engineering, namely electricity generation by using buoyant force of the liquid.

The method of converting buoyant force of the liquid into the mechanical energy is well-known. It involves sealing a hollow vessel and connecting the vessels to form an endless closed chain. In turn, the part of the endless closed chain is placed into the hydraulic structure filled with water; the hollow elements are set into motion by creating low pressure on the surface of the liquid. Under the action of the buoyant force, the hollow vessels inside the hydraulic structure are moved upwards and set the endless closed chain into motion. The latter is used for transmitting the kinetic energy to the power takeoff unit (declarative patent for invention UA 35992, IPC F03B 17/00, published on 16 April 2001) However, this method needs creating a low pressure on the surface of the liquid, which is a dangerous and costly process. Connecting vessels into the endless closed chain may lead to frequent disruptions in the work of the system. This method requires a complex and overall system design.

The closest analog is a traditional method for converting the gravity and buoyant force into electrical energy. A pair of floats are set into motion in the vessel filled with liquid; the floats are interconnected by the endless driving gear; finally, the movement is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator. Each float is shaped in the form of an outer cylinder mounted coaxially onto an inner cylinder that allows them to move reciprocally. The inner cylinder is rigidly fixed to the bottom of the vessel and has a through hole in its lower part for air supply. The inner cylinder has a piston and rods to the bottom of which the spring is attached. On the top of the outer cylinder, there are valves for removing liquid and air interconnected by flexible tubes. The outer cylinder is coaxially mounted onto the inner cylinder; the downward movement of the outer cylinder is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator. When the outer cylinder is placed onto the inner one, the spring is compressed, the piston of the inner cylinder is lowered pushing the air through its through hole and simultaneously inhaling the air into the outer cylinder through a flexible tube. The air supply valve is closed, the outer cylinder moves upwards. The device works in cycles (international publication WO 2014/193206 of the international application PCT/KZ2014/000003, IPC F03G 3/00, F03B 17/00, F03G 7/10, published on 04 December 2014).

However, the disadvantage of the closest analog is the lack of thrust force generated in the course of the device operation. The gravity force is delivered to the rotor of the electric generator by means of the endless driving gear. Meanwhile, buoyancy is used only to return the working element to the initial position. The working elements - two floats - move in tandem: while the outer cylinder of the one float is affected by the gravity force, the outer cylinder of another float is affected by the buoyant force. As a result, cylinders will move at different speeds, which, in turn, will cause the unstable rotation of the rotor of the generator. In order to synchronize the movement of two outer cylinders, the gravity force affecting the outer cylinder when it moves downwards shall exceed the buoyant force affecting another cylinder when it moves upwards. Due to all these disadvantages, one struggles to achieve the high efficiency of the system in the process of electricity generation.

Generally, there are different types of equipment for energy generation based on buoyant force, which contain multiple hollow elements, various balance units, ejectors or locking devices.

One is acquainted with a so-called "eternal water engine" with the fourteen hollow cubic boxes connected consecutively and following "a closed path" which is partly placed in a water column. Some of the hollow cubic boxes move downwards outside the water column under the action of the gravity force of their own weight; the other ones - inside the water column - move upwards under the action of the buoyant force (Perelman, Ya. I. Zanimatelnaya Fizika. V 2-kh knigakh. Kniga 2. Moskva: Nauka, 1983 - s. 56-58).

There is also a device for converting buoyant force of the liquid into mechanical energy; the device may also contain the multiple hollow elements connected consecutively and following "a closed path" which is partly placed in the hydraulic structure filled with water. The aquatic environment is divided into upper and lower parts; the hollow elements are set into motion by creating the low pressure in the upper part of the aquatic environment in the hydraulic structure (patent UA 35992, IPC F03B 17/00, published on 16 April 2001).

We can also mention an energy generator working on the basis of the gravity force with the several containers, which are connected consecutively and following "a closed path" placed in the aquatic environment; there are also containers with the sealed chambers filled, for example, with air, and the open chambers, which become filled with water when containers move downwards, and empty when the containers move upwards. The containers are split into pairs by connecting through the pipelines (the patent US 3,934,964, IPC B23B 39/00, published on 27 January.1976).

However, the disadvantage of such systems is the fact that multiple hollow working elements are connected consecutively or in pairs forming an endless chain. The hollow working elements restrict each other's movement. Therefore, the higher their number, the less their benefit. In addition, such systems often fail, as in case one hollow working element fails, the movement of the endless chain is broken and the operation stops.

There is a well-known device for generating rotational movement by means of gravity force; the device contains at least one container with the output spindle for rotational movement, at least two one-sided clutch devices and inflatable bladders connected by a balance unit and equipped with intake and exhaust valves. The substance filling the bladder is less dense than the one filling the container. The balance unit may be made of stainless steel or bronze, plastic or composite material - the choice depends on the substance in the container (patent for invention US8360205, IPC F03G 3/00, published on 29 January 2013, international publication WO 2013/098623, IPC F03G 7/10, F03B 17/04, published on 04 Aril 2013).

One is also acquainted with the device for converting buoyant force of the liquid into mechanical energy; the device contains the water-filled (submerged) hydraulic structure and a work tool - a displacer on the bottom of the hydraulic structure and a coaxially mounted ejector. The ejector is shaped in the form of a hollow vessel with the top and bottom covers; there are two axes on both sides of the ejector to provide for the up-and-down motion. The ejector is filled with water once it is on the top. Then, under its own weight, it sinks to the bottom and meets the displacer. The specifically shaped displacer enters the ejector and displaces the water. Then, the displacer is lowered (the ejector remains "empty") and risen under the action of the buoyant force. A complex system of pneumatic plungers and air tubes provides for water admission to the ejector, functioning of its covers, and lowering of the displacer (patent for invention UA 23122, IPC F03B 17/00, published on 30 June 1998; the patent application for invention RU 97100027, IPC F03B 17/00, published 20 February 1999)

However, the disadvantage of such devices is the fact that buoyant force is not used directly for mechanical or electric energy generation. Due to the use of various clutch devices, balance units, ejectors and displacers, pneumatic plungers and air tubes, such systems require a complex design, additional costs for their maintainance and repair.

The closest analog is the device for converting gravity and buoyant force into electricity; such device contains a vessel partially filled with liquid; the endless driving gear connected to two floats is installed in the vessel. Each float is shaped in the form of an outer cylinder mounted coaxially onto an inner cylinder that allows them to move reciprocally. The driving gear is connected to the electric generator and turbine. The inner cylinder is rigidly fixed to the bottom of the vessel and has a through hole in its lower part, which opens into a through hole of the vessel bottom for air supply and extraction. The inner cylinder has a piston and rods to the bottom of which the spring is attached. On the top of the outer cylinder, there are valves for removing liquid and air interconnected by flexible tubes. The outer cylinder squeezes out the liquid and air, which are transferred to the turbine through a flexible tube under pressure in order to rotate it. The outer cylinder is coaxially mounted onto the inner cylinder, the lateral connecting rods are lowered, the string is compressed, the exhaust valve is closed, the intake valve is opened, the inner cylinder piston is lowered pushing the air through its through hole and simultaneously inhaling the air into the outer cylinder through a flexible tube. The air supply valve is closed, the outer cylinder moves upwards. The device works in cycles (international publication WO 2014/193206 of the international application PCT/KZ2014/000003, IPC F03G 3/00, F03B 17/00, F03G 7/10, published on 04 December 2014).

However, the disadvantage of the closest analog is the fact that gravity force is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator via the endless work tool; in turn, buoyant force is used to return the upper cylinder to the initial position. The outer boundary of the working element causes the high resistance of the liquid when the outer cylinder is moving. It significantly reduces the system efficiency. The use of two floats moving in tandem may restrict their movement and cause frequent disruptions in the work of the system. The complex design of the floats - two cylinders, spring, multiple rod mechanisms and valves - cause frequent system failures due to the minor breakages of various parts.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention was made according to the prior art described above, and the object of the present invention is to develop the method for electricity generation by using buoyant force, in which the buoyant force creates the thrust force when the hollow element is moved upwards, that would to ensure the necessary torque on the generator shaft.

To solve the problem, the present invention provides a method for electricity generation by using buoyant force, which comprises a metered flow of the gaseous substance to at least one working element at the bottom of the vessel filled with liquid; the upward movement of each working element under the action of buoyant force; extraction of the gaseous substance, filling each working element with liquid and their moving downwards under the action of the gravity force; the movement of each working element is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator, in which, in accordance with the present invention, all of the working elements are hollow and of a streamlined shape; all of the working elements move independently; the gaseous substance is delivered to each hollow working element from the bottom; the rotor of the electric generator starts rotating when each hollow working element moves upwards.

Buoyant force - or upthrust - is a force that affects an object immersed in water or gas. According to the present invention, the initial position of the hollow working element is at the bottom of the vessel. The movement of the hollow working element raising up under the action of the buoyant force is transmitted all the time it is moving upwards. Therefore, the maximum buoyant force is used to rotate the rotor of the electric generator producing electricity. Due to the streamlined shape of the hollow working element and the gaseous substance being delivered from the bottom, the liquid resistance is lowered when the hollow working element moves upwards. Therefore, the performance of the buoyant force is increased.

The closest analog ensures that the initial position of the working element is at the top level of the liquid in the vessel, and the gravity force is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator by means of the endless work tool. Meanwhile, the buoyant force is used to return the working element to the initial position. This is the main disadvantage of the closest analog since the thrust force directed downwards is countered by the buoyant force directed upwards. Therefore, gravity force is reduced. Gravity force depends on the mass of the working element, whereas the buoyant force - on its volume and density of the liquid. As the result, the gravity force is transmitted to the rotor only partially taking into account the countering buoyant force. Unlike the closest analog, the present invention does not transmit gravity force to the rotor of the electric generator but use it only to return the working element to the initial position. This makes the hollow working element lighter and allows one to minimize the effect of gravity when it moves up. Generally, the direct use of buoyant force for rotating the rotor of the electric generator allows reducing the size of the device as compared to other devices using gravity force. Due to the autonomous operation of each hollow working element, two forces - gravity and buoyancy - cannot simultaneously affect the rotor of the electric generator. The hollow working elements do not hinder each other's movement ensuring the smooth operation and simplifying a design of the device as a whole. The object of the present invention is also to develop the device for electricity generation by using buoyant force in which the new design would provide for the creation of thrust force that would ensure the necessary torque on the generator shaft when the working element moves upwards. In addition, the object of the present invention is to simplify the design and increase the device efficiency as a whole.

To solve the problem, the present invention provides a device for electricity generation by using buoyant force comprising a vessel, which is firmly attached to the base and filled with liquid; the vessel contains at least one working element inside, which is equipped with the device for extraction of the gaseous substance; the vessel contains at least one device for supplying of the gaseous substance; the movement of each working element is transmitted to the rotor of the electric generator, in which, in accordance with the present invention, all of the working elements are hollow and of a streamlined shape; each working element has a hole in its lower part, through which the gaseous substance is supplied; all of the hollow working elements move independently, each of them is directly connected to the mechanism providing for the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator via flexible connecting elements.

The supply of gaseous substance into the hollow working element from the bottom provides for its equal filling. Gaseous substance displaces the liquid and the hollow working element is directed upwards under the action of the buoyant force and due to the difference between the density of the liquid and the density of the gaseous substance. The streamlined shape of the hollow working element provides for an even washing of the working element with the liquid and a minimal resistance of the liquid when the working element moves upwards under the action of the buoyant force. One or several hollow working elements can be placed in the single vessel. The maximum number of the hollow working elements in one vessel depends on the technical capabilities to ensure the continuous movement of the hollow working elements during the working process. The size of the hollow working elements, the distance between them and the distance to the vessel wall should be selected with the view to ensure the free upward movement of the hollow working elements.

Each hollow working element is provided with flexible connecting elements, which transmit the upward movement of the hollow working element directly to the mechanism providing for the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator. This guarantees the independent movement of each hollow working element and allows using the maximum buoyant force of the liquid for energy generation. The autonomous operation of each hollow working element minimizes disruptions, which often happen if the working elements are used in tandem or connected with the endless work tool. Generally, the device design does not involve various traction, locking and ejecting elements, that is why it is compact and user- friendly. The gravity force is used only to return the working element to the initial position. Therefore, two forces - gravity and buoyancy - cannot simultaneously affect the rotor of the electric generator. Generally, the maximum use of the liquid buoyancy, which is directly transferred to the mechanisms providing for the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator, and a simple design ensure a high efficiency of the device as a whole.

The technical effect of the present invention improves, in case all of the hollow working elements are connected to one generator are the same. In some cases, the energy generation device may include at least two electric generators in order to increase power and improve the efficiency of the device. At this rate, the improvement of the technical effect still requires all of the hollow working elements connected to the electric generator to be the same. In order to increase the power of the device and effectiveness of the claimed method, the device may contain at least two vessels with liquid and hollow elements, as it is described in the independent claim 2. In this case, the vessels may either be the same or have different characteristics and mechanisms. The mechanisms providing for the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator that connect the electric generator with the hollow working element may be any known mechanisms that transfer and sustain the stable speed and torque on the shaft of the electric generator.

The flexible connecting elements may be any known flexible item, such as rope, cable, chain, belt or other elements that can transfer movement.

The gaseous substance may be any substance classified as gaseous, and also plasma. The liquid may be any substance classified as liquid.

Experts in this area understand that the present inventions may be changed and amended, but it will not alter the nature of the invention. Accordingly, the patent claim is assumed to include all the variations related to the nature and scope of the invention. The preferred variations for fulfilling the invention are represented on the drawing and outlined in the description, but these variations are only examples.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 - general view of the device for electricity generation by using buoyant force with one vessel and two hollow working elements;

Fig. 2 - general view of the device for electricity generation by using buoyant force with four vessels.

Therefore, the best mode for carrying out the present invention is described in detail. The method is carried out by means of the device with the vessel (1) filled with liquid. There are two hollow working elements (2) (fig. 1) or one hollow working element (2) (fig. 2) inside the vessel (1). The hollow working elements (2) are of a streamlined shape and have a hole (5) in its lower part, through which gaseous substance is supplied. The lower part of the vessel (1) is equipped with a device for supplying of the gaseous substance (6). Flexible connecting elements (3) interconnect the hollow working elements (2) by pulleys (8). Pulleys (8) are mounted onto the shaft (9) connected to the mechanism providing for the rotation of the rotor (4). The latter transmits the rotational movement to the electric generator (10). Due to each hollow working element (2) being connected to the pulley (8) by means of flexible connecting elements (3), all of the hollow working elements move independently. The hollow working element (2) has a device for extraction of gaseous substance (11). The vessel (1) is firmly attached to the base (7) that ensures its steadiness. The device may contain single vessel (1) (fig. 1) or several ones, for example, four (fig. 2).

The method is carried out provided the device operates as follows: initially, the hollow working element (2) is at the bottom of the vessel (1) filled with water. The hollow working element (2) contains liquid as well. Gaseous substance is supplied to the hollow working element (2) through the hole (5) via the device for supplying of the gaseous substance (6). Gaseous substance displaces the liquid from the hollow working element (2), so that the latter is directed upwards under the action of the buoyant force. When the hollow working element (2) moves upwards, the flexible connecting elements (3) rotates the pulley (8) mounted onto the shaft (9). The shaft (9) is connected to the mechanism providing for the rotation of the rotor (4) of the electric generator (10). When the liquid reaches its upper limit in the vessel (1) the gaseous substance is extracted from the hollow working element (2) by means of the device for gaseous substance extraction (11). While the gaseous substance is being extracted, the hollow working element (2) is filled with water. Then, under the action of the gravity force, it returns to its initial position. The hollow working elements (2) are not connected with each other and move independently ensuring the continuous rotation of the rotor (4) of the electric generator (10).

Buoyant force is directly transmitted to the mechanisms providing for the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator. The streamlined shape of the hollow working elements increases the buoyant force, and their autonomous operation minimizes the disruptions. All these advantages coupled with a simple design provide for high efficiency of the device as a whole.