[0001] The present application claims the benefit of Indian provisional patent application Sr. No. 201741007494 filed on March 03, 2017, titled "POWER GENERATION FROM ENERGY STORED UNDER GRAVITY" which application is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates generally to generation of power using gravity pump. BACKGROUND

INTERPRETATION CONSIDERATIONS

[0003] This section describes the technical field in more detail and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. Therefore, statements in the section are not to be construed as prior art.

DISCUSSION

[0004] High demand of energy generation emanates the need for alternative solutions of energy storage to complement alternative energy sources such as w nd or solar.

[0005] The gravity energy storage is one of the key principle on which invention works. Generally, mechanical energy is used to raise a mass to a particular height for storing energy as gravitational potential energy. The stored energy can be subsequently retrieved by lowering the mass.

[0006] One such exemplary implementation is pumped storage hydroelectricky; an electric motor is implemented to drive a pump that transports water from lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation in order to store energy. Electrical energy is then released as water flows down through turbines to produce electric power. Pumped-storage hydroelectricity is primarily used for load balancing.

[0007] US patent publication. 20070012518, discloses a system and method of generating electricity through the use of the force of gravity by incorporating pendulums: wherein the weight and velocity provide energy for electricity generation. In the invention, a weight source provides the additional force to overcome resistance by using hydraulic high-pressure chambers or gears in order to power turbine to power pendulums to generate electricity generation or by the use of the any weight to power gears to power pendulums to generate electricity.

[0008] Another system for generating electricity using gravity has been disclosed in the US patent 5905312 assigned to David Liou. Under the system, a circulating device drives a working shaft of the generator; wherein the circulating device has a plurality of tanks mounted on it. The circulating device circulates along a guiding device when the tanks receive the working medium from a higher place by gravity. A transmission mechanism is further implemented to increase the rotational speed of the working shaft.

SUMMARY

[0009] The invention focuses on a very critical principle that energy and work are not same although they are dimensionally same. In fact, energy is the ability to do work repeatedly under certain conditions and circumstances. Therefore, energy locked in gravitation field of earth or permanent magnets can be used to do work repeatedly. The system, described hereunder, focuses on the use of energy stored in the gravitation field to generate electricity.

[0010] In one embodiment, a container at higher altitude is filled with liquid by an external pump once. Thereafter, liquid is allowed to flow to a container at lower altitude, compressing air in a lower container due to constructional features. The compressed air, thus asserts pressure on the liquid and pumps it to higher altitude for driving generator. The liquid then finally reaches to the container at higher altitude closing liquid loop. The system comprises two containers and works till air is not allowed to escape from container at lower altitude. Alternatively, a gravity or ramp pump can be used to lift the water to higher altitude first time. The turbine/generator further converts rotational energy to electricity. In an alternative embodiment, the liquid is first stored in the source at higher altitude and then introduced to generator. In preferred embodiment, liquid is water or mercury but can be replaced with any other material having desired property for the functioning of the system.

[0011] In one embodiment, the liquid is pumped to higher altitude by placing a first container in the source of liquid at lower altitude; wherein the container is a pressure vessel. The first container of predefined height is provided with a breather pipe placed through bottom of the container so that it reaches no more than 3/4 ^th of the height of the container and an opening near to the lip of the container. A liquid transferring conduit is provided with breather pipe which allows the liquid to flow up to the higher altitude source. The first container is then immersed in the source at lower altitude in such a way that air trapped in the container is not allowed to release. The container is further provided with the sufficient weight in a specified manner so that it does not get displaced from its position while immersed in the source at lower altitude. The conduit from the first container is connected to the source at higher altitude; wherein a valve mechanism is provided for the appropriate functioning of the device.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the source of liquid at lower altitude is sea, lake or any other source of natural water. The system is also implemented using alternative structure explained in detail description of the patent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various aspects of the invention as well as an embodiment are better understood by referring to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG 2 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the system of the present invention; [0016] FIG 3 illustrates an alternative architecture of the system of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG 4 illustrates evolution of the system of the present invention.

DRAWINGS

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 DESCRIPTION

INTERPRETATION CONSIDERATIONS

[0018] While reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment, which describes the exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter referred to as "exemplary embodiment"), one should consider the exemplary embodiment as the best mode for practicing the invention during filing of the patent in accordance with the inventor's belief. As person with ordinary skills in the art may recognize substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts to achieve the same results in the same manner, or in a dissimilar manner, the exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

[0019] The discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which the species belongs as well as related species in this genus. Similarly, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, as technology develops, numerous additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are incorporated within their respective genus and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described. A function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of performing the function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated. For instance, water source means sea, pond, lake, or any artificial water body. Therefore, the use of the word "water source" invokes "sea" or "pond" and all other modes of this word and similar words such as "water container". [0020] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as "or", "and", "including" or "comprising") should be interpreted in the inclusive, and not the exclusive sense

[0021] The foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be accorded their ordinary, plain meaning, unless indicated otherwise.

EMBODIMENT DISCUSSION

[0022] The invention can be understood better by examining the figures, wherein FIG. l illustrates one embodiment of a system 100 in according to the teachings of the invention. In FIG. 1, structural arrangement of first container has been represented for transferring liquid from lower altitude to higher altitude due to pneumatic force of compressed gas.

[0023] The first container 102 is immersed in the sea, pond, lake or any other source of liquid. The level of the first source of water 101 is just below the upper end of the first container 102. A breather pipe 106 is inserted in the first container 102 while maintaining high pressure area 103 in first container 102. The breather pipe 106 acts as conduit to transfer the water at higher altitude. The breather pipe can be made of any material which includes plastic, copper or any other material suitable for the purpose. Alternatively, the first container 102 can be immersed in a second container acting as a source of liquid.

[0024] An inlet conduit 104 is provided at the bottom of the first container 102 to maintain inflow of the liquid into the first container 102. The liquid flow in inlet conduit 104 is regulated using a single way valve mechanism 108. The single way valve mechanism closes automatically when liquid flows in opposite direction.

[0025] Further, liquid and air are separated in the first container 102 using a diaphragm 107 for allowing the water to expand and absorb pressure surges.

[0026] The first container 102 is segmented into two parts for separating liquid and air using a diaphragm 107 and further allowing liquid to expand and absorb pressure surges, hi alternative scenario, a membrane with high flexibility for withstanding the pressure required for functioning of the system is placed between liquid and air, thereby, acting as a barrier layer. The first container 102 without membrane can also be used.

[0027] The first container 102 is not completely immersed in liquid, wherein the top portion of the first container is kept at a height hi from the liquid level 101. This arrangement further provides ease for exposure of the breather pipe 106 from the first container 102. The depth h2 of the first container 102 is adjusted in such a way to force liquid to height li3 under influence of pneumatic pressure asserted by- compressed air. In alternative embodiment, any other compressible gas can be used instead of air for achieving better results. In nutshell, the first container 102 is filled with compressible gas and incompressible liquid. The first container 102 in the system can be compared with the marine hydrophore because of their similarity in basic working principle; however, the system of present invention has a closed loop of liquid in comparison to marine hydrophore, where the water gets used. In basic working principle of hydrophore, a feed pump is used to pressurise and compress air whereas a header iank is used in the present invention explained in Fig 3,

[0028] In the first embodiment of invention, the first container 102 is immersed in sea to transfer the water to higher altitude for empowering hydro generator. The first container 102 is a pressure vessel immersed in sea. At initial stage, the single way valve mechanism 108 is closed and water is not allowed flow through the valve into pressure vessel. The pressure at inlet conduit 104 is Patm when water is not allowed to flow in the pressure vessel 102. The valve 108 is then regulated for allowing the water to flow in the pressure vessel. The valve 108 can be regulated electronically, manually or by any other suitable technology like magnetically. When water level reaches to bottom of breather pipe 106, air passage through the breather pipe 106 gets blocked. The pressure through inlet conduit reaches to P2 - Patm + Pgn. The pressure P2 further acts on the air trapped into pressure vessel and diaphragm 107 is barrier between compressed air and water. The compressed air then asserts pressure back on water in the pressure vessel along with the pressure asserted by sea water at inlet conduit 102. Further, the valve mechanism 108 does not allow the water from the first container 102 back to sea. The water is then pushed out of breather pipe 106 under application of pneumatic pressure.

[0029] FIG 2 depicts placement of generator 202 under the flow of liquid at higher level coming through breather pipe. In case of pressure vessel, generator 202 is placed under the flo of water reaching at higher altitude pushed under application of pneumatic pressure asserted by the compressed air. [0030] In alternative embodiment as shown in FIG 3, the first container 301 is not immersed in the liquid. The system is used using two liquid containers 301, 303 in a closed loop. The first container 301 is placed at lower altitude and filled with liquid; wherein a membrane or diaphragm is placed between liquid and air in the first container. A breather pipe 302 is placed between the first container 301 at lower altitude and generator 305 placed at higher altitude. The liquid then gets into the second container 303 at higher altitude, which further flows back to first container 301 through inlet conduit 306. The liquid 304 in the system is mercury, water or any other liquid having desired properties for the replacement water or mercury. External pressure source can also be utilized when the first container is used with different liquids. In other scenario, the first container design may be altered for different liquids for appropriate functioning of the system. In an alternative embodiment, multiple generators 401 can be placed at the end of breather pipe as shown in FIG. 4.

[0031] The system can also be implemented using multiple containers at lower altitude to lift desired quantity of water at higher altitude. In this case, timing of plurality of first containers at lower altitude would be adjusted in such as way that appropriate flow of water is available for continuous functioning of generator.

[0032] In alternative embodiment, the liquid is first stored in the container at higher altitude and then liquid is introduced to generator via a conduit using a regulated valve. The liquid then closes loop by flowing back to the first container.

[0033] The process described in the present invention is not restricted to abovementioned examples. It can be implemented by slight variations in the overall system or any component of the system. Therefore, slight variation in the architecture and structure of the system shall be construed as a part of the claimed invention.