Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a mass displacement drive and in particular to a mass displacement drive with a Peaucellier mechanism and an offset beam arrangement.

Background of the Invention

[0002] A vertical mass displacement drive was mentioned in a previous patent application (as Fig 4) US 2012/0167562. This device was based around short travel mass displacement chambers acting directly on a rocker arm. That device was centered on a radial design.

[0003] There is a need for a device where vertical movement or travel of the mass displacement chambers is intentionally constrained; the mass displacement chambers are never free to move off the vertical travel path, even as the lever, to which it is connected, travels through its arc . This will result in the greatest energy being produced as the force exerted by the displacement chamber or chambers remains constant to the center of rotation of the lever to which it is connected.

[0004] With resources becoming scarce throughout the world and an increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, there has been a focus on renewable energy devices.

Renewable energy devices typically utilize nature to generate a force required to turn a shaft or move a piston to generate energy. For example, wind power, wave and tidal power, solar power or the like. Such renewable energy devices must be located in specific locations, and base load commercial scale units are not portable and are expensive to install and operate.

[0005] Wind power is limited by its need for a location where the wind is considered reliable. It is rarely constant. The amount of power developed by wind generators varies with wind speed and down time due to the lack of wind on windless days. Wind power also has issues with placement near communities and the concept of ocean based wind power installations suffers from the distance to the nearest electricity grid connection point. [0006] Wave and tidal power installations have not been able to produce a constant power generation due to the nature of the force being used to drive them. Power is only produced intermittently in line with the availability of the waves and tides. Location also forces the use of an expensive underwater cable run to a grid connection point.

[0007] Solar power has chosen a different direction where the idea is to produce a larger number of photovoltaic cells that can be manufactured at the lowest cost. This approach requires an expanded footprint for commercial installations.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a more suitable, cheap and efficient renewable power generation device.

[0009] There is also a need to use constantly available forces which are sustainable. There is a need for a device that is not location dependent and can be scaled to fit a particular application. With commercial scale units, electricity grid connection is a simpler procedure and available at a reduced price as installation costs and complexity are significantly reduced. There is also a need for a device which can be installed in remote locations and can be operated independently, in array or grid connected.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a mass displacement drive that utilises the constantly available input energy source of gravity to produce power. There is therefore a need for a vertical mass displacement drive that derives its power from constantly available sources of energy. In the descent phase this energy is simply, a direct result of gravity. Gravity being itself one of the known constants. Since gravity is a mathematical constant, any object in free fall will continue to accelerate during its fall until it reaches a velocity defined as its terminal velocity. It will then continue to fall at its terminal velocity until acted on by another force such as an impact or reaching the end of its travel . In the case of this vertical mass di splacement drive, the terminal velocity is detennined by the resistance or drag created by the fluid in which it allowed to freefall. Again in this vertical mass displacement drive the freefall ends when the vertical mass displacement drive reaches the end of its travel. The amount of energy that can be derived from this gravity induced, descent phase is equal to the freefalling mass multiplied by its veloci ty, although there is a consideration of the acceleration phase during the freefall stroke of the vertical mass displacement drive. The energy produced during the descent phase is represented by the E=MC squared equation. In practice the longer the vertical mass displacement drive remains in the gravity induced descent phase the more likelihood of drive reaching terminal velocity and therefore deriving the maximum amount of energy from the descent phase or stroke. Remaining in the descent phase beyond terminal velocity produces no advantage, as demonstrated by the functioning vertical mass displacement drive prototype in its current design and build revision.

[001 1 ] At the end of the descent phase travel, a suitable buoyant medium is injected into the cylinder to achieve the ascent phase. The energy required to produce this change to a buoyant state is supplied by a low pressure, high flow air compressor in the functioning prototype and the energy to drive the compressor system is less than the energy produced by the vertical mass displacement drive, as proven by the current revision of the functioning prototype. The reason this is so is that after the change of state injection occurs, which represent a short period in the ascent phase, then the vertical mass displacement drive continues to accelerate in the ascent phase until it reaches the ascent terminal velocity. It then continues its travel in the ascent phase until it reaches the end of its travel, producing energy in the ascent phase, thus adding to the total derived energy used to power the vertical mass displacement drive.

[0012] Therefore, because the travel of the cylinder of the vertical mass displacement drive remains vertical in both the descent and ascent phases or strokes and is connected via the Peaucellier mechanism to the driven end of the power conversion lever the maximum energy provided by both the descent and ascent phases can be derived.

[0013] If the vertical mass displacement drive uses an unbalanced power conversion lever, as does the current version of the functioning prototype, then balance can be restored or changed by the use of mass balance weights installed at any appropriate position, allowing the mass balance weights to influence the effect of both the descent and ascent energy potential. This means that the set up can derive energy from both the gravity and buoyancy phases or be setup to derive energy from either phase or derive energy proportionally from each phase as desired. The effect of this is that the vertical mass displacement drive can be considered to be either a 1 stroke or a 2 stroke drive that utilizes the constantly available input energy source of gravity and buoyancy to produce power. Gravity will continue to supply energy input during the descent phase and buoyancy will continue to supply energy input during the ascent phase. [0014] A vertical mass displacement drive is one in which the long travel movement of the mass displacement chamber or chambers and their power transmission shafts is constrained in order to produce true vertical motion. The drive that utilizes this displacement of mass i s in a true vertical axis only, throughout the entire length of travel, to transmit energy by connection to a lever. This connection to the lever is made via the use of a novel and redesigned Peaucellier mechanism or other suitable mechanism that can scribe a vertical path derived from the arc of travel of the lever. The lever is constrained at its fulcrum by attachment to a frame or other suitable mounting system. The opposite end of the lever is connected to rotate a shaft via a connecting rod and an offset crank pin. Such a device would allow the vertical mass displacement drive to function as a fully developed power drive system.

Object of the Invention

[0015] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of existing renewable energy devices or to provide a useful alternative energy system.

Summary of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a vertical mass displacement drive comprising:

a vertical arm having a distal end; and

a chamber located at the distal end of the vertical arm, the chamber havin g a method of varying a displaced mass of the chamber when immersed in a first fluid,

wherein a second fluid enters and exits the chamber at defined intervals to change the displaced mass of the chamber, generating a vertical movement by creating ascending and descending states, and

wherein the vertical movement is connected to a lever or other suitable mechanism, which translates the vertical movement to torque in order to rotate a shaft about an axis of the shaft.

[0017] The second fluid may be a gas such as air. [0018] In a preferred form, the ascending state is a positively buoyant state, and wherein the descending state is a negatively buoyant state.

[0019] In a preferred form, the vertical movement is connected by way of a Peaucellier mechanism, the Peaucellier mechanism being arranged to incorporate linear bearings, bushes or other suitable mechanism.

[0020] The shaft may be rotatabl e about the axis of the shaft when the arm ascends and descends, thereby generating a rotational force for use as energy.

[0021 ] In a preferred form, one complete ascent and descent phase of the mass displacement chamber will equal one RPM at the rotating shaft.

[0022] The vertical mass displacement drive may further include a plurality of independent arms and chambers positioned at the same end of the lever or at each end of single or multiple levers.

[0023] The vertical mass displacement drive may further include a flywheel mounted on the rotating shaft, and the energy generated may be harvested either from the flywheel or directly from the shaft.

[0024] In a preferred form, as the device rotates, each chamber moves to a non-buoyant position to create a descending state at the defined interval and the chamber moves to a positively buoyant position to create an ascending state at the defined interval.

[0025] The arms and chambers may be mountable in multiples or other combinations such as odd and even numbers.

[0026] The arms and chambers may operate either together, when acting on an attachment point to a lever or multiple levers, or in opposition to each other when acting on opposed ends of any single or multiple levers. [0027] There is disclosed herein a vertical mass displacement drive (Fig. 1 ) having a minimum one vertical arm with a chamber located at the distal end of the arm, the chamber having a method of varying its displaced mass when immersed in a fluid. A second fluid, which may be a gas such as air, enters and exits the chamber at defined intervals to change the displaced mass of the chamber, generating a vertical movement by creating ascending (positively buoyant) and descending (negatively buoyant) states. This vertical movement is connected, (which may be via a novel use of th e Peaucellier mechanism whi ch is redesigned to incorporate l inear bearings and or bushes or other suitable mechanism), to a lever or other suitable mechanism, which translates the vertical movement to torque in order to rotate a shaft about its axis.

[0028] The shaft may be rotated about its own axis when the arm ascends and descends, thereby generating a rotational force for use as energy. Preferably, one complete ascent and descent phase of the mass displacement chamber will equal one rpm at the rotating shaft.

[0029] The device may include a plurality of independent arms and chambers positioned at the same end of the lever or at each end of single or multiple levers.

[0030] The device may use a flywheel mounted on the rotating shaft and the energy generated may be harvested either from the flywheel or directly from the shaft.

[0031] As the device rotates, each chamber moves to a non-buoyant position to create a descending state at the defined interval and then the chamber moves to a positively buoyant position to create an ascending state, again at the defined interval. The arms and chambers, although having the ability to be mounted in multiples or other combinations such as odd and even numbers in some embodiments, must always operate either together, when acting on the same attachment point to a lever or multiple levers, or in opposition to each other when acting on opposed ends of any single or multiple levers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figures l a and lb are views of the functional first embodiment of the present invention; [0034] Figures 2a and 2b are alternative views of Figures la and lb in the full descent state;

[0035] Figures 3a and 3b are alternative views of Figures la and lb in the full ascent state;

[0036] Figures 4a and 4b are views of the mechanism connection to the lever at the full descent state;

[0037] Figures 5a and 5b are views of the mechanism connection to the lever at the full ascent state;

[0038] Figure 6 is a view of the lever connection to the power shaft and flywheel;

[0039] Figure 7 is a view of the power shaft and flywheel connection to the lever in the full ascent state;

[0040] Figure 8 is a view of the power shaft and flywheel connection to the lever in the full descent state;

[0041 ] Figure 9 is a view of the detail of the mechanism incorporating modem linear bearings and or linear bushes;

[0042] Figure 10 is a view of the connection between the mechanisms;

[0043] Figure 1 1 is a view of the mass displacement chamber and its connection to the lever via a Peaucellier mechanism in the full ascent state;

[0044] Figure 12 is a view of the mass displacement chamber and its connection to the lever via the Peaucellier mechanism in the full descent state;

[0045] Figure 13 is a view of the fulcrum point of the lever as used in the functional prototype, looking toward the flywheel;

[0046] Figure 14 is a plan view of a multi-lever embodiment;

[0047] Figure 15 is a plan view of multiple chamber and multiple lever embodiments; and [0048] Figure 16 is an embodiment of a vertical mass displacement drive with the shaft driven using only a Peaucellier mechanism.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0049] Figs, la to 16 show embodiments of a vertical mass displacement drive 100 having a vertical frame 1 10 which can extend from a stabilizing base frame 120, or be constructed directly from ground level. The function of the vertical frame 1 10 could also be achieved by wall mounting or any other suitable mounting system. The vertical frame 1 10 acts as a mounting point for a power conversion lever 130 and the anchor point for a novel Peaucellier mechanism 180. The vertical frame 1 10 may be built in any form or design and in any material strong enough to take the applied load. It may be designed such that any attached displacement chambers 140 and power transmission shafts 150 are used above ground acting in a vessel 160 containing the fluid in which the displacement chambers act. It may also be designed so that the displacement chambers 140 and their power transmission shafts 150 act below ground level or water level in the case of installation within a body of water.

[0050] The power conversion lever 130 may be a 1 ^st , 2 ^nd or 3 ^rd order lever, which is attached at its fulcrum point to the vertical frame 1 10. Unlike a conventional beam engine, the vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment can utilize both balanced (center fulcrum) or unbalanced (proportional fulcrum) levers. This redesign of conventional beam engine technology allows for increases in torque to be achieved within any given design. The redesign of the conventional beam engine also allows for far greater vertical tra vel of the mass displacement chamber than is available in a conventional beam engine design.

[0051] This redesign means that as the distance from the fulcrum of the power conversion lever 130 to the centerline of the vertical mass displacement chamber 140 increases, thus increasing the maximum possible amount amount of vertical movement. This redesign also means that by reducing the distance between the fulcrum of the power conversion lever 130 and the connection point of the driven shafts connecting rod, a significant increase in vertical travel of the mass displacement chambers 140 and their power transmission shafts 150 can be maintained while utilizing significantly less travel at the connection to the driven shaft or flywheel 160, thus gaining a significant increase in the derived torque. [0052] The direct result of the redesign of a conventional beam engine is that more power can be applied to the shaft and or flywheel 160 for a longer time period. As a result the vertical mass displacement drive 100 can take a novel advantage of the formulae of mechanical advantage pertaining to levers. The present invention in the preferred embodiment introduces a time factor to the existing lever formulae. The time factor increases the horsepower available at the shaft or flywheel 160 and continues to do so until the mass displacement chamber 140 and associated power transmission shaft 170 design reach their terminal velocity when operating within any given fluid at which point any increase in vertical travel of the mass displacement chambers become irrelevant.

[0053] At the upper end of the mass displacement chambers 140, the power transmission shaft 170 is connected to the driving end of the power conversion lever 130. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the power transmission shaft 170 and the mass displacement chamber 140 move throughout the ascending and descending states in a vertical plane. To do this, the travel of the power transmission shaft 170 is constrained by a novel redesi gn of the Peaucellier mechanism 180. This combines the original Peaucellier mechanism with modern linear bearings and or linear bushes. This redesign allows very long travel, power transmission shafts to maintain a vertical plane throughout their entire range of travel. This redesign of the Peaucellier mechanism 180 may be used as a single unit or in multiple units. The installation on the functional prototype shown in Fig. 9 is a dual mechanism installation.

[0054] The Peaucellier mechanism was published in 1864 and was the first planer linkage capable of transforming rotary motion into a perfect straight line and inversely transforming a straight line into rotary motion. Its greatest advantage was that it was designed to be used without guide ways. Whilst this is true when the mechanism is used in designs with low travel values, when it is applied to long travel designs such as the vertical mass displacement drive it follows a natural tendency to follow the now extended arc of the rotary mechanism. The Peaucellier mechanism 180 design although theoretically perfect was not capable of dealing with the loads generated by the vertical mass displacement drive. In the application for the vertical mass displacement drive the Peaucellier mechanism 180 was redesigned to incorporate a number of modern linear bearings and or l inear bushes. The result of thi s redesign is a mechanism that can maintain the conversion of perfectly linear motion to rotary motion over theoretically infinite travel and load. [0055] This redesign of the Peaucellier mechanism 180 may also allow it to be used on the connection between the shaft or flywheel and the lever attachment point, replacing the conventional connecting rod.

[0056] The shaft or flywheel 160 are mounted on the vertical frame 1 10 and are sized in the conventional way. The lever at the power harvesting end is connected to the shaft or flywheel 160 by either a connecting rod or via the novel redesign of the Peaucellier mechanism 180.

[0057] The induced loss of displacement of the mass of chamber or chambers causes a loss of buoyancy in those chambers and initiates a negative buoyant (non-buoyant, or gravity induced) condition under which the chamber must descend (Mass multiplied by the gravity constant minus the frictional losses minus the entrapped mass). It is therefore also true that an induced increase in the displacement of the chamber or chambers causes an increase in buoyancy in those chambers and initiates a positively buoyant condition under which the chamber must ascend.

[0058] In a vertical mass displacement drive as any chamber or chambers reach a point in their travel between 25 percent of the total travel before the lower limit of travel (descending) and 25 percent of the total travel after the lower limit of travel (ascending), by means of a mechanism incorporated within the device, the mass of the chamber or chambers is again displaced to their ascending state. The mechanism could for example be a motor, piston, bellows, valve, hinge, elastic, spring or the like. A mechanism, such as a compressor may supply a compressed gas, which may be compressed air, to increase the displacement of the chamber or chambers. As the ascending chamber or chambers reach the upper limit of their travel (between 25 percent of the total travel before the upper limit of travel (ascending) and 25 percent of the total travel after the upper limit of travel (descending) by means of the mechanism incorporated within the device, the mass of the ascending chamber or chambers is again displaced to the descending state. This results in the mass displacement chamber or chambers traveling from their upper to lower travel limits and returning to their upper travel limits in a continuous cycle.

[0059] The vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment is sized for a given power output by calculating the force required at the output shaft or flywheel 160. The required input force at the attachment point of the mass displacement chamber 140 or chambers is calculated as chamber or chambers total volume minus chamber or chambers total mass multiplied by the distance from the attachment point to the lever fulcrum for the ascending state. To this would be added the power produced during the descending state, this would be defined simply as chamber or chambers mass multiplied by the distance from the attachment point to the fulcrum. In addition, both the ascending and descending states would need to take account of friction, hydrodynamic drag and other factors. Any number of chambers may act independently of each other if installed at opposite ends of the same lever. Any number of chambers may also act in unison if mounted at the same end of a lever. All chambers may be independent of or share a common fluid path to allow the flow of a fluid or mobile media (gas, liquid or mobile solids or fines) between each chamber during operation.

[0060] The vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment may be designed with any number of mass displacement chambers 140 arranged in any pattern around a central point. That central point may be the point at which any numbers of levers converge to drive a shaft or flywheel. The central point may also be the center of a swash plate or similar design which allows connection to a shaft or flywheel or multiple shafts or flywheels either geared together or acting separately.

[0061] The vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment may be installed with a given number of mass displacement chambers 140 and the number of chambers may be increased or decreased by the addition or removal of mass displacement chambers only. This may be done without structural alteration. The only limitation to this is the design integrity of the vertical frame.

[0062] The vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment may run in either direction of rotation without change of design.

[0063] The vertical mass displacement drive 100 in the preferred embodiment may incorporate a pressure storage tank or other storage unit to act as a supply reservoir for the mass

displacement change of state.

[0064] In another embodiment, pistons may be used to draw air or other gas or mobile media into the chamber to affect positive buoyancy. Movement of the piston creates a drop in pressure that draws air into the chamber. Movement of the piston may be effected by pneumatic means, or by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or by an electric motor having gearing such as a worm gear or similar mechanical linkage to actuate the piston to draw air into the cylinder. Spring biasing may be used to assist movement of the piston. The device may also be used to expel air or gas from the piston to affect negative buoyancy. In another embodiment, either the piston and/or another device, such as a motorized pump, create a vacuum in the chamber to effect positive buoyancy of the chamber.

[0065] The device in the preferred embodiment may be operationally described by energy balance. Three energy values are calculated for each revolution of the device:

A. The energy put into the device to create the change of state in the chambers, which is given by:

W = (Pressure on chamber at bottom) x (end area of chamber) x (length of chamber)

B. The energy lost in operation through the drag on the chambers moving through liquid, such as water, which is given by:

Drag Force x Distance Moved = ~pACdU2S

Where p is the density of a liquid, such as water, A is the projected area of the chamber, Cd is the drag coefficient, u is the velocity of the chambers, and s is the distance through which they move.

C. The energy produced by the buoyancy of the gas or air filled chambers, which is given by:

F = (displaced volume of liquid) x (density of liquid) x (vertical movement) If the device is theoretically valid, then:

Energy from the gas or air filled chambers> energy in the drag + energy to operate chambers, or

C>B+A Modeling indicates that the device is theoretically valid and the fully operational prototype has confirmed this.

Using the following definitions:

Derived energy, descent phase (Del ) = mass x acceleration of the cylinder assembly.

Derived energy, ascent phase (De2) = mass x acceleration of the cylinder assembly.

Lever ratio (Lr) = the length of the derived energy side of the power conversion lever divided by the length of the available energy side of the power conversion lever.

Hotel load (hi) = the energy required to achieve the change to the ascent phase and run any associated equipment required to make that change occur.

Available energy (Ae) = the energy available at the output of the power conversion lever

The algorithm that represents the vertical mass displacement drive would be

Ae = ((Del + De2) * Lr) - Hl

[0066] A preferred mode of use for the device is the generation of power. A preferred mode use of power deri ved from this devi ce is to drive electricity (AC or DC) generators, which could augment existing power supplies, be connected to an electricity grid, or used independently to directly power remote or individual sites such as farms, rural and industrial properties, resorts, commercial and residential complexes, or other users of power.

[0067] The device in the preferred embodiment may be used for distributed power generation to augment or replace base load power supply to an existing electricity network. There is the ability to install small independent devices in residential or commercial situations, and any unused power may be supplied back to an electrical grid, or shared in local community network connections.

[0068] Because the device produces raw power, it may be used to power other applications by direct means. It is possible to power such applications as reverse osmosis (desalination) units to produce potable water. Major users of electricity such as Aluminum production, metals refining and chemicals plants, would benefit from independent, on-site power plant installations.

[0069] Transport systems may use the device, such as for direct propulsion applications within the maritime industry to power surface and submerged vessels. Trucks, cars and other vehicles, trains, airplanes and other transport systems may use the device either directly to dri ve the transportation, as a mobile supplement supply to transport battery systems, or as a standalone or networked source of electricity to supply single or multiple battery powered transport systems.

[0070] It is preferred that the device, according to each embodiment has the mass displacement chambers operating submerged in a fluid. The fluid may be a liquid. The liquid may be water. The liquid may comprise anticorrosion agents and/or lubricants. The mass displacement chambers are preferred to be submerged in the fluid to at least a level that will fill the chambers to negate buoyancy by the fluid surrounding the chambers. The fluid level may extend from the bottom of a base for the device to above the highest level of the chambers. When installed in a large volume of water such as a lake or open water, the upper fluid level is required to be above the highest level of the chambers.

[0071 ] This device in the preferred embodiment, once installed, is not dependent on available conditions such as solar, wind, wave or tidal power or the like. The device in the preferred embodiment operates substantially independently of the environmental conditions in which it is located.

[0072] The device in the preferred embodiment is not dependent upon its location or orientation to operate efficiently and can be mounted on a moving platform, vehicle, vessel, train, airplane or other transport.

[0073] The device in the preferred embodiment does not require unique materials, like solar films, to operate effectively and can be manufactured from metal, minerals, plastic, composite or natural materials, or a combination of these, to achieve the operating properties of the device.

[0074] The device in the preferred embodiment has the ability to function subsea in varying depths of water and to function in a manufactured or constructed environment such as the vertical installation and vary the cycle to suit the environment and power generation needs. [0075] This invention in the preferred embodiment is primarily a mechanical device, which uses the displacement of the mass of any or all components, whether that be linear displacement or displacement achieved by varyin g the volume of that mass, that forms the operational core of the device to alter either the mass distribution, or affect both the positive and negati ve states of buoyancy or gravity.

[0076] This alterati on of mass displacement is then capable of creating a rotating or linear motion, or a combination of rotation and linear motion, which may be converted through mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other means for the purpose of creating a mass

displacement drive system. The drive system may be used to power any application normally associated with conventional fossil fuel engines, motors, or renewable or allowable energy systems. The applications of this drive in principal functions in air or in a combination of water (sea or fresh water) or other liquids and in differential gaseous environments, whether atmospheric or artificially created. The operation of any adaptation of this drive relies on the drive mass displacement chambers achieving a differential effect thus generating a vertical linear force.

[0077] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodying many other forms.