| WO2010080074A1 | 2010-07-15 |
| CN105545581A | 2016-05-04 |
| WE CLAIM: 1. A device to generate electric power and torque using combined application of fluid upthrust and leverage technology, wherein said device comprises: i) One or more pulley assembly(33,37, 33A,37A); ii) One or more steel ropes (40 ,41) to connect said block assembly (33,37, 33A,37A); iii) Two containers /drums (52, 52A) with equal amount of weights (53, 53A) immersed in a same amount of fluid, wherein said containers/ drums (52, 52A) are balanced, mutually suspended using said pulleys (33,37, 33A,37A) and said steel ropes(40 ,41); iv) One or more floats (49, 49A,5 l, 51A) attached with said weights(53, 53A) to lift the weights (53, 53A) immersed in said containers / drums (52, 52A). v) One or more lever(7l, 7lA)attached to said containers / drums(52, 52A); vi) One or more gear unit (70,70A) placed at another end of said lever (71, 7lA)to receive effort; vii)An electric motor (1, 1A) to produce a small amount of force which lifts one of said weights (53, 53A) immersed in said containers / drums (52, 52A) to move said containers/ drums (52, 52A) upwards and thereby said other containers / drums (52,52A) moves downwards; and viii) One or more limit switches (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4) to determine the height to which said levers(7l, 71A) are to be lifted and to apply brake. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: i) A free wheel (2, 2A)to rotate said electric motor (1, 1A) in reverse mode when break is applied; ii) A break assembly (3, 3A) with a solenoid (30, 30A) to activate breaks; iii) A chain to stop said electric motor (1, lA)when break is applied; iv) One or more sprockets (9,9A,12,12A,19,19A,20,20A) to control the speed of said containers/ drums (52, 52A); v) A vertical / horizontal type turbine (54) to generate electric power; vi) One or more gear (58), shaft (57) and bearings to drive said turbine (54); and vii) One or more bevel gears (55, 56) to convert the horizontal rotation of said gear unit)to vertical rotation for said turbine (54); 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more gears (13,14) reverse the rotation on one side of the symmetrical sections to release the force applied and to move weight (53, 53A) upwards / downwards. 4. The device as claimed in claim lwherein said load is converted to torque using said one or more gear unit (68) and thereby generates electric power. 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting of said weight(53, 53 A) immersed in one of said containers / drums(52, 52A) creates a buoyancy force to lift said containers / drums(52, 52A) upwards. 6. A method for generating electric power and torque using combined application of fluid upthrust and leverage, wherein said method comprising the steps of: i) Suspending containers / drums (52, 52A)using pulleys (33, 33A, 37, 37A) and steel ropes(40 ,4l)in equilibrium; ii) Immersing weights (53, 53A) in said containers / drums (52, 52A) and maintaining said containers / drums (52, 52A) in equilibrium; iii) Attaching floats (49, 49A, 51, 51A) to said weights (53, 53A); iv) Attaching levers (71, 71A) to said containers / drums (52, 52A); v) Attaching gear units (70, 70A) to another end of said levers (71, 71A); vi) Applying small amount of force via an electric motor (1, lA)for lifting one of said weight (53, 53A)immersed in said containers / drums (52, 52A) to move upwards and thereby other said containers / drums (52, 52A) with weight (53, 53A) fully immersed moves downwards; vii) Transferring a load from said containers / drums (52, 52A) to said lever (71, 71 A); viii) Converting said load into torque; and ix) Generating electricity from said generated torque. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention generally relates to the generation of electric power. Particularly, the present invention relates to the generation of electric power through generation of torque. More particularly, the present invention relates to the generation of electric power through generation of torque using combined application of fluid upthrust and leverage technology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Electrical energy is the most important form of energy and it is being used worldwide. With the increase in industrial growth, the requirement of electrical power is also increasing day by day. Most countries rely heavily on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas for its energy. Eventually, fossil fuels are becoming more expensive or environmentally damaging to retrieve. Latest developments in renewable energy is gaining momentum and the world is looking forward to it. But until today, there is no method available to overcome the growing demand. According to a survey by International Energy agency (IEA), the demand for power increases to 70% by 2040 and by then 800 million people will not have access to electricity across the globe.
It is high time to think about other methods of energy production techniques to cater maximum productivity with minimum environmental and social impacts. Though many solutions have been proposed in the market in the field of power generation, the demand for power still continues. At present, solar power is gaining momentum. But, Solar panels are very expansive and consume more space to install.
In order to generate electricity using renewable sources of energy and to reduce environmental impacts, solar energy and wind power systems has been emerged to produce electric power. However, with limitations and restrictions such as topography, climate and geographical locations, inconsistencies in power generation, high construction, upkeep and power transport costs for wind power and solar power, paved the way for generating alternating electric current continuously using buoyancy control methods.
Buoyancy and gravitational methods are used in prior inventions to generate electric power. Buoyancy or upthrust is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. It is a form of gravitational force where the weight of the displaced fluid equals the buoyancy.
The basic principle behind gravity and buoyancy method is that, a body in a liquid medium which has a greater density than the liquid it displaces and the body sinks in that medium. Conversely one with a lesser density will rise. In addition to the downward force of gravity, an object inside water experiences a force directed straight up, opposite to the direction of gravity. This force is due to the difference in pressure above and below the object. The pressure is different because there is more mass above the bottom than above the top of the object. Water pushes up from the bottom more than it pushes down from the top. This net force is called water lifting force or buoyant force of water. Electric power can be generated by the application of buoyant force of water.
Few references are known in the existing art that uses buoyancy (upthrust) and gravitational methods to generate electric power.
Indian Patent application 1115/MUM/2007 to Rajesh Rellumal Mulchandani entitled “Submersible Piston Cylinder Buoy Power Generator" describes a system for generating electrical power by lifting and dropping of floating buoys in a still water. Pair of submersible buoys are suspended by ropes, counterbalance each other and wound around an overhead flywheel. The submerged piston-cylinder buoy is lowered and raised. A mechanical power is generated to generate electric power.
United states Patent Application Number 20140042744 to Arvind A. Daya entitled“Accurate buoyancy control in pools, lakes and ocean and maintain frequency generating electrical power” describes a system for generating an AC electrical power with aid of buoyancy in pool, lake and ocean continuously. The buoyancy chambers are connected to long lever arm to the shaft. The Buoyancy chambers are moves up and down due the counter weight on the other end. A positive reciprocating movement of the arms on both sides of the two long gearbox shafts is rotating in opposite direction to each other and the accumulative force of the two gearbox shafts transfers to a common gearbox shaft. The common gear box shaft enters into a gearbox input side of large Mw capacity generator to generate electricity.
German Patent Application Number 202011104010 to Davydov Lev entitled“Plant for the transformation of the energy of the atmospheric pressure into other forms of energy by means of gravitational forces and Archimedean forces” relates to a system for transforming energy of the atmospheric pressure into other forms of energy by means of gravitational forces and Archimedean forces. Electric power is generated using air pressure.
Though the aforementioned systems in the prior art discloses a system for generating electric power by means of upward and downward movement of a balanced suspended weights immersed in the water by buoyancy and gravitational methods, there is a need for a device and method to generate any amount of electric power by applying a small force.
The present invention discloses a device and method for generating any amount of electric power through the small force applied to weight immersed in fluid filled container / drum causes the drum to move up and down due to buoyancy. It is also possible to lift heavy weight through the small force applied. The combined application of upthrust and leverage technology to generate electric power by generating torque differentiates the present invention from the existing art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The primary objective of the present invention is to generate any amount of electric power through the generation of torque using combined application of fluid upthrust and leverage technology.
Another objective of the present invention is to lift heavy weights in construction industry through the generation of torque. To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a device for generation of torque and electrical power, where the device consists of two containers / drums which are suspended using pulleys and steel wire ropes and they are in equilibrium. Both the drums are filled equally with same amount of fluid and weights are immersed in both the drums and the drums are in equilibrium. Floats are attached to both the weights so that they are at point of lift.
According to the present invention, a small amount of force lifts a heavy weight inside the fluid. At this point the other drum moves down lifting almost same amount of weight attached to a lever. This weight at the lever acts as the effort and the load is transferred to the gear at the other end of the lever. This load is thus converted to torque to generate electricity or for other purposes.
In one aspect of the present invention, the torque generated can be used to lift heavy materials at construction sites so that the torque is made to rotate a wheel with ropes wound on it. This rope is connected to the lift system (used to lift the materials) to move it up and down.
In another aspect of the present invention, speed control and alternate lifting of load are possible in the present invention to keep the device running continuously.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, if wheels are added to the machine and the machine is made to move on wheels, the device can be moved to any convenient position in factory premises or construction site. The device can also be made to float on water with floats or installed on a vessel and is made use of in oil rigs etc.
The device requires only limited space for installation and can be installed in any remote area. Once the machine is started, it runs on its own power where only 1% of the generated power is used to drive the input. Each small factory can use this device to generate electric power and big factories no longer need high tension lines to bring in power from outside. Transmission losses are also minimized. These objectives and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 shows the chain block assembly with two identical sections to drive the containers. FIG. 2 shows the two cylindrical containers suspended vertically in equilibrium position. FIG.3 shows the two long levers attached to two big spur gears.
FIG.4 shows the relay circuit and electrical wiring used in the present invention.
REFERENCE NUMERALS:
I,1 A: Electric motor
2,2A: Free wheel clutch
3,3 A: Break Assembly
4,4A: Chain
5,5 A: Sprocket
6,6A: Sprocket
7,7A: Pulley with bearing
8,8 A: Sprocket
9,9A: Sprocket
IO,IOA: Chain
I I,11 A: Chain
12,12A: Sprocket
13: Gear
14: Gear
15,15A: Solenoid
16,16A: Sprocket
17,17A: Chain 18,18A: 10" Chain
19,19A: Sprocket
20,20A: Sprocket
21,21 A: Pulley with bearing
22,22A: Pulley with bearing
23,23A: Pulley with bearing
24,24A: Chain block assembly
25, 25 A: Pulley
26,26A: Steel Rope
27,27A: Differential wheel assembly
28,28 A: Steel rope
29,29A: Steel rope
30,30A: Solenoid
31,31A: Pulley with bearing
32,32A: Pulley with bearing
33,33A: Pulley with bearing
34,34A: Pulley with bearing
35,35A: Pulley with bearing
36,36A: Pulley with bearing
37,37A: Pulley with bearing
38,38A: Pulley with bearing
39,39A: Pulley with bearing
40: Steel rope
41 : Steel rope
42,42A: Steel rope
43,43A: Steel rope
44,44A: Steel rope
45 : Steel rope
46: Steel rope
47,47A: Pulley with bearing 48,48 A: Pulley with bearing 49,49A: Float
50,50A: Fluid
51,51 A: Float
52,52A: Container
53,53A: Weight
54: Turbine
55: Bevel gear
56: Bevel gear
57: Shaft mounted with bearings
58: Gear
59: Shaft mounted with bearings
60: Gear
61 : Shaft mounted with bearings
62: Gear
63: Gear
64: Gear
65 : Shaft mounted with bearings
66: Gear
67 : Shaft mounted with bearings
68: Gear
69, 69 A: Gear with free wheel assembly
70,70A: Gear
71,71 A: Lever
72,72A: Weight
73,73A: Pulley with bearing
74, 74A: Steel rope
75,75A: Shaft with bearing
LSl,LS2,LS3,LS4: Limit Switches
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The present invention discloses an efficient way of generating any amount of electric power using combined application of fluid upthrust and leverage technology. It is also possible to lift heavy weights in construction and drilling by employing the generated torque.
The present invention proposes a device for generation of torque and electrical power, where the device consists of two containers / drums (52,52A) which are suspended using pulleys and steel wire ropes and they are in equilibrium. Both the drums (52,52A) are filled equally with same amount of fluid (50,50A) and weights (53,53A) are immersed in both the drums and the drums are in equilibrium. Floats are attached to both the weights (53,53A) so that they are at point of lift. A small amount of force can lift a heavy weight (53,53A)inside the fluid (50,50A). At this point, the other drum (52,52A)moves down lifting almost same amount of weight (53,53A)in the fluid (50,50A) attached to a lever (7l,7lA). The weight (72,72A) at the lever (71,71 A) acts as the effort and the load is transferred to the gear (70,70A) at the other end of the lever (71,71 A). This load is thus converted to torque to generate electricity or for any other purposes.
The core idea of the invention is to deliver an effort to the levers (71,71 A) using fluid upthrust (the long lever with one end connected to a driving gear).
According to the present invention, a small force is applied on the weight in one of the containers (52,52A) because of fluid upthrust, lowering the other with weight (53,53A) fully immersed. Since when the weight (53,53A) is lifted up, the container (52,52A) also moves up, to maintain equilibrium. When the first container (52,52A) reaches the required height, the lift is discontinued and the weight (53,53A) in the other container (52,52A) is lifted and vice versa. This reciprocating movement continues and the torque is generated accordingly. The lifting process is pictorially explained in FIG.l.
In addition, speed control and alternate lifting of loads are possible to keep the device running continuously. A combination of force multiplier is used for this purpose by employing fluid upthrust and leverage technology.
The following description explains the working / operation of the present invention in detail: Initially, an electrical power of 230V / 50 Hz (here, battery and inverter start the machine in remote areas; the battery gets charged while the machine is in operation) is applied to the motor (1) through a start switch which works irrespective of the position of levers (7l,7lA). This switch activates one of the relays and the respective motor (l)connected to that relay starts to rotate at the given speed. The weight (53, 53A) in the container (52,52A) that is connected to the differential wheel assembly and other driving systems of that motor (1) starts moving up in the liquid. Since the weight (53,53A) is immersed in fluid (50,50A) and at the point of lift because of the floats, a very small force is required for lifting. The container (52,52A) also moves up and tries to maintain the equilibrium there by moving down the other container (52,52A) with the weight (53,53A)fully immersed in it. Hence the container (52,52A) moving down pulls the lever (71,71 A) attached to it with the attached weight Wl (72,72A)approximately equal to weight (53, 53A).
When the container (52,52A) reaches the bottom of the machine, the lever (71,71 A) is at its maximum height and it activates the limit switches (LS 1, LS2, LS3, LS4). One of the switches (LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS4) activates the relay connected to it by providing a momentary contact to switch the relay ON. Once the relay is activated, it holds the position since one of the relay contacts is wired to hold it like that.
Now the brakes are applied and the other motor (lA)is switched ON. The other motor (lA)also drives the system in the same manner. The levers (7l,7lA) also move according to the containers (52,52A) and the turbine (54) rotates continuously delivering an output depending on the weights (72,72A) attached to lever (7l,7lA).
The speed of container (52,52A) and lever (71,71 A) movements are according to the turbine (54) specification. The speed is controlled with the help of sprockets as shown in FIG. l . The size of sprockets determines the speed. The gear assembly in FIG.3 also helps in changing speed and torque accordingly.
The following non-limiting example provides the formula to calculate the load. The weight W 1 with a lever length L and if the radius of the gear attached to lever is R,
The load is,
Load = Wl xL÷R (Newton Meter)
In one embodiment of the present invention, the torque generated can be used to lift heavy materials at construction sites so that the torque is made to rotate a wheel with ropes wound on it. This rope is connected to the lift system (used to lift the materials) to move it up and down.
In another embodiment of the present invention, if wheels are added to the machine, and the machine is made to move on wheels, the device can be moved to any convenient position in factory premises or construction site. The device can also be made to float on water with floats or installed on a vessel and is made use of in oil rigs etc.
The detailed explanation of drawings in the present invention along with the working of several parts / components is explained below:
FIG. l comprises of two identical sections to drive the containers in FIG.2, up and down. When the motor (1) in one section is switched ON, the other section reverses its operation. (Motor rotates in opposite direction without power). Motor 1 and 1A are the key driving part in lifting the weight from the containers. A sprocket (8, 8A) connected to the motor shaft by chains (10, 10A) drives the bigger sprockets (9, 9A). The force is doubled by the use of smaller sprockets (12, 12A). The sprockets (9,9A) and (12, 12A) are mounted on the main frame using shaft and bearings. The sprockets (12, 12A) are connected to chain blocks (24, 24A) through the sprocket assembly (19, 19A) and (20, 20A) as shown in figure using chains (17, 17A) on the upper deck. The chain block assembly is to multiply the force to its maximum. The chains (18, 18A) drive the pulley block assembly (23, 23A) and (25, 25A) with the help of attached ropes as in FIG.1. The pulley block assembly doubles the speed of movement reducing the lifting power to half. The output of the pulley block assembly is connected to the smaller pulleys of the differential wheel assembly (27, 27 A) with the help of ropes (26,26A). The bigger wheel of the assembly which reduces the available lifting force by 5 times (wheel size as per the speed requirement and it depends on the turbine speed), as per the prototype made, and is a measure of speed of containers. The ropes (28, 28A) (A, A' are connected to A, A' in FIG.2) is connected the weights in the containers. Alternatively, with the use of limiting switches (LS 1, LS3 in FIG. 3) positioned so that one of the levers reaches its maximum height, it touches the limiting switch activating the other motor (1A) to run. When the relay is activated, brakes are also applied to the motor (1A) that is switched OFF through another limiting switch (LS2, LS4 in FIG. 3) and the break assembly (3, 3A). The brakes are activated using solenoids (15, 15A) ropes (29, 29A) and pulleys (7, 7A). The break assembly (3, 3A) are connected to the motor (1A) using sprockets (5, 5A), (6, 6A) and chains (4, 4A) and freewheel systems (2, 2A). The freewheel system helps to reverse the rotation even when the break is ON since it takes a few seconds to release the break along with limit switch.
When one of the motors is switched ON, the other side reverses its rotation with help of gears 13 and 14. This helps to lift one of the weights and lower the other weight so that containers can move up and down continuously.
FIG.2 shows two cylindrical containers(52,52A) (containers can be of any shape)that are suspended vertically by ropes (40, 41) attached to each other so that they are counter balanced and are in equilibrium. The ropes move over pulleys (33, 37, 33A, 37A). Now they are filled with equal amount fluid (50, 50A) (water or some other fluid; the weight is proportional to density). Two equal weights (53, 53A) (say W Newton), are immersed in both the containers. Floats (49, 51, 49A, 51A) are attached (floats depend on weight and density of fluid) to it so that weights are at the point of lift in the fluid due to upthrust. The ropes (28, 28A) connected to the weight is connected to the differential wheel assembly in FIG. l (at A and A') through pulleys (34,32,3 l)and (34A,32A,3 lA) (Pulleys 32 and 32A are optional and is intended to give an addition pull to the weight upwards using solenoids 30, 30A). When one of the weights is pulled up as shown in FIG. 1, the container carrying that weight moves up and other container moves down with the weight fully immersed in it. This allows the pulling up of weight Wl at the lever end along with the lever as shown in FIG. 2. The containers are connected to the levers (at C, C')in FIG.3 through ropes (43,44,43A,44A) and pulleys(35,36,38,39,47,48,35A,36A,38A,39A,47A,48A).When both the containers are reciprocating with help of mechanism shown in FIG. l, the levers shown in FIG.3 also move accordingly and torque generation is made possible.
FIG.3 shows two long levers (7l,7lA) attached to two big spur gears (70, 70 A). Both the gears are mounted on a platform using shafts as shown in drawing 3, and bearings so that the gears can rotate freely to the limits. Two weights Wl (72,72A) are attached to the levers (7l,7lA). These weights (Wl) depend on the weight immersed in fluid as per FIG.2. The ropes (74,74A) are attached to C, C' shown in FIG.2. The gears (70,70A) are designed to drive gears with free wheel assembly (69,69A). The free wheel assembly helps gears (70, 70A) to deliver torque to shaft (67) only when the levers move downwards. When the two levers continuously move up and down with the help of mechanisms shown in FIG.l & FIG.2, the gear (68) mounted on shaft (67) rotates continuously delivering torque to gears (66, 64)mounted using shaft (65).The sizes of gears are such that the rotating speed is increased as desired. Other gears (62, 63, 60) and mounted using shafts (61, 59, 57) attached after this are meant to increase or decrease torque, speed and direction of rotation as per the specification of the turbine (54). The bevel gears (55, 56) are used to convert the rotation from horizontal to vertical since the turbine (54) in drawing is vertical type. Hence the load generated by the effort W 1 and levers is delivered to turbine as torque to generate electric power.
Furthermore, limit switches (LS1, LS3) are meant to activate relays to switch between motors when levers are lifted to its maximum height. In these switches, normally closed contact is used to wire the supply to the other relay as shown in electrical wiring diagram of FIG.4, so that when the lever pushes the switch the supply to relay breaks and the normally open contact makes a momentary contact that activates the other relay. Limit switches (LS2, LS4) are meant to activate the breaks. These switches are wired so that the motor connection at that side is made through the normally closed contacts so that when the lever pushes switch the motor connection(through normally closed contact) is broken and the normally open contact switches on the solenoid to apply the break.
In an additional aspect, the best mode of operation of present invention is explained briefly: The best mode of operation starts when the containers start from the equilibrium position. So, the containers need to be lifted to the equilibrium position. Some amount of energy, though negligible, is lost to do that. Also, there is a momentary halt when switching between the motors. To achieve the best mode of operation, continuous and uninterrupted output during the operation, it is recommended to use two units of the same above are connected together so that either two bevel gears drive the turbine from both sides when turbine is mounted between the units. Otherwise, output of both the units is combined together using gears to drive the turbine mounted at the extreme side.
If the power / torque requirements are large, more units are connected in parallel until the required torque is achieved.
Thus, the present invention discloses a device to generate electrical power and torque without harming the environment. The device requires less space for installationand can be installed in any remote area. Once the machine is started, it runs on its own power where only 1% of the generated power is used to drive the input. There is no high-tension line (HT) transmission. The device does not require fuel, sunlight, wind, dam for its operation. It provides clean and cheap power to mankind and also reducing the need for manpower requirement by 80%.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.