HYDRO-PNEUMATIC POWER GENERATOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from US provisional patent application ser. o. 60/779,996 filed March 6, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to power plants, and more particularly to a power generator which uses water from an elevated water source such as a lake and which uses ambient air to fill a chamber at or near the bottom of a liquid container, which chamber will move upwardly through the container to generate power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use .of flowing water to generate power has been known for centuries. Thus, the ancient Greeks used horizontal waterwheels for grinding grain. Waterwheels which rotated about a horizontal axis followed shortly thereafter, the Romans using aqueducts to provide the water for driving such wheels. Until the Industrial Revolution waterwheels were primarily used for grinding grain and as a source of belt power. With the development of turbines in the 1,800's, water from lakes and reservoirs was also used for electrical power generation. However, it has been reported that large scale hydro-electric power systems, such as the one at Niagara Falls, only harness about 16% of the potential energy available.

A number of systems have been developed for utilizing the power of waves. Typical examples are shown in US patents: 6,247,308 for Bidirectional rotary motion-converter, wave motors, and various other applications thereof; 5,066,867 for Method and device for generating electric power by use of wave force; 5,005,357 for Oscillating force turbine; 4,754,157 for Float type wave energy extraction apparatus and method; 4,742,241 for Wave energy engine; 4,675,536 for Apparatus for extracting energy from the waves in a body of liquid; 4,622,473 for Wave-action power generator platform; 4,454,429 for Method of converting ocean wave action into electrical energy; 4,340,821 for Apparatus for harnessing wave energy; and 4,279,124 for System for extracting subsurface wave energy. These devices have not gained widespread acceptance, and they are somewhat unreliable, as in calm

days they produce little output, and are easily damaged as well as difficult to service, especially during inclement weather.

Similarly, a number of tidal systems have also been developed. At one time power generating systems utilizing tidal ponds were quite common in Europe, the tidal water being dammed up at high tide and then being used to drive waterwheels or the like. Many other tidal power systems have been developed. Typical tidal systems of more recent designs are shown in US patents: 5,872,406 for a Tidal generator; 4,208,878 for an Ocean tide energy converter, and 4,185,464 for an Ocean tide energy converter having improved efficiency. It has also been proposed to use buoyant chambers mounted on an endless belt for the generation of power, the chambers being filled with air when in a lower position and discharging the air when they obtain an upper position. Typical systems of this type include US patents: 64,770 for Motor; 98,846 for Air engine; 190,923 for Rotary engine; 233,319 for Motor; 1,091,575 for Motor; 2,135,110 for Power apparatus; 4,326,132 for Ultimate energy wheel drum; and 4,805,406 for Air activated liquid displacement motor. However, all of these designs, have a fundamental flaw in that they required more energy to produce the compressed air than was developed by the motor.

Other US patents which use compressed air include: 6,990,809 for Hydroelectric power plant designed to transform the potential energy of compressed gas into mechanical and electrical energy through the potential energy of liquids; 4,683,720 for Buoyancy engine utilizing pistons and crankshaft; and 4,326,132 for Ultimate energy wheel drum.

Other devices which use air in a buoyant chamber to generate power include US patents: 1,342,613 for a Water motor; and 1,550,408 for Power developing apparatus or mechanism for utilizing the weight of water. However, these designs have not been successful.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a power generating system which is highly efficient, and which is based on the power generated by a buoyant chamber as it moves upwardly through a liquid filled container.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing power, wherein a buoyant chamber is mounted within a water container for movement between a lower position and an upper position, a power output being coupled to the buoyant chamber, the chamber receiving air when

in a lower position, being capable of retaining air as it moves upwardly through the liquid filled container to generate power, and wherein the retained air is discharged from the container when it reaches a raised position.

In one illustrated embodiment, the above object is realized by mounting a plurality of buoyant chambers on an endless belt, air being introduced into successive presented chambers by air discharged from two (or more) ambient air chambers, the air in the chambers being replaced by water during the discharge.

In an alternative embodiment, the above object is realized by moving a single buoyant chamber up and down within a container normally filled with water. The buoyant chamber is filled with water when at the top of the container, air within the chamber being discharged as it is filled with 'water. When the chamber is filled with water it will have a negative buoyancy and will descend to the bottom of the container. When at the bottom, the water within the buoyant chamber will be discharged, the discharged water being replaced by ambient air. After this step has been completed the buoyant chamber will be permitted to rise within the container, the buoyant chamber being coupled to a power output as it rises.

The above object and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. l is a perspective view of a demonstration unit of a first embodiment of the hydro-pneumatic power generator of this invention. FIGS. 2-4 are front, back and side views of the demonstration unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the buoyant chamber utilized in the demonstration unit of this invention, as well as the guide tracks.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the buoyant chamber shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a section of the buoyant chamber taken generally along the lines 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectioλ taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7 to show the air hose inside the vertical output shaft, and how the air hose attaches to the upper ports within the buoyant chamber. FIGS. 9-23 illustrate the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8,

FIG. 9 showing the commencement of a cycle of operation, the center control valve being opened.

FIG. 10 shows how the water enters the buoyant chamber and the air exits. FIG. 11 shows how the buoyant chamber will move towards the bottom of the water container after it has been filled with water, achieving negative buoyancy.

FIG. 12 is a section taken generally along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the buoyant chamber at the bottom of the water container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism where it locks or holds the output shaft in its lower position.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the access to the manually operated rotary valves.

FIG. 16 is a broken away view showing how the water exits from the buoyant chamber and how air is pulled into the chamber when in is held in lower position by the locking mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 21.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the closing of the manually operated rotary valves and also -he closing of the center control valve.

FIG. 18 shows the opening of an equalization valve.

FIG. 19 is a view taken generally along the line 19-19 in FIG. 16 showing the equalization valve and associated fluid lines used for equalizing the pressure within the buoyant chamber and the water container at the start of the power stroke of the output shaft.

FIG. 20 is a view taken generally along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the locking mechanism where it unlocks the output shaft.

FIG. 22 shows the closing of the equalization valve. FlG. 23 shows the buoyant chamber rising, and generating power through chains, etc.

FIG. 24 illustrates how a number of hydro-pneumatic power generators of this invention may be grouped to provide continuous power output.

Fig. 25 illustrates a second embodiment of a hydro-pneumatic power generator which is designed for continuous output.

FIG. 26 is a top view of the second embodiment.

FlG. 27 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternative design of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference first to FIG. 1 , the first embodiment of the hydro-pneumatic power generator of this invention is indicated generally at 10. The principal components of applicant's power generator consist of a container for water, indicated generally at 12, a buoyant chamber 14 mounted for.movement between a lower position and an upper position and capable of retaining air as it moves upwardly through the container of water, and a power output, indicated generally at 16, which power output is coupled to the buoyant chamber. Water is maintained at or near the top of the water container through a fill line indicated at 18. The fill line is ideally connected to a water reservoir at a location above the water container and flow into the reservoir can be controlled in any suitable manner.

In the illustrated demonstration unit, the water container is formed with glass panels 14a so that the details of operation may be viewed. However, in full size units the water container will be much larger than the demo unit, and be formed with sides capable of withstanding a substantial hydraulic pressure. For example, the container may be a la.rge cylinder resembling a water tower, the cylinder being formed of metal. However, the shape of the water container may be of any desired shape or substance. In the illustrated demo unit the power output includes a vertical output shaft

20 which is mounted on the buoyant chamber 14, and which extends upwardly. The shaft 20 is coupled to a drive chain 22 carried by upper and lower sprockets 24, 26, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment the sprockets are carried by a support and guide frame indicated generally at 28. This frame includes 4 angle members 30a, 30b, 30c, and 3Od (FIG. 5) which extend upwardly from a base 32 carried by the bottom of the water container 12. The angle members are suitably anchored to the base 32. The angles 30 will act as guide tracks and will suitably guide the buoyant chamber as it moves between its upper position and its lower position. On the top of the support and guide frame 28 is a further horizontal frame indicated generally at 36, which horizontal frame is suitably supported on angle irons 38. The horizontal frame in turn carries a vertical frame 40 which supports the sprockets 24, 26. The sprocket 26 is in turn coupled to a drive sprocket 42 by an overrunning oneway clutch (not shown). Sprocket 42 in turn drives drive chains 44 which pass over a pair of intermediate sprockets of differing diameters, and a driven sprocket connected to a flywheel 46 in the form of a bicycle wheel, which flywheel in turn drives a generator 48. The generator is in turn coupled to a light 50 to show that power is being generated by the operation of the hydro-pneumatic power generator

of this invention. It should be noted, that while a demonstration unit is illustrated in FIGS. 1-22, in actual practice the power generator will differ significantly. Thus, the reciprocal output shaft may be coupled to a generator in a significantly different manner. However, while it may be coupled in another way, it will still be coupled to a power output.

The floatation chamber or buoyant chamber 14 is provided with two outlet ports 52, which may also be referred to as access ports. These ports, when the chamber is in its lower position, will mate with discharge ports 54. A pair of manually operated valves 56 are located below the discharge ports 54. An air line 58 extends through the output shaft 20 to a center control valve

60. As can best be seen from FIGS. 5-8, the other end of air line 58 is connected via a "T" to a transverse air line 62 on the top of the buoyant chamber 14, which air line is connected- to upper ports 64 on the top of the chamber 14. It should be apparent that if the center control valve is opened, the interior of the buoyant chamber will be connected to the surrounding air, i.e., ambient air.

At the beginning (or end) of one cycle of operation, the buoyant chamber is full of air, and due to its buoyancy is at the top of the water container. At this time, the center control valve is in its closed position, and the manually operated rotary valves at the base of the water container are also closed. To commence a cycle of operation, the center control valve 60 is opened as shown in FIG. 9. As the buoyant chamber is constructed of materials heavier than water, it will start to sink, as air flows out through lines 62 and 58. This will permit water to flow into the buoyant chamber 14 through access ports 52,. Eventually, the chamber 14 will sink to the bottom of the container 12, the final descent position being shown in FIG. 13. Once the chamber has attained the bottom position, it will be held or locked in this position until the water within the chamber has been replaced with ambient air. To this end a locking mechanism 66 is provided and it will be moved from its nonlocking position shown in FIG. 21 to its locking position shown in FIG. 14 where it will hold the output shaft from movement. The manually operated rotary valves 56 will now be turned to an open position. This will permit water to be discharged from the buoyant chamber, and, as the center control valve 60 is in its open position, ambient air may flow into the chamber through air lines 58 and 62. The water discharged will be made up from the waler inlet 18. In addition, the discharged water may be used as tnake-up water for another hydro-pneumatic power generator downstream of the unit. After the chamber has been completely emptied of water and filled with air. the valves 5ό will be closed, the center control valve 60 will also be closed. Also at this time an equalization valve 68 will be opened, permitting

equalization pressure flow though fluid lines 70, 72 so that the pressure in the water container is the same as the pressure at the base of the buoyant chamber. After the pressure has been equalized which only takes a few seconds, the locking mechanism 66 will be released, permitting the buoyant chamber to move upwardly to complete one cycle of operation. This is the power stroke of the unit, and additional power strokes of the unit can be achieved by repeating the above sequence of operating steps.

In the demonstration unit illustrated, the buoyant chamber has a 1 cubic foot capacity. As it moves up, it will generate 62+ foot pounds of work for every foot it moves up. It can be seen that if the capacity of the buoyant chamber were greater, more energy output could be generated. While a manual operation of the various valves is described, in a commercial unit the valves and locking mechanism may be operated electrically via a control circuit, perhaps by solenoid operated valves.

While a single unit has been described, it would be desirable to have many units operating together so that a continuous output is achieved. This concept is schematically illustrated in FIG. 24, where a plurality of upper units U ₁ , U ₂ , U ₃ , and U ₄ are shown, and also shown are a plurality of lower units L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ , and L ₄ which receive make-up water from the upper units. The various units in each row are suitably out of phase with each other so that a continuous power output can be achieved. Thus, while unit U ₁ is in its power output mode, the other units are in various other stages of their cycle, the units being arranged so that at least one unit is always in a power output stage.

In FIGS. 25 and 26 a second embodiment of a hydro-pneumatic power generator is shown, which embodiment is designed for continuous output, and which is indicated generally at 80. In this design an endless belt 84, which is disposed within a water container 86, supports plurality of buoyant chambers indicated generally at 82. The buoyant chambers are formed by flat hinged panels 83 which cooperate with a lower vertical wall portion 104 of an inside container 106, as well as with spaced apart sidewalls 108, 110 of the inside container. The inside container 106 is supported within the water container 86 in any conventional manner, not shown. The inside container 106 is open at both the bottom and top allowing for the introduction of air, and the escape of air. Also, as can be seen from FIG. 25, above the wall portion 104 is a further wall portion 112 which is spaced further away from the endless belt 84. The panels 83 are connected to an endless belt 84 via hinges 85. The water container 86 which receives make-up water from a water inlet indicated by arrow 88, which make-up water may be controlled in any conventional manner, such as by a float controlled valve, not shown.

Mounted below the water container are ambient air supply chambers 90a and 90b. The chambers may receive water from the water container through an outlet port at the bottom of the water container 86, and through valved lines 92. The flow of water into the associated ambient air supply chamber will cause ambient air to be compressed and to be introduced into the buoyant chambers via valved lines 94 and an air outlet port at the bottom of the water container 86. Check valves 93 and 95 are provided in each of the lines 92 and 94 to insure flow only in the directions of the arrows in FIG. 25. Water is discharged from the ambient air supply chambers 90 through valved lines 96, and ambient air is introduced into the air supply chambers through valved lines 98. Power is developed as the air within the buoyant chambers cause the belt to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, the belt 84 in turn causing rollers 100 to rotate, which rollers are carried by shafts 102, one of them being an output shaft 192 coupled to a generator 48.

At the start of operation, both of the illustrated ambient air supply chambers 90a and 90b are full of air, and all valves are closed. Valves "A" and "C" are then opened, permitting water to flow into the chamber 9Oa ₅ compressing the ambient air, which air is discharged below the buoyant chambers 82 via line 94. The rising air is trapped by the buoyant chambers 82 and causes a torque to develop on the output shaft 102 as the belt starts to rotate. As the belt rotates, each pane"! 83 will pass a step 114 between the wall portions 104 and 112. As the hinged flat panels are not long enough to contact the upper wall portion 112, the buoyant chamber will no longer be closed, allowing air to escape. Thus, as the belt continues to rotates, the hinged panels 83 will gradually lie closer to the belt, thus reducing resistance. An excess water drain 116 is provided in wall portion 104, which drain is for the purpose of letting water not displaced by air within each buoyant chamber to drain out.

As the chamber 90a fills with water to a saturated level, valves "A" and "C" are closed, and valves "B" and "D" are opened, permitting water to flow into the chamber 90b while air is discharged to the buoyant chambers 82 via line 94. Meanwhile valves "E" and "F" are opened causing the water to drain out of air chamber 90a through line 96a and to be replaced by ambient air through line 98a. When the water has been replaced, valves "E" and "F" are closed and chamber 90a is again ready to input air to the buoyant chambers 82. Thus, when all available air has been discharged from chamber 90b, valves "B" and "D" will be closed, valves "G" and "H" will be opened, and valves "A" and "C" will also be opened to commence another flow of air to the buoyant chambers 82. While two chambers 90a and 90b have been illustrated, it should be apparent that more chambers may be used or

larger chambers may be used which would also extend the output duration. Also, it should be apparent that the control of the valves may be through electronics actuated by suitable float valves in the chambers 90a and 90b.

The output of this embodiment may be controlled via valve "J" in line 94, thereby adjusting for required power output. The size of the ambient air supply chambers and the amount of elevated water available will determine the output available for power generation. This design increases the available generated energy by approximately five times or more over standard 'modern ¹ hydro power generation systems, as well as allowing shutdown of water output for conservation purposes, without the potential loses experienced in modern hydro systems.

While the ambient air chambers are shown mounted directly below container 86, the chambers need not be located there.. In addition, the water used to fill the air supply chambers may come from another source, e.g., a reservoir. This would permit chamber 86 to be filled with a fluid other than water, for example, a heavy lubricating fluid.

The device of FIGS. 25 and 26 differs from a waterwheel because it will recover the majority of the energy released in the elevation exchange of energy by the water mass. Waterwheels by their very nature require fast motion of the mass in order to deliver the energy. This new continuous design accelerates the lesser mass of air, which requires less energy input, allowing a greater efficiency in gathering available energy from the system. In a hydro exclusive system, the water mass must be kept in motion in order to retain the use as well as clear the way for additional water to replace that which quickly runs away. This violent energy enveloped within this used water at the output of both waterwheel and hydro generators represents a huge waste of energy, showing how inefficient waterwheels are as well as standard hydro systems.

In this hydro-pneumatic power generation system, the air bubble used in the production of useable energy does not interfere with the progression, therefore losses are greatly reduced. The passive nature of the water released from the unit testifies to the lack of energy remaining in the exiting water. By trading speed for torque, potential energy loses are greatly reduced. Mechanical means are then used to convert this torque to speed to generate electricity if that is the mission, or to use the torque in whatever manner preferred.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a portion of an alternative design of the second embodiment, this design differing from the one shown in FIGS. 25-26 in that it does not require the inside container 106. In this design a plurality of buoyant chambers are formed from hinged structures, each of which has a flat panel 82b

supported on an endless belt 84 by a hinge 83. The hinged structures further include triangular side panels 82a which pass through slots 84a in the endless belt 84. When the hinges structures are not filled with air they will lie against the belt as shown at the bottom of FIG. 27, however, when they are filled with air, as from the ambient air supply chambers 90, they will move to the position shown in the upper portion of

FIG. 27. The hinged movement will be limited by tab carried by the triangular side panels 82a, which tabs (not shown) will bear against the underside of the endless belt 84. This design is similar to the design of FIG. 25, and when the hinged structures are filled with air they will impart a rotational movement to the belt 84. In this design, while not shown, the belt is supported by rollers carried by shafts in the same manner as the design shown in FIG. 25. Power is developed as the air within the buoyant chambers cause the belt to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, the belt 84 in turn causing rollers 100 to rotate, which rollers are carried by shafts 102, one of them being an output shaft 192 coupled to a generator 48. While preferred forms of this invention has been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that applicant does not intend to be limited to the particular details described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but intends to be limited only to the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In this regard, the term "means for" as used in the claims is intended to include not only the designs illustrated in the drawings of this application and the equivalent designs discussed in the text, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents now known to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may become known to those skilled in the art in the future. What is claimed is: