Abstract:
A self generating electrical system includes in one embodiment a 96 volt DC power source made up of eight 12 volt rechargeable batteries connected in series, a first 28 HP DC motor and a controller for receiving the output from the DC power source and supplying the output so received to the first DC motor in a controlled manner. A gear mechanism driven by the first DC motor has its output connected to a set of four 24 volt alternators used to recharge the eight 12 volt batteries and also adapted to be connected to an external load. In another embodiment of the invention the gear mechanism is eliminated and the output of the DC motor is applied directly to the set of four alternators used to recharge the batteries and also through a gear box to a 7800 Watts AC generator which may be connected to any one of a number of external loads. In a third embodiment of the invention the system includes first and second DC motors. The fourth embodiment herein omits the gear system, thus permitting either forward and backward motion of the motor which can be translated to a vehicle to go forward or backward.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a self generating electrical system which includes a first DC motor for generating electrical energy and a plurality of batteries for supplying power to the DC motor and wherein a portion of the energy generated by the first DC motor is used to provide power to recharge the plurality of batteries. In one embodiment of the invention, the output of the first DC motor is fed into a gear mechanism whose output may be connected to an external load. In another embodiment of the invention, the output of the DC motor is fed into an AC generator through a gear box and in a third embodiment of the invention, the output of the first DC motor is fed into a gear mechanism whose output is fed into a second DC motor which is arranged to operate as an AC generator. 
       DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    In U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,126 to J. McQueen there is disclosed a system for generating electrical power in which an external power source such as a battery is used to initially supply power to start an alternator and an electric motor. Once the system has started it is not necessary for the battery to supply power to the system. The battery can then be disconnected. The alternator and electric motor work in combination to generate electrical power. The alternator supplies this electrical power to two inverters. One inverter outputs part of its power to a lamp and part back to the electric motor. This power is used to power the electric motor. The second inverter supplies power to the specific load devices that are connected to the system. 
         [0003]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,267 to Markunas et al there is disclosed a system for starting an aircraft turbine from a low voltage power supply by energizing a generator coupled to said turbine to operate as a motor during starting, comprising in combination: an inverter having a direct current input coupled to said low voltage battery and an alternating current output; an auto-transformer having a starting mode input tap and a starting mode output tap, said auto-transformer coupling a stepped up voltage between said input tap and output tap; means for coupling said output tap to said generator; control means for coupling said inverter output to said generator initially during starting and thereafter coupling said inverter output to said transformer input tap; and means for controlling the input current to said generator to maintain the battery terminal voltage during starting at a predetermined level. 
         [0004]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,922 to Shadkin et al issued in 2003 there is disclosed an emergency descent system for elevators using gravitational forces to control the descent of an elevator cab in the event of a loss of power from an outside power source, the system comprising: counterweight assembly including a counterweight weighing less than the minimum weight of the elevator cab; generating unit operatively coupled to a drive member and electrically coupled to a load bank; cable having a first end and second end, the cable operatively coupled to the drive member between the first end and second end, the first end coupled to the counter weight assembly and the second end coupled to the elevator cab such that the weight differential between the counterweight assembly and the elevator cab causes the drive member to rotate, causing the generating unit to produce a first generator torque and a corresponding first current; and an elevator controller having a secondary power source to supply power to the elevator controller, the elevator controller electrically coupled to an outside power source, the secondary power source, the generating unit, and the load bank. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy source that generates more energy than the energy source requires in order to operate. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that uses the excess energy produced to power external devices. 
         [0007]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an energy source for supplying power to various devices without the reliance on an external energy source. 
         [0008]    It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel energy source. 
         [0009]    It is further object of the present invention to provide an energy source that can be initially started as desired and can produce energy until terminated as desired. 
         [0010]    It is still a further object of this invention to provide an electrical system that is self generating. 
         [0011]    It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide a self generating electrical system which includes a new and novel gear mechanism. 
         [0012]    According to a first embodiment, in this invention there is provided a self generating electrical system which in one embodiment comprises a power supply for producing electrical energy, the power supply comprising a plurality of batteries, a first DC motor for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy, a controller electrically coupled between the battery power supply and the first DC motor for receiving electrical energy from the battery power supply and supplying electrical energy to said first DC motor in a controlled manner, a plurality of DC alternators electrically coupled to the power supply for continuously recharging the plurality of batteries in the power supply and a gear mechanism mechanically coupled to the first DC motor for selectively changing the amount mechanical energy outputted by the DC motor. The output of the gear mechanism is adapted to be connected to an external load and is also used to drive the plurality of DC alternators. By way of examples only, the external load may be an automotive vehicle, a water pump and a turbine system or an air conditioner. 
         [0013]    In a second embodiment of the invention, the self generating electrical system comprises a power supply for producing electrical energy, the power supply comprising a plurality of batteries, a first DC motor for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy, a controller electrically coupled between the power supply and the DC motor for receiving electrical energy from the power supply and supplying electrical energy to said first DC motor in a controlled manner. A plurality of DC alternators are electrically coupled to the power supply and mechanically coupled to the output of the DC motor for continuously recharging the plurality of batteries in the power supply, An AC generator is mechanically coupled to the output of the DC motor through a gear box and is adapted to supply AC power to an external load. By way of examples only, the external load may be a house, a commercial complex or a piece of industrial machinery. 
         [0014]    In a third embodiment of the invention, the self generating electrical system is similar to the first embodiment of the invention but includes a second DC motor coupled to the output of the gear mechanism for converting the mechanical energy outputted by the gear mechanism into electrical energy. 
         [0015]    Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments for practicing the invention. The embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the drawings wherein like references numerals represent like parts: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a self generating electrical system according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a detailed view of block  13  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the gear mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the gear mechanism shown in  FIG. 2  attached to a high speed drive shaft. Also shown are the alternators in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view partly exploded of the gear mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the various parts in the gear mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of the gear mechanism shown in  FIG. 2  with the cover and other parts removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a detailed view of the gear mechanism in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the back cover, the high speed drive shaft, the low speed drive shaft and the low speed sprocket roller in the gear mechanism in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective taken from the rear of the gear mechanism in  FIG. 2  coupled to the axle of a truck; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective taken from the front of the gear mechanism in  FIG. 2  coupled to the front wheels of the truck in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a self generating electrical system of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8A  is a simplified perspective view of the DC motor, the alternators, the belts and pulleys, the gear box and the AC generator in the system in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the AC generator shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8C  is an exploded view of the gear box shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 8A  but with the alternator arranged differently; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a pictorial view of the controller box containing the controller and other components and which may be part of the system in  FIG. 1  or in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of an apparatus using the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an apparatus using the system shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a simplified pictorial view showing a portion of the system in  FIG. 1  connected to a water pump turbine system; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a self generating electrical system of this invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view taken from the side of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view taken from the rear of the portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a pictorial view related to  FIG. 10  but which relates to a fourth embodiment, wherein the gearing system is omitted. 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a circuit diagram for the reversing contactor wiring designated in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the reversing contactor set. 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a photo-diagram of the installation of the 4 th  embodiment of this apparatus disposed in a 1992 GMC ½ ton pickup truck. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0044]    The present invention is directed to a self generating electrical system that produces more power than it takes to operate the system and wherein the excess power generated may be used in any of a variety of applications, such as to provide electricity to a house or electricity to industrial machinery or to run a vehicle. 
         [0045]    Referring now to the drawings, and first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown one embodiment of a self generating electrical system according to this invention, the system being identified by reference numeral  11 .  FIG. 1A  is present for the ease and convenience of the reader to understand details shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    Self generating electrical system  11 , includes a battery power supply  13 . Battery power supply  13  comprises eight 12 V batteries designated  13 - 1  to  13 - 8 , all of which are connected in series to produce 96 volts DC of electrical energy (see  FIG. 1A ). The batteries may be LS3100 Dual Pro Deep Cycle batteries. As is known, when batteries are connected in series, the output voltage is the sum of the volts of the individual batteries. 
         [0047]    Self generating electrical system  11  further include a first 28 HP, 72-120 volt DC motor  15 , and a 96 to 144 volt, 500 amp controller  17 . The purpose of first DC motor  15  is to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy and the purpose of controller  17  is to govern in some predetermined manner the performance of DC motor  15 . DC motor  15  includes an output shaft  21 . 
         [0048]    A typical controller may include a manual or automatic means for starting and stopping the motor, selecting forward or reverse rotation, selecting and regulating the speed, regulating or limiting the torque and protecting against overloads and faults. 
         [0049]    DC motor  15  may be an Advanced brand DC#FBI-4001 A 28 HP 72-120 volt motor and the controller  17  may be a Curtip #1231C-8501 96-144 volt, 500 A motor controller or equal. 
         [0050]    As can be seen, the output of power supply  13  is electrically connected by a line  18  to controller  17  and the output of controller  17  is electrically connected by a line  19  to DC motor  15 . 
         [0051]    The output shaft  21  of DC motor  15  is mechanically connected to a gear mechanism  23 . The purpose of gear mechanism  23  is to change the rotational speed of output shaft  21  of DC motor  15  to another speed as desired for a particular application. See  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 . 
         [0052]    The output shaft  25  of gear mechanism  23 , may be connected to an external load  26  and is also connected by pulleys and belts  28  to a set of alternators  27 . The set of alternators  27 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , consists of four 24 volt, 70 amp DC alternators  27 - 1 ,  27 - 2 ,  27 - 3  and  27 - 4 . 
         [0053]    As is known, an alternator is an electro-mechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy output of an alternator is usually AC. However, by using a set of rectifiers (not shown), as with the alternators in the present invention, the AC output of alternators  27  is converted to a DC output. The four alternators,  27 - 1  through  27 - 4 , taken together produce 96 volts DC at 280 amps. 
         [0054]    The output of the set of alternators  27  is electrically fed through line  29  into power supply  13  with each alternator  27 - 1  to  27 - 4  being used to recharge two batteries  13 - 1  to  13 - 8  in power supply  13 . 
         [0055]    Gear mechanism  23 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  5 A and  5 B, includes a low speed drive shaft  23 - 1 , a D50B22 teeth sprocket roller  23 - 2 , a D50B112 teeth sprocket roller  23 - 3 , a D50BB13 teeth G &amp; G idler sprocket and adjusting arm  23 - 4 , a  50 - 2  hit chain double  23 - 5 , a UCF 208-24G5FyH 1½″ NDSS 4 bolt flange unit  23 - 6 , a high speed drive shaft  23 - 7 , a V belt sheaves  23 - 8 , gears oil  80 - 90   23 - 9 , outside gear case  23 - 10 , gear case side cover  23 - 11 , 4 alternator mounts  23 - 2 , 2 belt idlers  23 - 13 , 4 rubber mounts  23 - 4 , 1½″ drive flanges  23 - 15 , 2, ¾″ pipe plugs  23 - 16 , and 2, 1½″ oil seals  23 - 17 . 
         [0056]    Gear mechanism  23  may be attached to the differential  24  of a vehicle as shown in  FIG. 6  or to the front wheels connections  25 - 2  and  25 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0057]    As can also be seen in  FIG. 7 , the external load  26  can include a power steering unit  26 - 1  and an air conditioner  26 - 2 . Also shown in  FIG. 7  are alternators  27 - 1  and  27 - 4  shown in  FIG. 3 . The ability to operate an air conditioner in remote locations is beneficial for use in locations where electrical power may not be available. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a block diagram of another embodiment of a self generating electrical system according to this invention, the embodiment being identified by reference numeral  31 . FIGS.  8 A, 8 B and  8 C are added for ease of the reader in understanding various aspects of this embodiment. 
         [0059]    Self generating electrical system  31  includes a battery power supply  33  structurally and functionally identical to battery power supply  13 , a controller  35  structurally and functionally identical to controller  17  and a first DC motor  37  structurally identical to DC motor  15 . However, in self generating electrical system  31 , gear mechanism  23  as shown in system  11  is eliminated and replaced by a gear box  38 . The output shaft  39  of DC motor  37  is mechanically coupled through gear box  38  to a 7800 watt AC generator  40  connected to an outlet box  40 - 1  which is adapted to be connected by a line  41  to an external load  42 . Also, output shaft  39  is mechanically coupled by belts and pulleys  42 - 1  to a set of four alternators  43 , labeled  43 - 1  through  43 - 4  in  FIG. 8A , which are structurally identical to set of alternators  27 . The DC output of alternators  43  is connected by a line  43 - 1  to power supply  33  in order to recharge the batteries contained therein in the same manner as the alternators  27  in system  11  are used to recharge the batteries in power supply  13  in system  11 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a simplified perspective view of a system shown in  FIG. 8 , but with the alternators arranged in pairs rather than all in a single loop. As can be seen, the system  45  includes a 28 DC HP motor  37 , whose output shaft  38  is mechanically coupled by belts and pulleys  40  to alternators  41  and also to AC generator  39 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 8B  there is shown an exploded view of AC generator  39  shown in  FIG. 8 . As can be seen, AC generator  39  includes a control box top  39 - 1 , a North Star Decal  39 - 2 , a voltmeter  39 - 3 , a warning decal  39 - 4 , a ¼-20×5″ serrated flange bolt  39 - 5 , a #8-32 Kaps nut  39 - 6 , 120/240V, 30 A locking device receptacle  39 - 7 , a control box  39 - 8 , a #8-32 button head cap screw  39 - 9 , a control panel  39 - 10 , an isolation mount  39 - 11 , a M5-0.8×14 mm pan Phillips screw  39 - 12 , a M5-0.8 hex nut  39 - 13 , a grounding screw  39 - 14 , a bracket securing stud  39 - 15 , a warning decal  39 - 16 , an end cover plug  39 - 17 , an end cover  39 - 18 , a capacitor  39 - 19 , a 5/16-18×1″ Hex head cap screw  39 - 20 , a base  39 - 21 , a 5/16-18×1″ serrated flange nut  39 - 22 , a M10 rib washer  39 - 23 , a M10-1.5×20 mm socket head cap screw  39 - 24 , a non drive end bracket  39 - 25 , a flange nut  39 - 26 , a bearing  39 - 27 , a rotor securing stud  39 - 28 , a diode  39 - 29 , a varister  39 - 30 , a rotor  39 - 31 , a stator  39 - 32 , an enclosing band  39 - 33 , a drive end bracket  39 - 34 , a fan  39 - 35 , a ⅜-16×0.75″ serrated flange bolt  39 - 36 , a fan bolt  39 - 37 , a mount plate  39 - 38 , a gearbox  39 - 39 , a 5/16-18×0.5″ serrated flange bolt  39 - 40 , a control box mount plate  39 - 41 , a #10 split lock washer  39 - 42 , a #10-32×0.5″ pan Phillips screw, type F  39 - 43 , a ground wire  39 - 44 , a 120V, 20 A duplex receptacle  39 - 45 , a circuit breaker, 125V-20 A  39 - 46 , a circuit breaker mounting clip  39 - 47 , a thermal magnetic breaker, 125/250V-30 A  39 - 48 , a implement shield  39 - 49 , a warning decal  39 - 50 , a M10 flat washer  39 - 51 , a M10-1.5×16 mm Hex head cap screw  39 - 52 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 8C , there is shown an exploded view of gear box  38  in  FIG. 8 . As can be seen, gear box  38  includes a housing  38 - 1 , a shaft  38 - 2 , a gear  38 - 3 , a flange  38 - 4 , a shaft  38 - 5 , a housing  38 - 6 , a circlip  38 - 7 , an oil seal, 25×52×10 mm  38 - 8 , an oil seal 35×52×10 mm  38 - 9 , a key, 10×8×25 mm  38 - 10 , a bearing  38 - 11 , a bearing  38 - 12 , a nut, M8  38 - 13 , a pin, 8×20 mm  38 - 14 , a cap  38 - 15 , a breather plug, ⅜″  38 - 16 , an oil plug, ⅜″  38 - 17 , a drain plug, ⅜″  38 - 18 , a cap  38 - 19 , a cap  38 - 20 , a sight glass  38 - 21 , a screw, M8×20 mm  38 - 22 , a screw, M8×40 mm  38 - 23 , a screw, M8×110 mm  38 - 24  and a sleeve  38 - 25 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 11  shows an apparatus  69  made up of self generating electrical system  11  coupled to an external load  26  and  FIG. 12  shows an apparatus  71  made up of self generating electrical system  31  coupled to an external load  42 . External load  26  may be, for example, an automotive vehicle or a water pump and turbine system as shown in  FIG. 13  or a compressor in a car air conditioner. External load  42  may be a house, a commercial complex or a piece of industrial machinery.  FIG. 12  also depicts the system&#39;s operation but in block diagram format. 
         [0064]    It should be noted that a self generating system according to this invention could be constructed which includes a larger or smaller sized DC motor than motor  15 / 37  and having a correspondingly larger or smaller number of batteries in the power supply which would be recharged by a correspondingly larger or smaller number of alternators. As an example, a system could be constructed similar to system  11 , but different in that the DC motor would be a 48 volt motor instead of 72-120 volts, the battery power supply would output 48 volts instead of 96 volts and there would be two 24 volt alternators instead of four 24 volt alternators. 
         [0065]    Controller  17 / 35  may be mounted in a box  47  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Additional components which may be included in box  47  are a 12 volt battery  49 , a DC-DC converter  51 , a 96 to 120 VAC onboard charger  53 , a throttle pot box  55 , a safety fuse  57 , a circuit breaker  59 , grounds  61 , a shunt  63 , an on-off switch  65  and an interlock relay  67 . 
         [0066]    Also, gear box  38  could be used in place of gear mechanism  23  in the  FIG. 1  embodiment, if desired. The motor connector  90  can be in the form of a conventional  3  prong electrical plug. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 through 16  and first to  FIG. 14 , there is shown a block diagram of another embodiment of a self generating electrical system according to this invention and identified by reference numeral D 73 . 
         [0068]    Self generating system  73  includes a battery power supply  75 , a controller  77 , a first DC motor  79  and a gear mechanism  81  structurally and functionally identical to battery power supply  13 , controller  17 , first DC motor  15  and gear mechanism  23 , respectively. 
         [0069]    However, system  73  differs from system  11  in that it includes in addition a second DC motor  83 . Second DC motor  83  is connected to the output end of shaft  87  of gear mechanism  81  and is arranged, as can be seen in  FIG. 15 , to function as an AC generator. Thus, the output of second DC motor has electrical energy rather than mechanical energy. 
         [0070]    The discussion turns now to a fourth embodiment or third version of the is invention wherein the gear system is omitted. That is, the battery operated apparatus of the invention, without a gear box, can go make the prime mover, be it a forklift, or a truck go either forward or backward or be in neutral and stand still. The apparatus utilized for this 4 th  embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments, but minus the gearing system discussed supra. 
         [0071]    Thus reference is first made to  FIG. 17 , wherein the numbering system is in the  100  series, and like numbers refer to like parts as seen in  FIG. 10 , but in the  100  series. Therefore elements  117 ,  147   151 ,  153 ,  155 ,  159 ,  161 ,  163  and  190  need not be described again, as these have been discussed previously. Also seen in this figure is a main motor disconnect switch,  180  not found in the previous embodiments, as found labeled  FIG. 10 . Seen in the lower right corner of  FIG. 17  is an open area of controller  147  simply lettered Reversing Contactor Wiring  181 . 
         [0072]    Reference should now be  FIG. 18 , which is a circuit diagram for the Revering Contactor wiring. Also found on this page is a top plan view of the contactor set  182  featured in the circuit diagram of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0073]    The modified controller box of  FIG. 17  was installed in a late 1990s Nissan pickup truck cab, from which the motor had been removed. The balance of the apparatus of this invention was installed along with an auxiliary  11  horsepower one cylinder engine, such as a Honda GX series engine under the hood. This small engine with  11  horsepower was used to aid the GMC truck to negotiate hills. This installation can be seen in  FIG. 19 . This FIGURE is a diagrammatic photo showing the installation of the instant apparatus without a gear box in the Nissan pickup. For the ease and convenience of the reader the parts have been labeled  191  through  198  with a table set forth in the figure of the parts represented by the particular designator, all of which are conventional. 
         [0074]    When the instant invention, 4 th  embodiment, was installed, under the hood of the truck, it was found that the truck was capable of achieving speeds up to 50 mph on flat land in the forward position. The Honda GX engine, permitted the truck to climb normal landscape hills at a reasonable speed, such that the truck could substantially keep up with traffic. When the system was created, the normally available car/truck battery was used only to operate the lights, radio, turn signals, and other electrical components of the truck. The series of batteries that form the backbone of this invention were mounted beneath the truck cab, while the balance of the apparatus was mounted as shown in  FIG. 20  under the hood. 
         [0075]    The embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.