Abstract:
A group of devices and machines for converting the mechanical energy of live loads into electricity. A generator is operated by gears which in their turn are operated by a Bourdon tube or similar-acting device fed by working fluid in a pipe from a reservoir. The reservoir walls are impacted by a choice of the rolling weight of a motor vehicle, the bending force on some object and/or by a decompressing force on the working fluid. The invention is applied to roadways, buildings, sailboats, cars with internal combustion engines, elevators, ships and bridges. If the varying impacts are caused by wind or subsurface ocean currents a new type of diverging nozzle is used to magnify pressure input. By using the invention pressure waves are used to transfer energy with minimal movement of working fluid, minimizing friction and other losses.

Description:
[0001]     Prior applications Ser. No. 10/792,148 filed Mar. 4, 2004, Ser. No. 10/838,737 filed May 5, 2004 Which is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 10/742,983, filed Dec. 23, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/872,596 filed Jun. 22, 2004 are abandoned. This application is a Continuation-In-Part of the above applications. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention concerns converting pressure variations into electrical energy through the agency of hydraulic and/or mechanical devices and more particularly concerns the various causes or pressure variations and how their energy may be more efficiently converted into electrical energy.  
         [0004]     2. Prior Art  
         [0005]     Piezoelectric inventions convert pressure variations directly into electrical energy but their efficiency is very low and charging piezoelectric material is expensive.  
         [0006]     Bourdon tubes that transmit power have been proposed. See my U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,253. But the use of the invention is restricted to surface and subsurface ocean wave energy or the input. Wind and subsurface ocean currents are examples of types or energy input for this invention. They possess mechanical energy. The two relevant components of mechanical energy are pressure energy and kinetic energy. Up to now only some few efforts have been made to convert the pressure-energy o these two fluids into electrical energy. Yet the pressure energy of these two fluids as they naturally occur is far greater than their kinetic energy. Hydroelectric turbine generators are a prime example of devices which convert pressure energy into electrical energy. A pressure head is artificially built up in differentiation with the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. Theoretical power output is calculated as this pressure difference multiplied by the rate of flow.  
         [0007]     The relevant technology for converting the pressure energy of the wind into electrical energy is U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,419 to Roskey. Pressure energy is converted to kinetic energy by using a Venturi flume with the kinetic energy compounded with the use of a manifold. The manifold lies outside the Venturi flume so the advantage of using a manifold is minimized since pipe friction can be very great unless large pipes are used.  
         [0008]     For converting the pressure energy of subsurface ocean currents into electrical energy the U.S. patent most relevant to this invention is U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,181 to Hassard et. al. Here an airflow is drawn through an air turbine ashore from a pipe to an offshore Venturi tube&#39;s throat, as may be observed with a manometer. The speed of the current as it is accellerated through the throat determines the speed of the airflow. But to avoid large energy glosses through the airpipe due to friction a large and expensive pipe is needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A live load is defined in this invention as any load causing variations in pressure through time on the walls of a chamber (a closed pipe) of working fluid. These walls may be impacted through the action of wind, waves, ocean currents, fuel explosion, or moving an automobile over the chamber directly or indirectly, among other causes. Concerning wind and wave action, specific structures are presented to improve the efficiency of converting pressure energy from these sources into electrical energy in a more efficient manner.  
         [0010]     More specifically these structures as they relate to wind comprise a tear-shaped object oriented so its blunt end is made to face the oncoming current. The object is in two separate portions, the division being on a plane through the object&#39;s widest diameter each called an anterior dome and a posterior cone. There is sufficient structure to unite the separate parts of the object together. Through the center of the anterior dome is a hole and near this hole is a tube leading to a pressure-energy converting apparatus elsewhere. As wind flows past this tear-drop shaped object wind tends to be drawn through this hole at high velocity and out between the rims of the anterior and posterior portions of the object at the prevailing current velocity due to lifting force.  
         [0011]     This object is a form of diverging nozzle arranged to reduce pressure in the tube to make an energy sink. The energy used to make the sink is converted into electrical energy by a Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure geared to be made to operate an electric generator. The described object is modified for use of subsurface ocean currents as a working fluid by making the posterior portion like the anterior portion. Thus the invention need not be revolved to face an oppositely flowing current and has no moving parts below the waterline. Ashore, the tube is made conduct pressure to or from the Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure. The action of the Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure is made to operate a gear transmission add electric generator.  
         [0012]     If the walls of the reservoir are to be impacted by the action of ocean surface or internal waves then the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,253 is used, but substituting for a Bourdon tube a similar-acting structure.  
         [0013]     The invention is also applied to operate internal combustion engines and elevators more efficiently. In one embodiment a Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure is operated to produce electric power when a piston of an internal combustion engine is made to move. This movement alternately pressurizes and depressurizes a body of working fluid such as water which is connected to a Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure. The body of water is in the form of a completely enclosed filled chamber of water. One wall is moveable but barely is moved because the bulk modulus of elasticity of water is very high. The moveable wall also defines a wall of a combustion chamber. As the wall barely moves the operation of the engine is barely impaired. The Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure is made to drive gears, ratchets and pawls to operate an electric generator. In another embodiment Bourdon tube or similar acting structure is used to produce electric power when the movement of a piston within a piston cylinder causes a flow of air in front of the piston and behind it. An inlet tube for a Bourdon tube or similar acting structure is led through the wall of the piston cylinder. The flow of air through the piston cylinder caused by the movement of the piston causes a reduction of pressure in the Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure, due to the Bernouilli Effect. The pressure in the Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure is made to vary when the piston is made to move back and forth in it&#39;s cylinder.  
         [0014]     The first aim of the invention is to show how to convert pressure energy into electrical energy. The new structures introduced move minimally, reducing friction loss and increasing system efficiency as will be explained in each preferred embodiment.  
         [0015]     The second aim of the invention is to utilize pressure energy as much as possible to convert the energy in live loads into electricity. Pressure energy is at present underutilized. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device for transmitting live loads to a Bourdon tube or similar-acting structure.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of prior art showing a twist-type Bourdon tube operably connected to an electric generator.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is like  FIG. 2  but substitutes a C-type Bourdon tube.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 4, 4   a.  show perspective views of devices which are alternatives to using a Bourdon tube.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-section of a new type of diverging nozzle suitable for the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5   a  shows a modified version of this diverging nozzle.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows how the invention converts the live load on a roadway into electrical energy.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7 , is a perspective view showing how a pole may be used as a lever to transmit pressure variations to a Bourdon tube or equivalent.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7   a  is a cross-sectional view of a device as in  FIG. 2  as it is applied to the invention as it is shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing how a building may be used with the invention to produce electricity.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing how a sailboat may be used with the invention to produce electricity.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing how impacts to sore mass may be used to generate electricity.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing how a ship&#39;s hull may be used with the invention to produce electricity.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing how a bride may be used with the invention to produce electricity.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing how an internal combustion engine may be used with the invention to produce electrical energy.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view showing how an elevator may be used with the invention to produce-electricity.  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing how the invention may be used to convert wind energy into electricity.  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of how the invention can convert the energy of subsurface ocean currents into electricity.  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the onshore apparatus of the application shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  shows how a tree support may be used to generate electricity according to the invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view showing how the invention may be used in connection with a prior art off-shore device to convert wave energy into electricity.  
     
    
     BASIC STRUCTURES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]     Turning to  FIG. 1  we see a hollow cylinder with end pieces defining a closed pipe  1 . There is a piston  2  therein dividing closed pipe  1  into two compartments with shaft  3  extended through the wall of an endpiece. O-ring  9  prevents the working fluid within the cylinder on both sides of piston  3  from leaking out. The working fluid is assumed here as water under pressure. Another shaft  4  is fixedly attached to closed pipe  1  through connection with the other endpiece. Two check valves  7 , 8  on either side of piston  2  allow access to the working fluid from the outside. Exit tubes  5 , 6  are made to allow the transfer of pressure to the rest of the invention. As the bulk modulus of elasticity of water is very high then in operation there will only be minimal movement of the piston. But as force is applied to the piston there will be caused a pressure differential on either side of the piston which will be transferred through tubes  5 , 6 . In  FIG. 2  we see tubes  5 , 6  again. Supports  15 , 16  contain machinery for converting pressure differentials into kinetic energy to operate a D.C. Generator  27 .  
         [0038]     Pipe  6  is made to open into the end of Bourdon tube  11  which is fixedly attached to support  15 . The moveable end of Bourdon tube  11  is fixed to gear  12  axially mounted on shaft  14  and supported by supports  15 , 16 . Meshing with gear  12  is gear  17  mounted on driveshaft  26 . Pawl  10  is operatively attached to gear  17 . Ratchet  19  is fixed to shaft  26 . Supports  15 , 16  also is made to support shaft  25 . Gear  18  with operatively attached pawl  22  is mounted on shaft  25 . Ratchet  21  is fixedly attached to shaft  25 . Ratchet  21  and pawl  22  are set to be made to operate in the opposite direction from ratchet  19  and pawl  10  operatively attached to gear  17 . Axially attached to driveshaft  26  is gear  23  which is located to mesh with gear  29 . which is axially attached to shaft  25 . The working fluid for Bourdon tube  11  is assumed to be water. Fixedly attached to support  15  is closed pipe  13  which is made to enclose Bourdon tube  11 . Closed pipe  13  is attached to a face of gear  12  by a slideable seal  13   a  so as gear  12  is made to revolve the working fluid in closed pipe  13  will be retained. Entry tube  5  is located to supply pressure to the working fluid within closed pipe  13 .  
         [0039]     In operation pressure variations on the working fluid in Bourdon tube  11  and closed pipe  13  causes gear  12  to be rotated back and forth. Due to the actions of the aforementioned gears  12 , 17 , 23 , 29  and ratchets  19 , 21  and pawls  10 , 22  driveshaft  26  is made to rotate in only one direction regardless of the direction gear  12  is made to rotate. Proper gear ratios increase the velocity of succeeding gear pairs. Driveshaft  26  thus is made to operate generator  27 .  
         [0040]     Turning to  FIG. 3  we see the apparatus of  FIG. 2  modified for a C-type Bourdon tube  28 . On the moveable end of Bourdon tube  28  is a rod which is made to fit into Scotch Yoke  24  fixedly attached to gear  12 . Regardless of which type of Bourdon tube is used if it is desired to increase the force on gear  12  then a plurality of Bourdon tubes can be attached to gear  12 . A Possible arrangement for C-type Bourdon tubes is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,258,368.  
         [0041]     As an alternative to using Bourdon tubes another basic structure of the invention is presented. Referring to  FIG. 4  we see tube  6  and gear  12  as before. No support structure is shown. On the same axis as tube  6  is a second tube  31  with a piston  30  on the identical axis and with each end inserted in tubes  6 , 31 . Second tube  31  is closed at its far end. Tubes  6 , 31  are full of water. O-rings  20 , a,b  are located to prevent leakage from tubes  6 , 31 . Fixedly attached to piston  30  between tubes  6 , 31  is gear rack  33  and pinion  34 . Shaft  35  operatively connects pinion  34  and gear  36 . Meshing with gear  36  is pinion  37 . Shaft  38  is made to connect pinion  37  and gear  12 . Capped fill spouts  32   a,b  are used to adjust the amount of water in tubes  6 , 31 . In operation varying pressure on the water in tube  6  and hence tube  31  causes piston  30  to move back and forth causing gear  12  to move back and forth in response. Fill tubes  32   a,b  are used since the smaller the amount of water in tube  31  the less motion of piston  30  is possible. So the amount of travel for gear  12  is adjustable.  
         [0042]     In  FIG. 4   a.  we see a spring  31   a.  substituted for the working fluid in tube  31 .  
         [0043]     The above basic structures are used with those preferred embodiments where the incoming pressure is not magnified. But in some preferred embodiments the incoming pressure may be magnified and the pressure variation must be artificially regulated to operate a generator. Thus a substitute structure for that shown in  FIG. 1  must be installed. Examples of such a magnifyable input are wind and subsurface ocean currents.  
         [0044]     Turning to  FIG. 5  there is shown a cut-away section of a hollow dome  39  fixed to a hollow cone  40  by intermittent spacers  41  making space  42 . There is shown hole  43  and a tube  6  whose open end lies near hole  43 . A second hollow dome  44  is affixed to hollow dome  39  at its rim.  
         [0045]     In operation, as working fluid passes around the tear-drop shape  39 , 40  some of this working fluid is pulled through hole  43  and out space  42  with secondary dome  44  serving as a further guide to the working fluid.  
         [0046]     Magnifying the energy input also magnifies the variation in input. To regulate the input, we turn to  FIGS. 15, 17  to see valve  45  located so as to admit either reduced pressure from hole  43  or atmospheric pressure from tube  46  which is open to the atmosphere.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     First Preferred Embodiment  
       [0047]      FIG. 6  shows an asphalt roadway  47 . Buried under the roadway is a stainless steel chamber completely filled with water  49 . On top of chamber  49  is stainless steel channel  48  with both legs rested on the top surface of chamber  49 . Tube  50  led from chamber  49  is joined to tube  6  to supply pressure variations to Bourdon tube  11  or piston  30 . Item  51  denotes the normal underfill of a roadway.  
         [0048]     In operation, as vehicles or people traverse the roadway pressure variations on chamber  49  cause electric power to be produced with minimal displacement of the asphalt.  
       Second Preferred Embodiment  
       [0049]      FIG. 7  shows pole  52  in two sections with rotateable joint  53  between them. Affixed to the upper section is sail  54 . Pole  52  is extended a short distance below ground level, shown in  FIG. 7   a.  Concrete form  55  is formed to form a pivot for pole  52  and to contain certain conversion machinery as in  FIG. 2, 3  or  4 . Joint  56  fixes piston shaft  2  to pole  52  through wall  57 . Piston  3  is within water-filled cylinder  1 . Exit tubes  5 , 6  are shown and are led to Bourdon tube  11  and closed pipe  13  as previously noted, or piston  30 .  
         [0050]     In operation pressure on sail  54  causes pole  52  to sway and act as a lever, activating the conversion machinery and producing electricity. Instead of a sail  54 , pole  52  may be connected to a tree which would act as a sail  54 . See  FIG. 18 . Another way is to substitute a tall building  58  for sail  54 , connecting pole  52  to the top of the building framework. See  FIG. 8 . Another similar alternative is shown in  FIG. 9 . Here, pole  52  is a mast on a sailboat. The rest of the invention is installed inside the hull. For running rigging  59  and standing rigging  60  the machinery shown in  FIG. 1  is used instead of the machinery in  FIG. 7   a.  In operation, as wind presses on the sails of the sailboat electrical energy is supplied to a battery for auxiliary power Substituting a battery for ballast is prior art.  
         [0051]     Within the scope of this embodiment the pole  52 , joint  53  and sail  54  may be affixed to the bottom of an ocean to collect the pressure energy of subsurface ocean currents. Tubes  5 , 6  may be extended to shore and the rest of the conversion machinery located ashore. See also  FIG. 17 .  
       Third Preferred Embodiment  
       [0052]     In  FIG. 10  we see a container within a vehicle of some weight  61 . This container  61  is enclosed by another container  62  fixedly attached to the framework of a vehicle. Between these containers are a number of structures as in  FIG. 1 . Shaft  4  is fixedly attached to container  62 , and shaft  3  is mace to terminate as a ball bearing  63  which is made to ride on the outer surface of container  61 .  
         [0053]     In operation, as the mass of container  61  and its contents acquire a different momentum than the vehicle frame due to the impact of live loads the machinery of the invention is activated to convert pressure energy into electrical energy. The contents of container  61  may be fuel, a battery, or cargo.  
       Fourth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0054]     In  FIG. 11  we see the hull of a ship  64  with a keel  65  and cables  66 . A machine as in  FIG. 1  has its shaft  4  attached to a cable  66  and its shaft  3  attached to the hull framing.  
         [0055]     In operation, as hull  64  is made to hog or rack the appropriate cables  66  are stretched, activating the conversion machinery of the invention to produce electrical energy. These cables will substitute for some of the usual stiffening structure of hull  64 .  
       Fifth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0056]     Turning to  FIG. 12  we see a bridge  67  suspended by cable  68  from suspension cable  69 . A second cable  70  is attached to cable  68  at cable  68  top  71  and bottom  72  so as cable  68  is stretched second cable  70  is stretched also. This second cable  70  is installed so the bridge doesn&#39;t have to undergo extensive retrofitting. Cable  70  is divided into two sections united by the conversion machinery of  FIG. 1-4  as the user requires.  
         [0057]     In operation, as cable  70  is stretched and alternately relaxed by the passage of live loads on bridge  67  the conversion machinery is activated, producing electrical energy.  
       Sixth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0058]     Referring to part of  FIG. 13  and all of  FIGS. 3, 4  we see piston cylinder  73  of an internal combustion engine. There is shown combustion chamber  74 , piston  75 , piston ring  76 , spark plug  77  piston shaft  78 , cam  79  and crankshaft  80 , all in their usual arrangement. Plate or secondary piston  81  is made to rest on shelf  82 . There is shown O-ring  83  which serves the same function as piston ring  76 . Water chamber  84  as well as tubes  85   a,b,c  are completely full of working fluid. Slot  118  is also shown. In operation, as piston  75  is made to move Up and dorm pressure in chamber  84  is made to vary. By the Bernouilli Effect pressure in tubes  85   b,c  is also made to vary, operating the conversion machinery shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 .  
         [0059]     In addition through the use of the Bernouilli Effect and within the confines of this Sixth Preferred Embodiment the operation of an elevator can be made to produce an auxiliary amount of electrical energy. In  FIG. 14  we see an elevator car  85  supported by cable  86  which is led around pulleys  87 , 88  to counterweight  89 . Tube  90  is closely fitted around elevator car  85  and serves as a piston cylinder to elevator car  85  which serves as a piston. Tube  90  is narrow at either end. O-rings  91  serve the same function as piston rings. Pipes  6   a,b  transmit pressure differences either to Bourdon tube  11  or piston  30 .  
         [0060]     In operation, as counterweight  89  is made to move up an down at different rates of speed, pressure differences are transmitted as noted.  
       Seventh Preferred Embodiment  
       [0061]     This regards applying the invention to converting wind energy into electrical energy in a way different from the Second Preferred Embodiment. In  FIG. 15  we see the apparatus of  FIG. 5  mounted on base  92 , tube  93  and telescoped tube  94 . Thrust bearings  95   a,b  allow the apparatus to be rotated according to wind direction by rudder  96 . Regulating valve  45  is a three way valve admitting either reduced pressure from hole  43  or atmospheric pressure from tube  46  to Bourdon tube  11  or piston  31 . Tube  46  is open at its top.  
         [0062]     In operation, passing wind causes Bourdon tube  11  or piston  30  to be alternately pressurized and depressurized, causing electrical energy to be produced.  
       Eighth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0063]     In this Embodiment there is shown ( FIGS. 16, 17 ) how to apply the invention to convert the energy of subsurface ocean currents into electrical energy. The apparatus of  FIG. 5   a  is used instead of the apparatus of  FIG. 5  so there will be no need to revolve the apparatus which lies on the ocean bottom. Thus there are no moving parts below the waterline. Valve  108  is to be operated depending on which way the current is flowing and is ashore.  
         [0064]     Support  99  supports the apparatus of  FIG. 5   a  on the bottom of the ocean so holes  43 , 43   a  are made to face an oncoming current which may change direction 180 degrees. Pressure energy in pipe  100  is correspondingly reduced at its end at the bottom of excavation  101  when three-way valve  45  is opened.  
         [0065]     Valve  45  is made to alternately open and close pipes  6 , 6   a  as the invention is designed to convert pressure variations into electricity.  
         [0066]     Pipes  6 , 6   a.  a are led into an onshore excavation  101  and, past valve  45  are jointly made to end horizontally as Bourdon tube  102  or piston  30 . Three-way valve  45  may be revolved and pressure from tube  103  alternates with the pressure in pipe  6 , 6   a.    
         [0067]     This operates rack  104  and piston  105 . U-tube  106  is full of water. Piston  107  is thus made to operate the racks of mechanical converter  97  as described in U.S. Pat. No. 25,550 thus operating generator  109  in a single direction. It should be pointed out that the structure of mechanical converter  97  is parallel to the structure taught by U.S. Pat. No. 25,550 in that there will be output regardless of the pressure differences involved. To continue, In  FIG. 17  we see one leg of the U-tube  106  is longer than the other. This is to counterweight piston  107  and structure  97  with the water in the higher leg.  
         [0068]     Because the pressure differences in the Seventh Preferred Embodiment may be small the volume of water or other working fluid in chamber  31  will be large relative to the size of piston  30  so the travel distance of piston  30  is conveniently increased.  
       Ninth Preferred Embodiment  
       [0069]     This regards converting ocean wave energy into electricity. Turning to  FIG. 19  we see tube  6  as a pipe from an offshore structure to an onshore structure as shown in  FIGS. 4, 4   a.  Tube  6  is led from upright cylinder  112  rested on the ocean bottom which is mounted on base  111 . Closed cylinder  115  contains enough of an air bubble to make it neutrally buoyant. O-ring  110  is between the rim of piston  113  and upright cylinder  112  which serves as a piston sleeve. Fixedly attached to the top of piston  113  is closed cylinder  115 . Struts  116  are made to extend from the rigid wall of cylinder  115  horizontally and are stiffened by standing rigging  117  which is anchored to top and bottom portions of the vertical wall of cylinder  115  to stiffen the wall.  
         [0070]     In operation, surface waves cause buoyant cylinder  115  to tend to move up and down. Moved downwards, pressure in pipe  6  is increased as piston  113  is made to tend to move downwards. If cylinder  115  is made to tend to move upwards pressure in pipe  6  is decreased. This reciprocal action operated electrical generator  27  ashore.  
         [0071]     The structure of this embodiment follows U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,253 but is meant to be used in the present invention with the onshore structure of  FIG. 4, 4   a.  which ideally should be placed at sea level.  
         [0072]     From the above description it is apparent that the preferred embodiments acheive the objects of the present invention. Alternative embodiments and various modifications of the depicted embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts.