Abstract:
A transducer system utilizing weighted compression units for transmitting and receiving the flow of a first fluid with the units disposed within a second fluid is disclosed. The system includes a series of weighted units linked one to the other. The weighted units are configured for select orientation and, when disposed in a first orientation, manifest a weight or force, compressing a first fluid into a second unit disposed in an orientation on the order of a generally 180 degrees from that of the orientation of the first unit. In this manner, the force of gravity causes the movement of a first weighted member compressing the first fluid into the second unit where the weighted member forces, by the force of gravity, the expansion of a volume within the second unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/574,466 filed May 26, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a transducer system adapted for utilizing the weight of a mass and a first fluid compressed thereby in conjunction with buoyancy forces in the system disposed in a second fluid for transducing motion therewith and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system of weighted compression units linked one to the other for effecting the motion thereof in conjunction with the transfer of the compressed first fluid (such as air) therebetween in such a manner so as to utilize the buoyancy force of the second fluid (such as water) disposed therearound.  
         [0004]     2. History of Related Art  
         [0005]     The principles of both gravity and hydrostatics have been well developed over the centuries. Fluids at rest utilize the term “hydrostatics” while the force with which the earth attracts a body is referred to as the force of gravity. This force is an acceleration resulting from the phenomenon of “gravity.” Albert Einstein addressed this phenomenon in his general theory of relativity in 1915, but for purposes of this discussion the equations of Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) will be utilized. Likewise, basic principles of hydrostatics developed by Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) will be incorporated. For example, the upward force that a fluid exerts on a body is known to be the weight of the fluid originally occupying the boundary surface of the body and whose line of action passes through the original center of gravity.  
         [0006]     It is thus well known that the buoyancy force of a liquid such as water creates a flotation force equivalent to the displacement of an object immersed within the liquid. The greater the displacement, the greater the buoyancy, and in certain buoyancy designs, the displacement is sufficient to allow a particular object to float. The basic physical principles have been well established for many years and may be seen in other U.S. patents which address such principles. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,363,212 and 4,498,294 address buoyancy systems.  
         [0007]     The force of gravity upon objects on the earth is likewise well known. As published by Newton in 1686, every particle of matter attracts every other particle with a force which is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the particles and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Thus according to Newton,  
         F   g     =     G   ⁢           ⁢         mm   ′       r   2       .           
 
 This equation can be applied to the force between a small body, such as that described in the present patent application, and the earth. If the earth were a homogeneous sphere, the force exerted by it on a small body would then be,  
           F   g     =     G   ⁢           ⁢       mm   e       r   2           ,       
 
 where m e  is the mass of the earth on m, the mass of the small body. The value of G, the gravitational constant, has been found experimentally and thus the weight of a body can be expressed as  
       W   =       F   g     =     G   ⁢           ⁢       mm   e       r   2               
 
 W=μg=G where R is the radius of the earth. 
 
         [0008]     Objects placed in water thus experience two distinct physical forces: (1) the influence of gravity upon the object, and (2) the influence of buoyancy upon the displacement of the body within the fluid. Many factors affect these multiple forces including the viscosity, which is determined by the density and weight of the fluid and, of course, the precise force of gravity at a given location. Transducers are likewise well-known. It has, thus, been found that by utilizing the force of gravity in conjunction with the principles of buoyancy, a transducer system can be implemented which utilize the combined principles of buoyancy and the acceleration of gravity for a power transducer system.  
         [0009]     Finally, for reference purposes, Applicant has filed and received the following patents on transducer and power generating systems: 
        (1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,513 issued Sep. 8, 1987 titled “Rotary Power Transducer System;” (2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,173 issued Feb. 5, 1985 titled “Power Transducer System;” and (3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,765 issued May 2, 1978 titled “Power Generating System.”       
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention relates to a transducer system utilizing weighted compression units for transmitting and receiving the flow of a first fluid between the units disposed within a second fluid and further utilizing the buoyancy force there around. More particularly, the present invention relates to a series of weighted compression/displacement units linked one to the other. The displacement units are configured for select orientation and when disposed in a first orientation, manifest a weight or force, compressing a first fluid into a second unit disposed in an orientation on the order of a generally 180 degrees from that of the orientation of the first unit. In this manner, the force of gravity causes the movement of a first weighted member compressing the first fluid into the second unit where the weighted member forces, by the force of gravity, the expansion of a volume within the second unit. In this manner, the relative displacements between the first and second displacement units are directly resultant of the select orientation thereof and the relative position therebetween, whereby the force of displacement of a second fluid therearound imparts a buoyancy differential between the first and second units thereby resulting in a force transducing configuration therebetween.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of and system for a transducer system comprising weighted compression units serially coupled one to the other and having a first fluid disposed within the compression units for transmitting and receiving flow of the first fluid between the compression units. The serially coupled compression units are disposed in a second fluid and the compression units are fully or partially suspended therein for utilizing the buoyancy force of the second fluid. The displacement units are configured for select orientation and when disposed in a first orientation, manifest a weight or force, compressing the first fluid into a second unit disposed in an orientation on the order of generally 180 degrees from that of the orientation of the first unit. The force of gravity causes movement of a first weighted member compressing the first fluid into the second unit where the weighted member is urged by the force of gravity to expand the volume within the second unit. In this manner, the relative displacement of the second fluid between the first and second displacement units is directly resultant of the select orientation thereof and the relative position therebetween, whereby the force of displacement of the second fluid therearound imparts a buoyancy differential between the first and second units thereby resulting in forces facilitating the transducing configuration thereof.  
         [0013]     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of bellows assemblies are disposed within a second fluid and connected one to the other by a first fluid. The force of gravity upon a first weight of a first unit in the first orientation forces the bellows to close and force the first fluid outwardly and into a second bellows in which a second bellows is disposed in a position for selectively exiting the second bellows thereby imparting a transfer of the first fluid therebetween. The second fluid thus exerts different buoyancy and displacement forces upon the first and second displacement units. The displacement force differential then facilitates the second unit to move in a direction effectively transducing the first displacement unit for consistent motion therewith. In this manner, the mass of the weights in the select orientation in conjunction with the force of fluid displacement creates a transducer system maximizing the efficiency of fluid displacement and mass compression.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is diagrammatic illustration of the principles of a system of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the displacement units of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic schematic illustration of one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  comprises copies of three photographs of test displacement units; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 5-9  comprise additional illustrations of aspects of the invention as described below. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     It has been recognized by the inventor hereof that by utilizing the weight of a mass oriented in a first direction relative to a first bellows in flow communication with a second bellows containing a second mass in opposite vertical orientation relative to gravity will, by virtue of being placed within a fluid exerting buoyancy upon the mass and bellows, facilitate the operation of the transducer system effectively maximizing the physical aspects of gravitation and buoyancy.  
         [0021]     Referring first to  FIG. 1  there is shown a diagrammatic schematic of the system  10  of the present invention wherein a plurality of displacement units comprising weight/compression bellows. Bellows  12  are shown in this embodiment to be in a connected array, coupled one to the other. Each bellows  12  includes a weighted mass  14  (shown herein as a weight, slidably mounted upon guide rods  14 A) positioned to compress a first fluid  16 , such as air. The bellows  12  of the array are then submerged within a second fluid  18 , such as water, within which buoyancy is manifested.  
         [0022]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a first series  20  of bellows  12  are positioned in a first vertical direction wherein the weighted mass  14  of each bellows  12  is situated to compress the first fluid  16  therein. Each bellows  12  of the first series  20  is connected to at least a sister cylinder of a second series  22 . The bellows  12  of the second series  22  are oriented in a second, opposite orientation wherein the weighted mass  14  of each is disposed toward the lower end of each bellows  12 . A flow conduit  16 A connecting each of the sister bellows  12  is adapted for the transmission of the compression fluid therebetween whereby the movement of the weighted mass  14  of a bellows  12  on the first series  20  of the array will exert a pressure forcing the compression fluid into the sister cylinder in the second series  22  of the array. By virtue of the fact that the weighted mass  14  of the bellows  12  are in an inverted position in the second series  22  of the array relative to the first series  20  of the array, the weighted mass of each is forced downwardly and into fluid expansion by the force of gravity while the weighted mass of the first series  20  of the array are each forced downwardly in compression of the first fluids by the force of gravity. The first fluids thus flow from the first series  20  into the second series  22 .  
         [0023]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , it may be seen that once the bellows of the first series  20  of the array have allowed the weighted mass  14  therein to compress the first fluid therein, the amount of displacement of the second fluid represented thereby is less than the displacement of the fluid by the sister cylinder on the opposite side of the array in the opposite vertical position. In this manner, more buoyancy force is applied to the bellows in the second series of the array forcing the bellows linked one to the other around rotation members disposed above and below the array to facilitate the motion thereof.  
         [0024]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , this diagrammatic illustration represents the basic principles of the present invention. What is not shown is a mounting configuration for the rotational elements  4  and  5  disposed on opposite ends of the array  20 . Elements  4  and  5  will of course be secured and mounted in a structurally sound fashion that is not specifically shown in these figures, other than the diagrammatic representation in  FIG. 3 . It should be well understood by a person skilled in the art that the structural mounting of elements  4  and  5  on opposite ends of the array  20  can be effected by standard engineering principles. For this reason, no further detail is deemed necessary relative to the rotational mounting of elements  4  and  5  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , specifically. As will be described relative to  FIG. 3  below, the bellows compression units mounted in the serial array set forth, shown and described herein will rotate around the elements  4  and  5 , and are therefore connected one to the other by suitable connection means. The details of the connection means is representatively shown in  FIG. 3  as described below.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of bellows  12  and weighted mass  14  assembled according to the principles of the present invention. The bellows  12  is disposed contiguous the weighted mass  14 . As referred above, a “bellows” type cylinder is shown. It is contemplated that bellows and weighted mass assemblies may also be used in accordance with the present invention. The first fluid  16  flows from a flow conduit  30  extending from a first bellows plate  32 , oppositely disposed from a second bellows plate  34 . The plates are connected by the above-referenced guide rods  14 A.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 3  there is shown a diagrammatic schematic of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the movement of the rotation of the array along a conveyor (labeled) and the transducing aspect of the motion by virtue of the rotational members disposed on opposite ends thereof. Specifically, it may be seen that during the movement of the bellows from the first series of array to the second series of the array described above, the bellows rotate through at least one position which is generally horizontal.  
         [0027]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the bellows of the second series  22  of the array illustrates the weighted mass  14  expanding the bellows. It may likewise be seen in this particular view that the weighted mass  14  has expanded the bellows due to the pull of gravity. In the position of series  22 , the force of gravity will force the weighted mass  14  downwardly relative to the bellows  12  further facilitating the injection of a first fluid  16  from sister bellows in the first series  21 . The differential in displacement of the surrounding second fluid by the bellows of the first series of the array relative to the bellows of the second series of the array will thereby be manifest by the increased displacement and buoyancy force on the second series of the array thereby imparting movement thereto consistent with the principles of buoyancy displacement and gravity.  
         [0028]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the mounting of the individual bellows is representatively shown relative to the upper and lower elements  4  and  5  which are described herein as rotational elements or mounts for a pulley belt conveyance. It may be recognized that any other suitable conveyance mechanism could be utilized in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this particular illustration, the individual bellows  12  are mounted to a conveyor and/or tether system  100  to thereby afford serial mounting array rotation around elements  4  and  5  which are appropriately supported as described above. The individual construction of the elements  4  and  5  as shown herein include a curvilinear section  102  to allow clearance of the bellows rotating therearound. Other designs could be incorporated in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 5-9  comprise a series of drawings prepared by the inventor illustrating examples of the movement of the compression units described above through a second fluid. In this case, the second fluid is water and the inventor has constructed a sample bellows unit and demonstrated the weight differential of the bellows unit through immersion in water. In a first position such as the bellows compression unit A- 1  in  FIG. 5 , a weight of approximately 10.5 pounds was determined with the bellows unit A- 1  completely submerged under water. The unit A with the bellows collapsed weighed 12 pounds. The inventor thus found that approximately 1.5 pounds weight differential (due to buoyancy) existed from weighing a bellows unit when submerged into water in the collapsed and uncollapsed bellows position shown. The inventor has also sketched the operation of the invention as set forth in the following description made by the inventor.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 5-8  show the various positions of the enclosures and their on-board components during cycling. These examples represent one cycle of a pair of enclosures.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the enclosures at the beginning of a cycle. “A” has just passed the lower pulley and is beginning its journey upward. A- 1  has cleared the top pulley and beginning its journey downward. The bellows of “A” is closed and will begin to open. This begins the effort of transferring the air within it to the bellows of “A”. At this point in the cycle, the sliding weight of “A” is being physically supported by the water pressure. This status allows the enclosure to be lightened by the value of the sliding actuator weight. This status will exist for a period of the upward travel of “A”, or until the bellows is fully opened allowing the moving weight to rest on the bottom of the enclosure.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates that the cycle has progressed and the bellows of “A” is opening as A- 1  continues to help by forcing air into it. When the bellows on A is opened with the sliding weight resting on the bottom of the enclosure frame the overall weight advantage is the buoyancy of the expanded bellows.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the enclosures returning to the cycle start position. The same process is repeated with A- 1  moving upward and A moving downward.  
         [0034]     It is thus believed that the principles of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing Detailed Description. While various devices are shown and described, it will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. Therefore, the spirit and the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the Detailed Description.