GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY CONVERTING DEVICE

A gravitational energy conversion device is configured to rotate or translate on a support surface. The gravitational energy conversion device has a weight and multiple energy converters; the energy converters are mounted around an exterior of the weight and disposed apart from each other. When the weight rotates or translates to make the energy converters contact the support surface, the weight presses down the energy converters due to gravity. When the weight rotates or translates to make the energy converters separate from the support surface, energy in the energy converters is released and transformed into kinetic energy of the weight. Therefore, the device is effective in energy-saving and cushioning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for converting potential energy associated with gravity (Earth's gravity, for example) to another form of energy such as kinetic energy, elastic potential energy, or electric potential energy.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

Any object on a planet is subjected to effect of Earth's gravity, and gravitational force always exits. Take Earth for example, gravitational acceleration near Earth's surface is 9.80665 m/s2; at this acceleration, speed of a free-falling object exceeds 100 KM/H within 2 seconds; if gravitational energy can be made used of, it would become a tremendous source of energy.

All kinds of rotational parts in the existing technology inevitably bounce up and down. However, it is a great pity that kinetic energy associated with bouncing up and down, which is originated from gravitational potential energy, can only be converted into heat instead of being recycled for further use.

Moreover, existing electrical generators using gravitational force need to generate electricity via some natural medium; for example, to generate electricity from hydropower requires building a dam in a proper location, and then electricity can be generated using potential energy from water; it is troublesome to generate electricity using gravitational energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the drawbacks and deficiencies of the aforementioned prior art, the present creation provides a gravitational energy conversion device and system to recycle kinetic energy of all kinds of rotational parts associated with bouncing up and down.

To achieve the above mentioned purpose of creation, the technical means employed by the present creation is to design a gravitational energy conversion device configured to rotate or translate on a support surface; the gravitational energy conversion device comprises a weight and multiple energy converters; the energy converters are mounted around an exterior of the weight and disposed apart from each other. When the weight rotates or translates to make the energy converters contact the support surface, the weight presses down the energy converters due to gravity; when the weight rotates or translates to make the energy converters separate from the support surface, energy in the energy converters is released and transformed into kinetic energy of the weight.

To achieve the above mentioned purpose of creation, the present creation further provides a gravitational energy conversion system, comprising a flat conveyor and a gravitational energy conversion device as mentioned above. The flat conveyor is configured to convey along a conveying direction; the support surface is an upper surface of the flat conveyor, and a center line of the gravitational energy conversion device is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the flat conveyor. When the gravitational energy conversion device rotates on the support surface, the flat conveyor is capable of conveying the gravitational energy conversion device along the conveying direction to keep a position of the gravitational energy conversion device on the flat conveyor.

To achieve the above mentioned purpose of creation, the present creation further provides a gravitational energy conversion system, comprising a second base, a support roller, and the gravitational energy conversion device as mentioned above. An axle of the support roller is fixed to the second base. The support surface of the gravitational energy conversion device is an outer annular surface of the support roller, and a center line of the gravitational energy conversion device is parallel to the axle of the support roller.

The advantage of the present invention is capable of recycling kinetic energy of all kinds of rotational parts associated with bouncing up and down, and is effective in energy-saving and cushioning.

Furthermore, when an object touches the ground, it is subjected to the reaction force of the gravitational force; Newton's law: force equals reaction force; we can think of a way to change the direction of reaction force since we are unable to change the direction of the gravitational force. The reaction force of the gravitational force (gravity) can become the energy that makes the object move, wherein MG=MA.

Reaction force of gravitational force is directed upward, and there needs to be a way to change the direction of said reaction force. The reaction force changes only at the moment that an object touches the ground. Assistance provided by transformation is limited even when all are transformed in one time. The reaction force can be obtained by letting an object rotate and keep renewing contact points with the ground so that there are the reaction forces. A combination like this will have the reaction force for transformation, and utilizing rotation and translation of a circle is the most power-saving method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are two methods which are capable of transmitting driving force and changing direction of force at the same time, and all said methods can be configured to be installed on the cylindrical weight. The first is mechanical type: constituted by adding curved spring plates or curved steel plates together with helical springs. Second, hydraulic type: install a reciprocating pump which generates pressure, and then use the pressure to drive the cylinder via a turbine. The two methods are all capable of transmitting and changing the direction of the reaction force of the gravitational force.

With reference toFIG.1, a first embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion device1in accordance with the present invention is configured to rotate on a support surface S, and the support surface S is preferably a flat surface being horizontal. The gravitational energy conversion device1has a weight10and multiple energy converters20. The weight10is cylindrical, and the energy converters20are mounted around an outer annular surface11of the weight and disposed apart from each other.

Each of the energy converters20has a moving part21and a resilient part22. The moving part21protrudes from the outer annular surface11of the weight10, and is movable toward or away from the weight10. The moving part21is preferably a flat spring; an end of the moving part21is mounted to the weight; another end of the moving part21protrudes from the outer annular surface11of the weight10and is movable toward or away from the weight10. The resilient part22is mounted between the moving part21and the weight10, and drives the moving part21to move away from the weight10.

When the weight10rotates to make the energy converter20contact the support surface S, the weight10presses down the energy converter due to gravity to move the moving part21toward the weight10, thereby increasing elastic potential energy stored in the resilient part20. When the weight10rotates to separate the energy converter20from the support surface S, the resilient part20drives the moving part21to move away from the weight10such that the elastic potential energy stored in the resilient part20is transformed to the kinetic energy of the weight10.

In the preferred embodiment, each resilient part22is a helical spring (a.k.a. coil spring), but not limited thereto. Each resilient part22could be a gas spring, or a magnetic spring as long as the resilient part22is capable of storing elastic potential energy. Moreover, when the moving part21itself is made of resilient materials and capable of storing elastic potential energy, the resilient part22can be omitted depending on the condition.

An advantage of the above-mentioned first embodiment is that utilizing rolling of the cylindrical weight10to move forward saves effort, and the rolling generates new reaction forces with respect to the ground. The reaction forces from the ground are at contact points, and the reaction force of the gravitational force is directed upward.

When designing the above mentioned first embodiment, it is necessary to have a precise calculation of weight of the weight10, and fit with proper amount of the resilient parts22which have proper elastic forces. When the weight10rolls to move forward, the weight10presses against the resilient parts22, and then the resilient parts22bounce back after the resilient parts22pass through the support surface S. Each force generated when the resilient parts22bounce back equals two component forces: first, one of the component forces directed upward to cancel the gravitational force. Second, another one of the horizontal component forces drives the weight10to rotate.

With reference toFIG.2andFIG.3, the gravitational energy conversion device1A in a second embodiment is substantially same as the first embodiment, but the difference is that the energy converters20A in the second embodiment further comprises a fluid mechanism.

To be specific, the second embodiment further has a first base30A and a fluid actuator40A in comparison with the first embodiment. The weight10A is rotatably mounted on the first base30A. The fluid actuator40A is mounted between the first base30A and the weight10A. The fluid actuator40A is preferably a turbine having multiple blades41A.

Each of the energy converters20A further has an output check valve23A, an input check valve24A, and a fixed part25A. The fixed part25A is fixed to the weight10A, and the moving part21A is movably connected to the fixed part25A; a fluid chamber201A is formed between the fixed part25A and the moving part21A; two ends of the output check valve23A are connected to the fluid chamber201A and the fluid actuator40A respectively; two ends of the input check valve24A are connected to the fluid chamber201A and the fluid actuator40A respectively.

When the energy converter20is pressed down by the weight10A due to gravity and makes the moving part21A move toward the weight10A, the moving part21A drives fluid in the fluid chamber201A to flow into the fluid actuator40A via the output check valve23A. Kinetic energy of said fluid is transferred to the fluid actuator40A (turbine) via the blades23A, and therefore makes the fluid actuator40A drive the weight10A to rotate. When the moving part21A moves away from the weight10A, the moving part10A drives fluid in the fluid actuator40A to flow into the fluid chamber201A via the input check valve24A. The fluid is preferably liquid.

In other words, the second embodiment is to mount reciprocating pumps around a periphery of the weight10A, and each pump has a one-way valve mounted on each entrance and exit of said pump such that the entrance allows only entrance but not exit and that the exit allows only exit but not entrance. Utilizing pneumatic/hydraulic pressure to transfer power makes redirection of the reaction force of gravitational force easier. Use gravitational force to press the pumps, causing pressure to build up in the liquid inside the pump and forcing the liquid to rush out, and then guide the liquid into turbine to push the weight10A to rotate. When the gravitational force is moved away, use the resilient part22A to bounce back, and use suction force at this moment to replenish the fluid.

Power is transferred via gas pressure or liquid pressure. Gas is compressible and therefore more difficult to use, and liquid pressure is mainly used. However, when air is used as a medium, recycling system can be omitted, and benefits heat dissipation.

With reference toFIG.4andFIG.5, a third embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion system differs from the first embodiment in that the weight10B itself does not rotate, instead a caterpillar11B is located around the weight10B and allows the weight10B to translate on the support surface S.

To be specific, the caterpillar11B is located around the weight10B and capable of revolving around the weight10B. The caterpillar11B is configured to drive the weight10B to translate on the support surface S.

The energy converters20B are disposed apart from each other on the caterpillar11B; the moving part21B of each of the energy converter20B protrudes from an outer surface of the caterpillar11B, and is movable toward or away from the weight10B. The resilient part22B (as shown inFIG.5) is mounted between the moving part21B and the caterpillar11B, and drives the moving part21B to move away from the weight10B. To be precise, the fixed part25B of the energy converter20B is mounted on the caterpillar11B; one end of the resilient part22B abuts against the moving part21B, and another end of the resilient part22abuts against the fixed part25B such that the resilient part22B is mounted between the caterpillar11B and the moving part21B.

When the caterpillar11B revolves around the weight10B to make the energy converters20B contact the support surface S, the weight10B presses down the energy converters20B due to gravity to move the moving part21B toward the weight10B, thereby increasing elastic potential energy stored in the resilient part22B. When the caterpillar11B moves to separate the energy converters20B from the support surface S, the resilient part drives22B the moving part21B to move away from the weight10B such that the elastic potential energy stored in the resilient part22B is transformed to the kinetic energy of the weight10B.

Moreover, the energy converter20B in the third embodiment further has a linear electrical generator26B mounted therein; principle of the linear electrical generator26B is the same as that of traditional rotary electrical generators, and only replaces rotary motion with reciprocating motion. The linear electrical generator26B has generating coils261B and permanent magnets262B; the generating coils261B are mounted to the fixed part25B, and the permanent magnets262B are mounted to the moving part21B. When the moving part21B moves, the permanent magnets262B move relative to the generating coil261B such that the linear electrical generator26B generates electricity. The linear electrical generator26B can be replaced by piezoelectric device depending on the condition.

In the third embodiment, proper amount of the linear electrical generators26B are mounted on a periphery of the weight10B. The linear electrical generators26B are pressed by the reaction force of the gravitational force, and a coil spring, a magnetic spring, or a gas spring is mounted on another side of the linear electrical generators26B for bouncing back; the resilient part22B could be omitted and using centrifugal force for throwing out; generated electric power is provided to a motor to rotate the weight10B. After started, press the linear electrical generators26B one after another, and electric power is generated in each reciprocate stroke, thereby greatly reducing consumption of electric power of the motor.

Power-generating-capacity of each linear electrical generator26B can be controlled by an armature as the conventional electric power generators. In another preferred embodiment, permanent magnets can be stringed together to form a center axle, and the generating coils261B are fixed to the fixed part; in still another preferred embodiment, reciprocating motion of the generating coils261B can be fixed by a permanent magnet array; or Halbach array can be considered for increasing a number of lines of magnetic flux. The linear electrical generators can be replaced by piezoelectric device for sure, but power is still too little, and will be a possible solution when there is a technical breakthrough.

To save space of the gravitational energy conversion device1, the weight10can be lengthened such that more of the energy converters20can be mounted.

cushion device energy cushion system[0040] With reference toFIG.1andFIG.6, a first embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion system comprises a flat conveyor2which is configured to convey external objects along a conveying direction D. A gravitational energy conversion device1as mentioned above in the first embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion device is mounted on an upper surface of the flat conveyor2; that is, the upper surface of the flat conveyor2is the support surface S of the gravitational energy conversion device1. An center line L1of the gravitational energy conversion device1is perpendicular to the conveying direction D of the flat conveyor2, and therefore when the gravitational energy conversion device1rotates on the support surface S, the flat conveyor2is capable of conveying the gravitational energy conversion device1along the conveying direction D to keep a position of the gravitational energy conversion device1on the flat conveyor2, thereby the gravitational energy conversion device1can rotate in space.

Second, free rollers having fixed axles: dispose the weight10in the middle of two of the free rollers (a.k.a. support rollers4as mentioned below) having fixed axles; rotation only drives the free rollers to rotate. The cylindrical body will escape without a critical rotational speed, and kinetic energy should be extracted before reaching rotational speed of escape.

With reference toFIG.7, a second embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion system has a second base3, at least one support roller4, and the gravitational energy conversion device1C. An axle of the at least one support roller4is fixed to the second base3; the support roller4is configured to rotate freely with the axle as a rotating axis.

In the preferred embodiment, the support surface of the gravitational energy conversion device1C is an outer annular surface of the support roller4, and a center line of the gravitational energy conversion device1C is parallel to the axle of the support roller4such that the gravitational energy conversion device1C can rotate in space.

With reference toFIG.8, a fourth embodiment of the gravitational energy conversion device is substantially same as the aforementioned gravitational energy conversion device, but the difference is that the weight10D of the gravitational energy conversion device1D in the fourth embodiment is conical in shape such that the weight10D revolves around a center point C on the support surface S when rotating. Energy should be extracted before the weight10D is thrown away due to centrifugal force under high speed.

With reference toFIG.9, another way is to have multiple sets of the gravitational energy conversion device1E stacked on a loop mechanism; the device can also be stacked up to form multiple layers, and any two adjacent layers will rotate in reverse directions. The support roller with the fixed axle requires additional support rollers with the fixed axle on the plane. Finally, the gravitational force also acts on the loop mechanism; the reaction force of the gravitational force is capable of doing work, and the gravitational force is capable of doing work as well; to mount the device that converts reaction force of gravitational force on the ground makes the device become a device for converting gravitational force. As a result, the energy converters20E should be mounted on the loop mechanism, and it will be easier to improve all gravitational force converting rates.

For the electrical type, the rotating speed can be controlled directly by the motor, and energy can be extracted when electricity generated is greater than electricity consumed by the motor.

For free rollers with fixed axles, multiple sets of the free roller with the fixed axle need to be added on the plane. Finally, the gravitational force also acts on the loop mechanism; the reaction force of the gravitational force is capable of doing work, and the gravitational force is capable of doing work as well; to mount the device that converts reaction force of gravitational force on the ground makes the device become a device for converting gravitational force. Therefore, the device or converting gravitational force should be mounted on the loop mechanism, and it will be easier to improve all the gravitational force converting rates.

In summary, force and energy do not occur out of nowhere. Assuming that the system is mounted along the east-westward direction on earth, revolution speed of earth will speed up or slow down as a result. It is believed that all motions on earth such as tide, wind, and even a step of us all affect the revolution speed of earth, but energy affected is too little to be accounted for.