MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND ENERGY CONVERSION METHOD

A mechanical energy storage system and energy conversion method, which uses off-peak or excess electric power to replace potential energy and peak periods of electric usage to release potential energy, whereby the potential energy is converted into electrical energy. The system uses a plurality of weighted balls that can be sequentially replaced and re-looped round for reuse, whereby the potential energy of the weighted balls is increased by being raised through a delivery device during off-peak electric usage. And during peak electric usage, potential energy change in the weighted balls and a lever arm effect is used to activate an energy converter unit, thereby converting the gravitational potential energy into electric energy. The system can be used for purely mechanical energy transfer and storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanical energy storage system and energy conversion method, and more particularly to a storage system and energy conversion method which uses off-peak electric power to replace potential energy and peak period power usage to release potential energy, whereby potential energy is converted into electric energy.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

In response to the electricity demand at different times of the day and night, the power station delivers different quantities of electricity accordingly. In order to satisfy a sudden power demand at the user end, the power station further delivers a safe quantity of reserve power. If the quantity of reserve power is not fully consumed during the night, it becomes excessive residual power and is needlessly consumed naturally. Night power usage using off-peak power, and in order to disperse the concentrated load of power generation during the day, off-peak electricity consumption is encouraged along with the cost thereof being more favorable.

As for storing and using the remaining excess power from power usage at night, technology is used that feeds back electricity during daytime peak hours, especially battery storage technology. However, such a system uses a large-sized storage battery equipment that comes at a high cost, and after a long period of use, electrochemical reactions weakens the battery's capacity; moreover, there is a risk of explosion.

Therefore, current development in technology is searching for a design with the function to store electricity that avoids using the field of electrochemistry. For example, ENERGY VAULT, a start-up company in Switzerland, uses cement blocks of relatively high mass that are stacked in a manner similar to building blocks in tower-like structures. The cement blocks are raised to increase the potential energy thereof during off-peak hours at night using crane cables, and stacked in tower-like structures. During peak periods of electric consumption, the crane cables suspend the cement blocks and uses the gravitational force thereon to pull the cables downward and produce a potential energy change in the blocks. Accordingly, through linear motion of the steel cables, a torque is generated on a generator to generate electricity. For technical information, please refer to the company YouTube video upload: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3fy1 u7Gj1w (or refer to the website: https://www.energyvault.com/research-development) on the subject of Energy Vault 3D Simulation.

The basic equipment of the above-described system has towering upright pillars (at minute 1:52″ of the video as shown in the attached photo I), the upper ends of which have multiple asynchronous operations and lifting equipment assembled from hoisting cranes that can be moved horizontally (at seconds 0:34″ of the video as shown in the attached photo II). Off-peak power is used to drive each overhead crane and perform grabbing of large cement blocks arranged on the ground surface in advance, which are then lifted upward to build a dry cement stacked tower (at minute 1:32″ of the video as shown in the attached photo Ill), thereby obtaining potential energy through height. During peak electric use times, the lifting equipment is then used to operate in reverse, whereby, within an unit interval, multiple cranes are assigned to asynchronously let down the large cement blocks, the hanging weight and potential energy change in the large cement blocks being used to produce a torque required to generate power through a steel cable indirect drive system. The video simply showing the simulated images when the system generating electricity is in operation, nevertheless, in case by reverse presumption during off-peak electric use period, the images of the lifting equipment in operation should have shown the plural large cement blocks being stacked up by lifting from the ground to accumulate as building blocks in tower-like structures.

The system is a high precision unit and operational program, wherein the exterior structural design and dimensions of each of the large cement blocks must be of high precision during manufacture.

In addition, earthquake zones must be avoided when choosing the base of operations.

During the process of letting down the large cement blocks to generate electricity, there are three speed stages in the lowering speed curve, including an initial lowering speed, a descent process speed, and a deceleration of the large cement blocks before hitting the ground, which causes an uneven driving energy of the feedback generator. Thus, in order to produce stable power, only the energy from the middle part of the lowering speed curve is used during the descent process.

In order for the system to combinatorially produce a stable power generation curve within an operational unit, multiple cranes are required to asynchronously and alternately complement each other.

After lowering the large cement blocks to the ground, motor power is required to raise the steel cables and displace the cranes horizontally, which causes negative effects on the system.

Regarding initialization of the system feedback power, because of the height of the stacked tower, the lowering travel distance of the highest-positioned large cement blocks has a relatively long operating time, and the large cement blocks positioned at the lower level of the tower have a relatively lower stored potential energy; hence, the large cement blocks respectively placed at the upper and lower level of the tower achieve an unequal operating effectiveness when lowered.

Further, the system requires a large area for its base of operations, which is large enough for the multiple large cement blocks to be stacked on the front flat ground surface. Moreover, in order to prevent the tower or supports from toppling over, the area for the base of operations requires the overall height of the supports to be the radius of the circumferential area thereof, thus occupying a substantial amount of ground surface.

System maintenance focuses on rust prevention of the steel cables. The multiple cranes comprise crane tracks, and the upper end of each of the supports is provided with a pivot mechanism for plane angle adjustment to protect operation of the lifting equipment, as well as numerous position fixed point detection and speed sensing units, or electric wires for a video system. Hence, maintaining precise operation and maximum reliability of the system requires a heavy maintenance workload.

Construction of the system requires an extensive safety area and a geologically safe base that must exclude earthquake zones. Moreover, because large cement blocks are stacked to form the tower, further consideration has to be given to the impact of seismic waves. In addition, because of the extremely high tower, the height thereof must be at least the radius of the bottom surface area, with no human activity allowed within this area. Further, because the system operates with extremely low error tolerance, operation requirements are correspondingly very demanding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention lies in providing a mechanical energy storage system and energy conversion method that utilizes mechanical energy storage, and uses off-peak electric power to replace potential energy and peak period power usage to release potential energy to convert into electric energy. The system uses a plurality of weighted balls that can be sequentially replaced and re-looped round for reuse, whereby during off-peak electric usage or periods when there is an excess in the mains power supply, the potential energy of the weighted balls is increased by being raised through a delivery device. And during peak electric usage or when the mains supply is insufficient, the potential energy of the weighted balls is transformed to activate an energy converter unit to produce electric power feedback.

Another object of the present invention lies in an embodiment of the present invention using a gravitational lever arm effect produced by the weighted balls to produce a torque on a generator of the energy converter unit, wherein a storage space sequentially replenishes the weighted balls, and a stockpile space is used to sequentially receive the weighted balls passing through the energy converter unit, whereafter the weighted balls are sequentially delivered to the storage space by means of a delivery device, thereby transforming the potential energy of the weighted balls by being transported to the higher positioned storage space.

A third object of the present invention lies in configuring an inclined release chute between the storage space and the energy converter unit, and configuring a collection chute between the energy converter unit and the stockpile space, which enable sequentially moving the weighted balls for operation of the system therewith.

A fourth object of the present invention lies in the weighted balls being spherical or round-shaped objects, which are further made from metal material that can come from resources recovered from scrap iron. After prolonged wear and tear of the surfaces, the weighted balls can be melted down and re-produced, providing positive benefits to the environment.

A fifth object of the present invention lies in the basic embodiment of the system of the present invention, wherein the energy converter unit is axially linked to the generator, with at least two receiving units arranged equiangularly around the perimeter of the energy converter unit. Further, the inclined release chute provides a passage between the storage space and the energy converter unit, and the collection chute provides a passage between the energy converter unit and the stockpile space; a plurality of the weighted balls can accordingly be replaced and stored in the storage space and the stockpile space. The weighted balls stored in the stockpile space are sequentially delivered to the storage space using the delivery device, after which the weighted balls are propelled to the energy converter unit. In addition, the system includes an electromechanical control unit which electromechanically controls the system.

A sixth object of the present invention lies in aligning the lower end of the inclined release chute to connect with the receiving units to enable receiving the weighted balls. And the upper end of the collection chute is aligned to connect with the receiving units to enable receiving the weighted balls when released from the energy converter unit, wherein the receiving angle between the receiving unit and the inclined release chute can be precisely aligned mechanically or controlled by an electromechanical device via an electric motor.

A seventh object of the present invention lies in structuring an allocation path between the storage space and the inclined release chute, wherein the allocation path sequentially connects with an array of accumulating channels, the lower terminal end position of which is provided with an outlet, which affords passage to a delivery unit of the inclined release chute.

An eighth object of the present invention lies in structuring the allocation path between the storage space and the delivery device, wherein the allocation path sequentially connects with the array of accumulating channels, the uppermost end position of which is provided with a delivery intersection, which affords passage to a handover outlet of the delivery device.

A ninth object of the present invention lies in structuring a sequencing path between the stockpile space and the collection chute, wherein the sequencing path sequentially connects with an array of stowage channels, the uppermost end position of which is provided with a storage inlet, which affords passage to the lower end of the collection chute.

A tenth object of the present invention lies in linking up the sequencing path aligned with the array of stowage channels to correspond to one side of the delivery device, wherein the lowermost end of the sequencing path is provided with a dispensing outlet, which affords passage to the lower end of the delivery device.

An eleventh object of the present invention lies in enabling the delivery device to operate by moving up and down, the lower end of which is configured with a delivery unit and repelling members corresponding to the position of the dispensing outlet, wherein the repelling members enable activating a holding bar configured on the dispensing outlet.

A twelfth object of the present invention lies in providing the outer side of each of the receiving units with an external inclined side plate at an angle of 80 degrees to the radial line.

A thirteenth object of the present invention lies in the weighted balls being round shaped objects, which are further made from metal material.

To enable a further understanding of said objectives, structures, characteristics, and effects, as well as the technology and methods used in the present invention and effects achieved, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses a mechanical energy storage system and energy conversion method for converting electrical energy by using off-peak electric power to replace potential energy and peak periods to release potential energy. The system uses a plurality of weighted balls that can be sequentially replaced and re-looped round for reuse, whereby a change in potential energy of the weighted balls activates an energy converter unit for conversion into electric power. The system uses purely mechanical means for energy transformation and storage.

The following description of the drawings details the system and energy conversion method of the present invention.

Referring first toFIG.1, which shows an energy storage system101that includes an energy converter unit100. Weighted balls300acquire a gravitational potential energy when in a storage space60, and the potential energy from the weighted balls300is used to activate the energy converter unit100, after which the weighted balls300are collected and stored in a stockpile space70via a collection chute50. The gravitational force of the weighted balls300and a lever arm effect are used to produce a torque that activates the energy converter unit100to generate electric power.

During off-peak periods of electric consumption or periods when its convenient and there is sufficient mains power supply, the weighted balls300propelled into the stockpile space70are delivered to the high positioned storage space60through a delivery device80, thereby changing the potential energy of the weighted balls300ready to be sequentially dispensed from an inclined release chute40into the energy converter unit100for operation thereof. After the potential energy of each of the weighted balls300has been expended, they are returned and stored in the stockpile space70.

Referring toFIG.2, which shows a generator end102that delivers electricity to a user end103through a main line96, wherein one end of the main line96is bypassed to the energy storage system101of the present invention through a bypass circuit95. When the generator end102is supplying sufficient electric energy or at off-peak periods of electric consumption, the energy storage system101raises the potential energy of the weighted balls300. And at peak periods of electric consumption or when there is sufficient power load at the generator end102, then the gravitational potential energy of the weighted balls300in the storage space is used to generate electric energy through the energy converter unit100, and the electric energy is reversed to supplement the electricity requirements at the user end103through the main line96.

Referring toFIG.3, the main line96connects the generator end102to the user end103, and the main line96is bypassed to the energy storage system101of the present invention through the bypass circuit95. The energy storage system101includes an electromechanical control unit90, which comprises a timing device91, a sensing device92, and a system control device93. The timing device91, the sensing device92, and the system control device93can be exchanged with a computer program, the main purpose of which is to detect the electric energy status of the generator end102and determine off-peak or peak periods of electric consumption. Furthermore, it can be determined when there is excess power at the generator end102, whereupon the system control device93instructs the delivery device80to start operating (this operational mode is in addition to peak periods), or when the electric power of the main line96is insufficient for safety, then the system control device93controls the energy converter unit100to proceed with generating electric power. The electric power generated then passes through a voltage stabilizer device94to supplement the power being delivered to the user end103through the main line96.

Referring toFIG.4, which shows the energy storage system101mainly comprising the high positioned storage space60, the energy converter unit100installed at a downward drop position thereto, the stockpile space70set up below the energy converter unit100, and a plurality of the weighted balls300stored inside the storage space60. The weighted balls300are released down the inclined release chute40towards the energy converter unit100, whereby the gravitational potential energy from the weighted balls300produces a torque on a generator10, activating it to generate electric power. The energy converter unit100then transforms the potential energy of the weighted balls300, after which the weighted balls300are released downward towards the stockpile space70via the collection chute50, and sequentially stored therein. The weighted balls300accumulate in the stockpile space70, and based on off-peak periods of electric consumption as described above, the delivery device80is instructed to sequentially deliver the weighted balls300to the storage space60, where they are sequentially stored therein. After the storage space60is sufficiently stored with the weighted balls300, or after the stockpile space70has been depleted of the weighted balls300, then the delivery device80stops operating, and the energy storage system101enters a standby state. The above-mentioned weighted balls300are round shaped objects or round blocks, which can be made of metal. The metal can be obtained from a mixture of scrap metal with similar properties, which can be repeatedly recycled and remanufactured into the weighted balls300after wear and tear thereof.

The above-described inclined release chute40and the collection chute50can have any surface that enables rolling the weighted balls300providing that the surface does not interfere therewith, and can be laid with shock absorbing sheet material, such as elastic rubber sheet, which can absorb rolling vibrations and also dampen noise.

Referring toFIG.5, which shows the operational mode of the energy converter unit100, and because the system is mechanical, there exists static friction within the mechanism, thus, an activating device20is connected to the axle center of a driven wheel30. The activating device20serves to overcome the static friction during electric power generation, and can also correct the operating angle of the system, enabling aligning receiving units32to receive the incoming weighted balls300.

The activating device20activates a generator10synchronously linked thereto, after which the generator10and the driven wheel30coaxially acquire a torque, which produces rotational inertia that drives the receiving units32to rotate.

A plurality of radial connecting rods31are equiangularly arranged inside the radial surface of the driven wheel30, to increase the construction strength of the system or simplify the structural configuration.

An external inclined side plate33is provided on the outer side of each of the receiving units32, wherein the external inclined side plate33forms an eighty degree angle with the radial connecting rod31. The eighty degree angle was the test angle for the mechanism of the present invention, however, with different materials or masses, or different mechanism dimensions, the operating system will produce different angular positioned working forces, thus, the angle can be adjusted accordingly. The angle mainly enables the driven wheel30to maintain holding the weighted balls300during the rotating process of the receiving units32. At least two of the receiving units32are arranged equiangularly within the energy converter unit100, or, as shown inFIG.5, three of the receiving units32are arranged at equal angles of 120 degrees. The gravitational potential energy of the weighted balls300is distributed according to the direction of gravity, and clearly occurs at angular positions from one o'clock to five o'clock. In particular, the angular position at three o'clock produces a maximum torque effect to drive the generator10, after which the weighted ball300follows along with the slope of the external inclined side plate33and drops into the inlet of the collection chute50.

The weighted balls300are sequentially fed into the energy converter unit100from the inclined release chute40, and the frequency of feeding depends on the timing when the receiving units32have rotated to appropriate receiving angles. The rotational speed of the driven wheel30can be low, the function of which is to reduce the quantity of the weighted balls300being fed into the energy converter unit100.

In trial runs of the energy converter unit100of the present system producing satisfactory torque, power generation, and operation, and in a trial operating rotational speed of two revolutions per second, only six of the weighted balls300needed to be sequentially fed into the energy converter unit100to drive the electric generator10and generate electric power, meaning the rotational speed of the driven wheel30is low. Because the generator10has specific rotational speed requirements according to electric power generation specifications, then a rotational speed adjustment device, such as a commonly used transmission (not shown in the drawings), installed between the driven wheel30and the generator10serves as an indirect power series connection.

The gravitational potential energy from the weighted balls300produces a torque on the driven wheel30of the energy converter unit100; however, the torque has diminished and weakened after the angle position of five o'clock, and there is no clear existence of any available torque just before the angle position of six o'clock, thus the weighted balls300are transferred to the collection chute50for collection thereof.

Referring toFIG.6, which shows an embodiment of a feed mechanism of the present invention, a description of which follows. The feed mechanism can be designed in a plurality of ways, the basic requirements being that the interior of the storage space60can sequentially store a plurality of the weighted balls300, and that the weighted balls300can be sequentially passed on to a delivery unit42through an allocation path600to be allocated toward the inclined release chute40.

At the end of the allocation process of the weighted balls300, the weighted balls300are sequentially dispensed on the inclined release chute40to slide down thereon; or the weighted balls300are sequentially propelled and fed into the delivery unit42through a propel unit41. The delivery frequency of the weighted balls300relies on the use of a drive device43to drive a screw rod44, which at fixed times pushes out and passes on the weighted balls300to the inclined release chute40through the delivery unit42. The driving operation of the drive device43requires the wastage of energy; however, the power required will result in different power dissipation depending on different masses of the weighted balls300. The driving operation of the drive device43can use any mechanistic relay card system, such as the kinetic force from the weighted balls300sliding down the inclined release chute40contacting a toggle member45, which produces a swivel movement force that activates the screw rod44to rotate, thereby achieving a dispensing time relay function for dispensing the weighted balls300.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, the storage space60is combined with the allocation path600so as to correspond to the direction of the inclined release chute40. The interior of the storage space60has a plurality of accumulating channels64configured in a multi-level array to provide sequential dispensing of the weighted balls300. The longitudinal space of each of the accumulating channels64enables storing a plurality of the weighted balls300.

The bottom of each of the accumulating channels64is a forward inclined surface65, which slopes downward and positioned corresponding to a sequencing path62of the allocation path600. An outlet610is provided at a corner position at the lower end output direction of the allocation path600. The delivery unit42affords passage to the inclined release chute40.

The storage space60, corresponding to one end of the delivery device80, equipped with the rear side allocation path600(as shown on the left side ofFIG.7) has a delivery intersection601provided at the uppermost end thereof, which uses the same mechanism as at the lowermost end, whereby the delivery intersection601corresponds to a handover outlet800of the delivery device80to receive the weighted balls300delivered by the delivery device80. That is, the delivery device80upwardly raises the weighted balls300from the stockpile space70, which then pass through the handover outlet800and drop into one end of the sequencing paths62at the uppermost level of the allocation path600from the delivery intersection601. The gravitational potential energy of the weighted balls300cause them to roll in the direction of the lowermost level aligned accumulating channel64. After each of the lowermost level accumulating channels64are filled, the weighted balls300then fill up the upper level accumulating channels64according to the specifications of the sequencing paths62.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, regarding the downward replenishment method of the weighted balls300, the interior of the storage space60is divided into an array configuration of a plurality of the accumulating channels64, and each of the accumulating channels64is controlled by the opening and closing of a latch63. The opening and closing of each of the latches63is directed by a detection unit640associated therewith. The detection unit640can be a photoelectric pressure switch or a mechanical weighted pressure switch, which is pressed down by the weight of the weighted balls300, thereby determining whether or not there are any of the weighted balls300in the accumulating channel64, and directing the latch63to block or release the weighted balls300.

Regarding the operating state of the release of the weighted balls300one by one into the allocation path600, first, the weighted balls300in the interior of the storage space60are forced forward by the sloping effect of the forward inclined surfaces65of the accumulating channels64. The latch63blocks the weighted balls300until the entire longitudinal space of the accumulating channel64is full of the weighted balls300, wherein the opening of each of the accumulating channels64is aligned with the corresponding level sequencing path62of the allocation path600. Each of the sequencing paths62is subjected to the alternate sloping state of inclined tracks61, which causes a downward sliding movement of the weighted balls300by passing through turnaround drop openings620following the upper and lower sequencing paths62, sequentially rolling and winding round toward the lowermost level sequencing path62to arrive at the outlet610. The upper and lower level inclined tracks61respectively make reverse angle descents with a horizontal line L, causing the sequencing paths62to form a Z-shaped sloping and sequencing region.

The weighted balls300positioned in the storage space60are released toward the allocation path600, whereby, first, the upper level accumulating channel64releases the weighted balls300, which are delivered to the outlet610through the allocation path600. After the weighted balls300are cleared from the interior of the upper level accumulating channel64, then all of the stored weighted balls300of the adjacent lower level, horizontally arranged accumulating channel64begin to be released in a lateral tilting sequence through the respective latches63associated therewith in a left, right relay.

The horizontally adjacent accumulating channel64, starting at the highest end, gradually opens and sequentially releases the weighted balls300into the allocation path600according to the sloping direction of the sequencing path62of the allocation path600.

The weighted balls300roll into a corresponding upper sequencing path621and a middle sequencing path622of the allocation path600from the upper level accumulating channel64. The weighted balls300rolling through the turnaround drop openings620and dropping into the middle sequencing path622, then finally reaching a lower sequencing path623, ready to be fed out from the outlet610.

After an upper accumulating channel641positioned at the upper level drops the final weighted ball300, the operation is then handed over to a middle accumulating channel642at the next level corresponding to the middle sequencing path622of the allocation path600. Then the weighted balls300are fed out the left end of the sloping uppermost point of the middle sequencing path622and pass along the inclined track61of the middle sequencing path622, downwardly rolling along the incline before finally being subjected to the sloping effect of the lower sequencing path623to roll down to the outlet610. After the weighted balls300are completely cleared from being fed from the left to the right of the middle accumulating channel642, then the other end of a lower accumulating channel643sequentially releases the weighted balls300to the outlet610.

Between the plurality of accumulating channels64arranged in an array configuration inside the storage section60, the plurality of inclined tracks61are arranged obliquely relative to the allocation path600, and form a height split distance. The side of each of the inclined tracks61of the allocation path600has abutment lines66on the opening front of the storage space60.

Referring toFIG.10, which shows the interior of the stockpile space70of the system, wherein a plurality of the weighted balls300are sequentially stored, and the collection chute50provides a passageway between the stockpile space70and the energy converter unit100. The collection chute50is indirectly joined to a sequencing path700(the concept behind the structural configuration of the stockpile space70and the sequencing path700is the same as that of the storage space60and the allocation path600ofFIG.8, wherein both have a plurality of upper and lower levels and left and right adjacent channels: accumulating channels64in the storage space60, and stowage channels74in the stockpile space70, with the bottom of each of the stowage channels74having a backward inclined surface75). A storage inlet710is provided between the uppermost level sequencing path700and the collection chute50that enables the weighted balls300to be channeled therethrough. After the weighted balls300are channeled into the storage inlet710, a sequencing channel72at the uppermost level of the sequencing path700enables the weighted balls300to sequentially drop into a lowermost sequencing path721at the lowermost level by means of the sloping effect of inclined tracks71, whereupon they enter and are sequentially accumulated in the lowermost level stowage channel74through a corresponding passage opening73.

The weighted balls300then enter the interior of the next empty stowage channel74and sequentially stored therein using the sloping effect of the backward inclined surface75thereof. The weighted balls300are accordingly transferred level by level to the uppermost level stowage channel74, thereby filling the interior of the stockpile space70from the bottom upwards with the weighted balls300, ready to be handed over to the delivery device80for further operation thereof. Upon operation of the delivery device80, the weighted balls300are dropped into the delivery device80through a dispensing outlet76at the lower corner of the rear side of the sequencing path700.

To supplement the description of the front side sequencing path700, referring toFIG.11, the structural concept is the same as that of the allocation path600shown inFIG.8, and is configured with the sloping inclined tracks71, whereby the weighted balls300pass through turnaround drop openings720to travel from the upper to the lower levels. The weighted balls300are channeled into the storage inlet710, and sequentially follow the sloping effect of the inclined tracks71, rolling round the turnaround drop openings720to finally reach the lowermost level sequencing path72, where the weighted balls300are ready for delivery to the rear side.

Referring toFIG.10, when the delivery device80is ready for operation, the dispensing outlet76at the rear side of the sequencing path700releases the weighted balls300one by one into the delivery device80to be delivered upward, thereby changing the potential energy of the weighted balls300.

Referring toFIGS.12and13, the sequencing path700is indirectly linked between the stockpile space70and the delivery device80, and the sequencing path700is provided with the dispensing outlet76at a fixed corner position corresponding to the delivery device80for handover of the weighted balls300thereto. The rolling effect of the weighted balls300rolling down the inclined tracks enable them to roll into a delivery unit81of the delivery device80through the dispensing outlet76. The delivery unit81functions with an up-and-down movement mechanism, whereby after receiving the weighted balls300, the delivery unit81upwardly delivers them to the storage space60. The weighted balls300are dispensed into the delivery unit81from the interior of the sequencing path700through the dispensing outlet76and raised upward, and are replenished with the weighted balls300dropping downward from upper levels, which is the same as the operational concept of the allocation path600as shown inFIG.8.

During the time when the delivery unit81of the delivery device80has disengaged from the dispensing outlet76and is transporting the weighted ball300upwards, the weighted ball300located at the first sequenced position of the dispensing outlet76is blocked by a corresponding holding bar77. When the delivery device80has completed its upward transportation and delivery of the weighted ball300, the delivery device80travels downward for repositioning thereof, whereupon repelling members82provided on the delivery unit81are used to press down on the holding bar77using a mechanical locking method, causing the corresponding holding bar77to pull back and allow the weighted ball300to enter the delivery unit81. The delivery unit81once again upwardly transports the weighted ball300, at which time the repelling members82unlock the intervening force on the corresponding holding bar77, thereby enabling the holding bar77to elastically reposition and once again block the subsequent weighted ball300behind the holding bar77.

Referring toFIG.13, which shows the storage space60and the stockpile space70configured at corresponding upper and lower heights, wherein the delivery device80is responsible for upwardly delivering the weighted balls300positioned in the stockpile space70to the storage space60. In order to save on energy expended by the delivery device80, the height of the upward delivery operation of the weighted balls300by the delivery device80can be adjusted.

The method to adjust the delivery height of the delivery device80is by supporting the entire front with a general auxiliary raising mechanism (not shown in the drawings) to change the displacement height P. The handover outlet800is raised along with the delivery unit81, and as shown inFIG.3, the handover outlet800is displaced to the highest position thereof through a displacement height P, whereupon the handover outlet800is positioned at the corresponding uppermost level of the storage space60and aligned with the opening position of the upper sequencing path621, and the lower end of the delivery unit81aligns with the corresponding opening position of the sequencing path72of a stowage channel741at the uppermost level of the stockpile space70. Basically, the height travel distance of the delivery device80can be reduced.

The delivery unit81acquires the weighted ball300in the uppermost level stowage channel741from the highest positioned sequencing path72of the stockpile space70, and delivers the weighted ball300upward, and delivers the weighted ball300through the handover outlet800into the corresponding upper sequencing path621of the uppermost level accumulating channel64of the storage space60, thereby enabling replenishing the weighted balls300in the uppermost level accumulating channel64. After filling the uppermost level accumulating channel64with the weighted balls300, the positional height of the delivery device80is moved downward, causing the handover outlet800to correspond to the next level accumulating channel64, at which time the delivery unit81is docked at the height of the next uppermost level stowage channel741of the next level stowage channel74. Sequentially lowering the delivery device80to the lowermost position thereof forms the state of the delivery device80A shown inFIG.13, at which time the delivery unit81A is docked at the lowermost positioned stowage channel74of the stockpile space70. The sequencing path700acquires the weighted ball300causing it to enter the delivery unit81A, which is then delivered to the lowermost level accumulating channel64of the storage space60from a handover outlet800A by passing through the lower sequencing path623, thereby replenishing and filling the lowermost level accumulating channel64.

Using the upward and downward displacement of the delivery device80enables acquiring the weighted balls300from corresponding stowage channels74horizontally arranged at different height levels, and delivering the weighted balls300to the storage space60. The multilevel structured accumulating channels64of the storage space60are accordingly replenished with the weighted balls300, thereby reducing movement of the displacement height P and saving on energy wastage of the delivery device80.

The upward and downward displacement of the delivery device80can adopt any displacement mechanism, such as a screw rod. Most important is that the mechanism is able to drive the delivery unit81to synchronously displace the handover outlet800to follow each varying level of the accumulating channels64and the corresponding stowage channels74of the storage space60and stockpile space70, respectively, and is structured so as to be in a height correspondence relationship.

The above-described order of positional height adjustment of the entire delivery device80can be changed to cope with the capacity of the stockpile space70or the order of the delivery operation.

The above description of the diagrams regarding the structure and description of the storage space60, the stockpile space70, the allocation path600and the sequencing path700are examples of simple structures; the relevant main design is that the stockpile space70is able to stow the weighted balls300, which can then be raised to the storage space60by means of the delivery device80, to create the requirements to activate the energy converter unit100. And after the potential energy of the weighted balls300has been expended, the weighted balls300are one by one guided and received by the structural system of the stockpile space70. The concepts described above according to the diagrams shown inFIGS.7to11define the same operating functions for the storage space60and the stockpile space70, so the functional characteristics can be determined simply and clearly by referring to the functional wording for easy understanding.

When the mains supply of electric power is fully satisfied, the system provided by the present invention transforms potential energy, and when there is a large demand for power from the main supply, an energy converter unit is activated to generate power, enabling a feedback system to operate in a purely mechanical manner. Moreover, a storage space and a stockpile space of the system are completely sealed, and thus cope easily with earthquakes. It is an innovative, stable, and practical energy storage method. Furthermore, the system is purely mechanical, using gravitational effects to convert energy, and thus an innovative invention. Accordingly, a new patent application is proposed herein.