Multi-source passive energy power generation

A multi-source passive energy power generation system that includes use of solar radiation to drive an air compressor and compressed air is then delivered to a power wheel positioned within a fluid tank. The air pressure is delivered to air chambers mounted upon tubular spokes of the power wheel and buoyancy force is used to drive rotation of the power wheel within the fluid tank. In some embodiments weights are added to translate along the tubular spokes under the guidance of cam surfaces to a rotational force to the power wheel from the force of gravity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for generating power from multiple sources of natural energy. More specifically, the invention uses naturally occurring passive sources of energy such as solar radiation, gravity and buoyancy to create useable power.

In the past fossil fuel sources have been a primary source of usable energy. In this coal, oil and natural gas have been used in power plant installations to heat water which is converted into steam that drives massive turbines which in turn rotate generators to produce electricity. Fossil fuel sources, however, have certain disadvantages as a natural resource that is not without limit as well as producing environmental contaminates and concerns. Moreover significant reserves of fossil fuels exist outside of the territorial United States making reliable supply at reasonable costs problematic and subject to spikes based on geophysical, political and financial speculation considerations. Such uncertainty places economic development in the hands of sources and resources that may not be reliable or trustworthy.

Alternative sources of energy are available such as direct solar power, wind power, ocean current and tide machines. Each of these mono-sources of energy and power have their own advantages and disadvantages such as construction costs, efficiency, generation location, etc.

Although nuclear power generation has been proven to be reliable in most situations in instances of hundred year natural disasters, or just plain negligent human management of facilities, unforeseen events may produce unanticipated catastrophic consequences that can endanger human existence in significant regions of the earth for generations. Moreover safe and reliable management of spent fuel rods with long half-lives creates issues of their own complexity.

It would be highly desirable to provide a system and method of power generation for use in a wide variety of applications that would be reliable, not dependent on fossil or nuclear fuels and have an enhance efficiency in operation. Moreover utilization of universally available, reliable, multiple sources of passive energy such as solar, buoyancy and gravity to produce power would be desirable.

The problems suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive but rather are among many which may tend to reduce the effectiveness, reliability and safety of power generation systems known in the past. Other noteworthy problems may also exist; however, those presented above should be sufficient to demonstrate that power generation systems and methods appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A preferred embodiment of the invention which is intended to address concerns and accomplish at least some of the foregoing objectives comprises a system wherein solar energy is used to drive an air compressor which in turn delivers air under pressure to a buoyancy/gravity power wheel. The power wheel is mounted within a tank filled with a fluid having a specific gravity greater than air pressure and on a generally right hand side of the wheel gravity is used to drive rotation of the wheel in a clockwise direction and on a left hand side of the wheel buoyancy is used to drive rotation of the wheel also in a clockwise direction. An output shaft is operably connected to the wheel and can be used to drive an electrical generator or other devices where rotary power is desired. In a preferred embodiment all three passive energy sources of solar radiation, gravity and buoyance are combined to produce rotary power.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, and initially toFIG. 1, there will be seen a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the subject multi-source passive energy power generation system100.

A conventional solar energy source102is operable to convert solar radiation into direct current which is fed to a storage battery with a controller104. The battery in turn is used to drive an air compressor106. Ambient air is drawn into the compressor106from an ambient air intake108where the air is compressed and delivered to an accumulator110which is used as a steady source of air pressure of say three pounds per square inch above ambient air pressure. Alternatively a converter could be used to generate AC current to drive an air compressor pump.

Air pressure from the accumulator110is delivered to a buoyancy and gravity power wheel112mounted for rotation within a fluid tank114where the air pressure is used on a buoyancy side116of the power wheel112to rotate the wheel in a clockwise direction within the tank114. In one embodiment exhaust air from the power wheel is fed back into the air compressor intake108via a check valve system.

In another embodiment of the invention clockwise buoyancy drive of the power wheel112is enhanced by the provision of gravity weights (to be discussed in detail below) which function to provide a clockwise gravity drive118on the right hand side of the power wheel112.

A power output shaft120is coupled to the power wheel112and is used to drive an electrical generator or a variety of devices where rotary power is desired. In a preferred embodiment three passive sources of energy namely solar radiation, buoyancy and gravity are combined to drive the power wheel112.

Turning now toFIGS. 2-4there will be seen various views of a power wheel112which operates on air pressure from an accumulator110as discussed above. The power wheel is positioned within a generally rectangular fluid tank114having a generally rectangular bottom surface122and side walls124. The tank is filled114is preferably filled with water but other fluids are envisioned that have a specific gravity of greater or less than that of water but in any event greater than the fluid, such as air under pressure, supplied to the tank from the accumulator110.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3positioned centrally within the tank114is a rotary power wheel112. An axle126is mounted upon a side wall124of the tank114in a generally central location and extend into the tank. A hub128of the rotary power wheel112is journaled upon the axle126for rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 2.

Attached to the hub128are a plurality of radially extending tubular spokes130which are positioned with equal spacing around the hub128. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are sixteen equally spaced spokes positioned around the outside diameter of the hub (equally spaced by approximately 22.5 degrees). Each of the tubular spokes130are hollow tubes and have a proximal end132radially mounted within the hub128and a distal end that terminate into an air chamber134. In a presently preferred embodiment there are sixteen tubular spokes and air chambers that are shown numbered inFIG. 2with the number “1” being assigned to the position slightly beyond a six o'clock position and extending in clockwise sequence around the power wheel to position “16” which is slightly short of a six o'clock position on the power wheel.

Turning now specifically toFIG. 4a generally spherical buoyancy chamber136is mounted at the distal ends of the tubular spokes130. The spherical buoyancy chamber136has spherical side walls with a plurality of apertures138that permit free generally unrestricted access to the surrounding fluid within the tank114. Within the interior of each spherical buoyancy chamber136is a flexible bladder140that is operably connected to the distal end of a corresponding tubular spoke130and is operable to receive and return air from the interior of the flexible bladder. The bladder may be held in a secure position by an “O” ring142mounted about an opening of the bladder and a mounting ring144of the spherical chamber.

The bladder is preferably composed of a plastic composition with a wall thickness suitably selected to repeatedly receive and evict air from within the interior of the spherical air chamber. As a general proposition there is no requirement for the bladder to be elastic although in certain embodiments using an elastic composition may be desirable. In any event the bladder should be suitable to be deployed within the inter periphery of the spherical chamber136or contract to a completely collapsed condition during each full rotation of the power wheel.

Returning toFIG. 3an air, or other fluid, induction conduit146extends through the side wall of the tank124and into the stationary axle126. This induction conduit146terminates in a radially extending fluid port148in the axle126. When the hub128rotates to bring a proximal end of a tubular spoke into registry with the fluid port148fluid, such as air under pressure, will be injected into the bladder140which will fill the spherical chamber136. The fluid induction port is peripherally positioned on the axle at the “1” position as viewed inFIG. 2. When fluid from the tank114is evicted from the spherical chamber134at the “1” position a buoyancy force is created at the distal end of the tubular spoke130and the power wheel is rotated in a clockwise direction as illustrated by arrow “A” inFIG. 2.

As the air chamber sphere moves clockwise to position 2 and beyond the port of the spoke130moves out of registry with the induction port148and the hub and axle form a seal so that buoyancy is maintained within the spherical air chamber as the power wheel rotates. As noted above the buoyancy of the bladder applied at the distal end of spoke130tends to rotate the power wheel in a clockwise direction at positions “1” through “8.” Each of the spherical buoyancy chambers and interior bladders140are inflated on the left hand side of the power wheel and remain inflated thus providing clockwise rotational torque to the power wheel112on the left hand side of the power wheel by the passive force of buoyancy.

Returning toFIG. 3a fluid exhaust line150is positioned through a side wall of the tank114and projects into the axle126in a position approximately diametrically opposite to the fluid inlet line146. The exhaust line150terminates within the axle with a radially extending port152. When rotation of the power wheel112brings the proximal end of a tubular spoke130into registry with the exhaust port152fluid, such as air under pressure, is evicted from the bladder of the buoyancy chamber and the bladder collapses within the buoyancy chamber. At this point the air chamber136loses the upward buoyancy it possessed and the power wheel112is freed to continue rotation in a clockwise direction in the direction of arrow “B” through stations “9” through “16.” When station “1” is reached the process is repeated.

Turning now toFIGS. 5 through 8another embodiment of the invention is disclosed. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4and like parts are designated with identical reference numbers. In this embodiment a gravity system has been added to the buoyancy drive system of the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-4.

In this embodiment a generally torus shaped weight200has been added to surround and slid along each of the tubular spokes130. A detailed view of each weight is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Each of the weights200has a generally puck shape with a central aperture. Each of the torus shaped weights can be composed of a heavy metal such as lead and is preferably enrobed with a low friction plastic coating204such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

As shown inFIG. 5each of the tubular spokes130is fitted with one or more of the weights200and each spoke also carries a radial inner spacer sleeve206and a radial outer spacer sleeve208.

An upper cam surface210is mounted upon the wall of the tank114and extends in curved posture from an initial position adjacent to an inner edge of a weight200at station “7” and extends to a position slightly beyond station “12.” The upper cam surface210serves to extend the weights200to a radially outermost position upon each spoke from station “9” to approximately station “12” where gravity tends to keep the weight extended to station “15.” In an extended position the weights are extended in an outermost posture upon the radial tubular spokes from station “9” to station “15” and thus create a clockwise moment on the hub128which serves to rotate the hub in a clockwise direction in the direction of arrow “B.”

In addition to the upper cam surface210discussed above a lower cam surface212is mounted upon the wall of the tank114and extends in a curved posture from an initial position adjacent to an outer surface of a weight200at station “15” and extends in a clockwise direction about the power wheel112in a radially decreasing posture to a position slightly beyond station “4.”

The cam surface212serves to engage an outer edge of a weight200at approximately station “15” and raise the weight to a position adjacent the hub128while the power wheel112rotates in a clockwise direction from station “16” to station “7.”

It will be seen inFIG. 5that the cam surfaces210and212create a longer moment arm for the weights200on the right had side of the power wheel and thus operably combine with the left had buoyancy side of the power wheel to rotate the power wheel in a clockwise direction.

FIG. 9discloses another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the concept of a buoyance bladder is combined within a rigid cylindrical chamber300mounted on the distal end of each engine wheel spoke130. The attachment structure302at the base of the cylinder is open centrally to permit communication with the air induction and exhaust spoke130. A flexible bladder or cylindrical balloon304is mounted at one end306at an open end of the cylinder300and carries a disc308at a closed end of the bladder. The disc308prevents the bladder304from being drawn into the tubular spoke130during an exhaust phase. A bar310attached to a base of the disc308prevents the disc from completely closing the distal end of the tubular spoke130.

The bladder304and disc308are mounted to traverse back and forth within the cylinder300.FIG. 9shows the disc308and bladder304is a contracted position with solid lines as would exist at the station “9” position to station16position of the engine wheel. Beyond the station “1” position air pressure will extend the bladder or balloon304to an extended position within the sphere until the disc308engages a stop312at a distal end of the cylinder300and the bladder304extends into the spherical buoyancy chamber134.

Turning now toFIGS. 10 and 11another embodiment of the invention is disclosed.FIG. 10discloses an embodiment which is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 9but instead of using a flexible bladder304this embodiment comprises two rigid cylindrical cans400and402that are open ended and telescope together.

InFIG. 10a fixed cylindrical can400is shown mounted on a distal end of an air induction and exhaust spoke130. A disc404is positioned at an open end of the traversing can402. The disc404includes a central opening406or a plurality of transverse holes as desired. The central opening406or the plurality of holes or apertures allows air pressure to equalize on either side of the disc404.

Bearings408and stops410and412enable controlled relative translation of the can402with respect to the fixed can400. In operation the cans are generally in a contracted position at one to three o'clock and then telescope open by gravity and air pressure to fully extended position from station “1” to approximately station “9” where the air pressure is exhausted in a manner of operation similar to the operation of the embodiment ofFIG. 9. The size of the cylindrical chambers can be selected to produce a desired buoyancy to provide a clockwise rotation of the engine wheel in the direction of arrow “A’ inFIG. 2.

Referring now toFIGS. 12 through 14there is yet another embodiment of the subject invention.FIG. 12is a schematic of the power wheel112disclosed inFIG. 5. In this embodiment a continuous cam500is shown. This cam surface interacts with weights200that are mounted for translation along the tubular spokes130as discussed in connection withFIG. 5.

FIG. 13is a side elevation view andFIG. 14is a cross-sectional view of the cam500which is mounted upon the axle126and includes a cam track502that is designed to operate in cooperation with a cam follower arm504that is connected to a side surface of the weights200. As the power wheel turns clockwise the weights will be extended at stations “11” through “14” and contract at stations “16” through “9.” This imbalance in the length of the moment arms of the weights200induces clockwise rotation of the power wheel in the direction of arrow “B” on the right hand side of the power wheel in combination with the buoyancy force in the direction of arrow “A” on the left hand side of the power wheel.

The spherical expandable bladder containment basket134can be constructed from composite materials such as ABS and molded in two hemi-spherical halves. The fluid containment tank114can be any size as desired and the system scaled up or down to meet the intended function. In addition the amount of air press necessary to expand the collapsible bladder will depend on the depth of the water with the vessel as approximately one meter of water is equal to one atmosphere of air pressure.

Although a single power wheel is illustrated it is envisioned that a plurality of wheels can be mounted in parallel upon a single central hub shaft to provide multiples of the power generation of a single engine power wheel. Moreover the dimensions and weights can be selected to optimize the resulting power output from buoyancy and gravity for a given size container or vessel.

In this patent the term “passive” has been used to describe a source of energy that exists in nature such as solar radiation, buoyancy and gravity. These sources of energy exist and it is the purpose of the subject invention to utilize those sources to produce useful power for a variety of applications. The presently envisioned fluid supplied to the power wheel is air under pressure such as for example 3 psi above ambient air pressure. Other sources of pressure are envisioned, however, such as for example steam. The term “approximately” as used in this patent is intended to provide a degree a latitude with respect to any component that includes the term in its description.

The functions and advantageous of the subject systems provide a source of power generation that is relatively quiet, environmentally save, is independent of fossil fuel sources, and is efficient in operation. Although one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous uses of the subject efficient energy generation systems currently envisioned uses include electricity generators, air compressors, hydraulic drives, pumps, sawmills, textile mills, turbines, machinery with line shafts, electrical vehicle charging, well drilling, oil refineries, road construction sites to compress air or provide an independent source of electricity, electrical power of the energy grid, etc.

In the specification the expression “approximately” is intended to mean at or near and not exactly such that the exact location is not considered critical.

In the claims reference has been made to use of the term “means” followed by a statement of function. When that convention is used applicant intends the means to include the specific structural components recited in the specification and the drawings and in addition other structures and apparatus that will be recognized by those of skill in the art as equivalent structures for performing the recited function and not merely structural equivalents of the structures as specifically shown and described in the drawings and written specification.

In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art however, and familiar with the disclosure of the subject invention, may recognize additions, deletions, substitutions, modifications and/or other changes which will fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.