APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY

Abstract: A device (5) for the transfer of energy based upon the use of rotating masses/a pressurized medium in a device, which includes, for example, two wheels (1,2) or the equivalent, in which one has protrusions or arms (5), and the other has components (6) that receive and lock in place the protrustions or arms (5), such as channel-like or cup-like components. The arm (5) is formed particularly as an articulated structure. The introduction of the pressurized medium into the interior of the intermediate component (5) endeavours to straighten and extend it.

Description: Apparatus for transferring energy The present invention relates to a device for the transfer of energy, and more specifically to such a device which is based on the one hand on device components that may rotate and, on the other hand, on the use of a pressurized medium in interaction between the device components. The system which is the object of this invention has been resolved in a previously unknown manner. The invention is described, without being restricted to the presented embodiment, in what follows herein, with reference to the attached drawings, in which certain variations of the invention are apparent. Thus: Figure 1 shows, as a schematic diagram viewed from two directions, the working environment of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an alternative working environment; Figure 3 shows a certain adapted form of the invention; and Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a flexible arm according to the invention. In the following, the usual embodiment of the device is explained in such breadth as is necessary to demonstrate the functionality of the presented invention. Naturally the device is not restricted exclusively to the illustrated application but other similar applications are also possible. The common functional principle of one preferred embodiment of the device is as follows. The device functions between two rotating parts of the device in such a way that a first wheel, in this case the uppermost wheel 1 , transfers energy to a second lower wheel 2. The wheels are mounted on bearings to rotate about their axles 3 and 4. In the provided illustrations, the wheel 1 , which transfers the energy, is shown as the uppermost wheel, and the wheel 2, which receives the energy and subsequently donates it, is shown as the lower wheel. This is, however, only an example and the wheels can be arranged otherwise than has just been described. Although wheels are referred to above, these wheels may, however, be in whatsoever form and are by no means restricted to a circular form. Similarly, the device according to this invention can be used to transfer energy between parts other than wheels. The energy-transferring wheel is filled with fluid, for example with water, or connected to an elevated vessel containing such fluid, or the said wheel can itself be a pressurized vessel, in which can be used, for example water or other fluid or pressurized gas or a combination of these or it can be connected to such a vessel. Alternatively, separate pressurized vessels can equally well be utilized either inside or outside the wheel, or several such vessels can be utilized. The wheels rotate in synchronization such that the protrusions 5 on wheel 1 always locate into the cup-like or channel-like parts 6 of wheel 2, by means of which the energy can be transferred from wheel 1 to wheel 2. The application which is shown as an example can be adapted in many ways. Wheel 1 is filled with water and a separate vessel, from which there is a connection to the wheel, can be installed, if so wished, in conjunction with wheel 1. There are also many alternative pressure-vessel solutions. Reference number 10 indicates the frame structures of wheel 1. When the arm 5 comes to the arm contact point 6 on wheel 2, the locking of the arm opens and the flexible part of the arm extends to the extent that all of the force of its weight is directed onto the arm contact point 6 and causes the wheel 2 to rotate. When the contact is broken, the arm returns to its original position. Because the arms 5 travel along their own circular path, as can be seen from the drawing on the right hand side of Figure 1 which shows the device as seen from above, the position of the arms alters laterally in relation to the level of wheel 2 as the rotation progresses. Thus the pressure beaπng on the arms is brought by tubes 5, that are articulated or similarly formed according to the invention as is hereinafter described, the shape of which alters according to the change in the relative position of the wheels 1 and 2 prevailing at the point of contact of arms 5 and parts 6. The rotational force of wheel 1 can be extracted from wheel 2 or it can be equipped with its own power source. A system is shown in Figure 2 which is adapted so that it no longer exploits the roundness of the wheels but rather the relative inclination of the wheels in relation to each other. Accordingly, an embodiment is shown in Figure 2 in which the levels of the wheels are inclined in slightly different directions. The working phase begins at the point of minimal separation, whereby the work done by the arms generates a force which endeavours to separate the wheels further from each other. The inclinations of the wheels are selected in an appropriate, case specific manner. The inclinations can be in only one direction or in a number of directions and similarly the inclination can be made adjustable, even during operation. Reference number 13 indicates valves, the function of which will be explained in greater detail in regard to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a system from which all of the device's components which are not of direct significance to the illustration of the subject have been stripped away. A rigid tube extends from the pressure vessel 1 , which can be filled with pressurized fluid and/or gas, to parts of the frame in which a flexible component 5, for example of a type such as that shown in Figure 4, is attached. In addition, the device also includes the valves 13 and 13' and the pump 18. When valve 13 is opened, the full force of the pressure is directed, via component 5, onto the receiving part. When the arm 5 is extended to its full length, valve 13 is closed and valve 13' is opened and the pump 18 is employed to the extent that such an amount of the medium, particularly fluid, which allows the flexible component 5 to collapse to its shorter/articulated position is pumped back into the pressure vessel 1, after which there is no obstacle to its shortening. Devices which function according to this principle can be used in pairs or in a series, whereby optimally some of the power produced by one component 5 can be used to raise another component 5. The energy can, altogether, be collected by any known means whatsoever. The purpose of Figure 4 is to show how the previously mentioned flexible component 5 can be constructed. As can be clearly seen from the illustration, the arm 5 comprises several consecutive components containing a joint 5'. The other parts and functions are, for example, as previously described. The device functions in such a way that the component 5 endeavours, according to known principles, to straighten in response to the pressure, and thus transfers the power to any point, for example, in the previously described device, so that it can be utilized. The joints 5' can be arranged to be equipped with tight seals, so that leakage of the pressurized medium to the surroundings will not occur. However, it is also possible to operate in such a way that a certain degree of leakage is permitted. Such leakage is simply collected and pumped, if so desired, back to the container. Appropriate simplifications can be made to the construction, if no attempt is made to make the joints too tight. One means of making the structure tight is simply to use a sock of flexible material which is impermeable to a pressurized medium inside, or alternatively outside, the structure. For example, a rubber-type sock is appropriate for this purpose, particularly for internal use, as the tubular construction supports it with its inner surface at every point. Although the arm 5 is articulated, for example, it can also, despite this, be alternatively equipped with other previously described kinds of raising etc. devices. The embodiments presented here can also function intermittently rather than continuously. In this case, wheel 1 comes to rest in a particular position, in which components 5 and 6 come into contact, the locking of the arm or tube opens and the flexible component extends to the extent that the full force of the pressure is directed onto the wheel. The lower wheel 2 rotates in response to the work performed by the arm/tube, and the arm/tube returns to its original position and the functions are repeated with the subsequent arm/tube by turning it around to its functioning position; in other words, the device functions intermittently. The wheel 2 also locks and the lockings open according to the previously described functions. The length of the arm is the same at the beginning of the contact and at its end. It is clear that the invention is illustrated above by presenting only a few embodiments. Many essential but conventional parts of the invention have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity. Additionally, it has been considered unnecessary to draw and describe parts accomplishing a certain effect in more detail because, for example, switches, locking devices and other such parts can be found in abundance in various applications and can be utilized also in conjunction with this invention. It should be stated that the construction of the joints is not described in greater detail due to the many possibilities available. For example, a joint may be equipped with two opposing cylindrical or spherical surfaces, but could equally well be a bellows joint, in which the bellows connection between two consecutive tubular components is creased on the inside angle of the joint and is in an extended state on the outside angle of the joint. The material of the joint need not necessarily be bellows-like, but suitably flexible material without creases is also appropriate. It is quite clear that the way in which the pressure is brought to bear upon the component 5 according to the invention is not significant. The pressure can be derived from a column of liquid, a weight or it can be created by a pump. If necessary, an internal tube or rod of a diameter less than that of the actual structure, can be utilized within the tubular structure. This tube is arranged to be movable from its upper end according to how much the actual intermediate structure lengthens or shortens. The primary purpose of the said internal tube is to support the structure in an easy way so that it will not bend excessively at the jointing point. The support tube may also be external. The invention can be adapted in many ways whilst remaining within the scope of the inventive idea and accompanying patent claims. The arrangement according to the invention can be used to replace many devices in use today, such as the piston-type devices of a combustion engine.

Claims: Claims 1. A device for the transfer of energy, based upon the use of a pressurized medium, to be used in a device which includes at least two means (1 , 2) such as wheels or the equivalent, in which the intention is to transfer energy from one to the other by using a pressurized medium, characterised in that the device (5) comprises an articulated (5 1 ), bendable or flexible, tubular arm structure between the said means (1, 2), which the internally introduced pressurized medium endeavours to straighten and thus extend. 2. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the intermediate component (5) is produced from tubular units essentially unchanged in their form and the jointing units by which these are connected (5'), which permit articulation of the tubular units in relation to each other, at least in one direction. 3. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that it has hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical means for the regulation of the wheels (1 ,2) or their equivalent, the arms (5), the receiving components (6) and other adjustable components, particularly by means of computer control. 4. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a sealing tube inside or outside the arm. 5. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a reinforcing tube or rod inside the arm. 6. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device comprises an articulated tube equipped with numerous joints (5').

Inventors: KORHONEN JAAKKO JUHANI, KORHONEN, JAAKKO, JUHANI
Applicants: KORHONEN JAAKKO JUHANI, KORHONEN, JAAKKO, JUHANI
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F15B15
IPC codes: F15B15