Abstract:
A rigid arm pendulum is combined with a helical device attached to the pendulum horizontal axle to provide a double reciprocating action. While the pendulum reciprocates in rotary fashion about the axle, describing successive arcs of less than 360 degrees, the axle simultaneously produces a reciprocating action about its longitudinal centerline. A pumping action is thereby developed in line with the longitudinal centerline of the axle. This pumping (linear reciprocating) action can be utilized for a variety of requirements, including a hydraulic pump and a system to drive an electric generator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/155,346, filed on Jun. 17, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,568, filed on Jun. 18, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a energy generation device and, more particularly, to a device utilizing reciprocating rotational motion that can be transmitted to an oscillating linear motion that is more suitable to adapting for the transmission of energy. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    As is well known in the art, pendulums have long been known as providing an effective means for utilizing the momentum of a falling weight. So efficient is a pendulum at utilizing momentum that, once oscillating, it requires very little additional energy input to keep the pendulum in motion. This additional energy only needs to be equal to the energy losses experienced by the system due to various forms of friction. 
         [0006]    Additionally and separately, electrical power generation systems utilize a wide array of technology that can capture rotating motions (from turbines, flywheels and the like) to generate electric power. Similarly, pumps can utilize either a rotating motion, or a reciprocating motion, to impart energy on a working fluid. In both cases, the ability to utilize the oscillating motion from a pendulum to drive such work output is not easily adapted. The back and forth oscillation of a pendulum results in direction changes sufficient to drive a clockwork, but the pulsating rotations of the axle are not well suited for driving a generator, powering a drill, driving a pump, or the like. Further, a search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. 
         [0007]    Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an improved means of interfacing between conventional electrical or mechanical power generation processes and the pulsating movement of a pendulum axle, thereby enabling a pendulum to become an efficient prime mover requiring only intermittent impulses of energy input. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved power generation device. 
         [0009]    It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved power generation device utilizing reciprocating rotational motion to impart the working force. 
         [0010]    It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide an improved power generation device utilizing an oscillating pendulum to generate or transfer the driving force. 
         [0011]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a rigid arm pendulum is combined with a helical axle to provide a double reciprocating action. While the pendulum reciprocates in rotary fashion about the horizontal axle, describing successively diminishing arcs of less than 360 degrees, the pendulum simultaneously causes the axle to reciprocate in a linear manner about its longitudinal centerline. Additionally, the pendulum can operate in this manner while maintaining arcs, which do not diminish, providing intermittent input energy impulses are introduced to the system and are equal in magnitude to the losses caused by all forms of friction including the workload. A pumping action is developed in line with the longitudinal centerline of the axle. This pumping (linear reciprocating) action can be utilized for a variety of requirements, including but not limited to a hydraulic pump, a linear electric generator and a linkage system connected to a flywheel, which can drive various forms of rotating machinery. 
         [0012]    An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an easily adapted means of powering conventional mechanical, hydraulic or electrical equipment with reciprocating rotary motion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a pendulum in a stationary position according to one conceptual embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the image in  FIG. 1  showing the pendulum in motion; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a close up top view of one embodiment of the rotation arrestor; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the rotation arrestor. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
       1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
       [0019]    In order to describe the complete relationship of the invention, it is essential that some description be given to the manner and practice of functional utility and description of the prototype utilizing the present teachings of a power generation device  100  utilizing reciprocating rotational motion and demonstrated shown by  FIG. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a side view and front view, respectively, of the pendulum in a stationary position. Support frames  101 , which are rigidly fastened to a base  102 , are attached to a plurality of side supports  103  to provide rigidity to the support frame  101 . Plates  104  and  105  are secured to the top of the support frames  101 . Bearing blocks  106  are fastened to the plates  104 ,  105 . Ball bearings  107  are positioned in the bearing blocks  106  and the bearing blocks  106  are assembled to the support frame  101  such that the bearings  106  are parallel and in line with each other. An axle  108  is mounted through the bearings so that it is capable of rotating freely. A pendulum bar  109  is rigidly fastened at a proximal end to the axle  108  and a weight  110  is fastened to a distal end of the pendulum bar  110 , thereby comprising a rigid arm pendulum on a rotatable shaft or axle. A handle  111  is attached to one end of the axle  108  to provide a means for pushing or rotating the pendulum. A ball nut  112  is fastened to the opposite end of the axle  108  and a ball screw  113  is installed into the ball nut such that one end of the ball screw can  113  travel freely inward and outward through the ball nut while the opposite end of the ball screw is fastened to a slidable block  114  portion of a rotation arrestor, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0020]    In conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the rotation arrestor assembly is comprised of a slidable block  114 , a fixed block  115 , two rods  116 , which are securely fastened to the fixed block  115  and four linear bearings  117 , which are securely fastened to the slidable block  114 . The fixed block  115  is fastened to the plate  105  and one end of the slidable block  114  is fastened to a workstation such as a reciprocating pump  118 . As the ball screw advances and retreats, the linear bearings  117  slide along the rods  116 . 
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
       [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a front view depicting the pendulum in motion, and  FIG. 3  shows an enlarged top view of the output end of the pendulum axle. In these views, it can readily be seen that as the axle  108  rotates, the ball nut  112  rotates, causing the ball screw  113 , which has its opposite end rigidly fastened to the slidable rotation arrestor block  114 , to screw inward or outward from the axle depending on the direction of rotation. As the ball screw moves in a linear manner, traveling along its longitudinal centerline, it alternatingly pushes and pulls the slidable rotation arrestor block  114  causing oscillating linear action in accordance with the rotating direction of the pendulum. The slidable rotation arrestor block  114  has its opposite end fastened to a reciprocating pump  118  and in this manner the pendulum&#39;s reciprocating rotational movement is converted to a linear reciprocating motion, which is used to produce work. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of  FIG. 3  where the ball nut  112  is rigidly fastened to the slidable rotation arrestor block  114 . In this embodiment, one end of the ball screw  113  is rigidly fastened to the axle  108 . The ball screw rotates with the axle causing the ball nut and the slidable rotation arrestor block  114  to be pulled or pushed in a linear oscillating manner. 
         [0023]    In operation, the principles of the present invention succeeded in demonstrating that a rigid arm pendulum works like a lever arm set into motion. A large mechanical advantage exists near the axle longitudinal centerline. The ball screw and ball nut arrangement further demonstrated a mechanical advantage found in the inclined plane, which is essentially a circular wedge. Combining these two principles produced a potential force along the axial longitudinal centerline of several thousand pounds, even when using a weight at the end of the pendulum arm of only 72 Lbs. A further result of testing revealed that when a linear workload was introduced (such as a reciprocating pump) to the ball screw via the rotation arrestor, the increased friction caused by the workload was transmitted through the ball screw to the pendulum in a more efficient manner than when the same workload was introduced in a rotary manner such as using a pulley on the axle. This was confirmed by measuring the decrease in the size of the arc as the pendulum rotated due to linear loading versus radial loading. 
         [0024]    It was further demonstrated that a given rotational arc of the pendulum could be maintained with a small manual impulse input once at the end of each over and back cycle of the pendulum. This input was sufficient to overcome all forms of friction and thereby maintain operation of the pendulum while producing useful output work. Such a device can be used for a variety of pumping applications, especially in situations where a higher force or pressure is required than what is otherwise available from a hand operated pumping system. Additionally, the output reciprocating system could also supply power to a hydraulic pump/motor system attached to an electric generator. In this manner, a hand operated rotary reciprocating mechanical system could produce a significant amount of electric power. 
         [0025]    Additionally, because of the reciprocating nature of a pendulum, it is easier to provide intermittent impulse pushes manually than to continuously turn a hand wheel or push and pull on a lever arm. In this manner, one or two people operating the machine do not become fatigued as quickly and yet they produce significant continuous output work. 
         [0026]    This described portion above represents the functional basis for the present invention, and allows the conversion of the reciprocating rotational motion of the pendulum assembly (or, alternately, an asymmetrical or unbalanced rotating cam or flywheel) into a simple reciprocating linear motion. Additionally, the momentum and power associated with the pendulum are concentrated and converted into a small reciprocating motion of much greater force concentration. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.