Abstract:
An energy conversion apparatus and method includes a central shaft rotatable around a first axis, at least one body rotating around a second axis, wherein the first axis and second axis intersect at a vertex, wherein the at least one body is connected to the central shaft and wherein the at least one body pivots about a point off the first axis and off the second axis, a drive means disposed adjacent to the at least one body, wherein the drive means is rotated by the at least one body, and a fixed core disposed around the central shaft, wherein the fixed core is connected to the drive means such that the at least one body is capable of orbiting around the fixed core.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/287,297, filed Apr. 30, 2001, entitled OFF-BALANCED POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS &amp; METHODS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention improves the field of power conversion apparatus and in particular the field of power conversion apparatus utilizing orbiting masses in conjunction with axial rotation of the masses by creating a mechanical advantage, an Off-balance Force, to optimize the output of the rotating mass. 
     2. Background 
     The present invention relates to an improvement of a prior invention of the applicant disclosed in U.S. patent pending, application Ser. No. 09/503,446 entitled “Power Conversion Methods and Apparatus,” which derived from provisional No. 60/209,204 entitled “Off-balanced Force apparatus and Methods.” In that patent the operative aspects of the downhill effect are explained in detail. A subsequent provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/024,385 and 60/088,570 discloses improvements to a Downhill effect (DHE) arrangement. Even though those improvements were very helpful in attaining increases in velocity of the rotating mass, the speed was still not as high as planned or desired and there were limitations due to the load of the counter torque and the masses rotational ability. The present invention combines these same operative aspects along with different apparatus and methods from the pending patent to achieve the desired results of increased speed and overcoming resistance. Major improvements to boost productivity include allowing the surface of traction for rolling to move with the mass as a specialized rail. 
     In the many years of research and development, I have never come across another method of having the power source, such as an electric motor, roll and orbit, thus allowing its mass to contribute to the power of the overall shaft work by way of the above-specified mechanical advantages of the downhill effect. All of which are incorporated with the pending technology to create a system whose efficiency surpasses that of the traditional stationary power sources. 
     With this new improvement, we are able to apply the rotational method to the apparatus of the provisional patent entitled “Vertex Directed Force Apparatus and Methods,” application No. 60/228,335 filed Aug. 28, 2000 by the inventor. This apparatus used the force generated by the orbiting mass and directed in a common vertex. Now the apparatus is capable of increasing its ability to orbit with the same effort thus greatly increasing its efficiency and push towards the vertex. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates to an energy conversion apparatus and method includes a central shaft rotatable around a first axis, at least one body rotating around a second axis, wherein the first axis and second axis intersect at a vertex, wherein the at least one body is connected to the central shaft and wherein the at least one body pivots about a point off the first axis and off the second axis, a drive means disposed adjacent to the at least one body, wherein the drive means is rotated by the at least one body, and a fixed core disposed around the central shaft, wherein the fixed core is connected to the drive means such that the at least one body is capable of orbiting around the fixed core. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     For the present invention to be understood clearly and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus along line A—A of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus showing a variation to the tension roller placement according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of one feature of a power conversion apparatus showing a roller, a hub, a regulator, and a drive means according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows alternative embodiments of the drive means according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus showing an internal electro-magnetic generator according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus showing an internal electro-magnetic generator with a pulley according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus showing an indirectly connected internal electro-magnetic generator according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus showing an internal electro-magnetic generator with a non-rotational central shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor showing a variation to the tension roller placement according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor along line D—D of FIG. 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the pivot system shown in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor and a roller/hub/regulator configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor along line E—E of FIG. 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a power conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention relates to a power conversion apparatus that includes rolling masses that rotate about a central drive shaft while rotating about their own center. However, the rotation of the masses about their center is eccentric or offset to the center of a ring or roller, which induces the rotation of the masses about their center and thereby creates the downhill effect and off-balance situation. 
     To accomplish the offset-leveraged rotation of the rolling mass at higher revolutions, I first provide a roller having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. An axle of the rolling mass is located within the inner diameter of the roller. A regulator is again used to maintain the offset between the center of the rolling mass and the center of the roller, by being in frictional contact with the inner diameter of the roller. This is as previously described in prior patents and provisional patent applications with the modification that the field and armature both do not turn in the same direction, only one will rotate while both orbit. Electrical motors, electrical generators or a combination of both may be used as the rolling masses. 
     A method and apparatus are also disclosed whereby rolling the mass in the positive direction of orbit is accomplished by having the roller in frictional contact with a drive member which is again frictionally connected to a stationary disc or cylinder located at the center of the central drive shaft. This allows the roller to turn inwards with the preferred direction of orbit and as a result, the roller turns the rotatable rail until it is able to have enough momentum to contribute work from its own rotating mass. 
     Another method and apparatus is disclosed whereby the force generated by the orbiting mass is redirected in a vertex-direction such that the rotation of the motor&#39;s axle results in orbiting and thus pushing towards a central vertex point. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of three orbiting masses or bodies  1  fixedly connected to an orbiting plate  5  according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hub  2  is fixedly connected to the center of the orbiting masses  1  by an axial shaft  11 . Hub  2  rotates axially with respect to orbiting masses  1 . A roller  3  is positioned around hub  2  such that there is a frictional contact  12  between the inside diameter of roller  3  and the outer diameter of hub  2 . A regulator  4  is in frictional contact with the inner diameter of roller  3  at point  13 , such that contact point  13  is positioned 180 degrees across from the contact point  12 . The roller is in frictional contact with a drive means  8 . The average of the contact between the roller  3  and belt  8  is centered at point  14 . According to this embodiment, drive means  8  is a belt that grips, without any slippage, roller  3 , fixed core  7  and tension roller  9 . According to other embodiments, drive means  8  may be a chain and sprocket or v-belt arrangement. There is also an idler roller  10  to maintain tension in the belt  8 . All contact points  12 ,  13  and  14  are aligned radially outward from the center of the main shaft  6 . 
     The frictional contact between the tension roller  9  and belt  8  and the frictional contact between belt  8  and fixed core  7  at point  15  allows the belt  8  to orbit around fixed core  7  as tension roller  9  rolls along the surface of belt  8 . The mechanism that allows this is that tension roller  9  is attached to the same orbiting plate  5  as orbiting mass  1 . The rolling occurs when the orbiting plate rotates around the axis of the central shaft  6  and pulls tension roller  9  along. 
     When hub  2  torques counterclockwise, roller  3  begins to roll counterclockwise. Due to the frictional contact between roller  3  and regulator  4 , regulator  4  rolls in the counterclockwise direction. As roller  3  is rolling into belt  8 , belt  8  begins to unwrap from the fixed core  7  at point  15 . As stated above, now that the mass  1  has begun orbiting, tension roller  9  orbits and point  15  travels around the circumference of the fixed core  7 . In fact, the orbiting mass  1 , with all of its attachments, the tension roller  9 , and the idler roller  10  orbit together, interacting instantaneously. 
     Another benefit of this embodiment over the current Patent pending instead of the multiple layers of belts there is only one belt needed for orbiting. This system then becomes more balanced and less vibration occurs. Note that there are still a top and a bottom assembly, which are identical, therefore having a total of two belts in a highly balanced apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along A—A of FIG.  1 . This view shows how the tension roller  9  is connected to orbiting plate  5 . It also depicts the manner in which the central shaft  6  is supported in the housing  17  by bearings  18 . Note that the fixed core  7  is mounted to the housing  17  such that it does not rotate and is not in contact with the central shaft  6 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration as described by FIG. 1 with the modification that the tension roller  9  is located further around the fixed core  7 . This positioning increases the gripping surface area between the belt  8  and the fixed core  7  as well as belt  8  with the tension roller  9 . Another benefit to this embodiment is the increase in the angle between the orbiting mass  1  and the tension roller  9  from that of FIG.  1 . This increase is believed to reduce the power needed to move the orbiting masses  1  around the central shaft  6 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section of one roller  3 , one hub  2 , regulator  4  and belt  8 . Regulator  4  is seen to have internal ball bearings. The method of frictional contact can be seen in this cross section. 
     Hub  2  and regulator  4  have convex arcs for their outer diameters, which are covered by a layer of rubber  16 . The inside diameter of roller  3  has a mating concave arc such that the contact points  12  and  13 , respectively, are generated between the hub  2  and the roller  3  and the regulator  4  and the roller  3 . The contact is a form of a pinch grip-release, so that no slip, bind or jam occurs. 
     Roller  3  has a flat surface for its outer diameter. The belt  8  is also flat and matches the outer diameter of roller  3  such that the contact is along the entire surface. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates alternate embodiments that are envisioned for the belt  8 . Where the belt would have arcs on the surface, which would mate to their respective friction points on the roller, tension roller, idler roller and fixed core. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment as described by FIG. 1 with the addition of an internal electro-magnetic generator  19 . The field  25  of generator  19  is fixedly connected to the housing  17  such that it is does not rotate. The central shaft  20  is now the same shaft as used for the armature  21  of the internal generator  19  and the orbiting of the masses  1  causes shaft  20  to rotate. 
     Electricity generated by the internal generator  19  is fed to the orbiting masses  1  by wires  23  from which the electricity is induced through mechanism  22  into the mass  1 . Note the specifications are not provided for mechanism  22  as they may vary depending upon construction limitations. Electricity is also fed to the exterior of the housing by wires  24  to provide power for other electric equipment. 
     FIG. 7 is the same embodiment of FIG. 6 with a pulley  26  mounted to the central shaft  20 . This pulley can be attached to other rotating equipment to torque drive those machines. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment as described by FIG. 6 with the modification that the field of internal electro-magnetic generator  19  is now indirectly connected to the housing  17  by way of orbiting plate  28  and inner gear plate  30 . Gears  29  rotationally connect orbiting plate  28  and inner gear plate. When orbiting mass  1  orbits, it rotates plate  28 , which then causes the gears  29  to rotate. Because these gears are orbitally fixed, they cause plate  30  to rotate. Plate  30  is fixedly connected to central shaft  20 . Note that depending on the number of gear transitions, the central shaft  20  may rotate in the same direction or the opposite direction as the orbiting plates  28  and the orbiting masses  1 . 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment as described in FIG. 1 with the addition of an internal electro-magnetic generator  31 . The center shaft  34  is also the shaft of the generator  31 &#39;s armature  33 . Note that the central shaft  34  is fixedly connected to the housing  17  and so in the generator armature  33 , no rotational or axial movement is allowed. 
     The field  32  of generator  31  is fixedly connected to the orbiting plates  35  such that upon rotation and orbit of the orbiting mass  1  as detailed above, the field  32  will rotate around armature  33  to generate electricity. 
     Again, as with the functionality of the electricity of the generator, such power can be used internal and/or externally. But unlike the embodiments as expressed by FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 , this embodiment does not allow for rotational work by the central shaft  34 . 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of three orbiting masses  36  where the method of rotation by a belt  43  is illustrated. When orbiting masses  36  begin to orbit the center shaft  41 , a tension roller  42  presses against a fixed core  46  such that a hub  39  reacts as if the belt  43  were wrapped completely around the fixed core  46 . This method of rotation is as described in the U.S. patent pending, application Ser. No. 09/503,446. The main difference is that there is no need for belts to be on multiple levels to the fixed core since the tension rollers  42  keep each hub independent from one another. FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view of a power conversion apparatus with an upward thrust motor showing a variation to the tension roller  42  placement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a radial cross sectional plan view along D—D of FIG. 10 of one orbiting mass  36  including the method by which the force is translated towards a central vertex point F. When the orbiting mass  36  begins to orbit the center shaft  41 , Centrifugal and Tangent forces are generated thus causing the mass  36  to pull away from the center shaft  41 . However, due to a connection  47 , which functions as a pivot system, the motor begins to feel an upward thrust Although FIG. 11 illustrates connection  47  as embodying a ball and socket arrangement, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements that restrict downward thrust may be suitable. The motor includes, for example, orbiting mass  36 . In order to transfer the upward force of the mass  36 , a hinge system  37  is fixedly attached to the center shaft  41  and to the mass  36 . Hinge system  37  is not limited to a conventional hinge but may be, for example, a fixed bar. Since the shaft  41  is fixedly connected to the housing  17  and the motor through the pivot system  47 , the entire apparatus will move toward vertex F. The vertex point F is continuously regenerating as the housing  17  moves, thus the mass  36  is always chasing that point. Note the methods of pivoting and limiting the mass may vary and are not to be limited by the embodiment presented herein. Although FIG. 11 illustrates center shaft  41  in a vertical position, it is not limited to a particular orientation. 
     The method of orbiting is explained as follows. Orbiting mass  36  is fixedly connected to hinge system  37 . A hub  38  is fixedly connected to the center of the orbiting masses  36  by an axial shaft  44 . Hub  38  rotates axially with respect to the orbiting mass  36 . When hub  38  rotates, it rotates a transfer hub  40  by way of frictional contact. Transfer hub  40  is fixedly connected to an upper pulley  39  such that rotation of transfer hub  40  results is the equal rotation of pulley  39 . A tension regulator  42  is positioned 180 degrees from pulley  39  such that the tension regulator  42  holds a drive means  43  to fixed core  46 . In this embodiment, the drive means  43  is a timing belt. 
     FIG. 12 is a close up schematic view of pivot system  47 . The innovation is that the pivot is not along the central line of the center shaft  41 . Thus, it is governed by the same tangent and centrifugal forces as the orbiting mass  36 . In this embodiment a sphere  48 , directly connected to the orbiting mass  36  by brackets  49  is used as the pivot, which is connected to the main shaft  41  by a socket  50 . When operation begins as specified by FIG. 11, sphere  48  moves outward and presses along a contact  51  and, thus, allows the mass  36  to feel the force upward from the pivot. Therefore, there is never a push against a back surface  51 A of the socket  50  and, thus, no push down. Note that plate  52  is a resting plate when the apparatus is not in motion and is not an operating mechanism in the embodiment. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of three orbiting masses  36  where the method of rotation has been slightly altered from the embodiment as expressed in FIG. 10; the hub  39  is now within a roller  54 . Roller  54  is positioned around hub  39  such that there is a frictional contact between the inside surface of roller  54  and the outer surface of hub  39 . A regulator  53  is in frictional contact with the inner surface of roller  54 , such that the contact point is positioned 180 degrees across from the hub contact point. The roller  54  is in frictional contact with a specialized drive means  43 . The mechanism by which this generates orbiting is as specified by the embodiment described by FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 14 is a radial cross sectional plan view of FIG. 13 where the frictional contact between the hub  39  and the roller  54  and the regulator  53  and roller  54  are seen in detail. Note that the mechanisms by which the centrifugal and tangent forces are translated towards the vertex point F remain the same. 
     The present invention may also be adopted with various other methods of frictional contact, including those disclosed in any of the previous applications specified above. Furthermore, any of the orbiting masses described above may be electrical motors, electrical generators or any combination thereof as well as varying numbers of such orbiting masses can be incorporated to any embodiment. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 schematically illustrate some of the further embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15 illustrates the use of a fixed core  7  below the housing of the electrical motors  1 . FIG. 16 illustrates two fixed cores  7  with motors  1  alternatively arranged end for end. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other suitable combinations. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in certain terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be nor should it be deemed to be limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the description and drawings. For example, although the above-described embodiments illustrate three orbiting masses, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more orbiting masses may be used without departing from the principles of the invention.