Abstract:
This present invention relates to an electricity generating plant more particularly a large-scale perpetual power generation, rotor, and flywheel system comprising plurality of electric generator set circumferentially mounted on the floor and attached by means to a vertical-axis spindle assembly which is powered primarily by kinetic energy of lateral levers suspended by stay members unitary into a stress balanced gravity dependent rotor assembly very large and massive and driven perpetually by an active drive system of a much smaller power energized from within, essentially within an enclosed space—a building on the block and the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claimed the benefit of what is shown and described in previous Provisional applications: 
         [0002]    61/214,151 filed Apr. 20, 2009 and; 
         [0003]    61/278,813 filed Oct. 13, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This present invention relates to an electricity generating plant more particularly a large-scale perpetual power generation, rotor, and flywheel system comprising plurality of electric generator set circumferentially mounted on the floor and attached by means to a vertical-axis spindle assembly which is powered primarily by kinetic energy of lateral levers suspended by stay members unitary into a stress balanced gravity dependent rotor assembly very large and massive and driven perpetually by an active drive system of a much smaller power energized from within, essentially within an enclosed space—a building on the block and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Most electricity generating plants are powered by thermal energy derived from either coal, nuclear or petroleum, unfortunately all are now considered by experts potentially catastrophic or at least hazardous to the environment in some way. 
         [0006]    Other generators are powered by kinetic energy such as hydro-electric and wind turbines which contrary to the above generates clean and safe electricity without polluting our air or water. However hydro-electric power plants full short of the demand and not easy to built in most places where electricity demand exists. Wind turbines particularly the horizontal-axis type and the only commercial type in the market, and despite its popularity and engineering ingenuity making it works; horizontal-axis wind turbines has a fundamental design fault making it too expensive to manufacture, maintain and capacity-wise leave no room for expansion. It is structurally too big leading most units are installed offshore adding to the cost of energy. 
         [0007]    While water and wind kinetic energy has been employed for decades in the production of commercial electricity, not much had been done on kinetic energy of solid mass such as a flywheel, although a flywheel has been in used for years in engine of various type, windmill and recently in the manufacture of a flywheel energy storage devices. 
         [0008]    Flywheel energy storage devices in particular are use as uninterrupted power devices on computer or computers safeguarding it from potential power interruption. 
         [0009]    Utility companies use large capacity flywheel energy storage device stabilized power grid saving the company some money as it consumed and stored the otherwise wasted electric energy during the low demand periods inversely for later use. 
         [0010]    Further, flywheel energy storage devices and also wind turbines employing large size flywheels, uses flywheels that are structurally monolithic or at least the rim are made of a single/rigid piece of materials making it difficult to transport and dangerous to operate as rotors can break apart in unpredictable fragment size departing from the present invention. 
       OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             1. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an electricity generating system powered primarily by kinetic energy of solid matter, free from fuel and free from emission. 
             2. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotor system that is very large and massive, reduce the possibility of breaking but fragments are predictably small not to cause much damages and small enough to transport easily. 
             3. Another object of the present invention is to provide an active drive system of a much smaller power energized from within. 
             4. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure system structured like a typical building on the block or a large vessel floating on water with ample spaces for the service crews to maneuvers heavy equipments around easily. 
             5. Finally another object of the present invention is to provide an electricity generation system that is vertically modular making it further cost effective and unitary powerful. 
           
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    This present invention relates to a large-scale perpetual power generation system designed to generate a clean, safe and cheap energy applicable in places anywhere on earth more particularly in urban area comprising: 
         [0017]    an enclosure system is in the form of a building or a large floating vessel with at least one module space that includes an upright or plurality of spaced apart upright members, a bottom floor, a ceiling, and at least one intermediate floor with a spindle raceway at the central-axis; 
         [0018]    a passive drive and rotor assembly comprising an elongated vertical-axis spindle held at least at two points by respective bearing members rotationally powered primarily by kinetic energy of lateral levers each suspended by stay member and both having one end attached to the said spindle unitary into a stress balanced gravity dependent rotor assembly very large and massive and reduces the possibility of breaking but fragments are predictably small not to cause much damages and further small enough for transport; 
         [0019]    an active drive system of a much smaller power energized from within comprising at least plurality of stationary drive assembly and a large but light weight wheel assembly interfaced to each other and unitary assists the rotor assembly perpetuates its motion at a constant speed of about 20 rpm and; 
         [0020]    a plurality of electric generator sets wired power-grid-ready each circumferentially mounted on the respective floor and attached by appropriate means to the spindle of the said rotor assembly, ultimately into a unitary perpetual electricity generation system. 
         [0021]    This present invention relates also to a large flywheel system comprising a vertical-axis spindle with plurality of hubs and plurality of lateral lever members preferably of various profiles. Each lever having one end attached to the respective hub and suspended by stay member and both having one end attached to the said spindle unitary into a stress balanced gravity dependent rotor assembly very large and massive and reduces the possibility of breaking but fragments are predictably small not to cause much damages and further small enough for transport. 
         [0022]    Finally this present invention relates also to a large rotor system comprising at least two non-monolithic flywheel systems having a common vertical spindle, one being large and massive having an enormous potential kinetic energy and a large but light weight wheel assembly having a multi-layer rim assembly made from over-lapping strip members. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1 , an elevation view of a two modules 216 megawatts power generation systems or 108 megawatts per module with a cut-out-view on the side of the building showing parts of the interior, according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2 , a section thru line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3 , an enlarged partial view at point  3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4 , an enlarged partial view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5 , further an enlarged view at point  5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6 , an alternate detail of the spoke members of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7 , another alternate spokes and levers details of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8 , a cross section view thru line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9 , an enlarged partial view at point  9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10 , an enlarged view at point  10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11 , a section view thru line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , 
           [0034]      FIG. 12 , an enlarged partial view at point  12  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13 , an enlarged partial view at point  13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14 , an enlarged partial view at point  14  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15 , an enlarged partial view at point  15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16 , an enlarged view at point  16  of  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17 , an enlarged partial view at point  17  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18 , an enlarged partial view at point  18  of  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  12  and  14 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  is a section view thru line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 8 , embodied plurality of vertical-axis generator sets circumferentially mounted on the floor around the spindle raceway and attached by respective belt to the spindle of the rotor system; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20 , an enlarged view at point  20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  is a cross section view thru line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 27 , a one module 108 megawatts power generation system, according to the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22 , an enlarged partial view at point  22  of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 23 , an enlarged partial view at point  23  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 24 , an enlarged view at point  24  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25 , an enlarged view at point  25  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 26 , an enlarged view line  26  of  FIGS. 24 and 25 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  is a section view thru line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 21 , embodied plurality of horizontal-axis generator sets circumferentially mounted on the floor around the spindle raceway and attached by respective horizontal-axis axle to the spindle of the rotor system; 
           [0050]      FIG. 28 , an enlarged partial view at point  28  of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 29 , an enlarged partial view at point  29  of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 30  is an elevation view of large vessel on water having a cut-out-view at the star-board showing inside a  36  megawatts power generation system, according to the present invention and; 
           [0053]      FIG. 31  is an enlarged view at point  31  of  FIG. 30 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0054]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         [0055]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an illustrative embodiment, a building  50  having two modules  50 A and  50 B with a cut-out-view on the side of the building showing parts of the interior, service shaft  51 , anemometer  52 , and plants  53 , essentially making it environmentally friendly. Each module has a potential power output of 108 megawatt hours or 30,000 watts which is equivalent to 30,000 joules or N.m; 
       Enclosure System 
       [0056]      FIGS. 1 to 7 , floor layout of the building  50 , particularly the enclosure system comprising upright service shaft  51  with elevator  511  and stair  512 , circumferentially spaced apart upright columns  54  with integral walls  55 , measured 11.0 m on center of each column to a common central-axis essentially of reinforced concrete. The walls further serves as vane members, directing the prevailing wind  56  into creating a vortex  56   a  inside the enclosure system, such a benefit could be appreciated later. The vortex  56   a  is controlled by the opening of the respective shutter  57  which shutter is being close and open according to the wind velocity and in communication with the anemometer  52 ; 
         [0057]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  12  and  14 , the said upright members are respectively connected to the bottom floor  58 , ceiling  59 , upper intermediate floor  60 , and two lower intermediate floor members  61  and  62 , each floor having a respective spindle raceway  58   a,    59   a,    60   a,    61   a  and  62   a,  aligned vertically with the said central-axis. The floors are made of pre-stressed concrete, each further stiffened by respective beams  58   b,    59   b,    60   b,    61   b  and  62   b,  on four sides from the spindle raceway across the floor structurally between respective columns. The elevator  511  is designed to handle the movement of parts and equipments during construction and making future maintenance jobs safe and easy for the crew; 
       Passive Drive and Rotor System 
       [0058]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  16  and  18 , both modules  50 A and  50 B are out-fitted with a typical spindle assembly  63 , each pivotally held in place at two points by a base bearing assembly  64  and an upper bearing assembly  65 , attached to the bottom floor  58  and upper intermediate floor  60  respectively. The spindle assembly  63  comprising an upper cylindrical spindle member  631  with four hundred thirty two respective anchor means  631   a  divided into forty eight groups of nine anchors each group controlled by a respective single nut and bolt means  638 , nine hub members  632  with hub-spacers  633 , lower cylindrical spindle member  634 , and three cylindrical spindle extension members  635 ,  636  and  637 , unitary connected by respectively plurality of nuts and bolts means  639 , essentially at the job site; 
       Base Bearing Assembly 
       [0059]      FIG. 16 , a base bearing assembly  64  comprising a cylindrical upper member  641  having an upper flange  641   a  plurality of vertical ribs  641   b  lower flange  641   c  and top edge  641   d  attached to the bottom floor  58  with an optional elastomeric element  642 . Inside the member  641  are vertical strip-bearing members  643  downwardly removable. Lower member  644  attached by plurality of nuts and bolts  645  to the said lower flange  641   c  supporting a base bearing member  646  which interfaced with the bottom end of the spindle assembly particularly extension member  637 . Extension member  637  is provided with a shoulder  637   a  adapted to let it sits on said edge  641   d  of the base bearing assembly  64  while either one of the said lower extension member  635  and  636  of the spindle assembly is being removed; 
       Upper Bearing Assembly 
       [0060]      FIG. 18 , an upper bearing assembly  65  comprising a cylindrical member  651  having a flange  651   a  vertical ribs  651   b  and top edge  651   c  attached to the upper intermediate floor  60  with an optional elastomeric element  652 . Inside are vertical strip-bearing members  653  downwardly removable and covered by a sectional removable seal member  654 . The upper bearing assembly  65  is further adapted as an eventual load bearing member eventually supporting the said rotor assembly through a spindle member  634  having a shoulder  634   a  adapted to let it sits on the said edge  651   c  of the upper bearing assembly while the base bearing member  645  is being replaced; 
       Lever and Mass Assembly 
       [0061]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  9 , as mentioned above the pivotal spindle assembly  63  is primarily powered by kinetic energy of lateral levers, three hundred eighty four pieces of lateral lever members  66 , distributed equally to eight respective hub members  632 , each lever having two ends  66   a,    66   b  and means  66   c  with end  66   a  attached by nuts and bolts means  66   d  to the respective hub members  632 . The extended part of each lever member  66  is suspended by stay member  67  respectively attached in between said mean  66   c  and anchor means  631   a  and having the end  66   b  of the levers leveled with the lowest hub member  632 ; 
         [0062]    Each lateral lever  66  is provided with a mass assembly  68 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , configurable on site to a desired mass of say 48.00 kg each or equivalent to a flywheel peripheral mass of 18,432.00 kg. The mass assembly  68  is adapted to said end  66   b  of the lever  66 , measured 10.00 m on center from the said central-axis comprising twelve metal plate members  681  measures 0.25″×5.25″×12.00″, 4.00 kg each, a minding plates  682  with integral lock-rod  682   a,  and a block  683  with nuts and bolts means  683   a,  unitary into a light weight lever but having a much higher potential kinetic energy and all together into a passive drive and rotor assembly; 
       Active Drive System 
       [0063]      FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  12  and  13 , the rotor assembly is equipped with an active drive system comprising a wheel assembly  69  and twelve stationary drive assemblies  70 , engaging each other; 
         [0064]    The wheel assembly  69  comprising forty eight spoke members  691 , each having two ends  691   a,    691   b  and means  691   c  with the end  691   a  is attached by nuts and bolts means  691   d  to the lowest hub member  632  and suspended by stay member  67 . The stay member  67  is attached in between mean  691   c  of the spoke member and anchor means  631   a  of the spindle assembly. The peripheral end  691   b  of the spoke members each is equipped with an elongated strip member  692   a  over-lapping the adjacent strip members and together held by nuts and bolts means  693  into a lightweight multi-layers rim member  692 , unitary into a large but lightweight wheel assembly with a rim radius of 10.50 m; 
         [0065]    The stationary drive assemblies  70 , each comprising a retractable sub-assembly  701  that includes a 1 hp electric motor  701   a  equipped with a drive roller  701   b  on a vertically retractable plate  701   c,  actuator means  702 , and an idler  703  having a stationary shaft  704 . Both the retractable sub-assembly  701  and shaft  704  are mounted to a housing  705  which is finally attached to the respective column  54 , with the said idler  703  adapted just underneath supporting the rim member  692  of the wheel assembly  69 ; 
         [0066]      FIG. 6 , each spoke member  691  is structurally equipped with a bridge  691   e  connecting to the adjacent spoke member. Likewise each lever member  66 , not shown, is equipped with respective bridge  66   e  connecting to the adjacent lever member. Preferably both the lever members  66  and spoke members  691  are respectively made into a twin member—meaning two lever members  66  are joined by a bridge  66   e  and having a common end  66   a.  Likewise two spoke members  691  are joined by a bridge  691   e  and having a common end  691   a,  as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0067]      FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  14  and  15 , the said mass assembly  68  which are attached to the respective lever member, are divided into forty eight groups and leveled with the wheel assembly  69 . Each group respectively held in between respective spoke members  691 , so once the wheel assembly moves the levers with the mass assembly move as will unitary apply a tremendous torque to the said spindle assembly; 
         [0068]    The twelve stationary drive assemblies  70  are configurable on site as desired optimizing the system performance. In one particular configuration the drives are programmed to run in two different operating mode: acceleration or starting mode and generation mode; During the acceleration mode all twelve drives  70  are engaged with the said rim member and all together apply a torque to the rotor system until it reaches a 20 rpm mark. Once the rotor system gained the required speed the generator drive belt  73  start to engaged one after the other, and until then the active drive system start to disengage changing from acceleration mode to generation mode; 
         [0069]    Generation mode optimized the system performance and accordingly divides the stationary drive assembly  70  into six groups. Each group having two drive assemblies spaced at 180 degrees apart, each assembly having a 1 hp 3,600 rpm electric motor ( FIGS. 3 and 15 ) equipped with 0.117 m diameter roller  701   b.  The roller further is interfaced to a 21.0 m diameter rim member  692  of the wheel assembly  69  operating at 20 rpm mark. This equate to a stationary drive of 12,800N each; 
         [0070]    Accordingly three groups are made an Active groups operating alternately at 20 minutes interval with only one group running at a given time. The fourth is Reserve group and operates doubling the applied forces on the rim only once the rotor speed drops below the speed limit of 20 rpm. The last two are System-brakes groups spaced equally apart with the motor runs in reverse; 
         [0071]    With the rotor system fully in placed shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  19  and  20 , the respective floor members  58 ,  61  and  62  is out-fitted with six vertical-axis electric generator sets  71  each having a power output of 6 megawatts and equipped with a gear box  72 . Each generator is mounted by means to the respective floor circumferentially from the spindle of the rotor system. The drive belt  73  connects the gear box respectively to the lower extension members  635 ,  636  and  637  of the spindle assembly  63 . Further each drive belt  73  is controlled by an idler  74  and an idler-actuator  75  both are programmed to disengage the drive belt once the rotor&#39;s speed drops below the predetermined rpm freeing the rotor assembly from the loads, but engages back the belt once the rotor gained its speed; 
       System Load 
       [0072]    As shown and described in details, a one module generation system as mentioned above exhibits a system load respectively as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 electric generators, 18 units having a total 
                 3,000 N, 
               
               
                 output of 30,000 joules equates to 
               
               
                 stationary drives loads equals to 
               
               
                 friction on bearings, rim being in contact with 
                 3,000 N, 
               
               
                 stationary drives, and loads imposed 
               
               
                 by gear boxes, say another 
               
               
                 drag developed from a rotating rotor assembly 
                 0 to say, 40,000 N, 
               
               
                 which is a function of the said vortex 
                   
               
               
                 Total System Load equates from 
                 6,000 to say, 46,000 N; 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0073]    Accordingly the system load of about 46,000N is about twice the combined forces delivered by the said two stationary drive assemblies  70 , a fairly small resistance on a rotor system of tremendous potential kinetic energy. The rotor system as described above at least based only on a peripheral mass of say 20,000 kg, 10.0 m radius and operating at 20 rpm, have its potential kinetic energy determined by the equation 
         [0000]      E=½mr 2 w 2 =J or N.m, 
         [0074]    where:
       E Kinetic Energy, m mass in kg,   J Joule, r radius in meter,   N.m Newton meter, w velocity in radian per second,   ½ a constant,       
 
         [0079]    which equate to, 
         [0080]    E=1/2*20,000*10.0 2 *(2Π/3) 2 =4,386,000.00 joules. This kinetic energy equate to a force of 438,600N at the rim of the wheel assembly  69 , which is about 10 times greater than the above system load of 46,000N. Further a force of 438,600N will give the rotor system the chance to rotate about ten cycles until it stops and correspondingly a drop of 46,000N each cycle. This drops on rotor energy is reinforced by the two 1 hp stationary drives  70  plus the kinetic energy of wind passing through the respective shutter  57  held opened and assuming that natures cooperates if not, the remainder of the force may comes from the said Reserve group of stationary drives assembly, together delivers a combined force of over 51,000N, enough to keeps the system operates perpetually. 
       Another Configuration 
       [0081]      FIGS. 21 and 22 , a building  75  embodied a one module configuration according to the present invention, having a modified spindle assembly connected in series comprising two removable spindle members  76 , three axle assemblies  77  and a typical rotor system but now held at the bottom end of the assembly; 
         [0082]      FIGS. 23 to 28 , the respective spindle member  76  and axle assembly  77  are both provided with respective fingers respectively engaging each other and applied the torque of the rotor system to the adjoining axle assemblies  77 . The spindle members  76  are made of an elongated cylindrical metal tubing each having a bottom fingers  76   a  measured half as long as the fingers  76   b  on top while the axle assembly is equipped with an upper matching fingers  772   a  measured half as long as the fingers  772   b  underneath. Both fingers  772   a,    772   b  of the axle assembly  77  are integral parts of the vertical-axis main gear assembly  772  held within a cylindrical metal casing  771 , rotationally driving six respective horizontal-axis axle drive shafts members  773 ; 
         [0083]      FIGS. 27 and 28 , each axle drive shaft members  773  having two ends  773   a  and the extendable end  773   b  with the end  773   a  connected to a universal joint  774  of the axle assembly. The extendable end  773   b  is equipped with four lateral rod means  773   c,    FIGS. 26 and 29 , adapted free to rotate inside a cylindrical bore  781   a  made on the main shaft of the gear box  78 . Down the cylindrical bore  781   a  are four matching slots  781   b  adapted for the said rod means  773   c  to sits-in and engaged once the said extendable end  773   b  operationally pushed-in, rotationally driving the gear box  78 . Finally the gear box  78  is respectively connected to the respective electric generator  79  which is interfaced with the power grid; 
         [0084]      FIGS. 24 and 25 , the axle assembly  77  is lowered down directly sitting on the housing  80 , providing an over-head space prior to the installation or removal of the spindle member  76 . 
       Still Other Configuration 
       [0085]      FIGS. 30 and 31  shows another configuration embodied a large ship  81  with a cut-out-view  31  on the star-board showing the interior of the ship, according to the present invention comprising an upright member  82  partly tapered upward, bottom floor  83 , intermediate floor  84 , and ceiling  85 . A walk-way  86  and  87  are provided conveniently serving the system. A typical rotor system as described on the first embodiment is interfaced with an In-line electric generator  88  equipped with a gear box  89 . Stationary drive assembly respectively attached to the respective column  90  interfaced to the said rotor system unitary provides the electricity needs of the ship  81  particularly the electric motor  91  driving the profiler  92 —finally indeed a vessel that requires no refueling. 
       Another Active Drive System 
       [0086]    In places where wind is fairly reasonable, the present invention uses a plurality of sail assembly  93  as an active drive system  FIG. 8 , accordingly harnessing the potential vortex as mentioned above to assists the rotor system, turning it into a wind turbine, a very powerful wind turbine indeed; 
         [0087]      FIG. 14 , the sail assembly system  93  each comprising a vertical pole  931  having one end attached to the spoke member  691 , supporting a piece of hanging sail material  932 , stretched at two points by stay member  933  and  934  making the sail as effective as possible.