Patent GB-346377-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for transforming and storing energy
IPC: F16H33/02
Filed: 1929-10-29
Abstract: 346,377. Power-generating systems. SOC. TECHNIQUE D'ETUDES ET D'ENTREPRISES POUR L'INDUSTRIE and HUGUENIN, A., 23, Rue Ballu, Paris. Oct. 29, 1929, No. 32866. Convention date, Nov. 10, 1928. [Classes 122 (ii) and 122 (iii).] Transforming and storing energy ; compressed-air engines ; valve-gear.-Apparatus for transforming and storing energy comprises planetary gearing in combination with transmission gearing and three primary shafts, including a primary power-receiving shaft 1 drawn by a hydraulic turbine, tidal turbine, &c., which runs with variable speed in either direction, a second shaft 2 which runs continuously at constant speed and may drive electrical generators, pumps, &c., and a third shaft 3 leading to a device for storing and supplying energy which may be geared to the frame of the planetary gearing or to the shaft 2. The torque of shaft 3 is regulated according to the speed of shaft 1 so as to give a constant speed to shaft 2. Shaft 3 as described is connected to a multiple, tandem cylinder unit acting as a compresser or motor with adjustable valve mechanism. The rotation of the shaft 1 is transmitted to a bevel wheel 4 forming part of an epicyclic train housed in a casing 7 and connected to a wheel 11. A disc 12 on the casing 7 is adapted to engage a disc 13 on the shaft 1 or a fixed disc 14 to ensure the correct direction of the wheel 11 which rotates through a wheel 17 a pinion 18 on a shaft 19. A wheel 21 keyed thereon drives wheels 23 loosely mounted on spindles 24 carried by the frame 20 which wheels drive a pinion 25 keyed on a shaft 26 provided with a coupling- disc 27 which may be connected to a coupling- disc 28 on the shaft 2. Bevel wheels and couplings are provided on the shafts 2, 3 and teeth on the frame 20 to control the connections between the shafts 2, 3, and 19. The convertible motorcompresser unit comprises first stage double compresser or motor cylinders 44, 45, and single stages 46 .. 49. The cylinder casings are connected by a casing 56 containing coolers or heaters 57 .. 61. Storage reservoirs 72 are provided for compressed air. The suction and pressure valve boxes 62 .. 65 are arranged vertically above one another and are operated by shafts 73 .. 76 driven from the main shaft by helicoidal gears. The shafts have change over-gears 79, 80 comprising an arrangement of epicyclic gears and couplings, so that the valve mechanism rotates the same way whether the apparatus works as an engine or compresser. The shaft 93, Figs. 7, 7a, driven from shaft 76, has a gear wheel 95 keyed on it which engages with satellite pinions 96 whose axles 961 are fixed on the cam 94. The pinions 96 engage a wheel 97 which is normally stationary and engages a worm gear 99. The cams rotate at the main-shaft speed. At each working end of each cylinder are arranged three pressure cams and two suction or discharge cams. The operations of the valves by the cams is described in Specification 298,076. The control of the fluid-pressure apparatus is effected while running, the position of the cams on the shaft 93 being effected by shafts 100 controlling the worms 99. The shafts 100 carry gear wheels 102 which engage one side or the other of longitudinally adjustable racks 103. When the apparatus is running as compresser cooling-water is circulated through the casings 54, 55, 56. When the apparatus is running as an engine, the central casing is heated by burners 105 supplied with pulverized heavy oil. The various couplings may be actuated by electro-magnetic, hydraulic, or mechanical means, and the couplings and the racks 103 may be hand, motor, or automatically controlled.