Patent Publication Number: US-6981376-B2

Title: Apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Every country needs to produce more electricity to meet the ever increasing demands of its people. None of the traditional methods for the production of electricity is completely emission free. Developed countries, under the public pressure of health issues, are shutting down many nuclear power plants all over the world. There is more or less a similar problem with gas, diesel and hydro power plants. Solar energy has limitations and cannot be widely used at present. 
   At present there are few economical methods of power production which are pollution or emission free and modern civilization and the economy are entirely dependent on electricity. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus for generating electricity which is pollution free and which can be readily assembled and integrated into any part of the world without the need for extensive and sophisticated infrastructure. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy, comprising: 
   a first tank for holding liquid and a support frame defining a tower extending vertically above said first tank; 
   a second tank for holding liquid secured to said support frame above said first tank; 
   at least a third tank for holding liquid secured to said support frame above said second tank; 
   a reciprocating drive mechanism being connected to the support frame above the third tank, a first turbine secured to said support frame between said second tank and said third tank, said first turbine being in flow communication with said third tank and said second tank, said reciprocating drive mechanism being connected to said first turbine by a rigid link member to assist in driving said reciprocating drive mechanism; 
   at least a second turbine secured to said support frame between said second tank and said first tank, said second turbine being in flow communication with said second tank and said first tank; and 
   at least one pipe extending vertically, with said pipe having first and second ends with said first end located in said first tank and said second end positioned with respect to said third tank so liquid exiting said second end of said at least one pipe drains into said third tank, said at least one pipe having a first valve located at the first end thereof, said at least one pipe being connected to said reciprocating drive mechanism so that during operation said reciprocating drive mechanism reciprocates the at least one pipe vertically up and down, wherein as the at least one pipe moves down said first valve opens to allow liquid into the pipe and when the pipe moves up said first valve closes, wherein as said at least one pipe moves downwardly liquid flows from said second end of said at least one pipe into the third tank and flows down to said first turbine and rotates said turbine, said liquid flowing down into the second tank and flowing downwardly therefrom into said second turbine and rotates said second turbine, said second turbine being connected to a generator for producing electricity. 
   The basic feature of this apparatus is not only transformation of gravitational energy to electrical energy, but also, it does not require an external source of fuel and requires no significant infrastructure to produce the apparatus to produce the low cost energy which will eventually be economic for the end users. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The following is a description, by way of example only, of apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy constructed in accordance with the present invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a view, broken away of a first turbine forming part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view, broken away of a second turbine forming part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a first position; 
       FIG. 6  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a second position; 
       FIG. 7  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a third position; 
       FIG. 8  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a fourth position; 
       FIG. 9  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a fifth position; 
       FIG. 10  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a sixth position; and 
       FIG. 11  is a motion diagram showing the apparatus for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a seventh position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an apparatus  10  for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy constructed in accordance with the present invention. Apparatus  10  includes a first (or lower) reservoir or liquid tank  12  and a support frame  14  that is connected to and supported by liquid reservoir  12 . A second (or middle) liquid reservoir  16  is mounted in frame  14  above reservoir  12  and a third (or upper) liquid reservoir  18  is secured within frame  14  above second reservoir  16 . The first, second and third reservoirs are positioned vertically with respect to each other one above the other. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , apparatus  10  includes a reciprocating drive mechanism which comprises a circular ring  20  is mounted to frame  14  at the top of the frame  14  by a pin  22  through the hub  24  of the ring so that the pin  22  rotates in a bearing housing  23  ( FIG. 1 ) attached to frame  14  so that the ring  20  can pivot around pin  22 . A pair of vertically upright pipes  30  and  32  are long enough to convey liquid from the first bottom reservoir  12  to the upper third reservoir  18 . Each pipe  30  and  32  are inserted into larger diameter pipes  34  and  36  respectively which are each mounted vertically upright in tank  12 . Located at the bottom of pipe  30  is a valve  31  for passing water from tank  12  up into pipe  34  through a hole  35  in the wall of pipe  34  and at the bottom of the larger diameter pipe  34  is a valve  38 . Similarly, located at the bottom of pipe  32  is a valve  33  and a valve  40  is located at the bottom of the larger diameter pipe  36  which receives pipe  32  for passing water from tank  12  up into pipe  36  through a hole  41  in the wall of pipe  36 . The reciprocating drive mechanism includes a cable  44  is connected at one end to pipe  30  at its top end and the other end of cable  44  is connected to the top end of pipe  32 . The outer or peripheral rim of ring  20  has a groove extending about the circumference thereof large enough to receive therein cable  44  so that as ring  20  rotates one way, one of the pipes is raised and the other lowered, and vice versa. 
   The reciprocating drive mechanism includes a rod  50  connected to ring  20  across its diameter and the ends of rod  50  have magnets  52  and  54  attached thereto. In the equilibrium position with no movement and pipes  30  and  32  level with each other, rod  50  is substantially horizontal. A rod  56  is also attached to ring  20  but is perpendicular to rod  50  so that it is vertical in the equilibrium position shown in  FIG. 2 . The reciprocating drive mechanism also includes a counterbalance weight  60  located at each of the ends of rod  56 . Rod  50  with the magnets  52  and  54  attached at its ends swings like a pendulum when the device is working so that as the ring  20  rotates one way, one of the pipes  30  (or  32 ) is lifted and the other is lowered. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a second set of magnets  64  and  66  are attached to the ends of rods  68  and  70  respectively. Rod  68  is pivotally attached to frame  14  so that magnet  64  is spaced from magnet  52  and magnets  64  and  52  repel each other when in close proximity. A spring  72  is connected between frame  14  and rod  68  so that when magnet  64  is not interacting with magnet  52  spring  72  pulls rod  68  down in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, rod  70  is pivotally attached to frame  14  so that magnet  66  is spaced from magnet  54  and magnets  54  and  66  repel each other when in close proximity. A spring  74  is connected between frame  14  and rod  70  so that when magnet  66  is not interacting with magnet  54  spring  74  pulls rod  70  down in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   A first lower turbine  80  is supported by frame  14  and is positioned below the middle liquid tank  16  so that as liquid (preferably water) flows out of tank  16  through outlet conduit  82  at the bottom of tank  16  it turns turbine  80  and after the turbine blades  81  are turned the water drains into the lower tank  12 . Similarly, a second turbine  86  is supported by frame  14  and is located below the upper liquid tank  18  and is in flow communication with tank  18  through outlet conduit  90  so that as water flows out of tank  18  through conduit  90  the water turns turbine blades  87  and thereafter the water flows through passageway  89  into water tank  16 . Each turbine includes two fly wheels with one being to minimize the vibration of gear trains and the other used to balance the turbine rotation. 
   Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , a connecting rod  76  is connected at one end thereof to the end of rod  50  to which magnet  54  is attached and is connected at the other end to a circular disc  78 , which forms part of turbine  86 . Rod  50  will swing within designed range with the help of magnets  52 ,  54 ,  64  and  66 , balance mass and power received from circular disc  78  through connecting rod  76 . 
   The clockwise rotation of ring  20  helps to lift up liquid pipe  30  while at the same time pipe  32  is lowered. During the upward movement of pipe  30  liquid from the bottom reservoir tank  12  enters pipe  34  through its associated hole  35  and up through the open valve  38 . When the valve  38  of pipe  34  is open, the valve  31  of pipe  30  automatically closes due to the fluid pressure on it. Thus pipe  30  carries liquid upward and the liquid drains from pipe  30  into the top reservoir  18 . On the other hand, as the other pipe  32  goes down into pipe  36 , liquid enters into pipe  32  through its control valve  33 . In this situation, the valve  40  of pipe  36  remains closed. In the reverse cycle, liquid held in pipe  32  is delivered into tank  18 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the turbine  86  includes a circular disc with turbine blades  87  in a chamber through which the liquid flows. As the liquid turns the disc with blades  87 , shaft  120  is rotated which rotates a gear train  79  which includes a toothed portion  122  of shaft  120  engaged with a gear  124  which engages and rotates a shaft  126  which in turn is coupled to a gear  128  which rotates a gear  130  and a shaft  132 . Shaft  132  is connected to a flywheel  136  and gear  130  is on a shaft  140  which is connected to disc  78  thereby rotating disc  78 . The end of rigid rod  76  is connected to the disc  78  at an effective radius from the centre of disc  78  to give the desired angular pivoting of wheel  20  thereby restricting the amplitude of oscillation up and down of the two ends of rod  50  with magnets affixed thereto. If the radius is too small the ring  20  would not pivot enough to lift the pipes an appropriate vertical height. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the turbine  80  includes a circular disc with turbine blades  81  in a chamber through which the liquid flows. As the liquid turns the disc with blades  81  a toothed portion  152  of shaft  150  engages a gear train  85  which includes a gear  154  which engages and rotates a shaft  156  which in turn is coupled to a gear  158  which rotates a shaft  160 . Shaft  160  is connected to a gear  162  and gear  162  rotates shaft  83  which is connected to a generator (not shown). 
   The downward flow of liquid fluid from tank  18  through the associated outlet passageway  90  rotates the turbine  86  as the liquid hits the turbine blades  87  of the turbine. The rotation of this turbine  86  helps to keep disc  78  rotating through gear train  79  and since disc  78  is coupled to rod  50  and ring  20  by connecting rod  76 , this keeps the ring  20  pivoting back and forth which keeps the system running continuously without any further external torque/input being required. 
   Similarly, the downward flow of liquid from reservoir  16  through outlet  82  rotates the power turbine  80  due to liquid hitting the turbine blades  81  of this turbine. The mechanical energy produced in this stage is transformed into electrical energy through coupling of the aforementioned electrical alternator (not shown) at the end of the rotating shaft  83 . 
   To begin operation of apparatus  10 , an initial torque is applied once to the apparatus to begin the oscillating movement of ring  20 . This initial torque may be applied manually or with the help of a self-starter (with battery) at the end of the small disc  78 , which is again coupled with rod  50  through connecting rod  76 . The rotary motion of the disc  78  transforms into the linear motion of the connecting rod  50  as it is pivoted at a single point on the disc. The reciprocation of the connecting rod  50  again produces the pivoting action of the circular ring  20 . 
     FIGS. 5 to 11  show a series of motion diagrams showing the apparatus  10  for converting gravitational energy to electrical energy in a first, to seventh position, respectively. 
     FIG. 5  shows the equilibrium position of the apparatus  10  when rod  50  is in the horizontal position and rod  56  along with its counter balances  60  are in the vertical position so that both the vertical pipes  30  and  32  are at the same level with respect to each other. All the valves located in pipes  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  ( FIG. 2 ) remain closed when the pipes are level with each other in this position. 
     FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  progressively show the counter-clockwise rotation of the circular disc  78  and this helps to move the connecting rod  76  in the upward direction, which pushes the end of rod  50  with magnet  54  attached thereto in the upward direction. In this case, the repulsion between the magnets  54  and  66  also helps to push the rod  50  in the upward direction. The pairs of repulsive magnets ( 52 ,  64 ) and ( 54 ,  66 ) along with magnets  64  and  66  being mounted on spring biased arms  68  and  70  act to slow, dampen and smooth out the oscillating movement of ring  20  and bar  50 . For example, as pipe  30  drops rapidly, the repulsion between magnets  52  and  64  helps to slow down the rotation of ring  20  so that the downward movement and stopping of pipe  30  is not sharp and abrupt which, along with the assist from connecting arm  76  connected to disk  78  and rod  50 , helps to keep the ring  20  oscillating between in its angular range. 
   Since the rod  50  is connected to the ring  20  across its diameter, ring  20  also rotates in the counter-clockwise direction which raises pipe  32  since it is connected to the end of the cable  44  being lifted. During this upward movement of pipe  32 , pipe  30  is lowered ( FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 ) and with valve  31  opened and valve  38  closed so that liquid from the bottom reservoir tank  12  enters the pipe  30  and as liquid enters pipe  30  at the bottom it forces liquid out at the top of the pipe  30  into reservoir  18 . During this downward movement of pipe  30 , valve  40  is open so that liquid fills pipe  36  through hole  41  with valve  33  of pipe  32  being configured to automatically close due to the fluid pressure on it. 
   Similarly,  FIGS. 9–11  show the part of the cycle in which pipe  32  is lowered and pipe  30  is raised during which liquid enters pipe  32  with valve  33  open and valve  40  closed and the liquid entering the bottom of pipe  32  forces liquid out of the top of pipe  32  into reservoir  18 . During this part of the cycle in which pipe  32  is lowered and pipe  30  is raised, valve  31  is closed (being configured to automatically close due to the fluid pressure on it) and valve  38  is open so liquid enters into pipe  34  through hole  35 . 
   Therefore, in apparatus  10 , the vertical pipes  30  and  32  lift the liquid from the bottom reservoir  12  to the top reservoir  18  with the help of their reciprocating movement in upward and downward directions and therefore acts as conventional pumps. The two sets of magnets are configured so that as the magnets  52  and  54  of the swinging rod  50  come close respectively to the associated magnets  64  and  66  on arms  68  and  70  in the pairs of magnets ( 52 ,  64 ) and ( 54 ,  66 ) repel each other because they have the same magnetic pole. This ensures the horizontal rod  50  to swings in a designed degree of angular displacement. The two balance masses  60  are used on the vertical rod in order to ensure the swinging of the horizontal rod  50  is in a desired angular displacement range. While the system fluid is preferably water it will be understood any other safe liquid may be used. 
   The apparatus of the present invention is modular and may be expanded horizontally in which multiple systems are placed side by side with a single large support frame holding multiple sets of pipes and turbines. Therefore, the cost of construction will significantly be reduced due to the common use of supporting structures and the single large reservoir instead of individual reservoirs at the bottom of each unit. 
   The apparatus may also be increased in height, in the vertical direction by adding for example more reservoir tanks stacked to a greater height and more turbines placed in between the top and bottom liquid tanks. By making vertical supporting construction work, the swinging rod  50  may be placed at thirty feet interval vertically in order to produce large amount of power generation. Due to the increase of vertical lift of the system fluid level, the number of turbines may be proportionately increased with height. Therefore, the fixed cost of construction could also be reduced by using the common use of supporting structure and single reservoir instead of using individual reservoirs at the bottom of each unit. 
   As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “includes” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including claims, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “includes” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. 
   The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.