Patent Publication Number: US-2009235659-A1

Title: Energy Source Device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention provides an energy source device, and more particularly provides an energy source device that is able to use predictable energy produced by buoyancy and gravitational acceleration to acquire needed energy, thereby achieving environmental protection and meeting the objective of providing economic benefit. 
     (b) Description of the Prior Art 
     Petroleum is the primary energy source of all industries and the livelihood of people, moreover, petroleum has brought a great deal of convenience to people, as well as enabling the continuous progress and improvement in technology and the quality of life, such as industrial development, lifestyle, and so on. However, at another level, petroleum has at the dame time brought about many problems and extremely serious conditions, including air pollution, ecological disasters, greenhouse effect, climatic change, and so on. Currently, the extraction and use of large quantities of petroleum, purported to be a “black gold” product, by people has caused the storage volume of petroleum to be substantially less than in the past. Hence, the ever increasing price of petroleum, which has contributed to creating a global energy crisis, rapid price inflation, economic recession, and associated influences. In light of this, many determined people have carried out research and developed numerous energy source substitute devices able to replace petroleum as an energy source, such as: solar cells, wind power generators, nuclear energy power generators, hydroelectric power generators, and so on, in which the method which makes use of nature to acquire energy is the most appropriate to meet modern environmental protection requirements. 
     However, manufacturing cost of the aforementioned energy substitute devices is not only extremely expensive; moreover, benefit of the actual energy obtained is not in direct proportion to the manufacturing cost. Taking wind power generation as an example, manufacturing cost of a single typhoon wind turbine can be easily more than ten million Taiwan dollars, nevertheless, the energy produced is usually unable to prove its worth. When a typhoon arrives, there is concern that the wind turbine will be damaged by the powerful strong winds, and, thus, operation of the wind turbine is stopped and rigorously protected. Hence, under such conditions, the wind turbine is not only unable to produce energy, but also completely wastes the original value of the wind turbine. As for nuclear energy power generation, energy is obtained through nuclear means, however, because nuclear power is classified as a highly radioactive substance, thus, inappropriate control easily results in ecological disasters occurring, and the loss is instead far greater than the gain. Furthermore the used nuclear waste must be carefully buried, which not only requires protective measures of the surrounding area, but requires an extensive hinterland in order to place the nuclear waste Hence, although the energy obtained by nuclear means is quick and effective, however, it completely violates the laws of nature, and seriously affects global ecology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Hence, in light of the aforementioned shortcomings, the inventor of the present invention has designed an energy source device of the present invention which is able to use predictable energy produced by buoyancy and gravitational acceleration to acquire needed energy, thereby achieving environmental protection and meeting the objective of providing economic benefit. 
     A primary objective of the present invention lies in an energy source device, which comprises a potential energy change device, an energy acquiring device and an object transfer device, wherein the potential energy change device is prefilled with material having density greater than air, thereby enabling more than one object having a density smaller than the density of the material to gain potential energy from the density difference between the material and the objects. Moreover, a bottom portion of the potential energy change device is installed with a flow guide pipe that enables the surplus material and air to be discharged to within the potential energy change device, and a one-way valve that prevents reverse flow of water and air is disposed at a preset position in the flow guide pipe. Furthermore, the objects are moved to the energy acquiring device by means of the object transfer device, and weight of each of the objects themselves and the principle of kinetic and potential energy transformation are used to acquire a predetermined potential energy difference, which is transformed into energy and supplied to an external device for use thereof, after which the objects are transferred to the potential energy change device from the energy acquiring device by means of the object transfer device. Accordingly, basic principles of physics are used to acquire needed energy from the predictable energy produced by buoyancy and gravitational acceleration, thereby achieving environmental protection and meeting the objective of providing economic benefit. 
     Another objective of the present invention lies in: according to what has been described above, cost of assembling the energy device is extremely low, and the available energy obtained is not only directly proportional but goes beyond manufacturing cost. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention lies in: because the energy source device cycles infinitely for use thereof operation of which does not need to be stopped due to external environmental factors, thus, it enables the user to obtain a continuous supply of energy without having to worry about the problem of the energy source being interrupted. 
     To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a first operational flow process diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a second operational flow process diagram depicting the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a third operational flow process diagram depicting the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a first partial operational flow process diagram depicting the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a second partial operational flow process diagram depicting the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a third partial operational flow process diagram depicting the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a first partial operational flow process diagram depicting another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a second partial operational flow process diagram depicting the other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a third partial operational flow process diagram depicting the other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a fourth partial operational flow process diagram depicting the other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a first partial operational flow process diagram depicting yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a second partial operational flow process diagram depicting the yet other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a third partial operational flow process diagram depicting the yet other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows a preferred embodiment of a first operational flow process diagram of the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from the drawing that an energy source device  1  comprises a potential energy change device  10 , an energy acquiring device  11  and an object transfer device  12 , wherein the potential energy change device  10  is prefilled with material  13  having density greater than air, thereby enabling more than one object  2  having a density smaller than the density of the material  13  to gain potential energy from the density difference between the material  13  and the objects  2 . Moreover, a bottom portion of the potential energy change device  10  is installed with a flow guide pipe  14  that enables the surplus material  13  and air to be discharged to within the potential energy change device  10 , and a one-way valve  141  that prevents reverse flow of water and air is disposed at a preset position in the flow guide pipe  14 . Furthermore, the objects  2  are moved to the energy acquiring device  11  by means of the object transfer device  12 , and weight of each of the objects  2  themselves and the principle of kinetic and potential energy transformation are used to acquire a predetermined potential energy difference, which is transformed into energy and supplied to an external device  3  for use thereof, after which the objects  2  are transferred to the potential energy change device  10  from the energy acquiring device  11  by means of the object transfer device  12 . In addition, the object transfer device  12  comprises at least more than two sets of a first retaining area  121  and a second retaining area  122 , which are respectively installed with a plurality of lock gates  123  at preset positions. 
     Referring together to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , which show second and third operational flow process diagrams respectively of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from drawings that the buoyant force of liquid within the potential energy change device  10  causes the potential energy of the objects  2  (such as: wood blocks, iron blocks, aluminum blocks, copper blocks) therein to change, and when the objects  2  are transferred to the energy acquiring device  11  by means of the object transfer device  12 , then the objects  2  are caused to fall toward a preset position of the energy acquiring device  11  through gravitational acceleration means, after which, when the objects  2  have fallen to a predetermined height, the external device  3  acquires needed energy therefrom. Accordingly, using basic principles of physics, the predictable energy produced through buoyancy and kinetic and potential energy transformation enables acquiring needed energy, thereby achieving environmental protection and meeting the objective of providing economic benefit. 
     Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , which show first, second and third partial operational flow process diagrams respectively of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and it can be clearly seen from the drawings that the object transfer device  12  comprises at least more than two sets of the first retaining area  121  and the second retaining area  122 , which are respectively installed with the plurality of lock gates  123  at preset positions, and when the objects  2  fall and approach the object transfer device  12 , then the lock gate  123  of the first retaining area  121  of the object transfer device  12  adjacent to the energy acquiring device  11  opens, thereby enabling the objects  2  to fall into the first retaining area  121 , after which the lock gate  123  between the first retaining area  121  and the second retaining area  122  opens, at which time the object transfer device  12  assumes a closed state. After the objects  2  are subjected to an external force and moved towards and positioned within the second retaining area  122 , then the lock gate  123  between the first retaining area  121  and the second retaining area  122  closes, at which time, the second retaining area  122  assumes a closed state, and at the same time the lock gate  123  of the second retaining area  122  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10  opens Because a mechanical pusher device  4  having a load bearing range equal to the space of the second retaining area  122  is located at a preset position in the second retaining area  122 , thus, when the liquid within the potential energy change device  10  flows into the second retaining area  122 , then the mechanical pusher device  4  simultaneously pushes the objects  2  and the liquid toward the interior of the potential energy change device  10 , after which the lock gate  123  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10  is closed, thereby causing the second retaining area  122  to assume a closed state. At which time, the flow guide pipe  14  is able to discharge the surplus material  13  within the second retaining area  122  and air to within the potential energy change device  10 , thereby enabling smooth operation of the mechanical pusher device  4  without being affected by air pressure, and, furthermore, the one-way valve  141  disposed at a preset position in the flow guide pipe  14  enables preventing back flow of liquid and air into the second retaining area  122 . Accordingly, the device enables a continuous cycling operation of the objects  2 , and uses physical properties to achieve acquiring energy, as well as meeting the objective of providing substantive benefit to environmental protection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , which show first, second, third and fourth partial operational flow process diagrams respectively of another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and in conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , it can be clearly seen from the drawings that an object transfer device  12   a  comprises at least more than two sets of a first retaining area  121   a  and a second retaining area  122   a,  which are respectively installed with a plurality of lock gates  123   a  at preset positions, and when objects  2   a  fall and approach the object transfer device  12   a,  then the lock gate  123   a  of the first retaining area  121   a  of the object transfer device  12   a  adjacent to an energy acquiring device  11  a opens, thereby enabling the objects  2   a  to fall into the first retaining area  121   a,  after which the lock gate  123   a  between the first retaining area  121   a  and the second retaining area  122   a  opens, at which time the object transfer device  12   a  assumes a closed state. After the objects  2   a  are subjected to an external force and moved towards and positioned within the second retaining area  122   a,  then the lock gate  123   a  between the first retaining area  121   a  and the second retaining area  122   a  closes, at which time the second retaining area  122   a  assumes a closed state. Because an air charging device  5  able to eject gas having a density lower than that of the liquid is installed at a preset position in the second retaining area  122   a,  thus, when the objects  2   a  are moved into the second retaining area  122   a,  then the second retaining area  122   a  begins to be filled with gas, and after the second retaining area  122   a  has been filled with a predetermined volume of gas, then the lock gate  123   a  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10   a  opens. Accordingly, when the liquid within the potential energy change device  10   a  flows into the second retaining area  122   a,  then a mechanical pusher device  4   a  simultaneously pushes the objects  2   a  and the liquid into the potential energy change device  10   a,  after which the lock gate  123   a  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10   a  is closed, thereby causing the second retaining area  122   a  to assume a closed state. At which time, a flow guide pipe  14   a  is able to discharge surplus material  13   a  within the second retaining area  122   a  and air to within the potential energy change device  10   a,  thereby enabling smooth operation of the mechanical pusher device  4   a  without being affected by air pressure, and, furthermore, a one-way valve  141   a  disposed at a preset position in the flow guide pipe  14   a  enables preventing back flow of liquid and air into the second retaining area  122   a.  Accordingly, the device enables the objects  2   a  to be pushed towards the interior of the potential energy change device  10   a  by gaseous means, thus causing a continuous cycling operation of the objects  2   a,  and further uses physical properties to achieve acquiring energy, as well as meeting the objective of providing substantive benefit to environmental protection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , which show first, second and third partial operational flow process diagrams respectively of yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and in conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , it can be clearly seen from the drawings that more than one float device  6  having a density lower than that of the density of the liquid is fitted at preset positions of the periphery of each object  2   b,  and that an object transfer device  12   b  comprises at least more than two sets of a first retaining area  121   b  and a second retaining area  122   b,  which are respectively installed with a plurality of lock gates  123   b  at preset positions, and when the objects  2   b  fall and approach an object transfer device  12   b,  then the lock gate  123   b  of the first retaining area  121   b  of the object transfer device  12   b  adjacent to an energy acquiring device  11   b  opens, thereby enabling the objects  2   b  to fall into the first retaining area  121   b,  after which the lock gate  123   b  between the first retaining area  121   b  and the second retaining area  122   b  opens, at which time the object transfer device  12   b  assumes a closed state. After the objects  2   b  are subjected to an external force and moved towards and positioned within the second retaining area  122   b,  then the lock gate  123   b  between the first retaining area  121   b  and the second retaining area  122   b  closes, at which time the second retaining area  122   b  assumes a closed state, and at the same time the lock gate  123   b  of the second retaining area  122   b  adjacent to a potential energy change device  10   b  opens. Because a mechanical pusher device  4   b  having a load bearing range equal to the space of the second retaining area  122   b  is installed at a preset position in the second retaining area  122   b,  thus, when the liquid within the potential energy change device  10   b  flows into the second retaining area  122   b,  then the mechanical pusher device  4   b  simultaneously pushes the objects  2   b  and the liquid toward the interior of the potential energy change device  10   b,  after which the lock gate  123   b  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10   b  is closed, thereby causing the second retaining area  122   b  to assume a closed state. Accordingly, when the objects  2   b  are moved to the second retaining area  122   b,  then the lock gate  123   b  of the second retaining area  122   b  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10   b  opens, whereupon the liquid within the potential energy change device  10   b  flows into the second retaining area  122   b,  and the mechanical pusher device  4   b  simultaneously pushes the objects  2   b,  having more than one of the float devices  6  with density lower than that of the density of the liquid fitted at preset positions of the periphery thereof, and the liquid into the potential energy change device  10   b,  after which the lock gate  123   b  adjacent to the potential energy change device  10   b  is closed, thereby enabling the second retaining area  122   b  to assume a closed state, at which time, a flow guide pipe  14   b  is used to discharge surplus material  13   b  within the second retaining area  122   b  and air to within the potential energy change device  10   b,  thereby enabling smooth operation of the mechanical pusher device  4   b  without being affected by air pressure, and, furthermore, a one-way valve  141   b  disposed at a preset position in the flow guide pipe  14   b  enables preventing back flow of liquid and air into the second retaining area  122   b.  Accordingly, the float devices  6  fitted to the periphery of each of the objects  2   b  are used to push the objects  2   b  toward the interior of the potential energy change device  10   b  and effect a continuous cycling operation, and further uses physical properties to achieve acquiring energy, as well as meeting the objective of providing substantive benefit to environmental protection. 
     Hence, the key factors that enable the energy source device  1  of the present invention to improve on the prior art are described as follows: 
     1. Basic principles of physics are used to acquire needed energy from the predictable energy produced by buoyancy and gravitational acceleration, thereby achieving environmental protection and meeting the objective of providing economic benefit. 
     2. Cost of assembling the energy source device  1  is extremely low, and the available energy obtained is not only directly proportional but goes beyond manufacturing cost. 
     3. Because the energy source device  1  cycles infinitely to producing energy for use thereof, operation of which does not need to be stopped due to external environmental factors, thus, it enables the user to obtain a continuous supply of energy without having to worry about the problem of the energy source being interrupted. 
     It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.