Patent Publication Number: US-2013247556-A1

Title: Buoyancy engine using a segmented chain

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/338,741, entitled “Buoyancy Engine Using A Segmented Chain,” which was filed on Dec. 18, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mechanical buoyancy engine. More particularly, the invention relates to the structure and operation of a segmented chain in a buoyancy engine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A buoyancy engine is a highly efficient means of generating energy using the natural barometric, hydrostatic, and buoyant effects of various materials in a soluble solution to create a rotary motion. A buoyancy engine is a well known idea and various attempts to create an efficient buoyancy engine have been attempted. However, disadvantages exist with the typical buoyancy engine. For example, components attempting to enter towards the bottom of a liquid environment are subject to an outward pressure. Generally, extra components or devices are added to create a counter force or lessen the liquid&#39;s outward pressure. However, extra components and/or devices add cost to the system and require maintenance or replacement. Thus, a need exists for a simple buoyancy engine capable of efficiently converting energy with a minimal assembly of components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for a buoyancy engine is presented. In accordance with various embodiments, a buoyancy engine can comprise a reservoir aperture located in a divider, a rotational device connected to the divider, and a segmented chairs comprising a plurality of linear segments. In various embodiments, the segmented chain rotates about the reservoir aperture and the rotational device. Further, the segmented chain can he configured to separate during linear vertical travel. Moreover, in various embodiments, a trailing surface of a first segment of the plurality of segments can be configured to compress with a leading surface of a second segment of the plurality of segments to form a substantially solid surface in response to transitioning through the reservoir aperture. The first segment can be adjacent to the second segment in the segmented chain. 
     As the segmented chain travels between the gas and liquid environments, a rotary motion is created which can be captured as electrical or mechanical energy. In various embodiments, a method can comprise generating a rotary motion using a segmented chain in a buoyancy engine, where the segmented chain comprises a plurality of segments, designing the plurality of segments to separate during linear travel, designing the plurality of segments to form a substantially solid surface in response to the segmented chain transitioning between a gas environment and a liquid environment, and transitioning the segmented chain through a reservoir aperture. In various embodiments, a trailing surface of a first segment of the plurality of segments is configured to compress with a leading surface of a second segment of the plurality of segments to form the substantially solid surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       A more compete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the drawing figures, and: 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate exemplary buoyancy engines; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary solid inlet gasket of a reservoir aperture; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side-view of an exemplary solid inlet gasket of a reservoir aperture; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary segmented inlet gasket of a reservoir aperture; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary segmented inlet gasket of a reservoir aperture; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of multiple gaskets; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary segment of a segmented chain; 
         FIGS. 8A-8G  illustrate various embodiments of a reservoir aperture; 
         FIGS. 9A-9F  illustrate side-views of various exemplary segmented chains; 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate multiple views of an exemplary segmented chain; and 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of attached segments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While exemplary embodiments are described herein in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, electrical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the following detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration only. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D , a buoyancy engine  100  comprises a divider  110  separating a liquid environment from a gas environment, a segmented chain  120 , a wheel  130  connected towards one end of divider  110 , and a reservoir aperture  140  located towards the other end of divider  110 . In another exemplary embodiment, buoyancy engine  100  may further comprise an output apparatus  150  as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, divider  110  separates the liquid and gas environments and may comprise metal, concrete, plastic, other suitable material now known or hereinafter devised, or any combination of such materials. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, divider  110  is part of a reservoir  115  that holds a liquid, which is typically water but could be another suitable liquid. In another embodiment, divider  110  is part of reservoir  115  and can be configured to hold a gas, which typically is ambient air but could be another suitable gas. In other words, divider  110  may be described as a wall of a holding tank for liquid or gas. In further exemplary embodiments, buoyancy engine  300  may be fully enclosed or may be open. Also, buoyancy engine  100  may be thought of as comprising reservoir  115  with divider  110  separating a liquid environment  101  from a gas environment  102 . Or the reservoir may be thought of as containing liquid environment  101  and divider  110  is part of an outer wall of reservoir  115 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, reservoir  115  contains water. However, suitable liquids other than standard water may be used. In exemplary embodiments, suitable liquids include adding agents to change the liquid properties, such as adding saline, silicone, or equivalents to increase liquid density and/or decrease the temperature of the liquid. Also, alcohol or equivalents could be added to lower the freezing point of the liquid. In one embodiment, a refrigeration or cooler system is attached to reservoir  115  to lower the liquid&#39;s temperature. By the same token, a heating system can be used to raise the liquid&#39;s temperature to avoid freezing of the liquid. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, reservoir  115  is generally shaped as a cuboid or cylinder, though other shapes are also contemplated. Reservoir  115  can be either open, partially closed, or entirely closed. Some benefits to closing reservoir  115  include eliminating or decreasing evaporation, noise damping, safety, and ultra-violet light protection. Furthermore, reservoir  115  may be connected to a liquid source that is configured to maintain or adjust the upper liquid level  103 . The upper liquid level  103  may change due to evaporation or leakage, such as into gas environment  102  or outside of reservoir  115 . In various embodiments, the volume of the liquid is at least equal to, or greater than, the displacement volume of the segmented chain. This level of displacement can provide a minimal buoyant force from the liquid differential In other words, in various embodiments, the liquid level is of sufficient volume relative to the gas environment to provide barometric pressure to rotate the segmented chain. 
     Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 1A , liquid level  103  of liquid environment  101  is about at the bottom edge of wheel  130 . In another exemplary embodiment, liquid level  103  is up to the level of liquid environment  101  where segmented chain  120  begins to compress. Moreover, upper liquid level  103  of reservoir  115  may be at any level suitable to provide enough pressure due to the liquid differential to generate rotary motion. 
     In an exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 1C and 1D , a pressure difference is maintained between the liquid and gas environments of buoyancy engine  100 . In one embodiment, reservoir aperture  140  is located at the top of buoyancy engine  100  and a pump  1201  maintains the pressure difference by pressuring gas environment  102  and forcing any liquid substantially out of gas environment  102 . For example, pressure may be used to create a lower liquid level  104  and a corresponding upper liquid level  103 . In various embodiments, reservoir aperture  140  can be configured to keep maintain the pressure difference. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system manages the pressure difference and may include a series of valves and conductivity sensors, floats, or other pressure and level instruments. 
     Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 1D , lower liquid level  104  can be about at the bottom edge of wheel  130  on the gas environment side of divider  110 . In another exemplary embodiment, upper liquid level  103  can be up to the top of segmented chain  120  at reservoir aperture  140 . Moreover, upper liquid level  103  of reservoir  115  may be at any level suitable to generate a relative difference in barometric pressures in each environment, creating a higher pressure within the gas environment in comparison to the liquid environment. In an exemplary embodiment, the relative difference in barometric pressures between liquid and gas environments can generate rotary motion. 
     The buoyancy engine may be comprised of alternative configurations compared to those already described. The environment of the buoyancy engine may be any variation that maintains a segmented chain producing rotary movement through a liquid environment and a gas environment. Various manners of the overall buoyancy engine have also been contemplated. For example and with reference to  FIG. 1C , in a different embodiment, the gas environment is pressurized and placed in a body of liquid, such as an open-water location. The level of liquid is controlled by adjusting the level of the pressurized gas environment within the body of liquid. 
       FIGS. 2-5  illustrate various embodiments of the reservoir aperture. In an exemplary embodiment, reservoir aperture  140  comprises a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as at least one of UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) polyethylene, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethene or polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon®), or other suitable material. Furthermore, reservoir aperture  140  may have a lubricant to decrease friction and add abrasion resistance. Decreasing the friction of reservoir aperture  140  enables more efficient motion of segmented chain  120 , and thus more production of energy. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a seal is created where reservoir aperture  140  is in contact with segmented chain  120 . For example and with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a solid gasket  201  or other similar component may be present in reservoir aperture  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, gasket  201  is inside a reservoir aperture housing  202  and has a low coefficient of friction. The gasket  201  may rotate within reservoir aperture  140 , thereby creating a seal while still allowing a low friction pass-through for segmented chain  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, gasket  201  is an o-ring. 
     In another exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , reservoir aperture  140  comprises at least one segmented gasket  401  located inside a reservoir aperture housing  402 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, reservoir aperture housing  402  includes multiple pieces assembled together and is a part of divider  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, reservoir aperture housing  402  is in contact with and at least partially encompasses segmented gasket  401 . Furthermore, reservoir aperture housing  402  may be lubricated and be configured to provide a suitable contact surface to facilitate rotation of segmented gasket  401 . A portion of segmented gasket  401  that is exposed and not encompassed by reservoir aperture housing  402 , in an exemplary embodiment, is in direct contact with segmented chain  120 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the contact between reservoir aperture housing  402 , segmented gasket  401 , and segmented chain generates sufficient pressure to create a seal between the gas and liquid environments, thereby allowing the transition of segmented chain  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, segmented gasket  401  comprises multiple rotating components configured to create a sealed and low-friction pass-through for segmented chain  120 . For example, the multiple rotating components may be at least one of rollers, ball-bearings, or other suitable devices for achieving the desired low-friction motion. 
     Various configurations of reservoir aperture  140  have been contemplated, including different shapes and multiple rows of segmented gasket  401 , and the described embodiments are not meant to be limiting. Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments and with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6C , multiple gaskets are present in reservoir aperture  140 . Multiple gaskets can provide extra sealing, which is beneficial for a liquid or gas environment with high pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, a minimal number of gaskets are used in reservoir aperture  140  in order to minimize friction while maintaining a substantial seal. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, wheel  130  is connected to divider  110  of the buoyancy engine  100 . The wheel may also be attached to another part of buoyancy engine  100 , such as a frame or reservoir wall. In an exemplary embodiment, wheel  130  provides tension to segmented chain  120  and facilitates a substantial frictional grip. For example, wheel  130  may provide tension by implementing springs, hydraulics, or similar devices configured to provide adjustable, continuous tension to segmented chain  120 . In addition to a wheel, in an exemplary embodiment, segmented chain may traverse at least one gasket within a housing, similar to reservoir aperture  140 . In yet another embodiment, a surface with a low-coefficient of friction is present between the liquid and gas environments. 
     Output apparatus  150  may be connected to, or near, any of the moving parts of buoyancy engine  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, output apparatus  150  is connected to at least one of wheel  130  or reservoir aperture  140 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, output apparatus  150  may generate mechanical energy by implementing a shaft, such as a crankshaft. Use of a crankshaft is well known in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. In another exemplary embodiment, output apparatus  150  may generate electrical energy by implementing magnets, stators, or other suitable means as now know or hereinafter devised. 
     As mentioned above, in an exemplary embodiment, segmented chain  120  is attached around wheel  130  and through reservoir aperture  140 , which provides tension. Segmented chain  120  is able to transition between the gas environment and the liquid environment with substantially little friction while maintaining a division between the two environments. In an exemplary embodiment, the difference in liquid levels between liquid and gas environments can cause a difference in barometric pressures in each environment, creating a higher pressure within the gas environment in comparison to the liquid environment. The resulting difference in pressures can combine to force the segmented chain from the gas environment to the liquid environment through reservoir aperture  140 , down through the liquid environment and up through the gas environment to generate a rotary motion. The resulting upward and downward forces combine to generate a rotary motion of segmented chain  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, segmented chain  120  moves along a set path such that a portion of the set path consists of vertical travel through the liquid environment on one side of divider  110  and continues in the opposite direction on the other side of divider  110 . 
     For purposes of illustration and with reference to  FIG. 7 , a segment  700  of segmented chain  120  is described as comprising an inner surface  710 , an outer surface  720 , a leading surface  730 , and a trailing surface  740 . In an exemplary embodiment, segment  700  may comprise various shapes, as illustrated by various leading surface viewpoints in  FIGS. 8A-8G . For example, leading surface  730  and trailing surface  740  may be in the shape of at least one of a circle ( 8 C), oval, ellipse, rounded rectangle ( 8 D), rectangle ( 8 E), or trapezoid ( 8 G). From the side viewpoint, segment  700  may be a trapezoid, triangle, or other shape such that outer surface  720  of the segment is larger than inner surface  710 . Furthermore, the edge formed by outer surface  720  and either leading surface  730  or trailing surface  740  connects to a corresponding edge of the next segment in segmented chain  120 . The connection of segments and alignment of outer surfaces  720  forms an outer circumference of segmented chain  120 . Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the area of leading surface  730  is substantially equivalent to area of reservoir aperture  140 . Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, a seal is formed between segmented chain  120  and reservoir aperture  140  without undue friction. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A-9F , in an exemplary embodiment, segmented chain  120  comprises a plurality of segments that are configured to separate during vertical travel and compress during passage when transitioning between the liquid environment and the gas environment. As used herein, compress can mean that the segments come into contact and does not necessitate that the segment deform under a load. In word others, when the segmented chain  120  travels either around wheel  130  or through reservoir aperture  140 , the inner surfaces of the segments connect and form a substantially solid structure. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the leading surface of a segment can comprise a convex shape and the trailing surface can comprise a concave shape configured to increase the sealing ability of the segmented chain  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , a segment may have a bowed leading surface  730  and a corresponding bowed matching relief on a trailing surface  740 , where bowed leading surface  730  and relief trailing surface  740  are designed such that Iwo segments of segmented chain  120  fit together to form a seal when transitioning between the reservoir and the liquid chamber. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the convex and concave shapes may comprise a cupped surface.  FIGS. 9C and 9D  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a curved leading surface  730  and a curved trailing surface  740  that are not cupped, but instead have curved outer edges. The convex and concave shapes are designed to increase the hydrodynamic performance of segmented chain  120 . In one embodiment, the curved surfaces increase the ability to seal of the segments and facilitate alignment of the segments when compressing. In another embodiment, the curved surfaces are configured to increase the hydrodynamic performance of segmented chain  120 . This is accomplished by increasing, in comparison to a flat trapezoidal segment, the surface area of the segment that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of vertical travel. In various embodiments and with reference to  FIGS. 9E-9F , a segment of segmented chain  120  can comprise flat, or substantially flat, leading and trailing surfaces. The outer surface of the segment can be flat as shown in  FIG. 9E  or curved as shown in  FIG. 9F . In addition and with reference to  FIGS. 9A-9F , the turning radius of the segmented chain  120  is determined by the distance between the inner surface  911  of a first segment  910  and the inner surface  921  of a connected second segment  920 . The farther apart the inner surfaces of two linked segments, the tighter the turning radius of segmented chain  120 . 
     Furthermore, segmented chain  120  may be made from various materials, including at least one of wood, fiberglass, metal, carbon fiber, foam, plastic (specifically polypropylene or polyethylene), rubber (natural or synthetic) or other suitable materials as would be known to one skilled in the art. Also, the segments may comprise some material with a cover that provides additional rigidity. In another embodiment, the segments comprise a rigid or solid core and a softer outer surface. For example, the outer surface may be foam or laminate material, or other like materials. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, segmented chain  120  comprises flexible foam composite with a continuous metal chain through the middle of the foam composite. In another embodiment, the metal chain is replaced with at least one of a cable, a roller chain, a spring metal band, cross-linked fibers, or a plastic infrastructure. In yet another exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , segmented chain  120  does not comprise a continuous chain, but instead comprises individual segments that are connected at the outer surface. In an exemplary embodiment and with reference to  FIGS. 11A-11C , the segments may be connected at a single point or at multiple points along the outer surface edge of segmented chain  120 . The segments may be hinged, sewn, glued, fused, or other suitable means of attachment as now known or hereinafter devised. In yet another exemplary embodiment, segmented chain  120  is comprised of one solid or continuous piece of material, such as molded foam for example. 
     Since some liquid can end up in the gas environment, or some gas can escape into the liquid environment during operation, various means may be implemented to maintain as much separation as possible. In an exemplary embodiment, excess liquid is collected from segmented chain  120  when exiting the liquid environment. For example, at least one of brushes, an additional sealed inlet, a rubber/neoprene wiper, a hydrophobic skin on a structure such as the segmented chain or reservoir aperture, or other suitable devices may be included in buoyancy engine  100 . Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, liquid that is present in the gas environment is collected and transferred back to the liquid environment. For example and with reference to  FIG. 1B , a pump  160  could transfer the liquid that collects in a drain in buoyancy engine  100 , The conservation of liquid helps to enable a stand-alone buoyancy engine  100  that requires little to no maintenance. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the buoyancy engine is not limited in size and the energy produced by buoyancy engine  100  can be directly related to the volume of segmented chain  120 , the area of the opening of the reservoir  140 , the difference in the height between lower liquid level  104  and the reservoir aperture, and any combination thereof. In various embodiments, power generation can be increased by any combination of reducing the volume of segmented chain  120 . Increasing the area of the opening of reservoir aperture  140 , and Increasing the height difference between the lower liquid level  104  and reservoir aperture  140 . In various embodiments, the angular momentum generated via rotary motion is centered and reaches an equilibrium, which facilitates less wear on buoyancy engine  120 , Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment the overall energy production is increased by operating multiple segmented chains in same environments. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as “essential” or “critical.”