Patent Abstract:
A waterwheel apparatus designed to generate power. The waterwheel is set below the surface of a body of water. The waterwheel has air chambers that inflate and deflate. The air chambers within the wheel have air valves. Air is introduced into specific chambers when desired to cause a buoyancy effect and cause a particular area of the wheel to travel in the direction of the water surface. Introducing air at specific angular positions to the air chambers cause the wheel to rotate under water. The energy derived from this motion and connected to pulley and gear mechanisms supply power.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a waterwheel plant, and more particularly, to an underwater wheel with inflating and deflating air chambers that operate at predetermined angular degrees, establishing a rotational wheel motion in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many designs for waterwheel plants have been designed in the past. None of them however, include a wheel apparatus submerged in a body of water that rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, where such motion produces power. 
     Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,175 issued to Mayo, Jr. et al. However, it differs from the present invention because Mayo&#39;s prior art teaches an electric generator assembly driven by a waterwheel wherein the axial length of the waterwheel is substantially greater than the diameter thereof and contains a speed-increasing device for driving a high speed generator. The waterwheel has longitudinal buckets designed to develop maximum energy over a wide range of flow of water and also discharge debris. U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,596 issued to Kurtzbein also differs from the present invention. Kurtzbein teaches a pair of hull portions connected in a spaced parallel relation supporting a water wheel and form a passageway therebetween for a driving engagement of flowing water against the vanes of the water wheel. 
     Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is an underwater wheel having air chambers. Air is introduced into specific air chambers at predetermined angular degrees to establish a buoyancy effect that causes a particular area of the waterwheel to travel while underwater in the direction of the water surface. During rotation of the wheel assembly, half of the primary air valves are open and half of the secondary valves are closed. Rotational speed will depend on the specifications of a pneumatic system. Greater rotational speed will be achieved with the utilization of air valves and pumps designed for such requirements. The wheel assembly may be designed to rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clock wise direction. In the preferred embodiment, assuming a counter-clockwise wheel rotation, the air chambers begin to inflate at approximately 175 degrees and begin to deflate at approximately 5 degrees. Assuming a clockwise rotation, the air chambers begin to inflate at approximately 185 degrees and begin to deflate at approximately 355 degrees. The energy derived from this motion produce power which may be utilized or stored as desired. 
     The underwater power-generating device has a wheel assembly having an inside diameter surface and an outside track connected by a plurality of spokes, said spokes having flexible air chambers fixedly secured thereon. A hub assembly is fixedly secure through said wheel assembly and has a first and second retaining ring mounted, whereas said wheel assembly is positioned between said first and second retaining rings. The hub assembly further has first and second channels and pneumatic means to inflate and deflate said air chambers. The underwater power-generating device further has track assemblies, each having first and second faces, whereas each first face has a semicircular rail mounted thereon, forming an approximate circle when said semicircular rails face each other. The wheel assembly rotates between said semicircular rails and said first and second track assemblies complement said first and second channels, allowing said hub to rotate upon said first and second track assemblies. The instant invention also has a support structure including hoisting means to raise and lower said underwater power generating device and anchor means to secure said support structure. Said anchor means having a predetermined cooperative length and attached to the bottom of a body of water so that said anchor means stabilizes said underwater power generating device while in operation and while hoisting means is activated. 
     The flexible air chambers include valve frames. The pneumatic means further includes said hub assembly having a primary and secondary air tank and said air chambers having primary and secondary air valves. The primary air valve opens when one end is biased against said semicircular rail of said first track assembly. This allows pressurized air to exit from said primary tank through said primary valve to inflate the air chamber. The secondary air valve opens when the other end is biased against said semicircular rail of said second track assembly. This allows air to escape through said secondary air valve into said secondary air tank. The secondary tank having electrical pump means to pump air from said secondary air tank to said primary air tank. 
     The pneumatic means further include a water seal with sealing means to prevent the entry of water. The underwater power-generating device has an outside track, which is a pulley. The flexible air chambers are enclosed in housing means, whereas said housing means includes attachment means to fastenly secure to said spokes. 
     A plurality of apparatus as the instant invention may form a group in a body of water to supply large quantities of power and the body of water must be one that is sufficiently deep to operate said underwater power generating device. 
     It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a waterwheel power generating plant that is environmentally friendly. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a waterwheel power generating plant that may be utilized in any body of water. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a waterwheel power generating plant that may be suspended from bridges, barges, pontoons, or any similar structure designed over water. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a waterwheel power generating plant having a waterwheel completely submerged in water. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
    
    
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the instant invention suspended from a bridge over a body of water. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the pneumatic system taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a section of the wheel assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the air valves and a portion of the track assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the valve frames and track assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a cut view of the electrical cord water seal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes wheel assembly  20 , hub assembly  40 , track assembly  110 , and support structure  130 . 
     As seen in FIG. 1, instant invention  10  is operated in body of water W. In the preferred embodiment, instant invention  10  may be suspended from bridge B. Bridge B and foundation F provide stability for wheel assembly  20 , together with hub assembly  40  to rotate while track assembly  110  remains stationary. 
     Wheel assembly  20  operates in a vertical position and may be lowered into or out of body of water W. Lowering or raising wheel assembly  20  is possible with support structure  130 . Shafts  132  extend from foundation F to bridge B for stability. In the preferred embodiment, winch  134 , cables  136  and pulley assemblies  138  are utilized to lower and raise wheel assembly  20  in the body of water. Winch  134 , in this embodiment suspended from bridge B, in cooperation with pulley assemblies  138 , drive cable  136 . Cable  136  is attached to connector  137 . Track assemblies  110  are secured to support structure  130 . Extending from connector  137  are cables  140  that are attached at predetermined areas of track assembly  110 . Cables  140  help stabilize while in operation and reduce overall vibration. Further stabilization may result with anchoring devices A placed at the surface of the water and the floor of the body of water if feasible. 
     In operation, wheel assembly  20  rotates in a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction. Wheel assembly  20  has outside track  26 , which serves as a pulley. Cable  144  rides on outside track  26  and a pulley mechanism, of generator G. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, hub assembly  40  is at the center of wheel assembly  20  and contains pneumatic system  60 . Pneumatic system  60  primarily includes high-pressure, primary tank  62 , and low-pressure, secondary tank  66  separated by wall  70 . While operating, primary tank  62  has a predetermined amount of pressure. Air within pneumatic system  60  cycles in a closed loop. Air transfers from primary tank  62  through primary valve  64  to inflate air chamber  28 ′, and then air chamber  28 ′ deflates and becomes air chamber  28  as air transfers through secondary valve  68  to secondary tank  66 . From secondary tank  66 , air is transported back into primary tank  62  with air pump P. Air pump P may be located at wall  70 . Air pump P has a one-way valve, not seen, to prevent pressurized air from flowing from back to secondary tank  66  from primary tank  62 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, air chamber  28 ′ represents an inflated air chamber whereas ball  86  is biased against slot  65 , thus allowing air to flow through primary valve  64 . Ball  86  is interconnected to ball  90  by connector  96 . While ball  86  is biased against slot  65 , ball  90  blocks the airflow of secondary valve  68 . Air chamber  28  represents a deflated air chamber whereas ball  90  is biased against slot  69 , thus allowing air to flow through secondary valve  68 . Ball  86  is interconnected to ball  90  by connector  96 . Therefore, while ball  90  is biased against slot  69 , ball  86  blocks the airflow of primary valve  64 . Plate  102  serves to stabilize and is at the distal end of primary valve  64  and secondary valve  68 . External air hose  82  connects to connector  84  to fill primary tank  62  with air. External air hose  82  is disconnected once primary air tank  62  is full and is disconnected before instant invention  10  begins to rotate. 
     As previously mentioned, wheel assembly  20  rotates with hub assembly  40 . Track assembly  110  has channel  44 . Bearings  120  ride within channel  44  to facilitate rotation. 
     Perpendicularly extending from hub assembly  40 , are retaining rings  42  securely fastened at either side of wheel assembly  20 . Retaining rings  42  stabilize valve frame  78 , seen in FIG.  3 . Outside of retaining rings  42 , are channels  44 . Wheel assembly  20  is fixedly secured to hub assembly  40 , and hub assembly rotates within track assembly  110 . For rotational facilitation and stability of hub assembly  40 , track assembly  110  has wheels  120  that travel within channel  44 . Wheels  120  may travel in either direction. In an alternate embodiment, wheels  120  may be bearings or any other system designed to reduce friction and allow easy movement of hub assembly  40  within track assembly  110 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, wheel assembly  20  has outside track  26  as a perimeter ring. Perpendicularly extending from track  26  at predetermined distances from each other, spokes  24  connect to hub assembly  40 . Housings  34  connect to spokes  24  and are attached at each side along the length of spokes  24  with zippers  36  removably secured. In the preferred embodiment, housings  34  are flexible to expand and contract with air chamber  28  and are made of corrosion resistant properties. Air chambers  28  are generally flat in a deflated state and cone shaped. Shaped to complement air chambers  28 , housings  34  cover and provide support for air chambers  28 . This allows water to flow over housings  34  so as to protect air chambers  28  and provide for minimal water resistance. Perpendicularly protruding from hub assembly  40  are sleeves  38 . Sleeves  38  tightly mount over base  30  of housings  34  and are secured with clamps  22 . Valve frame  78  partially protrudes from housing  34  and clamp  22 . Valve frame  78  slides within housing  34  in a side to side motion as bearing  94  makes contact with semicircular rail  116 , seen in FIG.  4 . The buoyancy force established within air chamber  28  is proportionate to the size of air chamber  28 , therefore, the greater the volumetric size of air chamber  28 , the greater the buoyancy force established within. 
     As seen in FIG. 4, valve frame  78  is generally rectangular. However it may be of various shapes not limited to elliptical, elongated octagon or the like. Valve frame  78  primarily has ends  80 , connectors  96  and  98 , and balls  86  and  90 . The ends of valve frame  78  are exposed to water and valve frame  78  is activated upon rotation of wheel assembly  20 , seen in FIG.  1 . Activation occurs when contact is made between bearing  94  of frame end  80  and semicircular rail  116  of track assembly  110 . Air valves  64  and  68  open and close as balls  86  and  90  shift therein. Seal  100  may be a harmonic type to allow valve frame  78  to slide while preventing the entry of water. 
     As seen in FIG. 5, track assemblies  110  are on either side of wheel assembly  20 , seen in FIG. 1, with semicircular rails  116  facing each other. Semicircular rail  116  is a track in the shape of the perimeter of a half circle, whereas when both semicircular rails  116  face each other, their tracks form a complete circle. Ends  118  of semicircular rail  116  taper towards internal face  114  of track assembly  110 . Valve frame  78  shifts when bearings  94  of frame ends  80  make contact with semicircular rail  116 , thus activating primary air valve  64  and secondary air valve  68 , seen in FIG.  2 . 
     As valve frame  78  slides in a side to side motion, valves  64  and  68  open and close. For each respective air chamber  28 , while primary valve  64  is in the open position, secondary valve  68  will be in the closed position, and vice-versa. 
     As seen in FIG. 6, extending from hub assembly  40  is shaft  160 , which houses the electrical connection of the instant invention. Shaft  160  is stationary and extends to its source. 
     The connection point to hub assembly  40  should be watertight to prevent water from entering hub assembly  40 . In the preferred embodiment, shaft  160  snugly fits within seal  170 . Seal  170  utilizes Gallium for sealing, since it is of a higher density than water, 6.1 times: greater. The Gallium element is utilized because of its low melting temperature properties. Another element that may be utilized is Cs or others with similar properties. Seal  170  is flexible whereas the exterior side exposed to water is flexible to allow for expansion and contraction. Container  172  stores the Gallium and is connected at either side by containers  174  and  174 ′. Containers  174  and  174 ′ are filled with oil and have orifices to allow for the free-flow of oil through a wall in each. Containers  174  and  174 ′ act as bearings, due to their lubrication and connect to retaining rings  176 , which snugly fit on shaft  160 . Containers  174  and  174 ′ rotate on shaft  160 . Retaining rings  176  also keep oil from spreading into container  172 . Interior cones  178  and  178 ′ complement the shape and snugly fit over containers  174  and  174 ′ respectively. Shaft  160  has grooves  192  with mercury within to maintain oil within containers  174 ;  174 ′ and pockets  194 . Interior cone  178  and  178 ′ screws into place with treading  196  to secure containers  174  and  174 ′ respectively, providing a watertight seal. Interior cone  178  serves to contain container  174  and does not expand and exterior cone  184  secures interior cone  178 ′. Tread  182  is mounted on interior cone  178 ′ to cooperatively match the treading of exterior cone  184 . Tread  182  allows for the pressure adjustment of water seal  170 , whereas tightening exterior cone  184  onto interior cone  178 ′ increases the pressure within water seal  170 . This is necessary because as the water depth increases, the pressure required for water seal  170  increases as well. Interior cones  178  and  178 ′ act as bearings for containers  174  and  174 ′ respectively. Additionally, exterior cone  184  rotates on shaft  160  but interior cone  178 ′ does not. Interior cone  178 ′ does however slide upon shaft  160 . Bearings  180  keep seal  170  secure and rotate about shaft  160 . Exterior cone  184  screws onto interior cone  178 ′ to fastenly secure. A rear plate, not seen, is welded to a shaft that covers shaft  160  for additional support. Harmonic seal  188  connects the rear plate welded to the shaft, not seen, to interior cone  178 ′. For lubrication, oil displaces friction between shaft  160  and container  172 . Heating element  190  may be used if necessary to keep the Gallium in a liquid state. 
     This results in a watertight system to allow shaft  160  to connect to hub assembly  40  without water entering. Gallium provides the additional seal. Oil, such as hydraulic or the equivalent, inside containers  174  and  174 ′ are under a pressure of one to two atmospheres. With this pressure, water is adequately displaced. Upon rotation of wheel assembly  20 , heat is created from the friction between the rotating shaft, and seal  170 . Due to the raise in temperature, Gallium will liquefy. To keep Gallium in a liquid form when wheel assembly  20  is not operating, or when cold water temperatures exist, heating element  190  is required. In an alternate embodiment, water seal  170  may be utilized with connector  84 . 
     As the external water pressure increases, the greater the seal established between seal  170  and shaft  160 . 
     To lower wheel assembly  20  into body of water and begin operation, air chambers  28  are empty and air pump P is turned off. Wheel assembly  20  is lowered into a body of water to a predetermined depth. Upon reaching the predetermined depth, air is pumped into primary tank  62  through external air hose  82 . External air hose  82  connects to connector  84  of hub assembly  40 . Since there are two semicircular rails  116  in the preferred embodiment, one on each side of wheel assembly  20  that keep half of the air valves closed and the other half open, the air from external air hose  82  will start inflating half of air chambers  28  together with primary tank  62 . In one embodiment, generator G may incorporate a brake system to hold wheel assembly  20  stationary while the initial inflating process is occurring. When initial inflating is complete, primary tank  62  and the selected air chambers  28  are full to their capacity, external air hose.  82  is removed from connector  84 . Air pump P is then turned on; the brake system is released and wheel assembly  20  beings rotation. Air pressure inside instant invention  10  is always higher than the surrounding underwater pressure to allow air chambers  28  to inflate as required. 
     In alternate embodiments however, instant invention  10  may be suspended from a pontoon or any similar object designed to float, suspend or otherwise provide. 
     Instant invention  10  does not utilize a cooling system. The exterior water temperature maintains operational temperatures to remain constant for the needs of the equipment. In an alternate power requirement setting, a timer may be utilized to operate instant invention  10 . 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5