Abstract:
A gravity motor using the potential energy of an initial mass located at a relative height. This potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy. This gravity motor comprises a storage bin ( 26 ) able to contain a quantity of fragmented material ( 39 ) and having a base ( 28 ) with a first chute ( 30 ) to take the fragmented material ( 39 ) out of the base ( 28 ), a second chute ( 34 ) with an exit ( 58 ) and a guiding cylinder ( 32 ) of the exit ( 58 ), a wheel ( 60 ) with vanes ( 61 ) that rotate a rotor ( 46 ). While rotating, each vane ( 61 ) can collect a volume of the fragmented material ( 39 ) and act as a torque around a central axis, thus causing the rotation of the wheel around the central axis, at a velocity corresponding to the kinetic energy of the volume of the fragmented material ( 39 ). The rotor ( 46 ) comprises means for articulated fastening to a machinery part.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention belongs to the family of energy recuperator that feed gravity motors producing a special mode of energy. Specifically one related to mining pellets or concentrated ore used to activate a gravity motor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A review of the prior art has revealed the following patents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,059; Feder, May 6th 1980 shows an elevator hopper. 
     FR 2,273,959; January 1976: a flywheel activated by free-falling. 
     IT 248,817; Rossi; 19 Nov. 1925 shows a number of flywheels. 
     FR 2,594,895; 28 Aug. 1987; Delecuse; a device activated by the weight of balls. 
     OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES 
     The first objective of this invention is to provide an energy recuperator that produces a power unit that depends on the height of the fall of a fragmented material. Specifically it allows, in the absence of an electrical or a gas motor, the use of elevated fragmented materials to activate machinery or generate power. 
     Another objective is to use the potential energy of a mass located in a storage bin, at a certain height, and convert it into kinetic energy. 
     It comprises: 
     a downpipe 
     a number of vanes located at the foot of the downpipe and rotating around a central axis, each vane, while rotating, collecting a volume of the fragmented material, acting as a torque around the central axis, thus causing the rotation of a main shaft at a velocity corresponding to the kinetic energy of the volume of fragmented material. The arrangement of vanes also comprises means for articulated fastening to a machinery part. 
     Another objective is to provide means to reduce the rotary velocity of the fragmented material so that it can be used, as is, recycled or loaded in a boat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A gravity motor using the potential energy of a mass located at a certain height, potential energy to be transformed through gravity into kinetic energy, the gravity motor comprising: 
     a storage bin to store, at a certain height, a volume of fragmented material, the storage bin comprising a base to allow the discharge of fragmented material, 
     a first chute having a superior knee joint communicating with the base, the first chute further comprising means to activate fragmented material into exiting at the base, the first chute further having a distance of chute sufficient to accelerate a speed of fall of a discriminate part of volume of fragmented material and the transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy at the exit, 
     a rotary part revolving around a central axis passing through a rotor attached to a vane holder wherefrom radially outspring a number of vanes, each vane passing through a collecting position under exit whereat the vane receives a discriminate part of the volume of fragmented material falling out of the exit, the vane acting as cantilever about the central axis and causing a rotation around central axis at a velocity corresponding to the kinetic energy of the discriminate part of fragmented material, the rotor part comprising rotating means for driving an output. 
     The gravity motor may comprise a second chute installed vertically under the first chute and comprising a distance of chute sufficient to further accelerate a speed of fall of the volume and the transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy and comprising at its bottom end an exit, the second chute comprising means for positioning the exit in line with an outer part of a passing vane. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of a gravity motor of the energy-saving device. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the energy-saving device. 
     FIG. 3 is a section according to line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a section according to line  4 — 4  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a detail of the area shown by arrow  5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a section according to line  6 — 6  of FIG. 2 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective of an embodiment. 
     FIG. 7B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.  7 A. 
     FIG. 7C is a front view according to line  7 C— 7 C of FIG.  7 B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 where the same characterizing elements are identified by the same numbers. 
     FIG. 1 shows an energy-saving gravity motor  20  particularly for use in mining, using ore. One sees under an input conveyor  21 , a distribution auger  22  comprising a distribution pipe  23  to distribute fragmented material, like iron pellets  39  as shown in FIG.  6 —FIG.  6 —down a recuperation column  24 , shown by an arrow, and made of a tower, a storage bin  26  ending in a funnel shape base  28  which includes an opening cylinder  42  which controls the flow of fragmented material  39 , a first chute  30 , pushed by a position cylinder  32  and feeding to a second chute  34 , articulated on a junction point with the first chute  30 . One also sees vanes  36  of a wheel  38  placed on a support structure  40  where a fastening collar  44  keeps in place a rotor  46  with a output gear  48  to couple with machinery, like an electricity generator. The discharge of the wheel  38  is located over a discharge conveyor  50 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates five recuperation columns  24 , vertical and parallel with each other and perpendicular to the discharge conveyor  50 . Fragmented material comes out of the funnel shape base  28  of the storage bin  26  and goes into the first chute  30  then the second chute  34  to then fall onto the vanes  36  and onto the discharge conveyor  50 . One sees a distribution auger  22 , a distribution pipe  23 , a base  28 , a support structure  40 , an opening cylinder  42 , a fastening collar  44 , a rotor  46  and an output gear  48 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the recuperation column  24 . To cause the rotation of the vanes  36 , there is a gap between the center of the wheel  38  that coincides with the rotor  46  and the centre of the second chute  34  and this gap must be at least equal to half of the radius of the wheel  38 . One sees a distribution auger  22 , a distribution pipe  23 , a storage bin  26 , a base  28 , a first chute  30 , a position cylinder  32 , a support structure  40  and a discharge conveyor  50 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a sloped bottom  25  characterizing the wall of the base  28  giving it its funnel shape. Vibration shutters  27  are located on this sloped bottom  25  to serve as outflow shutters. One sees, in a space for cylinder  29 , an opening cylinder  42 , of hydraulic type, that moves the vibrations shutter  27 . The displacement of the vibration shutter  27  is shown in dotted line. One sees a storage bin  26 , a first chute  30 , a superior knee joint  31  and an opening cylinder  42 . 
     FIG. 5 shows the first chute  30 , articulated and able to swing on a superior knee joint  31 . A position cylinder  32 , of a hydraulic type, moves the second chute  34  from a gravity position  33 , shown in dotted line, to a forced position  35 , by pushing on an inferior knee joint  41  moving an exit  58 . At this exit  58  is a positioning valve  59 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the second chute  34  from which iron pellets  39  fall onto vanes  36 , reinforced by a stiffener plate  37 . This causes the rotation of the rotor  46 . The discharge conveyer  50  collects the iron pellets  39  that have fallen and are kept from straying by a front plate  52  and a rear plate  54 . The stiffener plates  37  are placed so they join two vanes and strengthen them. These stiffener plates  37  are trapezoidal with one long side located near the rotor  46  so that a sloped side becomes almost vertical when the stiffener plate is in a position to receive the fragmented material  39  at its maximum velocity, and this to minimize interference. 
     FIG. 7A shows a rotary part  60  that is a truncated cone  62  with an inner face  65 , an outer face  69 , two large and small diameter ends  64  and  66 , and a cone length  67 . The long diameter end  64  collects the fragmented material  39  and the short diameter end  66  discharges it. The cone length  67  is proportional to the size of the diameters. The long diameter end  64  turns on rollers  68  and the short diameter end  66  has a 90 degree gear  70  that engages a control screw  71  of the rotor  46 . 
     FIG. 7B illustrates the truncated cone  62  fixed on three radial supports  72  protruding from a countershaft  74  placed on bearings  76 . The countershaft  74  rotates the 90 degree gear  70  that engages the output gear  48  that rotates the rotor  46 . 
     FIG. 7C illustrates the truncated cone  62  with its longer diameter end  64  and shorter diameter end  66 . There are also vanes  61 , the radial supports  72 , the countershaft  74  and a keyway  78 . One also sees the second chute  34 , in dotted line, and the fragmented material  39  falling onto the tip of the vanes  61 . 
     The present gravity motor may be used where there is granular material at a certain height. Like on mountain sides, in a quarry, in mines, or it can be adapted to a silo or a boat with a deep hull. This system may also be autonomous: the material, once elevated possesses a potential energy due to gravity equal to mgh, where m=mass, g=gravitational acceleration and h=height. 
     The height of the fall turns the potential energy into kinetic energy at a location corresponding to the tip of the vanes of a turbine. The kinetic energy is equal to ½mv 2 . Where the mass is applied, with the velocity obtain by the fall, the initial energy is equal to the final energy that is mgh=½mv 2 , where v 2 =2 gh, v=(2 gh) 0.5 . In the imperial system, g=32 feet/sec/sec, v=8(h) 0.5 . For a height of 49 feet, v=56 feet/sec. In the metric system g=9,8 m/sec/sec, v=(20×16) 0.5 . The mass reaches the tip of the vanes at the velocity of 56 feet/sec (18 m/sec) which correspond to a peripheral velocity of about 50 feet/sec. If a turbine has a diameter of 16 feet, one rotation per second, 60 rotations per minute, the velocity is given by the formula: 
     
       
           v=n /60*π* d= 60/60*π*16=50 feet/sec.  
       
     
     Application in space. If g=0, there is no velocity, but if g is four times higher than on Earth, the height is four time shorter, so instead of 50′, one only needs 12 feet. 
     Another physical phenomenon explains the reaction of a vane  36  to a mass that falls onto its tip at a given velocity, and it is the momentum. A particle of a mass m hits a vane  36  at a velocity v. The weight of the vanes with their center core or support multiplied by the velocity produces a momentum equal to the one of the group of particles at a velocity v. For example, if the velocity for a 16′ fall is of 32 feet/sec. and if a little more than one cubic foot/minute or 5 lb. per second falls onto a vane, the momentum is 32×5=160 feet-lb./sec that is transferred to a vane to make it rotate around a central pivot and then a new impulse is applied onto the following vane. For this reason it is preferable that the outside periphery of the vanes be as light as possible and yet be able to travel at a high speed so that their velocity could approach that of the falling balls. 
     A method without storing in the storage bin  26  may be applied where there is a need for an instant energy recuperation. It is possible to use directly the distribution system  22  and to let the pellets fall directly from the distribution pipes  23  thus eliminating storage bin  26 , base  28 , first chute  30  and second chute  34  to obtain a fall that is significantly higher. In this case, the positioning valve  59  may be used as guiding means to position the pellets towards the tip of a vane. One can also add a reciprocating motion to the shutter  27  by reciprocating opening cylinder  42 ; one could also reciprocate position cylinder  32  to reciprocate second chute  34  as means for regulating the outflow passing through the first chute  30 ; electrical or mechanical means to synchronize this outflow with the rotation of the vanes. As for the opening cylinder  42 , that is used in cooperation with a storage bin, it is preferably a flow regulating hydraulic cylinder. 
     The fragmented material  39  may he iron ore pellets or even denser concentrates. One may increase humidity a little in silos to insure that the ore stays in pellet form and does not produce too much dust. The pellets or fragmented material  39  may fall one piece after the other or in a group, intermittently. The quantity of ore may be adjusted according to the weight of the rotary part, to get the desired velocity. At a peripheral velocity of 32 feet/sec., a rotary part of four feet in diameter has an rpm of 160. 
     The vanes  36  may take various shapes and be located in many places. A drum or rotary part  60  takes the shape of a truncated cone  62  with vanes placed inside the drum, instead of originating from a main shaft. There is a countershaft  74 , inside the rotary part  60  and supported by radial supports  72 . The rotary part  60  is mounted, at the long diameter end  64 , on rollers  68  and, at the short diameter end  66 , onto a 90 degree gear  70  that activates the output gear  48  that drives an outlet. There can be an uncoupling between two systems for maintenance. The vanes  36  may take various angular positions and may possess deflectors or other means for fastening to insure that the momentum is at a maximum, for causing a rotation of the rotary part instead of throwing the fragmented material  39  out at a velocity over 0. 
     The position of the cone  63  may vary according to the material used, depending on its density, the abrasion of the material, the size of the pellets, the conicity of the truncated cone; the angle may vary between −5° and 35°. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. Other embodiments are possible and limited only by the scope of the appended claims: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 20 
                 Gravity motor 
                 54 
                 Rear plate 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 Input conveyor 
                 56 
                 Downpipe 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Distribution auger 
                 58 
                 Exit 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 Distribution pipe 
                 59 
                 Positioning valve 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 Recuperation column 
                 60 
                 Rotary part 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 Sloped bottom 
                 61 
                 Vanes 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 Storage bin 
                 62 
                 Truncated cone 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 Shutter 
                 63 
                 Position of the cone 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 Base 
                 64 
                 Long diameter end 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 Space for cylinder 
                 65 
                 Inner face 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 First chute 
                 66 
                 Short diameter end 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 Superior knee joint 
                 67 
                 Cone length 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Position cylinder 
                 68 
                 Rollers 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 Gravity position 
                 69 
                 Outer face 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 Second chute 
                 70 
                 90 degree gear 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 Forced position 
                 71 
                 Control screw 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Vanes 
                 72 
                 Radial support 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 Stiffener plate 
                 74 
                 Countershaft 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 Wheel 
                 76 
                 Bearing 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 Fragmented material 
                 78 
                 Keyway 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Support structure 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 Inferior knee-joint 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Opening cylinder 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Fastening collar 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 Rotor 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 Output gear 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 Discharge conveyor 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 Front plate