Patent Description:
One of the main challenges against global warming in the current context of ever-increasing demand for electrical energy is the production of electricity without coal, gas or petrol. One alternative, i.e. windmills or solar cells, is weather-dependent, cannot produce electricity on demand, and can present a visual or acoustic nuisance. Another global-warming friendly technology, i.e. nuclear power, requires complex safety procedures and innovative waste treatment solutions. Most of these technologies are restricted to developed countries.

In an attempt to find a simpler way to produce electricity, the use of gravity has been investigated as for instance in the document <CIT>. This document shows an example of the use of buckets connected to an endless chain to generate electricity. This system is however poorly efficient as it requires the use of a plurality of electric forklifts to transfer objects to be stored in high elevation and to be retrieved for converting potential energy into electrical energy and especially when attempting to obtain a wide range of power output.

The document <CIT> shows an example of the use of load cars to create electricity by means of gravity as they descend a slope and drive a generator. A mechanism regulates the inclination of the slope. This system is however poorly efficient as the energy required to orient the slope substantially equals the potential energy of the load car and the range of available power output is narrow. Document <CIT> shows a system where a unique load is transferred at a time on a cart at a higher elevation to store potential energy, and back on a lower elevation to retrieve the stored energy. Document <CIT> shows carts falling in a vertical channel, whereby the fall creates an air flow that drives a turbine.

In this context, the purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned existing issues in current power-generating apparatuses. In particular, the invention aims at providing an electrical power generating system which does not produce CO<NUM>, which can deliver electrical power on demand (i.e. store energy and retrieve it when needed), which is simple to implement (thus reliable and sustainable) and which demonstrates a high efficiency.

The invention relates to an electrical power generating system according to the subject-matter of claim <NUM>, that among other technical features it comprises: an electrical generator coupled to a drum driven by a cable, and at least one load car travelling on rails between an upper position and a lower position under the action of gravity, wherein the drum, the cable and the load car are configured such that in its downward movement, the load car pulls the cable which rotates the drum by means of deviating pulley if required. The system further comprises: a plurality of unit loads configured for being loaded into, and unloaded from, the load car; a lifting subsystem for lifting unit loads; the subsystem comprising a water power recovery device and a charging car moved by the water power recovery device, the charging car being moved between a loading position where it receives unit loads from the load car in its lower position and an unloading position where it transfers the unit loads to the load car in its upper position.

The use of a plurality of unit loads allows to adjust the power delivered by the load car to the demand. The load car does not need to be fully loaded before it is released if only part of the nominal power of the system is required. The use of a plurality of unit loads allows higher force to be transferred to the drum compared to the direct potential energy recovered from the natural source.

The cable connecting the load car to the drum can be any kind of flexible link, such as a wire, a rope, a chain, a belt, etc. The drum can be adapted to the nature of cable and can be provided with teeth, grooves, or any other protrusion or recess to cooperate with the cable.

The load car can travel on a single rail, or on two or more rails. The load car is a semi-free weight in the sense that it mainly moves along one imposed direction and hence in one (curvilinear) dimension. The natural source of energy can also be semi-free weight, i.e. flowing in one main direction.

The rails supporting any device of the present invention are mechanical rails, magnetic rails or pneumatic cushion-like rails.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water power recovery device comprises an endless conveyor driving the charging car along a closed path.

According to a preferred embodiment, the power recovery device is a water power recovery device comprising at least one watermill driven by a water flow and powering the endless conveyor.

The wording "water flow" is used here to mean any kind of precipitation or river-like flow: rain water, snow, hail, river or lake derivation, etc. Such water flows are an advantageous natural resource which can be abundant at times and can be easily marshalled. It does not require particular handling restrictions as it is neither dangerous for human nor for nature.

According to a preferred embodiment, the power recovery device further comprises: at least one shaft linking the watermill to the endless conveyor; at least one gearbox arranged between the watermill and the shaft.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water power recovery device comprises a tidal generator powering the endless conveyor, said tidal generator comprises: a buoy adapted to float on water; a guide, for example a pillar, for guiding the buoy in a vectorial movement, preferably a vertical movement; a cable linked to the buoy and driving a cog freewheel; the cog freewheel driving the endless conveyor via a shaft.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tidal generator comprises a plurality of buoys with their respective cog freewheel arranged in parallel to drive a common shaft.

According to a preferred embodiment, the charging car moves up and down along a finite path and the water power recovery device comprises: a bucket travelling between a filling position and an emptying position under the sole action of gravity; a cable connecting the bucket to the charging car; a pulley winding the cable, the pulley and the cable being arranged such that the bucket is in its emptying position when the charging car is in the unloading position and such that the bucket is in its filling position when the charging car is in the loading position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water power recovery device comprises a water receiving surface gathering / directing water from a water flow into an intermediate buffer hopper, and a valve adapted to be open when the bucket is in its filling position, so as to fill the bucket with water contained in the hopper.

Using a hopper enables to still accumulate water while the charging car is away from the water source. The hopper acts then as a buffer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water power recovery device further comprises: an exhaust pipe situated below the emptying position and a drain device implemented at the bottom of the bucket, wherein the drain device is adapted to drain the water out of the bucket and into the exhaust pipe when the bucket is in its emptying position.

A fully automated emptying and filling of the bucket avoids this part of the system to consume any energy. The water drained out of the bucket can be further used since its quality has not been altered by its travel through the bucket and/or hopper.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical power generating system of this invention further comprises at least one buffer for unit loads, the buffer being equipped with releasable stoppers for allowing or preventing movement of the unit loads, wherein moving the unit loads from the load car in its lower position into the charging car in its loading position and/or moving the unit loads from the charging car in its unloading position into the load car in its upper position is operated by gravity in the buffer, or on mechanical rails, or on magnetic rails, or on pneumatical rails.

The use of a buffer enables to build progressively, with smaller amount of (elementary) force recovered from nature, a greater potential energy, which can be used on demand by letting the load car drive down.

According to the invention, the charging car is supported by mechanical, magnetic or pneumatical rails having a deviating portion making the charging car tilt nearby the unloading position, such as to allow unit loads to be transferred to the load car, potentially via a buffer without consuming energy.

The unit loads may then be mechanically automatically transferred to the load car.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rails supporting the charging car comprise a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails; and the charging car comprises two front wheels supported by the inner rails and two rear wheels supported by the outer rails or by both inner and outer rails, wherein in the deviation portion, the outer rails deviate from the inner rails so as to tilt the charging car.

According to the invention, the load car is supported by mechanical, magnetic or pneumatical rails having a deviating portion making the load car tilt nearby the lower position, such as to allow unit loads to be transferred to the charging car, potentially via a buffer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rails supporting the load car comprise a pair of inner rails and a pair of outer rails; and the load car comprises two front wheels supported by the inner rails and two rear wheels supported the outer rails or by both inner and outer rails, wherein in the deviation portion, the inner rails deviate from the outer rails so as to tilt the load car.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical power generating system and the water power recovery device comprise a steel structure gallery comprising superposed rail tracks disposed on three levels for supporting the motion of the load car, the charging car and potentially the bucket.

This design is particularly compact, reliable, simple to manufacture or assemble, and requires little maintenance. Depending on the design and destination, it can be sustainable for at least <NUM> to <NUM> years.

According to a preferred embodiment, the load car is a first load car, and the system comprises a second load car, the first and second load cars operating in phase opposition both being mobile between their respective upper and lower positions, and optionally the system comprises further pairs of load cars operating in phase opposition. One being lifted while the other is in it downwards position with a plurality of unit loads.

This allows to provide a double electrical generating system in a single system, using some common structural parts. This allows positioning of empty load car without consuming energy.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second load cars and optionally the further pairs of load cars are coupled to a common drum by means of two respective cables or one common cable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the unit load is substantially parallelepipedal or substantially cylindrical or substantially ball-shaped and is optionally provided with bearings or wheels.

The invention also relates to a method for generating electrical power by means of one of the systems presented above. The method comprises: holding an empty load car in an upper position, raising at least one unit load in a charging car moved upwards up to an unloading position wherein at least one unit load is being unloaded from the charging car into the load car or into a buffer where the at least one unit load is retained; optionally moving the empty charging car into a loading position, loading the charging car with at least one further unit load and repeating the steps of raising and unloading as above; releasing the unit loads from the optional buffer into the load car; releasing the load car so as to let it travel downwards by the action of gravity; pulling, by means of the movement of the load car, a cable; rotating a drum by means of the movement of the cable; driving an electrical generator coupled to the drum.

The load car can but does not necessarily need to be held in its upper position before the charging car starts to lift unit loads.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of raising at least one unit load happens in accordance with the water power delivered and the step of releasing the load car is performed on demand and independently from the step of raising at least one unit load.

Further to the benefits already mentioned above, the present invention does not degrade the landscape, does not produce noise or disturbances for birds, contrary to windmills for instance. Also, while a dam or a power plant may have major impact on site (e.g. risk of flooding of a valley, destruction of biodiversity, etc.), the system of this invention has a light footprint and is adaptable to any location with minimum geographical impact. The invention can indeed be implemented in various sites: offshore, mainland field, mountains, cities, major transportations, buildings, hot/cold weather climates, etc. It can be implemented in off-grid network areas such as mountains, third world country, forest, desert, underground facilities, etc. As it works mechanically, it is resilient to any remote hacking attempt.

While existing renewable energy facilities are producing power without any storing capability (except dams), the present invention can store and defer the use of energy on demand and without delay: in contrast, although nuclear power plants or dams can produce power on demand, it can take several minutes until the desired power is delivered and these two technologies thus require a meticulous planning ahead of the highest demand periods.

The system of the invention is furthermore advantageous as it does not produce any emission, be it radio-active, chemical or biological.

The overall construction of the invention is simple and easy to maintain, easy to assemble or disassemble with conventional tools.

The invention is also flexible as the amount of power delivered can be controlled, as well as its duration.

The invention can be implemented at a small scale (a house, a building) as well as at a larger scale (several systems in series or in parallel on a mountain, river). The spectrum of energy produced is therefore very broad, from a few kW to a few of MW.

Finally, a quick return on investment can be expected as the system does not require any consumable in order to generate electricity.

The figures present the invention in a schematic manner. In particular, the relative dimensions of the elements are not represented true to scale. The same reference number is used for the same or equivalent component throughout the various embodiments.

The electrical power generating system <NUM> of the invention can work with two alternative solutions marked subsystem <NUM> and subsystem <NUM>.

While <FIG> present the portion of the system <NUM> that is common to both alternative solutions, <FIG> show embodiments of the subsystem <NUM> and <FIG> show embodiments of the subsystem <NUM>.

As shown on <FIG>, the electrical power generating system <NUM> comprises a charging car <NUM> adapted to carry a plurality of unit loads <NUM>. The charging car <NUM> transfers unit loads <NUM> from a loading position <NUM> nearby an optional buffer <NUM> onto rails <NUM> and up to an unloading position <NUM> where the unit loads <NUM> are unloaded onto transfer rails <NUM>. The transfer rails <NUM> can accumulate the unit loads as a buffer and transfer them into a load car <NUM>. On <FIG>, the unit loads <NUM> have been transferred to the load car <NUM> and the charging car <NUM> is empty and has come back by gravity into its loading position <NUM>. On demand, the load car <NUM> is released and moves along rails <NUM> from an upper position <NUM> down to a lower position <NUM>, where it delivers the unit loads <NUM> to transfer rails <NUM>.

Rails <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be train-like rails or magnetic rails or air-cushion supports, or any equivalent.

The load car <NUM> can be maintained in position by any mechanical, pneumatical or magnetic means, such as a stopper (pin, lever, etc.) interfering with its movement and counter-acting the force of gravity. Under electromechanical, pneumatic or magnetic actuation, the stopper can be removed from a state where it interferes with the path of the load car <NUM> into a state where it does not. Actuation is made on demand, for instance automatically when a command to produce energy is received by a controller, or is actuated by an operator.

In its downwards movement, the load car <NUM> pulls a cable <NUM> around a pulley <NUM> and drives a drum <NUM> in rotation.

The drum <NUM> is coupled to an electric generator (<NUM> on <FIG>) directly connected to the drum or connected to the drum via a clutch or a gearbox (<NUM> on <FIG>) to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy.

The charging car <NUM> is part of a lifting subsystem <NUM> whose purpose is to retrieve unit loads <NUM> at a low altitude and raise the unit loads <NUM> at a higher altitude.

Rails <NUM> and rails <NUM> may both comprise a respective deviation portion with deviating rails <NUM>, <NUM>, so as to pivot the charging car <NUM> and the load car <NUM> nearby their respective positions where the unit loads are unloaded (i.e. lower position <NUM> for the load car <NUM> and unloading position <NUM> for the charging car <NUM>). The deviating rails can pivot the cars of an angle of <NUM>°.

To that end, and as shown on <FIG>, the charging car <NUM> and the load car <NUM> may both comprise two rear wheels <NUM>, <NUM> and two front wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. The rear wheels <NUM>, <NUM> define a wheel track larger than that of the front wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. The rails <NUM>, <NUM> can thus be made of two pairs of rails in the deviating portion, one of the pair (i.e. the pair supporting the rear wheels <NUM> of the charging car <NUM> and the pair supporting the front wheels <NUM>) diverging so as to pivot the load car/charging car. The inner rails are noted <NUM>, <NUM> on <FIG> and the outer rails are noted <NUM>, <NUM> on <FIG>. The diverging pairs are rails <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each unit load <NUM> may comprise side rollers <NUM> or equivalent feature so as to engage and slide along appropriate features (e.g. rails, runners) of the charging car <NUM> or load car <NUM>, as well as in the buffer <NUM> or along the transfer rails <NUM> and <NUM>.

The transfer rails <NUM> are set between the charging car <NUM> in its unloading position <NUM> and the load car <NUM> in its upper position <NUM>; the rails enable the transfer of each unit load <NUM> into the load car <NUM>.

The transfer rails <NUM> are set between the charging car <NUM> in its loading position <NUM> and the load car <NUM> in its lower position <NUM>; the rails enable the transfer of each unit load <NUM> into the potential buffer <NUM>, or into the charging car <NUM>.

The buffer <NUM> works as an intermediate storage of the unit loads <NUM> with integrated releasable stoppers (not shown); enabling the transfer of the unit loads <NUM> one by one into the charging car <NUM>. For instance, when the charging car reaches its loading position <NUM>, it may contact a device (mechanical like lever, or electrical like limit switch) which pivots and mechanically automatically releases the content of the buffer <NUM>.

The charging car <NUM> may receive one or more unit loads <NUM> at a time sliding out of the buffer <NUM>. Unit loads <NUM> are released either one by one from the buffer <NUM> or as a batch. This distinction may depend on the natural energy capacity.

The cable <NUM> is linked to the load car <NUM> and connected to the drum <NUM>.

The pulley <NUM> which winds the cable <NUM> is optional and the drum <NUM> could be positioned in a higher elevation and directly connected to the cable <NUM> and the load car <NUM>.

Once loaded, the charging car <NUM> is then lifted to its unloading position <NUM> by means of a driving device, which is a water power recovery device (see <NUM> on <FIG> ff. Nearby the unloading position <NUM>, the deviating portion <NUM> makes the charging car <NUM> tilt such as to allow each unit load <NUM> to be transferred to the load car <NUM> by sliding along the transfer rails <NUM>. This operation is repeated and unit loads <NUM> are packed in the load car <NUM> until said load car reaches its maximum capacity, (i.e. total weight of the load car <NUM> added to all the packed unit loads <NUM> enables the load car to counter the resistant effort of the electrical generator, the weight of an optional counterweight, or the weight of an empty second load car (see <FIG>).

Then the load car <NUM> is released to slide on the rails <NUM> until reaching its lower position <NUM>, whereby the deviating rails <NUM> supporting the front wheels <NUM> of the load car <NUM> make it tilt. This allows all the unit loads <NUM> to be transferred to the buffer <NUM> by sliding along the transfer rails <NUM>. Once all the unit loads <NUM> are positioned in the buffer <NUM>, the load car <NUM> slides back up to its upper position <NUM> as its weight becomes insufficient to maintain it in its lower position <NUM>.

The cable <NUM> is pulled while the load car <NUM> is travelling downwards, causing the cable to rotate the drum <NUM> which is driving an electrical generator <NUM>.

The load car <NUM> is released on demand when electrical power needs to be generated. Along rails <NUM>, the load car <NUM> may encounter intermediate bumpers (stopper and/or shock absorber) so as to limit the power that is produced or the duration of production. From this intermediate position, the load car <NUM> may be later on released again, to keep on moving downwards and produce electrical energy. By adjusting the number of unit loads loaded in the load car and/or the distance travelled by the load car, a discrete and precise control of the energy generated can be managed, both in intensity and duration.

<FIG> describe further details of the process explained above.

In a first configuration shown in <FIG>, the buffer <NUM> is fully loaded with unit loads <NUM>, the empty charging car <NUM> is in its loading position <NUM> and the empty load car <NUM> may be in its upper position <NUM> (it can also be at any other position).

<FIG> presents the next working process step in which the charging car <NUM> in its loading position <NUM> has received one unit load <NUM> (or a subgroup of the total unit loads, or all unit loads) sliding out of the buffer <NUM>. The charging car <NUM> is ready to be lifted up by the water power recovery device (noted <NUM> in <FIG> ff. ) up to its unloading position <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, nearby the unloading position <NUM>, the deviating portion <NUM> makes the charging car <NUM> tilt so as to enable the unit load <NUM> to slide by the sole action of gravity onto the transfer rails <NUM>. The unit loads <NUM> may remain on the transfer rails <NUM> acting as a buffer similarly to buffer <NUM> (for instance if the load car <NUM> is not present in its upper position <NUM>). The unit loads may also be immediately transferred into the load car <NUM>. <FIG> shows that once the charging car <NUM> is emptied, it will go down to its loading position <NUM> sliding on the rails <NUM> by means of the water power recovery device (<NUM> on <FIG> ff. ) or by gravity.

<FIG> show the successive steps which in essence repeat the steps already mentioned. The charging car <NUM> may then lift up progressively the unit loads <NUM> and transfer them into the load car <NUM>. In this example, for reasons of simplification, only three unit loads are shown.

<FIG> materializes an optional buffer <NUM> positioned between the unloading position <NUM> and the upper position <NUM>. The buffers <NUM>, <NUM> enable the subsystem <NUM> to run continuously without waiting for the load car <NUM> to be completely empty before lifting up the unit loads <NUM>, and without waiting for the load car <NUM> to be back to its upper position <NUM> before unloading the charging car <NUM>.

On <FIG>, the charging car <NUM> is shown in its loading position, but it is not necessary for the charging car <NUM> to be brought down before releasing the load car <NUM>.

<FIG> presents the next process step whereby the load car <NUM> has been released from its upper position <NUM> sliding down on the rails <NUM> by means of the sole action of gravity.

<FIG> presents the last process step before returning to the step of <FIG>. The load car <NUM> has finished its descent on the rails <NUM> and is positioned in its lower position <NUM>. Nearby the lower position <NUM>, the deviating portion <NUM> made the load car <NUM> tilt so as to enable the unit loads <NUM> to slide on the transfer rails <NUM> into the buffer <NUM>. Once the load car <NUM> is empty, it may go back to its upper position <NUM> ready to gather again the unit loads <NUM> one by one. As its upward movement may depend from the downwards movement of another load car (see <FIG>), the load car <NUM> may remain in its lower position for a little while.

As shown in <FIG>, the load car <NUM> loaded with the unit loads <NUM> descends and pulls the cable <NUM> which is winded by the pulley <NUM> (not shown). The cable is directly linked to the drum <NUM> which engages the rotation of the generator <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, two load cars <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted on the same drum attached to respective cables <NUM>, <NUM> (or to a common cable). When one of the load cars travels downwards, the other travels upward. The electrical power generating system <NUM> can be complemented with other similar systems <NUM>', <NUM>" in series along the drum axis. This allows to continuously rotate the generator.

The load cars <NUM>, <NUM> can thus operate in phase opposition, by translating between their respective upper positions <NUM>, <NUM> and their respective lower positions <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrate various examples not forming part of the claimed invention for a driving device <NUM> that ensures the function of lifting up the charging car <NUM>.

In a first example as depicted on <FIG>, the charging car <NUM> are pulled up by means of a cable <NUM>. The cable <NUM> may be attached to, or integral with an arresting cable <NUM>. The arresting cable <NUM> may be arranged horizontally above (or below) a vehicle pathway, so as to cooperate with a tailhook <NUM> attached to a land vehicle <NUM>, e.g. a train.

The arresting cable <NUM> is pulled by the tailhook <NUM> when a vehicle is decelerating (e.g. when entering a station).

The arresting cable <NUM> is fixed at one of its ends <NUM> and is attached to the charging car <NUM> at its other end.

The cable <NUM> can wind around further pulley(s) <NUM>.

As shown in the <FIG>, when the train <NUM> approaches a station or a zone where it needs to reduce its speed, its tailhook <NUM> grabs the arresting cable <NUM>. The charging car <NUM> which has received a unit load <NUM> is consequently lifted to its unloading position <NUM>.

The tailhook <NUM> can be positioned on the upper or the lower part of the train (below the track). The overall design and the surroundings dictate the arrangement of the arresting cable <NUM>.

Once the tension force is not required anymore on cable <NUM>, an appropriate mechanism (not shown) releases the tailhook <NUM> from the arresting cable <NUM>. An appropriate stopper can be provided to maintain the charging car in its unloading position <NUM> even after the cable <NUM> is released, so as to allow an independent releasing of the tailhook <NUM> from the cable <NUM> from the unloading of the unit loads <NUM> off the charging car <NUM>.

The tailhook mechanism can be provided with a clutch, safety means, force limiting means, elastic means, etc., so as to ensure that no damage is done to the vehicle; to the cable or to the tailhook under inappropriate braking force. Also, predetermined breaking points can be foreseen so as to ensure that under forces exceeding a threshold, the cable or the tailhook breaks at appropriate convenient location.

Alternatively, any kind of land or water vehicle can be used. <FIG> shows how a vessel <NUM> approaching a pier can be used. The vessel can be provided with a tailhook <NUM> grabbing an arresting cable <NUM>. The tailhook <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> can be positioned sideways or underneath the vessel <NUM>. Similarly to the example with the train above, an appropriate releasing mechanism can be foreseen.

Although the two examples above show a "mechanical" engagement embodied by the tailhook grabbing an arresting cable, similar effect can be obtained with a magnetic cooperation, between a boarded magnet arranged on the moving vehicle and a local magnet of opposing pole arranged in the vicinity of the zone where the vehicle needs to stop. Thus, the local magnet can be driven along a guide and can pull the charging car by means of appropriate mechanical connection.

In an embodiment according to the claimed invention presented on <FIG>, the driving device <NUM> uses energy from a water flow.

The driving device <NUM> may comprise a receiving surface <NUM> aiming at gathering and focusing water into a hopper <NUM> serving as an intermediate buffer or aiming at conducting water directly into a bucket <NUM>. Any water flow can be redirected onto the receiving surface <NUM> (rain water, snow, hail, river, etc.).

The receiving surface <NUM> may be made out of glass, metal or plastic sheets or equivalent and can be supported by a light structure (not shown).

The receiving surface <NUM> may be part of the roof of a building or as part of a natural (hill, mountain) landscape.

The bucket <NUM> may slide on rails <NUM>. The bucket can translate between a filling position <NUM> and an emptying position <NUM> guided by its wheels <NUM>, <NUM>. In its filling position <NUM>, the bucket <NUM> is filled with water directly from the surface <NUM>, or from the hopper <NUM>. A valve (not shown) enables the hopper <NUM> to deliver water to the bucket <NUM> when the latter is in its filling position <NUM>. The valve may be automatically open when the bucket is or arrives in its filling position <NUM>. The valves can be mechanically or electrically actuated.

When the bucket is heavier than the charging car <NUM> (loaded with one or more unit loads), the bucket <NUM> moves downwards by the action of gravity and lifts up the charging car <NUM> by means of the cable <NUM> winded around pulleys <NUM>. Appropriate control and/or stopper may be provided to maintain the charging car <NUM> in its loading position <NUM> until it is loaded with a unit load, and counter-acting the pulling action of a full bucket <NUM>.

The charging car <NUM> reaches its unloading position <NUM> when the bucket <NUM> reaches its emptying position <NUM>. Similarly, the bucket <NUM> is in its filling position <NUM> when the charging car <NUM> is in its loading position <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the bucket in its emptying position <NUM>. A drain device <NUM> is implemented in the bottom of the bucket <NUM> and enables the water to be evacuated when the bucket <NUM> reaches its emptying position <NUM>. The drain device <NUM> operates as a valve. It contacts an exhaust pipe <NUM> which evacuates the water contained in the bucket <NUM> until the bucket has become lighter than the charging car <NUM>. The empty charging car <NUM> (i.e. not loaded with any unit load <NUM>) is heavier than the empty bucket <NUM>. Once the bucket <NUM> is emptied enough, the charging car <NUM> gets back down, pulling the cable <NUM> and the bucket <NUM> back in its filling position <NUM> to be filled again with water. The drain device can be mechanically or electrically actuated.

In an embodiment, multiple water hoppers may be used and a tilting runner (not shown) can be placed between the receiving surface <NUM> and the hoppers or between the buffer and the hopper, to regulate the flow and store adequately water in the various hoppers. Respective buckets will then be provided to cooperate with the hoppers.

The driving device <NUM> of <FIG> may be implemented in a city or in a natural landscape (e.g. mountains, cliffs or hills).

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the structure <NUM> and also an isometric view of the structure <NUM> where one can see that the rails <NUM> which support the charging car <NUM> comprise in the deviating portion a pair of inner rails <NUM> and a pair of outer rails <NUM>. The front wheels <NUM> of the charging car <NUM> are supported by the inner rails <NUM> and the rear wheels <NUM> are supported by the outer rails <NUM>, wherein in the deviation portion <NUM>, the outer rails <NUM> deviate from the inner rails <NUM> so as to tilt the charging car <NUM>. Similarly, the rails <NUM> comprise a pair of inner rails <NUM> supporting the front wheels <NUM> of the load car <NUM> and a pair of outer rails <NUM> supporting the rear wheels <NUM> of the load car. The inner rails <NUM> deviate to tilt the load car <NUM> nearby the lower position.

For safety reason, the structure <NUM> may be made of modules (for instance one module is represented on <FIG>). The structure <NUM> may be made of vertical pillars and steel trestle. The structure <NUM> may alternatively be made of wood or any other suitable material.

The structure <NUM> may be protected by a grid to prevent the load cars or charging cars from hitting an obstacle (people, animal, etc.) when travelling in the structure <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment of a lifting subsystem <NUM>, wherein a plurality of charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be provided. The charging car(s) travel(s) along a closed path (i.e. a carrousel). The charging car(s) <NUM> is/are moved by a driving device <NUM> which comprises an endless conveyor <NUM> driven by one or more gears <NUM>. The endless conveyor <NUM> drives the charging car(s) <NUM> along a closed path which passes through the loading position <NUM> and the unloading position <NUM>.

The process to generate electrical energy is substantially similar to the examples of <FIG>: unit loads <NUM> are loaded into the charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the loading position <NUM> and unloaded at the unloading position <NUM>. A load car receives the unit loads and moves downwards while pulling a cable and driving a drum in rotation. In this embodiment however, the charging car(s) travel(s) in a closed path. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate two such steps of the process.

Using several charging cars prevents from the need to wait for a single charging car to be emptied and returned to its loading position.

The charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be fixed to the endless conveyor <NUM> or similar driving element (chain, belt, cable) and may be distanced from one another of a pitch equivalent to a multiple of the distance between the loading position <NUM> and the unloading position <NUM>.

The charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) are tilted in a deviation portion to unload the unit loads <NUM>. Tilting can occur through appropriate means. For instance, the front of the charging car can be attached to endless chain or belt and the rear of the charging car can be guided on rails. These rails may deviate the rear wheels of the charging car so as to pivot the charging car. Other pivoting means can be used as in known grain bucket conveying systems, where buckets are tilted over hoppers to empty their content.

Alternatively, or in complement, the charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be decouplable from the driving element, so that several charging cars may be loaded with unit loads and accumulated between the loading position <NUM> and the unloading position <NUM>. Known technologies used for "pallet conveyors" can be used.

With that respect, <FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of the charging car <NUM> and the endless driving element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the structure <NUM> along with an isometric view of the structure <NUM>. The structure <NUM> may be substantially similar in design to the structure <NUM> presented in <FIG>. One can see that the charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>) travel along a closed path. The charging car may be upside down in one of its way along the closed path.

In a first example not forming part of the claimed invention of the subsystem <NUM> with closed-loop travelling charging car, the gear (<NUM> on <FIG>) is driven by speed bumps actuated by land vehicles.

<FIG> show exemplary embodiments of the speed bumps. The bump <NUM> is movable between an expanded position as shown in <FIG> and a retracted position as shown in <FIG>, the speed bump comprises three pivot connections <NUM> and a slide link <NUM>. The upper surface of the bump can be partially curved to receive vehicle tires more smoothly.

A vehicle travelling from left to right on <FIG> along the x axis will drive on the bump and press the bump down into the retracted position.

An elastic element <NUM> e.g. a spring can ensure the return in position of the bump <NUM> from its retracted position to its expanded position. A rod <NUM> and an arm <NUM> are provided to actuate a cog freewheel <NUM> during the downwards movement of the bump. The rod <NUM> connects the bump <NUM> to the arm <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is connected to the cog freewheel <NUM> in such a way that the vertical movement of the rod <NUM> results in a rotation of the cog freewheel.

The cog freewheel <NUM> thus rotates when the speed bump <NUM> moves from its expanded position to its retracted position driving the shaft <NUM>.

When the bump <NUM> moves back into its expanded position, the shaft <NUM> keeps its angular position.

The cog freewheel <NUM> therefore enables a step by step rotation of the gear and thus a step by step movement of the charging cars.

Alternatively to the rod/arm mechanism can be replaced with a hydraulic piston which transfers hydraulic energy to raise incrementally the charging car.

Advantageously and as shown on <FIG>, the bump <NUM> can be one of many bumps arranged in series. A shaft <NUM> can connect a plurality of bumps <NUM> through their respective cog freewheels <NUM>.

An optional gearbox <NUM> and/or clutches can be provided to smoothly conjugate the rotation generated by each cog freewheel, so that the gear <NUM> can drive the endless conveyor <NUM>.

Several shafts <NUM> can be arranged in parallel to drive the endless conveyor by means of several gears <NUM>.

The bumps can be located in crossroads or at a deceleration zone, e.g. toll gates, traffic lights, parking slots, etc..

<FIG> shows an isometric view of an embodiment with a bump <NUM>, a gear box <NUM> and the gear <NUM> driving the endless belt <NUM> which moves the charging cars (<NUM>, <NUM>). <FIG> shows a top view of the unit load <NUM> loaded in the charging car (<NUM>, <NUM>). One can see that the gap between the endless belts <NUM> is bigger than the width of the unit load <NUM> so that unit loads can enter and exit the charging car <NUM>, <NUM> without mechanical interference with the endless belts <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate two steps of the process where the charging cars are moved along a closed path.

In an embodiment according to the invention of the subsystem <NUM> with closed-loop travelling charging car, the gear(s) <NUM> driving the endless conveyor is/are driven by energy recovered from tide.

A power recovery device <NUM> as depicted in <FIG> shows a buoy <NUM> adapted to float on water. The buoy is ballasted with one or more counterweights <NUM> and slides up and down. It may be guided by a vertical fixed pillar <NUM>. The pillar <NUM> is securely fastened to the ground under water. Alternatively, the buoy <NUM> may slide along an oblique direction.

When the water goes down into low tide, the buoy <NUM> and the counterweights <NUM> move vertically downwards, pulling a cable <NUM> which makes a cog freewheel <NUM> rotate. A spring-like mechanism within the cog-free wheel ensures that the cable remain in tension also when the buoy <NUM> is moving upwards.

As visible on <FIG>, the cog freewheels <NUM> drives a shaft <NUM> via an optional gearbox and/or clutch. The shaft <NUM> is coupled to the gear (<NUM> on <FIG>) that drives the endless conveyor moving the charging cars. The arrangement may be similar to the one used with the speed bumps on <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a top view of the arrangement of <FIG>. Three buoys <NUM> are arranged in parallel, driving three cog freewheels <NUM> to rotate the shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, two opposite buoys <NUM> can be set up so as to drive the same cog freewheel <NUM>. <FIG> shows the example where two sets of three buoys are used.

Needless to say, any appropriate number of buoys can be used to deliver the required amount of angular movement to the shaft <NUM> and required amount of torque to make the conveyor advance.

In a further embodiment according to the invention of the subsystem <NUM> with closed-loop travelling charging car (not illustrated), at least one watermill <NUM> driven in rotation by a water flow can be used. In advantageous embodiments a plurality of watermills arranged in parallel and/or in series, can drive one or more shafts, and thus one or more gears <NUM>. Similarly to the previous examples, the shafts can be provided with appropriate gearboxes and/or clutches to provide a smooth driving force to the endless conveyor.

<FIG> shows another example of shape for the unit load. For instance, unit loads <NUM>' may be of a generally cylindrical shape with two ends being adapted to engage with rails provided in the charging car and load car. The ends may be provided with bearings. In another example, the unit loads <NUM>" may have the shape of a ball.

<FIG> illustrates the process for generating energy, when the unit load is as in one of the examples of <FIG>. The process is in essence similar to the process shown on <FIG>. The transit zone between the load car and charging car may be equipped with several rows of rails <NUM>.

<FIG> show another variant. Here, the charging car are rectangular.

This example also shows that the rails <NUM> can be provided with a curved portion (at the top and/or at the bottom) to assist the pivoting motion of the charging car <NUM>.

The pivot angle of the charging car may be for instance of <NUM>°.

The examples of the figures are given for illustrated purpose only and the invention is not limited by the specifics of the figures. The various embodiments of the invention can be combined or separated to build a system for generating electrical energy with appropriate power supply.

For instance, on a mountain whereby a river flows, both the embodiment using watermills and the embodiment recovering energy from water rain can be combined to lift up several charging cars providing unit loads to two or more load cars.

The number of load cars and charging cars involved can be as desired.

In addition, human or animal traction force can be used to manipulate unit loads or to lift up the charging cars.

The orders of magnitude can be as follows. The overall system can extend over several hundreds of meters along a building or a mountain. Smaller or larger systems may also be used. It can be used onboard a sea vehicle such as a vessel transporting containers.

The unit loads weight can be ranging from <NUM> or from <NUM> and up to <NUM> tons. For instance, the unit loads used in the embodiments comprising a power water recovery device can weight from <NUM> and up to <NUM> ton.

The unit loads may be lifted incrementally of up to <NUM>, i.e. a step up of about <NUM> for the embodiment comprising a power water recovery device implemented in mountains. When driving a closed-loop conveyor with buoys, the step by step movement of the cog freewheel is inherent to the amplitude of the tide.

The elevation of the upper position <NUM> or unloading position <NUM> can be about <NUM> to about <NUM> above the lower position <NUM> or loading position <NUM>.

The electrical power generating system of this invention may comprise appropriate control device and electro-mechanical actuators (such as limit switch, proximity detector, camera, level <NUM> and <NUM> automation) to appropriately release the load car. This enables to produce energy on demand. All the other mechanisms (releasing the unit loads from buffer, lifting the charging car upwards, etc.) can be purely mechanically performed in an automated way, without consuming energy.

Claim 1:
Electrical power generating system, comprising:
an electrical generator (<NUM>);
a drum (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the generator (<NUM>);
a cable (<NUM>) winded around the drum (<NUM>); and
at least one load car (<NUM>) travelling on mechanical, magnetic or pneumatical rails (<NUM>) between an upper position (<NUM>) and a lower position (<NUM>) under the action of gravity, wherein the drum (<NUM>), the cable (<NUM>) and the load car (<NUM>) are configured such that in its downward movement, the load car (<NUM>) pulls the cable (<NUM>) which rotates the drum (<NUM>);
the system comprising:
a plurality of unit loads (<NUM>) configured for being loaded into, and unloaded from, the load car (<NUM>);
a lifting subsystem (<NUM>) for lifting unit loads (<NUM>);
the subsystem (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a water power recovery device (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a charging car (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) moved by the water power recovery device (<NUM>, <NUM>), the charging car being moved between a loading position (<NUM>) where it receives unit loads (<NUM>) from the load car (<NUM>) in its lower position (<NUM>) and an unloading position (<NUM>) where it transfers the unit loads (<NUM>) to the load car (<NUM>) in its upper position (<NUM>),
the system being characterized in that it comprises:
mechanical, magnetic or pneumatical rails (<NUM>) supporting the charging car (<NUM>) and having a deviating portion (<NUM>) making the charging car (<NUM>) tilt nearby the unloading position (<NUM>), such that as to allow unit loads (<NUM>) to be transferred by gravity to the load car (<NUM>), potentially via a buffer (<NUM>); and
wherein the rails (<NUM>) supporting the load car (<NUM>) have a deviating portion (<NUM>) making the load car (<NUM>) tilt nearby the lower position (<NUM>), such that as to allow unit loads (<NUM>) to be transferred by gravity to the charging car (<NUM>), potentially via a buffer (<NUM>).