AU2005201016A1 - Energy saver in transportation - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

ENERGY SAVER IN TRANSPORTATION The following statement is a fulfl description of this invention, Including the best method of performing it known to me ENERGY SAVER IN TRANSPORTATION

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to improvements in methods and devices in transporting carrying and moving) heavy objects.

PRIOR ART The devices currently in use for carrying and moving heavy objects (such as cranes and trucks, train carriages, ships, aeroplanes, etc) engage the full weight of the objects 'unassisted'; and, counteracting the full weight of the object incurs a lot of relatively non-productive energy expenditure. There are some few devices (balloons, zeppelins and airships) that tackle the weight problem; but these lean totally on weightlessness or even 'negative weight', and the mandatory demand for zero or negative weight necessitates unmanageable bulkiness.

INVENTION

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides an optimised weight-lessening device (hereafter referred to as the device) comprising balloons filled with lighter-than-air helium (hereafter referred to as gas-cells) each harnessed by a net so that the physical upward lift of the enclosed gas -lessens the effective weight of the targt object. For an object which move -,eels, Si, kictiv blte t e wigtE beang whels and the grund is fncticn sf the weight borne, lighter weight procured by the device also reduces frition and hence the force required to turn the heels.

The device exploits the potential energy of the enclosed low molecular weight gas to optimally lessen the force required in hoisting and moving an object.

s This saves on dynamic energy expenditure and hence fuel consumption.

Moreover, less friction also results in less wear and tear. As a bonus from these above, environmental pollution is reduced. Whereas the gas may be optionally let off after use, it can be recycled with ease and does not have to be expended. There is no energy expenditure apart from that required in the initial production of helium and in filling up the balloons as well as in optional recycling.

Hydrogen, which is much less costly than helium, may be used instead of helium. (The term 'helium' in this text refer to helium and/or hydrogen). Balloons may be replaced by any sealed space filled with helium to replace air therein; however, rigid walls of compartmentalised space mean much less versatility.

Each gas-cell has an inlet valve and also an outlet valve. Recycling can be achieved by having a hose connected to the outlet valve to transfer the enclosed gas into a storage tank or into another unfilled gas-cell.

To provide substantial upward lift, the size of gas-cells must be sufficiently voluminous. However, since there is no critical demand for weightlessness, the size and number of the balloons can be optimally adapted for manageability, although relative clumsiness may still be unavoidable. Also, since there is no imposed restriction on the shape of the enclosed gas, any practicably available space (including 'dead-space') inside or outside the target object can be dedicated to accommodating the device.

The harnessing net holds the gas-cell in place and ensures that the weight of the target object is borne by all parts of the gas-cell. It is equipped with multiple accessory gadgets, such as belts and cords with coupled hooks and buckles, etc, to facilitate attachment of the device to the target object.

When fast-moving would cause impedance, the front end of the gas-cell is shielded by a smooth tapering cap to reduce air turbulence.

In one form of the invention, the device is aimed at opportune use and hence is detachable and portable. It consists of an assortment of oblong air-tight bags of convenient sizes, say, 2 meters x 3 meters and 2.5 meters x 1.5 meters when flat and not inflated, with a height of 3 meters or 2 meters when inflated. Air inside the bags is pumped out or squeezed out so as to facilitate inflation with helium.

Multiple units of the device can thus be folded and stacked up with convenience.

When used to assist the crane in hoisting variously sized and irregularly shaped target objects, such as building materials or heavy machinery, one or more selected units of the device are moved to the target object and then fastened to it.

Helium is pumped in. to inflate the gas-cell(s). The upward lifting force of the enclosed helium 'takes up' a considerable portion of the weight of the target object to be hoisted by the crane, which is attached to the target object as usual.

When used on the freight container during transit, accessory shielding [See Lines 7-8 above] is provided to the gas-cell mounted on the target object.

In another form of the invention the device is incorporated, wherever appropriate and convenient, inside and/or outside the target object. The target object may be a freight container, a truck, a coach, the car of a train, a ship, or an aeroplane or helicopter. The device is shaped to fit snugly into place and is permanently attached to stress-bearing points of the target object via the net.

Unusable empty space inside the target object is utilised to accommodate gascells; and, where there is usable space that may probably become unoccupied, supplementary devices are also installed to provide added temporary lifting force as and when appropriate. This is especially useful when the target object has to capability to generate helium to 'feed' the gas-cells.

When employed in a conventionally constructed vehicle, such as a truck or a motor car, the device can be permanently mounted on the top outside, with the front end of the gas-cell shielded by a smoothly curved tapering cap to reduce air turbulence. [See Page 3 Line 7-8] In the case with freight containers, a gas-cell placed outside at the front end has the additional benefit of providing a protective intermediary cushion between the container and the truck driver's cabin.

The device is especially suitable for assisting the helicopter to lift off. The shape of the helicopter can be redesigned to provide space for accommodating the bulky device. In the same manner it is also suitable for the hovercraft or hydrofoil through reducing the power necessary to lift the vessel off from the water surface.

When employed in an aeroplane, lighter weight means less upward thrust required for takeoff. Whereas the lifting power of the device may vary with lower temperature and rarer air density at high attitude during flight, there is ample time for adjusting the engine to maintain appropriate flying speed and altitude. Upon descent, the upward lifting power of the device is restored and the lighter weight helps with soft landing. At touchdown the helium may be released, with the result that the aircraft resumes its 'natural weight' so that its wheels will bear the normal weight of the aircraft and the brakes on the wheels can be applied as usual. Where appropriate the gas is let out as a jet at the front end of the aircraft to help slowing down the aircraft, albeit in a small way.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings that show examples of the invention.

In the drawings:- FIG. 1 shows one example of the device in a 3-dimensional view. The balloon (or gas cell) 1 in the figure is inflated and bound by the harnessing net 2, which latter is equipped with multiple accessory gadgets 3 for facilitation of attachment to any target object. Inlet and outlet valves 4 are also shown. Whereas the gas-cell as shown in the figure is oblong, the shape and size may be variously adapted to the target object, especially when employed in the inside. Particulars about the accessory gadgetry 3 and the valves 4 are not shown since any currently available mechanisms may be used as appropriate.

FIG. 2 shows an application of the device to a vehicle in side elevation. The device (balloon harnessing net) 1 2 is mounted on top of a vehicle 5, with a shielding cap 6. It can be seen that whereas the total mass of the combined structure, the target object and the device with all paraphernalia, is somewhat 6 increased, the weight of the entire structure and therefore the load borne by the wheels 7 is the resultant of the upward lift of the balloon L and the weight of the vehicle W. Friction on the ground is equal to Cx(W-L) where C is the coefficient offriction. This is less than CxWby CxL. The torque needed to turn the wheels 7 and roll off is therefore smaller, so that energy expenditure for driving the vehicle is reduced compared to without the device.

Claims (4)

1. An energy saving device comprising balloons (or gas-cells) filled with lighter- than-air gas, such as helium or hydrogen, harnessed by a net so that the physical upward floating lift of the enclosed gas optimally lessens the weight of the target object, each gas-cell being equipped with leak-proof inlet and outlet valves;

2. The energy saving device of claim 1 wherein the harnessing net binds the gas- o0 cell and is fitted with mechanisms for securing attachment to the target object to ensure transmission of the gravitational forces of the target object to all parts of the gas-cell;

3. The energy saving device of claims 1 and 2 wherein the gas-cell is free standing and deflatable, suitably shaped to fit conveniently with target objects of various shapes and sizes;

4. The energy saving device of claim 1 and 2 wherein the gas-cell is incorporated inside and/or outside the target object, conveniently utilising unusable or unoccupied space wherever appropriate. The energy saving device substantially as herein described.