EP0038851A4 - Power generator utilizing buoyancy of a body in a liquid. - Google Patents

Power generator utilizing buoyancy of a body in a liquid.

Info

Publication number
EP0038851A4
EP0038851A4 EP19800902335 EP80902335A EP0038851A4 EP 0038851 A4 EP0038851 A4 EP 0038851A4 EP 19800902335 EP19800902335 EP 19800902335 EP 80902335 A EP80902335 A EP 80902335A EP 0038851 A4 EP0038851 A4 EP 0038851A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
container
liquid medium
spiral
plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19800902335
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0038851A1 (en
Inventor
Norman R Neufeld
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0038851A1 publication Critical patent/EP0038851A1/en
Publication of EP0038851A4 publication Critical patent/EP0038851A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/02—Other machines or engines using hydrostatic thrust
    • F03B17/04—Alleged perpetua mobilia

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus which de ⁇ rives its motive power from the buoyancy of a body immersed in a liquid medium.
  • U.S. Patent No. 29,149 discloses an endless chain of buckets traveling about suitable pulleys, the buckets immersed in a body of water. Steam is introduced into the buckets below the surface of the water to displace the water therefrom and render the buckets buoyant so as to give motion to the chain of buckets.
  • Grondahl U.S. Patent No. 2,037,973, discloses a series of floats positioned on an endless belt which travels through a column of water, the buoyancy of the floats causing the belt to rotate.
  • Platt U.S. Patent No.
  • a power generator apparatus comprising a container holding column of liquid medium, upper and lower rotatable shaft above and below the container, pulleys journaled on the up per and lower shafts, an endless, flexible, spiral buoyan member passing around the upper and lower pulleys and posi tioned such that a portion thereof passes vertically throug the column of liquid medium in the container so that th buoyancy of the spiral member causes it to travel upwardl through the column and rotate the upper and lower pulleys Sealing means are provided at the lower end of the containe of liquid medium to permit passage of the spiral member ver tically therethrough into the container of liquid maxim while preventing loss of the liquid medium.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the power generat ing apparatus of this invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of th container holding the liquid medium, the rotatable seal a the lower end of the container and the spiral buoyant membe passing therethrough;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along sectio line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial view of the spiral member il ⁇ lustrating the manner in which it may be hinged to allow it to bend about the upper and lower sprockets;
  • Fig. 5 is a partial view of the spiral member il- lustrating the manner in which it may be connected to allow one section of the spiral member to pivot relative to an adjoining section.
  • the power generating apparatus disclosed includes a contain ⁇ er 10 of any desired form holding a liquid medium 12.
  • the liquid medium is generally water; however, other liquids may be used.
  • Shafts 14 and 16 are provided above and below the container 10 as illustrat ⁇ ed.
  • Sprockets 18 and 20 are journaled, respectively, to the upper and lower shafts.
  • An endless, flexible, spiral belt 22 is trained around the upper and lower sprockets which are disposed one above the other so that a portion of the belt passes through the column of liquid 12 in the container 10.
  • the spiral buoyant member 22 causes the endless belt to travel and rotate the upper and lower shafts 14,16 and sprockets 18,20.
  • the buoyant member 22 is a flexible, hollow spiral column of foamed polystyrene, al ⁇ though other foamed plastics and other flexible materials may be used.
  • the hinge 24 allows the buoyant member to separate about the pivot point of the hinge.
  • the hinge is flush with the exterior surface of the member 22
  • OMPI and concealed so as not to create any undue friction as th buoyant member travels upward through the sealing member a the lower end of the column of liquid 12, as will be discus sed.
  • the ends 26 of the hinge which are exposed on bendin of the buoyant member 22 at the hinge 24 are sealed to pre vent entry of the liquid thereinto.
  • Illustrated in Fig. is an alternative means of connecting the sections. Pins 2 are inserted in the ends of the respective sections so tha the adjoining sections are free to rotate relative to th Pin.
  • Sealing means are provided at the lower end of th container 10 where the spiral buoyant member 22 enters th fluid medium.
  • the sealing means functions to permit th spiral buoyant member 22 to enter the liquid 12 without los of liquid from the container 10.
  • the sealing member is bes illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprises a plate 28 resting o bearing 30, preferably an air bearing, for rotation of th plate relative to the container 10.
  • the outer periphera edges of the plate 28 are closely fitted against the inne walls of the container 10 so as to prevent any leakage o liquid from the container ⁇
  • an O-ring 32 ma be used to seal the gap between the plate 28 and inne surface of the container wall.
  • the plate includes an arcu ate opening 34 as illustrated in Fig.
  • the radius and size of the opening in the plate 28 is chose to fit the particular design of the spiral buoyant membe used. Desirably, the buoyant member should not contact th side walls of the plate 28 as it moves through the openin into the column of liquid 12 in the container 10.
  • a flex ible seal 36 of rubber or other suitable material is fitte over the opening and secured thereto by rivets 38 or othe means to effect sealing against liquid loss.
  • the seal 3 skirts the exterior surface of the spiral buoyant member 2 as it moves vertically into the column of liquid 12 to pre vent loss of liquid from the container 10. Movement of th buoyant member 22 upwardly through the opening in the plat
  • V V// 28 causes the plate to rotate relative to the container.
  • the sealing assembly is sufficiently light in weight and flexible so that the weight of the liquid ⁇ in the container seals the edges 40 of the sealing member 36 against the exterior surface of the spiral, buoyant member 22 moving into the column of liquid so that there is minimal loss of liquid. It may be necessary to locate an idler roll 42 on the lower surface of plate 28 as illustrated in Fig. 2 to guide it into the opening in the plate.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

Power generating apparatus which derives its motive power from the buoyancy of a body immersed in a liquid medium. The apparatus includes an endless, flexible, spiral pipe (22) trained about respective upper and lower sprockets (18, 20), the pipe positioned so that a portion of it passes vertically through a column of liquid medium (12) in a container (10) The pipe (22) is lighter in weight than the weight of the liquid medium (12) displaced by the pipe so that the buoyancy of the pipe (22) causes the pipe (22) to travel and rotate the upper and lower sprockets (18, 20). Sealing means (36) are provided at the lower end of the container (10) of liquid medium (12) to prevent loss of the liquid medium (12) from the container (10) while permitting passage of the spiral pipe (22) vertically therethrough.

Description

Description
Power Generator utilizing Buoyancy of a Body in a Liquid
Technical Field
This invention relates to an apparatus which de¬ rives its motive power from the buoyancy of a body immersed in a liquid medium.
Background Art
Numerous devices have been proposed which make use of the buoyancy of a body immersed in a body of liqud to de¬ rive power therefrom. U.S. Patent No. 29,149 discloses an endless chain of buckets traveling about suitable pulleys, the buckets immersed in a body of water. Steam is introduced into the buckets below the surface of the water to displace the water therefrom and render the buckets buoyant so as to give motion to the chain of buckets. Grondahl, U.S. Patent No. 2,037,973, discloses a series of floats positioned on an endless belt which travels through a column of water, the buoyancy of the floats causing the belt to rotate. Platt, U.S. Patent No. 2,135,110, discloses an endless chain to which buckets are attached, the chain trained around upper and lower sprockets immersed in a body of water. Means are provided to inject air under pressure into the buckets during the time they are inverted in the water to give them suffi¬ cient buoyancy to drive the chain. Baumgartner, U.S. Patent No. 3,194,008, discloses a buoyant ring partially submerged in a body of liqud, the buoyant ring having a series of indi- vidual sealed compartments. The buoyant force of the sealed compartments causes the ring to rotate. Gilmore, U.S. Patent No. 3,857,242, discloses use of hollow, closed tanks to ef¬ fect movement of a pair of conveying belts by both gravity and buoyancy. Conn, U.S. Patent No. 3,918,827, makes use of collapsible buckets connected to an endless chain submerged in a lake or sea. Diamond, U.S. Patent No. 3,934,964, dis¬ closes placing buoyant cylinders on one side of a rotatable member and sinking cylinders on the opposite side. Disclosure of Invention
It is a primary object of this invention to pro vide 'a power apparatus making use of the buoyancy of member immersed in a liquid to move an endless belt. It is another object of this invention to provid a power apparatus making use of an endless buoyant belt par tially immersed in a body of liquid, the buoyant belt verti cally entering the body of liquid through a rotatable seal. Another object of this invention is to provide power apparatus utilizing an endless, flexible, spiral hol low column of foamed polystyrene or other material as buoyant member.
These and other objects are accomplished by use o a power generator apparatus comprising a container holding column of liquid medium, upper and lower rotatable shaft above and below the container, pulleys journaled on the up per and lower shafts, an endless, flexible, spiral buoyan member passing around the upper and lower pulleys and posi tioned such that a portion thereof passes vertically throug the column of liquid medium in the container so that th buoyancy of the spiral member causes it to travel upwardl through the column and rotate the upper and lower pulleys Sealing means are provided at the lower end of the containe of liquid medium to permit passage of the spiral member ver tically therethrough into the container of liquid mediu while preventing loss of the liquid medium.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the power generat ing apparatus of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of th container holding the liquid medium, the rotatable seal a the lower end of the container and the spiral buoyant membe passing therethrough; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along sectio line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and
O ~ Fig. 4 is a partial view of the spiral member il¬ lustrating the manner in which it may be hinged to allow it to bend about the upper and lower sprockets; and
Fig. 5 is a partial view of the spiral member il- lustrating the manner in which it may be connected to allow one section of the spiral member to pivot relative to an adjoining section.
Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, the power generating apparatus disclosed includes a contain¬ er 10 of any desired form holding a liquid medium 12. The liquid medium is generally water; however, other liquids may be used. The greater the density of the liquid the greater the buoyancy, since buoyancy is a function of the weight of the fluid displaced by the buoyant member. Shafts 14 and 16 are provided above and below the container 10 as illustrat¬ ed. Sprockets 18 and 20 are journaled, respectively, to the upper and lower shafts. An endless, flexible, spiral belt 22 is trained around the upper and lower sprockets which are disposed one above the other so that a portion of the belt passes through the column of liquid 12 in the container 10. The spiral buoyant member 22 causes the endless belt to travel and rotate the upper and lower shafts 14,16 and sprockets 18,20. Preferably the buoyant member 22 is a flexible, hollow spiral column of foamed polystyrene, al¬ though other foamed plastics and other flexible materials may be used.
It may be necessary to hinge the buoyant member at predetermined intervals as illustrated in Fig. 4 to allow the sections of the buoyant member 22 to bend relative to one another about the top and bottom sprockets 18,20 or to connect sections of the buoyant member together at spaced intervals so that one section is free to rotate relative to the adjoining section as illustrated in Fig. 5. The hinge 24, as illustrated in Fig. 4, allows the buoyant member to separate about the pivot point of the hinge. Preferably the hinge is flush with the exterior surface of the member 22
OMPI and concealed so as not to create any undue friction as th buoyant member travels upward through the sealing member a the lower end of the column of liquid 12, as will be discus sed. The ends 26 of the hinge which are exposed on bendin of the buoyant member 22 at the hinge 24 are sealed to pre vent entry of the liquid thereinto. Illustrated in Fig. is an alternative means of connecting the sections. Pins 2 are inserted in the ends of the respective sections so tha the adjoining sections are free to rotate relative to th Pin.
Sealing means are provided at the lower end of th container 10 where the spiral buoyant member 22 enters th fluid medium. The sealing means functions to permit th spiral buoyant member 22 to enter the liquid 12 without los of liquid from the container 10. The sealing member is bes illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprises a plate 28 resting o bearing 30, preferably an air bearing, for rotation of th plate relative to the container 10. The outer periphera edges of the plate 28 are closely fitted against the inne walls of the container 10 so as to prevent any leakage o liquid from the container^ If necessary, an O-ring 32 ma be used to seal the gap between the plate 28 and inne surface of the container wall. The plate includes an arcu ate opening 34 as illustrated in Fig. 3, which permits th spiral buoyant member 22 to pass vertically through th plate 28 into the column of liquid 12 in the container 10 The radius and size of the opening in the plate 28 is chose to fit the particular design of the spiral buoyant membe used. Desirably, the buoyant member should not contact th side walls of the plate 28 as it moves through the openin into the column of liquid 12 in the container 10. A flex ible seal 36 of rubber or other suitable material is fitte over the opening and secured thereto by rivets 38 or othe means to effect sealing against liquid loss. The seal 3 skirts the exterior surface of the spiral buoyant member 2 as it moves vertically into the column of liquid 12 to pre vent loss of liquid from the container 10. Movement of th buoyant member 22 upwardly through the opening in the plat
O
/., V V// 28 causes the plate to rotate relative to the container. The sealing assembly is sufficiently light in weight and flexible so that the weight of the liquid^ in the container seals the edges 40 of the sealing member 36 against the exterior surface of the spiral, buoyant member 22 moving into the column of liquid so that there is minimal loss of liquid. It may be necessary to locate an idler roll 42 on the lower surface of plate 28 as illustrated in Fig. 2 to guide it into the opening in the plate.

Claims

Claims
1. A power generating apparatus, comprising: a container holding a column of a liquid medium; upper and lower rotatable shafts above and below t container; pulleys journaled on the upper and lower shafts; an endless, flexible, spiral member passing around t upper and lower pulleys positioned such that portions there pass vertically through the column of liquid medium in the co tainer, the buoyancy of the member causing it to travel a rotate about the upper and lower pulleys; and sealing means at the lower end of the container liquid medium permitting passage of the spiral member vertical therethrough into the container while preventing loss of t liquid medium.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member is hollow, spiral column of foamed polystyrene.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member hinged at predetermined intervals along its length to allow it bend as it passes over the top and bottom pulleys.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member sectioned with the respective sections pivotally joined.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sealing mea includes a plate having an opening therein through which t spiral member passes upwardly, the plate positioned across t lower end of the container of liquid medium and mounted for r tation relative to the container so that as the spiral memb moves vertically the plate is free to rotate, the plate having flexible sleeve contacting the exterior surface of the memb passing through the opening preventing passage of liquid medi between the member and the sleeve. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including an idler wheel mounted on the lower surface of the plate to guide the spiral member into the opening.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 including a column of buoyant material having a specific gravity less than that of water secured to the upper surface of the plate to reduce friction between it and the container.
8. A power generating apparatus utilizing the buoy¬ ancy of a body immersed in a liquid medium to derive its power, comprising: a container holdling a column of liquid medium; upper and lower rotatable shafts above and below the container; sprockets journaled on the upper and lower shafts; an endless, flexible, spiral, hollow column of foamed polystyrene passing around the upper and lower sprockets and positioned such that a portion thereof passes vertically through the column of liquid medium in the container, the buoyancy of the foamed polystyrene column causing the column to travel up¬ wardly and rotate the upper and lower sprockets; a plate positioned across the lower end of the con¬ tainer holding the column of liquid medium having an opening therein through which the spiral polystyrene column can pass upwardly, the plate being free to rotate as the spiral column moves vertically through the container of fluid medium; and a flexible sleeve member fitted over the opening and contacting the exterior surface of the spiral column as it moves vertically into the column of liquid medium to prevent passage of the liquid medium from the container.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the liquid medium is water.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spiral column is sectioned with the respective sections connected so that each is free to rotate relative to the adjoining section.
O ΓI
. 7/IPO ' 11. The apparatus of claim 8 including an idler wh mounted on the lower surface of the plate to guide the col into the opening.
OM
EP19800902335 1979-10-25 1981-05-04 Power generator utilizing buoyancy of a body in a liquid. Withdrawn EP0038851A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US8799379A 1979-10-25 1979-10-25
US87993 1979-10-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0038851A1 EP0038851A1 (en) 1981-11-04
EP0038851A4 true EP0038851A4 (en) 1982-03-03

Family

ID=22208462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19800902335 Withdrawn EP0038851A4 (en) 1979-10-25 1981-05-04 Power generator utilizing buoyancy of a body in a liquid.

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0038851A4 (en)
BR (1) BR8008890A (en)
WO (1) WO1981001175A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR9401732A (en) * 1994-05-26 1995-06-06 Cavalheiro Mario Teixeira Constructive arrangement in hydrodynamics for energy generation
CH695832A5 (en) * 1997-08-22 2006-09-15 Istvan Simon Hydraulic drive.
WO2010038092A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-08 Alian Salim El Houssine Novel pressure engine and applications thereof
EP2805043A2 (en) 2012-01-17 2014-11-26 Hubert Strzodka Hose guiding device
US10612590B2 (en) 2018-01-24 2020-04-07 New-Field Energy, LLC Buoyancy-enhanced helical loop drive system

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1708807A (en) * 1928-03-07 1929-04-09 Tatay Frank Water and air power device
GB314234A (en) * 1928-07-13 1929-06-27 Frederick Stead Fuel-less power generating apparatus
LU78032A1 (en) * 1977-07-28 1978-06-26

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0038851A1 (en) 1981-11-04
WO1981001175A1 (en) 1981-04-30
BR8008890A (en) 1981-08-25

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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AK Designated contracting states

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17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19811027

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19830722