EP2959158A2

EP2959158A2 - Buoyancy machine for the generation of electrical power

Info

Publication number: EP2959158A2
Application number: EP13750939.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Konstantinos DEDAS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-05
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Also published as: WO2014006430A3; WO2014006430A4; GR1008120B; GR20120100359A; WO2014006430A2

Abstract

An electrical power generator that consists of a chain belt (2). The pressurized air that creates buoyant forces goes through an air circuit (23). The chain belt gives motion to two sprockets (3),(1). Through the bottom sprocket (1) kinetic energy that through a gearbox (21) is transferred to a generator (22) that converts kinetic energy to electrical power.

Description

Buoyancy machine for the generation of electrical power

This invention is referring to the generation of power with the use of buoyancy forces.

Buoyant forces are natural forces that if used correctly can produce energy without the use of fossil fuel. Even though it is a static force with the use of the right arrangement we can produce a potential difference and eventually harvest kinetic energy. The current invention is based on the principle that the work done by a buoyant force on a buoyant object (depending upon the distance this force is exerted), is bigger than the work done in order to repel the water that produces this buoyant force.

According to existent inventions, their operation is based on the swing motion produced by a body that repels and attracts a volume of water, a process that is hard to implement and not efficient. Furthermore other systems exist that store energy by storing air in stationary inflatable vessels, in order to be used at later time when renewable energy sources are not available.

According to the present invention the buoyant force is applied to waterproof inflatable vessels that are attached on a chain belt (2). The chain belt is transferring the motion through two sprockets which are situated on top of each other, vertically. The top sprocket (3) is acting as a guide. Within the current invention the sprocket assembly is acting as a damper (28) of the vibrations caused by the motion of the system and also is a tensioner for the chain. This is accomplished by the use of dampers at its base. The bottom sprocket (1) is acting as the collector of the kinetic energy. The air circuit (23) is supplying air to the waterproof inflatable vessels (4) and re-circulates the air when its beneficial loop is closed. The invention is situated under water apart from the air compressor and the storage (26) and recirculation (25) vessels which are located at the surface. The air compressor is operating via the power that the invention is generating.

The volume of the inflatable vessels determines the force that is exerted on the chain. The height between the upper and lower sprocket determine the distance that this force is exerted. So the power output of the present invention after taking in mind losses due to friction etc., will be directly proportional to the above mentioned parameters.

The rotational movement of the bottom sprocket, through a conventional gearbox (21) can produce electrical power with various conventional ways. These include:

A) Direct connection of a waterproof generator.

B) The transfer of motion to the surface and a connection to a normal generator.

The operation of the invention is taking place in four stages.

During the first stage and when the chain (2) is approaching (attached) on the lower sprocket (1), simultaneously the two valves (5),(7), are attached (locked) with each other and the supply of air to the inflatable vessels begins. The valves are held in direct contact by the forces exerted between the chain and the sprocket. When the chain is no longer attached to the sprocket the valves are detached. Simultaneously the air supply to the inflatable vessel stops and the other valve stops the air supply. During the second stage the inflated vessels carry the chain upward.

During the third stage the inflatable vessels reach the upper sprocket (3), and through the upper air collector (10), air is removed from the inflated vessels, and they shrink.

During the fourth stage the shrunk inflatable vessels travel toward the lower sprocket (1).

The present invention can be put into context, by the description of the attached drawings:

Figure 1 shows the lower sprocket (1). As it can be seen from the drawing air supply is entering through the center of the axle (11) and is distributed to a collector (9) at the points of intersection with the inflatable vessels (4). The collector and the valves (7) are attached to the sprocket and turn simultaneously. The air supply is constant to the system.

Figure 2 shows a detail of the valves (5) (6) (7). When the valves approach each other the rubber tips seal the connection. During their further approach the tip of the valve seat pushes the other valve seat in open position. When the one valve is fully open it pushes the - second valve to open position.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement of the motion transfer chain. The two inflatable vessels (4) have the same dimensions and inflate simultaneously. This minimizes the creation of bending moments on the part of the chain (2) they are attached. Furthermore, the place they are attached, on each side of the chain, ensures that no bending moments are applied on the pins of the chain. Even though the time that air is supplied to the inflatable vessels is standard (Because it occurs during the time the chain is attached to the bottom sprocket), the existence of a safety valve ensures that over inflation of the vessel does not occur.

Figure (4) shows an isometric view of the complete invention with the metal structure supporting it.

Claims

An electrical power generator that consists of a chain belt (2). The chain belt includes an array of elements that create buoyant forces, which in turn cause the motion of the mentioned elements. Every element consists of air inlet - outlet valves of the chain (5), base of the inflatable vessels (8), and inflatable vessel (4). Two sprockets are being moved by the motion of the chain. The upper sprocket (3) acts also as a tensioner. The lower sprocket (1) acts as the harvester of the motion created. Air inlet collector (9) attached to the lower sprocket (1) with air inlet valves (7) attached. Air outlet collector (10) attached to the upper sprocket (3) with air outlet valves (6). The axle of the bottom sprocket (11) with ball bearing (12) is connected at point (13) with the air inlet collector and a swivel joint (14) with the air inlet socket (15). The axle of the upper sprocket (16) with ball bearing (17) is connected at point (18) with the air outlet connector and a swivel joint (19) with the air outlet socket (15). Through a gearbox (21) the motion is transferred to an electrical power generator (22).