GB2044393A

GB2044393A - Rotary Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2044393A
Application number: GB7906958A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-12-14
Filing date: 1979-02-27
Publication date: 1980-10-15
Also published as: JPS55107157A; IT1111882B; DE2907829A1; BE874386A; SE7901802L; IT7920624A0; NO790677L; BR7901285A; FR2444173A2; NL7901403A; ES478221A1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus comprising a horizontal shaft (1) which rests on at least two bearings (2), said shaft carrying excentrically tubular rings (5) distributed along and angularly spaced around the shaft to assure its balance during rotation, at least one heavy ball of which the diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular ring and being located inside each of said rings, a disc (8) having spokes (9) which can co-operate with a tyre (11) of a wheel (10) which through a gear (15) is drivingly connected to an electric motor/generator device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Continuous Rotation Technical Scope The present invention pertains to an apparatus for continuous rotation comprising a horizontal shaft which rests upon at least two bearings, which support said shaft, elements capable of causing the rotation of the shaft, a circular starter, and a means for recuperating energy.

The Problem Stated In fact the invention pertains to the partial regeneration of electric current. When the apparatus is rotating, it can supply current which may be utilised for various purposes such as lighting, charging of batteries, or operating any sort of motion. It may be used for advertising purposes, by the supply for lighted signs, for outdoor or indoor animating, as toys or for driving automatons or the like.

State of Previous Technique and its Inconveniences In this field, there exists a British patent No.

332.184 filed on January 15, 1930 which describes a rotary device comprising a rotor provided with a spiral shaped track, the ends of which are joined together by a curved part; one or more balls being located within the track so as to cause the rotation of said rotor by gravity. In an alternative form of embodiment, the track of the rotor may consist of an endless tube in spiral shape, within which the balls are located. Several of these devices can be fitted on a single shaft.

The inner wall of the track may be provided with teeth, whereas the balls are then replaced by toothed rollers.

The spiral shape of the rings requires several turns of the apparatus in order that the balls which roll inside may perform a complete operational cycle, so that the motion is irregular.

This is why a flywheel F has been provided.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate these inconveniences.

Statement of the Invention The apparatus is mainly characterized by the fact that the elements which are capable of causing the rotation of the shaft are excentrically fitted tubular rings, which are appropriately distributed along the length of the shaft and angularly spaced around the latter in order to assure its balance when rotating, at least one heavy ball, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular ring, being located inside each of aforesaid rings.

The rings may be single, circular.

In accordance with a more elaborate construction, the invention is further characterized by the fact that the tubular rings are distributed in units, each comprising a small circular loop which is concentric with the shaft and a large loop which is excentric with respect to the shaft, both loops forming one continuous conduit through which the balls can pass, and by the fact that assemblies are provided which comprise pairs of units such as described above and which are attached adjacent to each other, one and other in such a way that the axes of the large loops are located opposite to each other with respect to the horizontal shaft.

Generally speaking, the shaft comprises several pair of units, the axes of the large loops of which are either concurrent or angularly shifted with respect to each other, in which case the angular displacements are regularly spaced around the circumference of the shaft. It can for instance bear two series of five tubular rings spaced 720 apart, or even for series of five tubular rings spaced 720 apart. In the first case a ring acts every 360. In the second case a ring acts every 180.

According to a preferred form of embodiment, the starter consists of a disc which is keyed upon the shaft and which is provided at its circumference with spokes which are parallel to the shaft and located along one and the same circle, said spokes cooperating with a wheel, mostly on the inside, which is provided with an elastic tire, capable of driving as well as of being driven inside the disc and by successive impulses.

A generator is then keyed to the shaft or the disc. A starter motor, fed by a battery, may be provided to drive the wheel.

According to a further alternative, the starter consists of a disc which is keyed to the shaft and is gear driven.

A characteristic of the invention consists in the fact that the rotation starter of the apparatus is driven by a variable speed electric motor, the speed of which is regulated with great precision by means of an electronic device. Modern technique, and namely that of monitoring by means of a quartz crystal, does indeed permit a great stability of the speed of rotation.

The tubular rings are of light and sturdy material, whereus the balls, which are inside, are of metal and heavy. In order to improve the adherence of the balls on the inner surface of the rings, the tubes of which they are made up have their inner surface knurled or of wavy shape.

Solution of the Problem and Advantages The distribution of the loops per unit of two large loops or of two large loops and two small loops, whereby the large loops are diametrically opposite to each other, permits a proper balancing of the entire apparatus. On the other hand, the electronic regulation of the starter assures a great stability of the rotary motion and a better efficiency of the entire apparatus.

The invention wiil be better understood by means of the following description which gives a nonrestrictive example of a practical form of embodiment, with reference to the appended drawings.

Brief Description of the Figures In the drawings: figure 1 is an elevation view of the complete apparatus; figure 2 is a side view of a single tubular ring on the shaft; figure 3 is an elevation view of the same ring shown by figure 2; figure 4 is a side view of a series of five tubular rings spaced by 720 on the shaft; figure 5 is an elevation view of the essential part of an alternative form of embodiment of the apparatus; figure 6 is a sectional view according to I-I of the single shaft of the apparatus of figure 5 with the tubular ring units.

Description of Two Forms of Embodiment In the first form of embodiment the apparatus consists of a horizontal, tubular and hollow shaft 1, which rests on two bearings such as 2 on a support 3. In fact, shaft 1 is terminated by two stub shafts 4 which are entered in the bearings 2.

Shaft 1 bears tubular rings 5, which are shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3. These rings 5 have a circular part 6 with a circular loop 7; of smaller diameter, the inner diameter of which corresponds, indeed, to the outer diameter of shaft 1. Shaft 1 is attached to it in such a manner that ring 5, and more particularly circular part 6, is excentric with respect to shaft 1. Inside tubular ring 5, there is provided at least one ball and generally several, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of ring 5. These balls are relatively heavy, whereas the material and the build of ring 5 is light. The tubes which form ring 5 have an inner surface which is knurled or in wave shape so as to facilitate the adherence of the balls which roll inside; aforesaid balls create a moment which acts upon the rotation of the shaft 1.

In order to regularize this moment, several tubes 5 are provided with a regular angular spacing around shaft 1. For instance, two series of five rings, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 are provided, spaced at 720 with respect to each other around shaft 1. A greater number may also be provided, such as for instance four series of five rings.

The central part of shaft 1 bears a disc 8, the plane of which is perpendicular to the center line of shaft 1, and which is provided at its periphery with spokes 9 which are parallel to the center line of said disc and are located along one and the same circle. The spokes 9 cooperate with a wheel 10 which is provided with an elastic tire 11 and comes into adherent contact with spokes 9 so as to be able either to drive them or to be driven by them. Wheel 10 is borne by a shaft 12 which is maintained by two supports 13, 14. Shaft 12 is keyed upon a ring gear 15 which is linked to an apparatus which can operate both as motor and as generator.

The same device 10 to 1 5 is used a second time to drive any type of alternator or generator.

A characteristic of the form of embodiment of figures 5 and 6 consists of the fact that there are provided, in the examples shown, two units 51, 52 and 53, 54 each consisting of tubular rings comprising a large loop 7 and a loop of smaller diameter 6. Loop 6 is circular and concentric with shaft 1, whereas loop 7 is also circular but is excentric with respect to said shaft 1. The relatively heavy balls are located inside each of these rings 51, 52. The new characteristic consists of the fact that the large loop 51 is located diametrically opposite to large loop 52, which means that the axis of the large loop of element 51 is diametrically opposite the axis of the large loop of element 52.

The same arrangement is repeated for the assemblies 53 and 54 which are located on shaft 1 at the other side of disc 8. It is of course possible to provide a greater number of assemblies such as 53 and 54 on one and the same shaft 1.

It is quite obvious that the assembly consisting of disc 8, spokes 9 and wheel 10 could be replaced by some belt or gear drive system, without going beyond the scope of the invention.

The operation will now be explained.

The motor, fed by a battery (not shown) drives the ring gear 1 5 of a shaft 12 as well as wheel 10 so as to transmit an impulse to spokes 9, to discs 8, to shaft 1 and to the entire assembly of tubular rings 5. The latter containing heavy balls, are removed from their position of equilibrium. The balls are driven in rotation, but not at the same speed as the rings, so that they create moments around shaft 1 and have an influence upon the rotation of the latter.

In the form of embodiment of figures 5 and 6, a better balance of assemblies such as 51, 52, 53, 54, etc... is obtained and consequently a more regular drive of wheel 10, so that the rotation takes place without jolts and the efficiency of the apparatus is improved. In fact, the rotation of shaft 1 takes place in consequence of the moment resulting from the forces applied by the balls in the rings and namely by the motor. The best conditions of pperation are obtained at an angular speed of rotation which depends upon the size of the apparatus and upon the weight of the balls.

Claims

1. Apparatus for continuous rotation comprising a horizontal shaft which rests on at least two bearings, aforesaid shaft carrying: elements capable of causing the rotation of the shaft, a circular starter, a means for recuperating energy, characterized by the fact that the elements which are capable of causing the rotation of the shaft are excentrically tubular rings (5), appropriately distributed along the shaft (1) and angularly spaced around the latter, so as to assure its balance during rotation, at least one heavy ball, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular ring (5), being located inside each of aforesaid rings.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the tubular rings (5) are distributed in units, each comprising a small circular loop (7) which is concentric with the shaft (1) and one large circular loop (6) which is excentric with respect to said shaft, both loops forming one single continuous conduit in which the balls can pass, and by the fact that assemblies are provided of pairs of units such as defined above which are joined together adjacent to each other in such a manner that the large loops (6) have their axes diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the horizontal shaft (1).

3. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in either of claims 1 and 2, taken singly, characterized by the fact that the shaft (1) comprises several tubular rings (5) with regular angular spacing.

4. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the shaft (1) carries two series of five tubular rings (5) spaced by 720.

5. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the shaft (1) carries four series of five tubular rings (5) spaced by 720.

6. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in any one of the previous claims, taken singly, characterized by the fact that the starter consists of a disc (8) which is keyed to the shaft (1) and is provided, at its periphery, with spokes (9) which are parallel to the axis of the shaft and are located on one and the same circle, spokes which cooperate mostly with an inside wheel (10), provided with an elastic tire (11) and capable of both driving the disc (8) and of being driven by the latter, by impulses.

7. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in the previous claims, considered singly, characterized by the fact that the rotation starter is driven by a variable speed electric motor of which the speed is regulated with great precision by an electronic device; in fact, the present technique, namely that of quartz crystal monitoring, permits to obtain a great stability of the speed of rotation.

8. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in one or other of the previous claim, considered singly, characterized by the fact that a generator is keyed to the shaft (1) or to the disc (8).

9. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in one or other of claims 6, 7 or 8, considered singly, characterized by the fact that a starter motor, fed by a battery, drives the wheel (10).

10. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in one or other of claims 1 to 5, considered singly, characterized by the fact that the starter consists of a disc (8) which is keyed upon the shaft (1) and is gear driven.

11. Apparatus for continuous rotation such às defined by one or other of the previous claims, considered singly, characterized by the fact that the tubular rings (5) are made of light and sturdy material whereas the balls, which are inside, are of metal and heavy.

12. Apparatus for continuous rotation such as defined in claim 9, characterized by the fact that the tubes which form the rings (5) have their inner wall knurled or in wave shape.

1 3. Apparatus for continuous rotation, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.