GB2190965A - Compressed air or gas powered buoyancy machine - Google Patents

Compressed air or gas powered buoyancy machine Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2190965A
GB2190965A GB08612915A GB8612915A GB2190965A GB 2190965 A GB2190965 A GB 2190965A GB 08612915 A GB08612915 A GB 08612915A GB 8612915 A GB8612915 A GB 8612915A GB 2190965 A GB2190965 A GB 2190965A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
containers
machine
open end
container
inlet
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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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08612915A
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GB8612915D0 (en
GB2190965B (en
Inventor
John Corbet Mcqueen
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to GB8612915A priority Critical patent/GB2190965B/en
Publication of GB8612915D0 publication Critical patent/GB8612915D0/en
Publication of GB2190965A publication Critical patent/GB2190965A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2190965B publication Critical patent/GB2190965B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2210/00—Working fluid
    • F05B2210/40—Flow geometry or direction
    • F05B2210/401—Flow geometry or direction upwards due to the buoyancy of compressed air
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy

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  • 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

A machine comprises a tank 1 containing a liquid, a compressed air inlet 2 thereinto, and a plurality of containers 10 each having a single open end 12. Means 8 to constrain said containers to move in a predetermined path within the liquid are provided such that the open end of each container 10 is aligned with the inlet 2 at a point of the path. The containers 10 are disposed with their open end 12 lowermost over an upward part of their travel and their open end 12 uppermost over a downward part of their travel. Power takeoff means 7 are connected to the containers or their constraining means to utilise the energy of the compressed air. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compressed air powered machine The present invention relates to a compressed air powered machine. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a machine powered by compressed air, which term includes any gas lighter than water, which may be used as a prime mover for doing work.
It is known to provide turbines driven by compressed air, but these suffer from the disadvantage that much of the energy in the compressed air is lost due to the high speeds necessary to drive the turbine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine which overcomes the above disadvantage and utilises the full potential of the energy stored in the compressed air. This energy is transformed by the machine into a mechanical rotary output, although alternative outputs are possible.
According to the present invention there is provided a machine comprising a tank containing a liquid, a compressed air inlet thereinto, a plurality of containers each having a single open end, means to constrain said containers to move in a predetermined path within the liquid, the open end of each container being aligned with the inlet at a point of the path and the containers being disposed with their open end lowermost over an upward part of their travel and their open end uppermost over a downward part of their travel, and power takeoff means connected to the containers or their constraining means.
The inlet preferably comprises a closable and openable valve so operable under control means that the inlet is open when a container is in alignment therewith.
Preferably the means to constrain the containers is a continuous chain passing over rotatable sprockets, the containers being attached at intervals to said chain.
Advantageously there are two sprockets, spaced in a generally vertical direction, one or both being connected to said power takeoff means.
Alternatively, each container may be connected to and rotate about a central axle connected to said power take off means.
Each container may be cylindrical and may have a substantially conical closed end to lessen the resistance to its passage through the liquid.
The open end of each container may be so angled as to increase the time during which it is disposed in alignment with the inlet.
The containers may be so disposed along the chain that, at any one time, there are an equal number of upwardly and downwardly travelling containers, whereby the mass of the containers may be discounted.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the invention, partially cutaway to show the interior mechanism; Figure 2 is a cross-section of a machine embodying the invention; Figure 3 is a similar cross-section, showing a possible use for the machine; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of machine.
Referring now to the drawings, the machine comprises a tank 1, substantially filled with liquid, preferably water. At the base of the tank 1 is an inlet 2, controlled by automatic valve 3, for compressed air. The compressed air is preferbly stored in a tank 4 adjacent to the machine. If so desired, the air may be replaced by any compressible gas which is lighter than the liquid being used in the tank 1. An outlet 5 for spent gas is provided at the top of the tank.
Within the tank are two vertically separated sprocket wheels 6. In the present embodiment, both of these wheels 6 are mounted for rotation with a respective drive shaft 7. However, it is possible in certain circumstances that only one sprocket wheel be connected for rotation with a drive shaft while the other one is mounted for rotation about a stationary shaft. The sprocket wheels 6 are connected by an endless chain 8 passing around them.
At points intermediate of the sprocket wheels, the chain 8 is guided by chain guides 9.
Connected to the chain 8 at intervals along its length are a number of cylindrical containers 10. The containers 10 are so disposed along the chain that there are an equal number on each side of the chain at any one time. In the preferred embodiment, there are an even number of containers spaced equidistantly along the chain. Each container 10 has a conical closed end 11 to reduce its resistance to movement through the liquid. The opposite end of the cylinder is an open end 12 which is preferably angled.
To operate the machine, a jet of compressed air is released from the inlet 2 by the automatic valve 3 when a container 10 has its open end 12 in alignment vertically above the inlet. The pressure of the compressed air is sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic pressure of the water or other liquid at the base of the tank 1 and to displace from the interior of the container 10 the liquid contained therein. The container 10 thereby becomes buoyant and rises upwardly. In due course, successive containers 10 come into alignment with the inlet 2 and the automatic valve permits their filling with air. The buoyant containers, shown on the left in the Figures rise upwardly causing the chain 8 to rotate about the sprocket wheels 6. Contemporaneously, the non-buoyant containers, shown on the righthand side in Figs. 1 and 2, move down wardly.When each buoyant container reaches the top sprocket wheel 6 it is turned over around the wheel until its open end 12 is uppermost. At, or most likely a little before, this point the air within the container escapes and the container becomes filled with liquid and thereby non-buoyant.
Since there are an equal number of containers on each side of the chain, the mass of each container is immaterial since those moving downwardly will counterbalance those moving upwardly. The difference between them is that those on one side are buoyant and those on the other are not. The level of the liquid in the tank 1 should alwasy be maintained sufficiently high that the containers do not break the surface at the uppermost point of their travel since this would be wasteful of energy and will interfere with their filling with liquid.
As can be seen from the above, each of the sprocket wheels 6 has imparted to it by the chain 8 a rotary movement which can be transmitted to a drive shaft 7. The machine can be used, via these drive shafts 7, to drive any desired other machinery, for example compressors, electricity generating apparatus or the like.
Clearly, the larger the volume of containers which can be made buoyant, the greater power will be generated by the machine. Thus the number and/or voiume of the containers may be increased to attain additional power.
The automatic valve 3 may be connected by means (not shown) to the drive shaft 7 or the sprocket wheel 6 so that it only opens when the open end of a container is in alignment.
Alternative control means may be provided if so desired.
The air or gas at outlet 5 may be used, if so desired, to drive a second similar machine.
In Fig. 3, there is shown a similar machine used to power a crane 14. In this case, the drive is taken solely from the upper sprocket wheel 6 through a gear train.
Fig. 4 shows a modification where a number, four are shown, of containers 10 are fixed at the end of spokes 15 to rotate in a circle about a driven axle 7, from which power can be taken off.
The present invention has advantages in its use of power source. Compressed air is a comparatively cheap source of energy, is relatively easily transported, even to remote locations and can be utilised only when power is needed.
The present invention is not concerned only with driving machinery or providing power. It may be used simply as a toy, as shown in Fig. 3 to drive a toy crane, or as an instruction aid. In such cases, the container 1 is preferably made of transparent plastics material so that the user has the added fascination of watching the movement of the containers 10, which may themselves be made of plastics material, possibly coloured.

Claims (9)

1. A machine comprising a tank containing a liquid, a compressed air inlet thereinto, a plurality of containers each having a single open end, means to constrain said containers to move in a predetermined path within the liquid, the open end of each container being aligned with the inlet at a point of the path and the containers being disposed with their open end lowermost over an upward part of their travel and their open end uppermost over a downward part of their travel, and power takeoff means connected to the containers or their constraining means.
2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a closable and openable valve so operable under control means that the inlet is open when a container is in alignment therewith.
3. A machine as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means to constrain the containers is a continuous chain passing over rotatable sprockets, the containers being attached at intervals to said chain
4. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are two sprockets, spaced in a generally vertical direction, one or both being connected to said power takeoff means.
5. A machine as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the containers are so disposed along the chain that, at ony one time, there are an equal number of upwardly and downwardly travelling containers, whereby the mass of the containers may be discounted.
6. A machine as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each container is connected to and rotate about a central axle connected to said power take off means.
7. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each container is cylindrical and has a substantially conical closed end to lessen the resistance to its passage through the liquid.
8. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open end of each container is so angled as to increase the time during which it is disposed in alignment with the inlet.
9. A machine substantially as described herewith with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8612915A 1986-05-28 1986-05-28 Compressed air powered machine Expired - Lifetime GB2190965B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8612915A GB2190965B (en) 1986-05-28 1986-05-28 Compressed air powered machine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8612915A GB2190965B (en) 1986-05-28 1986-05-28 Compressed air powered machine

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8612915D0 GB8612915D0 (en) 1986-07-02
GB2190965A true GB2190965A (en) 1987-12-02
GB2190965B GB2190965B (en) 1991-01-16

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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2229228A (en) * 1989-03-16 1990-09-19 Wilbur Brian Macfarland Pressurised gas operated mobile
BE1002838A3 (en) * 1989-02-16 1991-06-25 Maes Jean Germania Louis Air-hydro expansion generator
WO1996036810A1 (en) * 1995-05-15 1996-11-21 Daehan Bouyancy Corporation Power generating system using buoyancy
US6009707A (en) * 1998-01-21 2000-01-04 Alkhamis; Mohammed Buoyancy driven energy producing device
GB2350159A (en) * 1999-05-18 2000-11-22 William Andrew Wells Torque generation using a pressurised gas powered buoyancy machine
GB2385384A (en) * 2002-02-13 2003-08-20 Daniel Millen Float powered rotary wheel
WO2005010352A2 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-02-03 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Für Polar- Und Meeresforschung Drive for a working machine to be applied under water
WO2008062084A1 (en) * 2006-11-20 2008-05-29 Miguel Burgues Soriano Device for harnessing the energy resulting from the difference in hydrostatic pressure
WO2009076727A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 James Kwok Hydrodynamic energy generation system
US7892424B2 (en) 2008-04-07 2011-02-22 Societe Eg06 Inc. Decentralized source separation sewage system
DE102010041116A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-22 Igor Shreyn Device for recovering electrical power from exhaust gas flow of diesel engine, has rotor device rotatable around shaft for driving gas passing through liquid, and electrical generator device coupled with shaft for generating electricity
ES2525193A1 (en) * 2014-09-09 2014-12-18 Gilberto FORES SABATE Electrical energy generator apparatus and procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US9719485B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-08-01 Fawcett Co., Inc. Buoyancy-driven power generation system
US10145355B2 (en) 2016-07-04 2018-12-04 Bioturbine Systems Inc. Gas-liquid turbine and method of driving same
FR3127013A1 (en) * 2021-09-15 2023-03-17 Henri Georges Sylvio Picco Energy generator whose internal mechanism operates totally immersed in a liquid medium
US20230400006A1 (en) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-14 Salvatore Deiana Wave turbine

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB163791A (en) * 1920-02-24 1921-05-24 Franco Merz Method of and apparatus for the production of motive force
GB215602A (en) * 1923-06-05 1924-05-15 Franz Pawlik Improvements in and relating to vapour-driven engines
GB217252A (en) * 1922-12-12 1924-06-12 Anton Wellert Improvements in power transmission apparatus utilising the force of air rising through a column of water
US4054031A (en) * 1976-02-19 1977-10-18 Johnson Charles M Power unit
US4326132A (en) * 1980-09-24 1982-04-20 Bokel Aloys H Ultimate energy wheel drum
US4498294A (en) * 1981-05-04 1985-02-12 Everett Thomas D Buoyancy prime mover with pressure control means

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB163791A (en) * 1920-02-24 1921-05-24 Franco Merz Method of and apparatus for the production of motive force
GB217252A (en) * 1922-12-12 1924-06-12 Anton Wellert Improvements in power transmission apparatus utilising the force of air rising through a column of water
GB215602A (en) * 1923-06-05 1924-05-15 Franz Pawlik Improvements in and relating to vapour-driven engines
US4054031A (en) * 1976-02-19 1977-10-18 Johnson Charles M Power unit
US4326132A (en) * 1980-09-24 1982-04-20 Bokel Aloys H Ultimate energy wheel drum
US4498294A (en) * 1981-05-04 1985-02-12 Everett Thomas D Buoyancy prime mover with pressure control means

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1002838A3 (en) * 1989-02-16 1991-06-25 Maes Jean Germania Louis Air-hydro expansion generator
GB2229228A (en) * 1989-03-16 1990-09-19 Wilbur Brian Macfarland Pressurised gas operated mobile
WO1996036810A1 (en) * 1995-05-15 1996-11-21 Daehan Bouyancy Corporation Power generating system using buoyancy
US6009707A (en) * 1998-01-21 2000-01-04 Alkhamis; Mohammed Buoyancy driven energy producing device
EP0931930A3 (en) * 1998-01-21 2001-11-14 Mohammad A. Alkhamis Buoyancy motor
GB2350159A (en) * 1999-05-18 2000-11-22 William Andrew Wells Torque generation using a pressurised gas powered buoyancy machine
GB2350159B (en) * 1999-05-18 2002-10-23 William Andrew Wells Torque generator
GB2385384A (en) * 2002-02-13 2003-08-20 Daniel Millen Float powered rotary wheel
GB2385384B (en) * 2002-02-13 2004-03-31 Daniel Millen Hydro Electric Scheme Using Flotation Power
DE10333513B4 (en) * 2003-07-17 2007-06-14 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts Drive for a working machine in underwater use
WO2005010352A3 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-05-12 Stiftung A Wegener Inst Polar Drive for a working machine to be applied under water
WO2005010352A2 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-02-03 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Für Polar- Und Meeresforschung Drive for a working machine to be applied under water
DE10333513A1 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-02-10 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Für Polar- Und Meeresforschung Drive for a working machine in underwater use
WO2008062084A1 (en) * 2006-11-20 2008-05-29 Miguel Burgues Soriano Device for harnessing the energy resulting from the difference in hydrostatic pressure
EP2235362A4 (en) * 2007-12-19 2013-07-10 James Kwok Hydrodynamic energy generation system
WO2009076727A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 James Kwok Hydrodynamic energy generation system
EP2235362A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2010-10-06 James Kwok Hydrodynamic energy generation system
CN101925738A (en) * 2007-12-19 2010-12-22 詹姆斯·夸克 Hydrodynamic energy generation system
US7892424B2 (en) 2008-04-07 2011-02-22 Societe Eg06 Inc. Decentralized source separation sewage system
US8197201B2 (en) 2008-04-07 2012-06-12 Societe Eg06 Inc. Decentralized source separation sewage system
DE102010041116A1 (en) * 2010-09-21 2012-03-22 Igor Shreyn Device for recovering electrical power from exhaust gas flow of diesel engine, has rotor device rotatable around shaft for driving gas passing through liquid, and electrical generator device coupled with shaft for generating electricity
US9719485B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-08-01 Fawcett Co., Inc. Buoyancy-driven power generation system
ES2525193A1 (en) * 2014-09-09 2014-12-18 Gilberto FORES SABATE Electrical energy generator apparatus and procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US10145355B2 (en) 2016-07-04 2018-12-04 Bioturbine Systems Inc. Gas-liquid turbine and method of driving same
FR3127013A1 (en) * 2021-09-15 2023-03-17 Henri Georges Sylvio Picco Energy generator whose internal mechanism operates totally immersed in a liquid medium
US20230400006A1 (en) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-14 Salvatore Deiana Wave turbine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8612915D0 (en) 1986-07-02
GB2190965B (en) 1991-01-16

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19950528