GB2361277A

GB2361277A - Kinetic energy device

Info

Publication number: GB2361277A
Application number: GB0108252A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Joseph Anthony Carroll
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-05
Filing date: 2001-04-03
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-03
Also published as: GB0108252D0; GB2361277B; GB2361277A8

Abstract

A kinetic energy device includes a pair of opposed disc-shaped bodies (2 and 4, fig 1) and a drive motor arranged to produce relative rotation between the two bodies. A mass element 1 is constrained by one of the bodies to move along a substantially radial slot 9, and the other body contains a D-shaped groove 7 which constrains the mass element to move back-and-forth along the slot 9 in such a way that the element attains a greater radial velocity in one direction of movement than in the opposite direction.

Description

0 2361277 1 P950 Peter Joseph Anthony Carroll KINETIC ENERGY DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a kinetic energy device for converting rotational energy (torque) into linear thrust.

BACKGRO A 1 kg piston in a Formula 1 racing car engine weighs effectively 7.5 tonnes at each end of its stroke when the engine is at racing speeds, but this force is normally counterbalanced by the other piston/conrod sets and the crankshaft counterweights. One objective of the invention is to utilise such kinetic energy to generate a linear thrust. Another objective is to devise a means of generating a pure directional force without requiring a gearbox or driven wheels to impart motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a kinetic energy device which includes:

1 2 P950 - a pair of opposed bodies; - drive means for producing relative rotation between said bodies about an axis of rotation; and - a mass element which is constrained by one of said bodies to move along a substantially radial path relative thereto, and the other body constrains the mass element to move back-and-forth along said path in such a way that the element attains a greater radial velocity in one direction of movement than in the opposite direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1_ is a side view of a kinetic energy device in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The device includes a fixed stator in the form of a disc 4 with a rotor disc 2 being mounted thereon for rotation about a centre bearing 3. The disc 2 is driven by a prime mover such as an electric motor 5, which transmits torque 1 3 P950 to the disc via gearing 17 which is drivably engaged with the rotor 2, e. g. by drive pegs 6. A kinetic mass 1, which may be of lead or cast iron for example, is held captive by the rotor disc 2 to slide along a radial slot 9. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the upper hemisphere of a ball bearing 8 may be received in a recess in the underside of the mass 1 while the lower hemisphere of the ball bearing is received in a groove 7 formed in the opposed surface of the stator 4. However, in a preferred arrangement the ball 8 is replaced by a spigot which projects downwards from the mass 1. The spigot is again received in the groove 7 in the opposing surface of the stator 4. The groove 7 is substantially Dshaped with a curved portion 7a occupying one half of the disc and which travels from a radially outer region of the disc 4 in a combined circumferential and radial path ending adjacent to the bearing 3. In the other half of the disc 4 the opposite ends of the curved portion are joined by a substantially straight radial portion 7b.

When the disc 2 rotates at a constant speed, the progressively varying curvature of the groove 7 causes the kinetic mass 1 to move in opposite directions along the slot 9 at different radial velocities. Commencing at the position shown in the drawings, the first two thirds of a complete rotation of the disc 2 causes the ball bearing to travel along the curved portion of the grove 7 so that the mass element 1 moves relatively slowly towards the inner end of the slot 9. However, when the disc reaches the final third of each rotation, the ball bearing moves along the straighter portion 7b causing the mass 1 to accelerate as it moves rapidly towards the periphery of the disc. This acceleration generates kinetic energy impelling both the moving and stator discs away from the axis of rotation, thereby causing the whole 4 P950 assembly to exhibit a linear thrust. As the kinetic mass approaches the outermost point of its travel the mass decelerates and then returns relatively slowly towards the centre of the disc where it reaches its minimum radial velocity.

The direction of the linear thrust generated by the kinetic mass may be altered by progressively turning the stator disc 4 in either a vertical or horizontal plane.

Due to the kinetic force in an object being a product of its speed and mass, varying amounts of force may be achieved by experimenting with these two factors.

It will be appreciated that the disc 2 could be fixed while the disc 4 rotates relative thereto.

The kinetic energy unit would be an ideal complement for an electric motor, as it is not a power unit in itself. In company with a motor, and activated by it, the kinetic energy unit uses the forces of imbalance in a rotating mass and takes them a stage further by turning them into a collective linear force. It does this by converting the rotational torque generated by the prime mover into linear kinetic energy.

The sole function of the motor itself is to impart a rotational force to the moving disc and no more. This means that the disc can rotate at a steady speed and under a relatively light load, thus making it more economical in use than in conventional applications such as an electric drill or orbital 1 P950 sander which has to operate under widely fluctuating loads. The force generated by the kinetic mass can then be used in a wide range of applications. These might include machine tools such as a trip hammer or press. A hand-held version could replace a conventional hammer by using a kinetic energy device in its head driven by a small mains electric a.c. motor. Operating the device and holding it against the workpiece would be sufficient to drive it in. Larger versions could be used in fork-lift trucks and powered trolleys in factories. A larger version still could be used in a road car or goods vehicle activated by an electric motor using the latest fuel cell technology, thus giving a long range and having no need for the complexities of a separate transmission. The entire power unit could be turned horizontally with the steering to assist in turning the car through corners. Other applications could include lifting gear, by turning the device to operate vertically, and also (most significantly) in aircraft as a means of vertical and horizontal flight to replace wings and jet engines.

The device could be made on any scale, using well-proven engineering technology and materials which would make for relatively economic manufacture. Toughened steel would be suitable for the hemispherical guide, radial slide bearings and stator disc, with aluminium for the moving disc to reduce parasitic inertial forces. Standard engine oil, a forced lubrication system to the kinetic mass and D-shaped groove, and a dynamic lip seal would protect the working parts. Gears or drive-belts could be used transmit the power to the moving disc from the electric motor which would be rigidly mounted on the stator disc. A suitable starting point for a production application could be as a simple toy or radio-controlled model.

6 P950

Claims

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present

in any feasible combination. Whiist the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

7 P950 CLAIMS 1.

A kinetic energy device which includes:

- a pair of opposed bodies; - drive means for producing relative rotation between said bodies about an axis of rotation; and - a mass element which is constrained by one of said bodies to move along a substantially radial path relative thereto, and the other body constrains the mass element to move back-and-forth along said path in such a way that the element attains a greater radial velocity in one direction of movement than in the opposite direction.
2. A kinetic energy device according to Claim 1, in which said other body constrains the mass element to move along a path which includes a substantially straight section and a curved section.
3. A kinetic energy device according to Claim 2, in which said path is substantially D-shaped.
4. A kinetic energy device according to Claim 2 or 3, in which said path surrounds said axis of rotation.
5. A kinetic energy device according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, in which said axis of rotation is disposed adjacent to one end of the substantially straight section.

1 8 P950
6. A kinetic energy device according to any of Claims 2 to 5, in which said path is defined by a guide channel in said other body.
7. A kinetic energy device according to any preceding claim, in which the bodies are substantially circular and co-axial with said axis of rotation.
8. A kinetic energy device according to any preceding claim, including means for moving the two bodies to control the direction of the linear thrust.
9. A kinetic energy device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.