GB2421768A

GB2421768A - Flotation engine

Info

Publication number: GB2421768A
Application number: GB0424420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew James Potter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2004-11-04
Publication date: 2006-07-05
Also published as: GB0424420D0

Abstract

The flotation engine comprises a water column 12 extending from a gate valve 14 at the base to an egress platform 16 at the top. Floats 18 are released one by one by the gate valve 14 to rise through the water column 12 to the egress platform 16 where they leave the water to travel through return tube 26 under gravity to a carousel 28 which feeds the floats back to the gate valve 14. The weight of the floats 18 is sufficient to urge the lead float 30 into the gate valve. Energy extraction means 44 is provided in or on the column 12 to extract electrical and/or mechanical energy from the movement of the floats 18 as they rise through the water. Falling energy extraction means 46 may be provided in or on the return tube 26. The floats may be provided with magnets (90, figs.6-8) that interact with the fields of pickup coils 88A,88B, figs.9,10) placed adjacent the column 12 and return tube(s) 26. Plural water columns may feed a single return 26. The flotation engine may be mounted on the side of a house or in a disused mineshaft.

Description

* I 2421768

A FLOTATION ENGINE

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flotation engine and more particularly to a method and apparatus for extracting mechanical, and electrical energy and work from a source of potential energy. The invention, more particularly, relates to use of water to create useful

PrIor Art

One of the earliest forms of conversion of potential energy inherent in water is the water wheel or mill. A first embodiment of the water mill comprised an undershot mill wheel where water flowed beneath a mill wheel and turned paddles on the periphery of the mill wheel. A second embodiment of a water mill comprised an overshot mill wheel where water was projected from above or tangentially onto the mill wheel. Momentum of the water turned the wheel by impulse and water was temporarily held in cup (or bucket areas) on the periphery of the mill wheel whilst the falling weight of held water assisted in the turning of the mill wheel, until the held water was discharged into an exit channel proximate to the bottom of the mill wheel. Both of the aforementioned solutions have been used to provide mechanical power to mills and factories, and, in latter days, to generate electricity. However, both forms of mill wheel require the provision of large quantities of flowing water, only a fraction of whose energy was extracted. Because of this restraint, water mills can only be used in locations where such flowing water is present. The present invention seeks to provide a method and apparatus where flowing water is not required and where large quantities of water are not required.

A second solution to conversion of the potential energy inherent in water is the turbine.

One simple form of turbine is the Pelton wheel, where one or more high velocity jets of water are shot against radially extending and axially aligned blades of a rotor for the momentum of the jet of water to turn the rotor and derive energy. More complicated and more efficient forms of turbine can comprise interleaved sets of water guide blades in a housing and turbine blades on a shaft which co-operate, in a manner similar to sets of blades in a jet engine to turn the shaft. Turbines also require the provision of even larger large quantities of flowing water, and, because of this, are usually found in association with hydro-electric dams where they are generally used for the generation of electricity. Neither water mills nor turbine plant can be operated in the absence of a source of flowing water.

Published International Patent Application WO-A2-0306g775 (Shin) describes a buoyancy driven electric power generator.

The present invention seeks to provide a method and apparatus, capable of providing mechanical work or electricity generation.

Neither water mills nor turbine plant can be operated in areas where water is in scarce supply. The present invention further seeks to provide a method and apparatus, capable of providing mechanical work or electricity generation, capable of use when water is in scarce supply.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a floatation engine, comprising: a column of liquid, rising from a base to a top over a height; float injection means, operative to introduce a float into the column of liquid at a base region; floatation energy extraction means, operative to extract energy from the float as the float rises in the column of liquid; float retrieval means, operative to recover the float as the float reaches the top of the column of liquid; and float return means, operative to return the float to said float injection means under the influence of gravity.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of extracting energy from a column of liquid comprising the steps of: providing a column of liquid, rising from a base to a top over a height; introducing a float into the column of liquid; extracting floatation energy from the float as the float rises in the column of liquid; recovering the float as the float reaches the top of the column of liquid; and returning the float, under the influence of gravity, to be reintroduced into said column of liquid.

The invention further provides falling energy extraction means, operative to extract energy from the falling of said float under the influence of gravity.

The invention further provides that the falling energy extraction means can be at least one of: a mechanical device urged downwards by the weight of the falling float; and optionally electrical generation means.

The invention further provides that floatation energy extraction means can be at least one of: a mechanical device urged upward by floatation of the float; and electric motive force (EMF) generation means.

Preferably the invention provides that the mechanical device includes an endless belt, passing around shafts or axles, with panniers for holding the float, at least one of the pulleys being turned to provide energy. Ideally said panniers are operative to release the float at a predetermined instant.

Preferably an electrical generation means comprises a coil through which said float passes and at least one magnet supported by said float.

An advantage with this particular embodiment is that an electrical motive force (EMF) is generated directly as a result of relative displacement between an inductive path (e.g. coil) and a magnet.

The invention further provides that the coil can have an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the float, and that the float can comprise at least one magnet with the line joining its north and south poles has a component transverse to the direction of movement of the float.

The invention further provides that the coil can have an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the float, and that the float can comprise at least one magnet with the line joining its north and south poles having a component in the direction of movement of the float.

Preferably the float is dimensioned and arranged to orient the (or each) magnet with respect to the axis of the coil(s) so as to optimise induction between the magnet and coil(s).

Coils may be arranged continuously or in discrete sets. If arranged in sets, discrete coils may be connected one to another in series or parallel configuration.

Inter-coil spacing may be constant or vary. Ideally inter-coil spacing is constant where the float reaches a constant (terminal) velocity as it passes through the liquid.

Buoyancy variation means may be incorporated in one or more floats to vary the buoyancy of a float. Preferably the buoyancy variation means includes a sensor and a buoyancy regulator.

A remote transmitter may be included to transmit signals to/from the/or each float as to issue signals to the float to vary (trim) its buoyancy.

Preferably the invention further provides that the float retrieval means may comprise: means to cause the float to eject to at least a predetermined height from the liquid when the float reaches a predetermined height of the column of liquid; float catching means operative to catch or entrap the float when it is ejected from the column of liquid; and float direction means, operative to direct the float from the float catching or entrapping means into a float descent path.

The float is preferably spherical or elongated to fit within the column of liquid with the axis of the float co-incident with the axis of the column of liquid or the float descent path. Most preferably the float has a parabolic profile which is rotationally symmetric.

The liquid, for preference, is water, but can be any liquid capable of fulfilling the functions hereinafter described. Liquids denser than water may be used so as to increase relative buoyancy of the float(s).

The invention further provides that the float is one of a plurality of floats, and that the weight of the plurality of floats in the float descent path is sufficient to urge the lead float in the float injection means. In this embodiment an optional float inter-connection means may be employed.

The invention further provides that the float injection means can comprise means for equalising the hydrostatic pressure in a release chamber before and behind a lead float prior to injection of the lead float into the column of liquid.

Preferably the invention further provides that the float injection means can comprise; a top seal, operative to be opened to release a float from a release chamber into the column of liquid; means operable thereafter to close the top seal; means to dump any residual liquid in the release chamber; and means to open a bottom seal, operative to allow release of a float into the release chamber.

The invention further provides that the apparatus functions into and from a drain which is hereinafter referred to as a French drain.

Preferably the invention further provides that the apparatus, to provide redundancy, can comprise a plurality of at least one of: float injection means; floatation energy extraction means; float retrieval means; float return means; and falling energy extraction means.

The invention may also provide that there can be more than one column of liquid providing floats to a single float descent path.

The invention is further explained, by way of exemplary example only, and with reference to the following Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention and showing one embodiment thereof.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the gating valve arrangement otherwise shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a first method of mechanical energy extraction; Figure 4 illustrates a second method of mechanical energy extraction; Figure 5 shows how plural liquid columns can be used to feed just one descent guide path, and also illustrates how electrical power can be produced; Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate different types of float and; different dispositions of magnet within the floats; and Figure 8 and 9 schematically illustrate how coils can be provided about the liquid columns or descent guide paths to aid in the generation of electric power.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Attention is first drawn to Figure 1, showing a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention and showing one embodiment thereof.

A floatation engine 10 comprises a liquid column 12 filled with water. The liquid column 12 is vertical, and stretches from a gate valve 14 at its base to an egress platform 16 at its top and is filled with water throughout. Floats 18 are released, one by one, by the gate valve 14 to rise through the liquid column to the egress platform, as illustrated by arrow 20.

When a float 18 reaches the egress platform 16 it has reached a sufficient vertical velocity to exit the liquid, as illustrated by arrow 22, and is able to roll down, by gravity, as illustrated by arrow 24, into a descent path guide in the form of a return tube 26. The return tube 26 descends to a carousel 28 which feeds the floats 18 back into the gate valve 14, the weight of floats 18 being sufficient to allow the lead float 30 to be presented to, and eventually urged into, the gate valve 14 when the bottom of the gate valve 14 is open. The carousel 30 comprises a drain valve 32 to discharge a limited amount of water, released by the gate valve 14, when the bottom of the gate valve is open, as illustrated by arrow 34, into a drain 36 such as a French drain, or other container, gully or means of disposal or utilisation. A top up supply 38 is operative to provide water, as illustrated by arrow 40, to keep the surface 42 of the water substantially at a constant level to allow an exiting float 18 to rise to a height as illustrated by arrow 22 to be able to roll down to the return tube 26.

Floatation energy extraction means 44 is provided in or on the liquid column 12 to couple with the floats 18 rising through the water to extract electrical energy, mechanical energy, or both, from the movement of the floats 18 as they rise through the water.

Falling energy extraction means 46 can be provided in or on the return tube 26 to couple with the floats 18 falling under gravity to extract electrical energy, mechanical energy, or both, from the movement of the floats 18 as they descend.

The floatation engine 10 is preferably mounted on the side of a house or other dwelling.

The liquid column is preferably 5 or 10 metres high and the floatation engine 10 is capable of powering electrical equipment such as a light bulb, a television, a battery charger, and so on. Mechanical energy can be used directly to achieve some mechanical task.

Electrical energy can be stored and accumulated for later use.

As will become apparent, while the liquid column 12 is shown as having substantially the same cross section as the floats 18, this is only a preferred arrangement and the cross section of the liquid column 12 can be greater than the cross section of the individual floats. Equally, the guide tube 26 is shown as being full of falling floats 18. The guide tube 26 can have as few descended falling floats as will ensure that, the weight of floats 18 is sufficient to allow lead float 30 to be presented to, and eventually urged into, the gate valve 14 when the bottom of the gate valve 14 is open.

Attention is next drawn to figure 2, showing a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the gate valve arrangement 14 otherwise shown in Figure 1.

The gate valve 14 comprises a release chamber 50 which can communicate with the liquid column 12 when a top seal 52 at the bottom of the liquid column 12 is opened by a top seal hydraulic actuator 54. The release chamber 50 communicates with the carousel 28 when a bottom seal 56 is opened by a bottom seal hydraulic actuator 58. The bottom seal 56 is waterproof, and prevents loss of water from the liquid column 12 and from the release chamber 50 when the bottom seal 56 is closed.

A series of valves control the operation of the top seal 52 and the bottom seal 56.

A first valve 60, a second valve 62 and a third valve 64 co-operate to open and close the top seal 52 by operating the top seal hydraulic actuator 54. A fourth valve 66, a fifth valve 68 and a seventh valve 70 co-operate to open and close the bottom seal 56 by operating the bottom seal hydraulic actuator 58. A seventh valve 72 controls re-filling of the release chamber 50 with water from the liquid column 12 when required. An eighth valve 74 controls provision of water from the liquid column 12 to open the bottom seal 56 by means of the bottom seal hydraulic actuator 58.

The operating sequence of the gate valve 14 is as follows: FIRST STAGE: POSITION 1: The top seal 52 is closed.

The bottom 56 seal is closed.

A float 18 is in release chamber 50.

The release chamber 50 is full of water.

ACTION 1: Open the top seal 52 to release the float 18 into the liquid column 12. An optional channel (not shown) arranged to equalise the hydrostatic pressure head to a position below the float, may be present.

SECOND STAGE: POSITION 2: The top seal 52 is open.

The bottom 56 seal is closed.

There is no float 18 in the release chamber 50.

The release chamber 50 is full of water.

ACTION 2: Close the top seal 52.

THIRD STAGE

POSITION 3: The top seal 52 is closed.

The bottom 56 seal is closed.

There is no float 18 is in the release chamber 50.

The release chamber 50 is full of water.

ACTION 3: Open the bottom seal 56.

FOURTH STAGE

POSITION 4: The top seal 52 is closed.

The bottom 56 seal is open.

The lead float 30 is introduced into the release chamber 50.

The release chamber 50 has lost its water through the drain 32 via the carousel 28 and is thus empty.

ACTION 4: Close the bottom seal 56.

FIFTH STAGE

POSITION 5: The top seal 52 is closed.

The bottom 56 seal is closed.

The lead float 30 is in the release chamber 50.

The release chamber 50 is empty of water.

ACTION 5: Fill the release chamber 50 with water from the liquid column 12.

This sequence is repeated, over and over, to release floats 18, one by one, into the liquid column 12. The sequence is followed from the first stage to the fifth stage, and then repeated again, starting at the first stage. A float 18 is a close fit within the release chamber 50, so that the amount of water lost down the drain 32 when the bottom seal 56 is opened is minimised, being limited to the volume of the release chamber 50. This is the amount of water which needs to be re-introduced into the liquid column 12 upon release of a float 18 into the liquid column 12. This can be provided via the top up supply 38 of figure 1, which can operate according to a ball-cock and float valve principle, rather in the manner of a lavatory (WC) cistern, or can be metered into the liquid column as a sixth stage of the sequence of operations relating to the gate valve 14. The valves 60-74 and hydraulic actuators 54 and 58 are shown as being operated from the hydrostatic pressure present at the bottom of the liquid column 12. This is a preferred arrangement, using minimum energy. However, it is also possible, within the invention, to operate the actuators 54 and 58 from a high pressure water supply, such as is used to up 38 the liquid column 12.

The valves can be controlled from a controller which presents a timed sequence of commands to the valves 60-74 to allow the release of floats 18 one by one into the liquid column 12 as described. The controller can be powered by electrical means, preferably by electrical energy derived from the floatation engine 10. Alternatively, the controller can be powered hydraulically, preferably from the hydrostatic source represented by the liquid column 12. As another alternative, the controller can be a mechanical controller, a device of rods, levers and sensors operative to run the sequence of valves 60-74, moving to the next stage as each previous stage is completed.

Attention is next drawn to figure 3, showing a first method of mechanical energy extraction.

A means for extracting mechanical floatation energy 76 (being one version of floatation energy extraction means 44 otherwise shown as item 10 in Figure 1) comprises an endless belt 78 running around a top pulley 80 and a bottom pulley 82. The bottom pulley 82 is situated near the bottom of the liquid column 12. The top pulley 80 is below the surface 42 of the liquid column 12. The whole of the endless belt 78, the top pulley 80 and the bottom pulley 82 are immersed in the liquid column 12. In an alternative embodiment the top pulley 80, and a proportion of the endless belt 78, may be located above the upper surface 42 of the liquid column.

The endless belt 78 has cups 84 attached at spaced intervals along its length. The cups 84 catch and hold floats 18 as they are released, one by one, from the release chamber 50 into the liquid column 12. The floats 18 urge the cups 84, and thus the side of the endless belt 78 whose cups 84 hold floating floats 18, upwardly, thus turning the top pulley 80. The top pulley 80 is coupled to provide mechanical energy, useful to do work or to power a pump or generator. When the floats 18 have been released from the cups 84 to be returned to the return tube 26, the empty cups 84 are sent around the top pulley 80 to be returned down the liquid column 12 to the bottom pulley 82.

Attention is next drawn to figure 4, showing a second method of mechanical energy extraction.

In figure 4, as well as floatation energy extraction means 76, there is also provided mechanical falling energy extraction means 86 (being one version of falling energy extraction means 46 otherwise shown as item 10 in Figure 1). In this example, only one side of the endless belt 78 is within the liquid column 12, the other side being in, or replacing, the return tube 26. Rising floats 18A impart floatation energy to the endless belt 78 and falling floats 18B impart falling energy to the endless belt 78. As an alternative, a quite separate pulley 80 82 and endless belt 78 system can be employed to extract falling energy from the falling floats as they return, by gravity, to the carousel 28.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 5, showing how plural liquid columns 12 can be used to feed just one descent guide path 26, and also illustrates how electrical power can be produced.

Plural liquid columns 12 feed a single return tube 26. In its turn, the single return tube 26 provides floats 18 to a modified carousel (not shown) which provides floats 18 to be floated in all of the plural liquid columns.

Electrical pickup coils 88 are provided, spaced at intervals along the return tube 26 and also spaced at intervals along each of the liquid columns 12.

Attention is next drawn to Figures 6, 7 and 8, illustrating different styles of float and different dispositions of magnet within the floats.

In figure 6 a spherical float 18C comprises a magnet 90 held within and providing a magnetic field which extends outside of the float 1 8C. The spherical float I 8C is ballasted to ensure that it floats always with the magnetic field in a preferred orientation, and this can be achieved by providing the magnet 90 in an off-centre position. In figure 6 the magnet 90 is shown in a longitudinal orientation. The magnet 90 can equally be provided in a transverse orientation.

In figure 7 an elongated float 18D is provided with the magnet 90 in a transverse orientation. The sides 92 of the elongated float I 8D fit within the liquid column 12 and prevent rotation of the elongated float, thus ensuring that the orientation of the magnet 90 cannot change.

Figure 8 shows an elongated float 18E is provided with the magnet 90 in a longitudinal orientation.

Attention is drawn to Figure 9 and 10, schematically illustrating how electrical pickup coils 88 can be provided about the liquid columns 12 and/or descent guide paths 26 to aid in the generation of electric power.

Figure 9 shows an electrical pickup coil 88A suitable for use where the magnet 90 is oriented in the transverse orientation illustrated in Figure 7. The windings 94 are wound with an axis radial to the liquid columns 12 and/or descent guide paths 26 and are preferably provided on a ferrous armature 96.

Figure 10 shows an electrical pickup coil 88B suitable for use where the magnet 90 is oriented in the longitudinal orientation illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. The windings 94 are wound co-axially with the liquid columns 12 and/or descent guide paths 26 and are also preferably provided on a ferrous armature (not shown).

The individual pulses of electricity provided by the windings 94 can be summed and rectified to provide charging for a battery whose accumulated energy can be employed for useful tasks.

The floats 18 can also be provided in torpedo shaped form, to minimise drag. The floats can be hollow metal, ceramic or plastics. Equally, the floats 18 can be formed from expanded foam, or, indeed, any material which can float in water. Where the floats 18 are required only to transfer mechanical energy as illustrated in Figure 3 and 4, the magnet 90 is not required.

The invention also consists in one. Some at all of the measures, taken singly or in any combination, as herein before described. For example it will be appreciated that the invention may be incorporated in buildings or in shafts within a pipe or tube. In particular the invention may be used in shafts of coalmines or other mines and therefore may provide an electrical energy generation system capable of being incorporated in disused mine shafts.

It will be appreciated the invention also includes methods of doing work and generating electricity.

Claims

Claims 1. A floatation engine, comprising, in use, a column of liquid,

rising from a base to a top over a height; one or more floats and a float injection means, operative to introduce said float(s) into the column of liquid at a base region; floatation energy extraction means, operative to extract energy from the or each float as the float rises in the column of liquid; float retrieval means, operative to recover the float as the float reaches the top of the column of liquid; and float return means, operative to return the float to said float injection means under the influence of gravity.
2. A floatation engine according to claim I wherein a falling energy extraction means, operative to extract energy from said float as it falls under the influence of gravity.
3. A floatation engine according to claim I or 2 wherein falling energy extraction means includes a mechanical device urged downwards by the weight of the falling float.
4. A floatation engine according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein falling energy extraction means is an electrical generation means.
5. A floatation engine according to claim 4 wherein the energy extraction means is a mechanical device urged upward by floatation of the float.
6. A floatation engine according to claim 4 wherein the energy extraction means is an electric motive force (EMF) generation means.
7. A floatation engine according to claim 5 wherein the mechanical device includes an endless belt, passing around shafts or axles, with panniers for holding a float, and at least one of the pulleys arranged to provide energy.
8. A floatation engine according to claim 7 wherein said panniers are operative to release the float at a predetermined instant.
9. A floatation engine according to claim 6 wherein the electrical generation means comprises a coil through which said float(s) pass(es) and at least one magnet supported by said float.
10.A floatation engine according to either claim 9 wherein an inductive path has an axis transverse to the direction of relative movement of the float and the float includes at least one magnet whose axis is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the float.
11. A floatation engine according to either claims 9 or 10 wherein the axis of the coil is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the float(s), said float(s) include at least one magnet whose axis has a component parallel to the direction of movement of the float.
12.A floatation engine according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the float(s) is/are dimensioned and arranged to orient the (or each) magnet with respect to the axis of the coil(s) so as to optimise induction between the magnet and coil(s).
13.A floatation engine according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein coils are arranged continuously or in discrete sets.
14.A floatation engine according to any of claims 9 to 13 wherein the coils are arranged in a series or parallel configuration.
15.A floatation engine according to any of claims 9 to 14 wherein an inter-coil spacing is constant whereby the float reaches a constant (terminal) velocity as it passes through the liquid.
16. A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein buoyancy variation means is incorporated in one or more floats to vary the buoyancy of a float.
17.A floatation engine according to claim 16 wherein the buoyancy variation means includes a sensor and a buoyancy regulator.
18.A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein a remote transmitter is included to transmit signals to/from the, or each, float so as to issue signals to the float to vary (trim) its buoyancy.
19.A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein float retrieval means comprises: means to cause the float to eject to at least a predetermined height from the liquid, when the float reaches a predetermined height of the column of liquid; float entrapping means operative to entrap the float when it is ejected from the column of liquid; and float direction means, operative to direct the float from the float entrapping means into a float descent path.
20. A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein the float is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the column of liquid so that the axis of the float is co- incident with the axis of the column of liquid.
21.A floatation engine according to claim 20 wherein the float has a parabolic profile which is rotationally symmetric.
22. A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein the liquid is water.
23.A floatation engine according to any of claims 1 to 21 wherein a liquid denser than water is used so as to increase relative buoyancy of the float(s).
24.A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein a plurality of floats is provided, the floats arranged so that the weight of one float in the float descent path is sufficient to urge an adjacent float towards the float injection means.
25. A floatation engine according to claim 24 wherein a float interconnection means connects one float to another by way of a linkage system.
26. A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein the float injection means comprises: means for equalising hydrostatic pressure in a release chamber before and behind a lead float prior to injection of the lead float into the column of liquid.
27.A floatation engine according to any preceding claim wherein the float injection means includes: a top seal, operative to be opened to release a float from a release chamber into the column of liquid; means operable thereafter to close the top seal; means to dump any residual liquid in the release chamber; and means to open a bottom seal, operative to allow release of a float into the release chamber.
28.A floatation engine according to claim 27 wherein the chamber is shaped to conform to the float so as to minimise displaced liquid.
29. A floatation engine according to claim 27 wherein excess liquid in use passes into a drain.
30. A method of extracting energy from a column of liquid comprising the steps of: providing a column of liquid, rising from a base to a top over a height; introducing a float into the column of liquid; extracting floatation energy from the float as the float rises in the column of liquid; recovering the float as the float reaches the top of the column of liquid; and returning the float, under the influence of gravity, to be reintroduced into said column of liquid.
31. A floatation engine substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the Figures.
32. A method of extracting energy substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the Figures.