PRIMARY ACTUATOR WITHOUT EXHAUST DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention has to do with a method and apparatus for providing motive power. In W091 / 09224 an apparatus for providing motive power comprising first and second columns of liquid is described, the liquid in the second column is substantially the same as in the first column although containing finely divided material to increase its specific gravity in relation to the liquid in the first column, means for reducing the pressure on the columns, whereby the height of the liquid in the respective columns is different, means for causing the liquid of the first column to spill towards the second column, means for converting the energy of the movement resulting from the liquid in motive force and means to return the liquid to the first column. It was found that the means for reducing the pressure on the columns was not really necessary and a second apparatus was proposed in W092 / 1984, where that feature was omitted. The apparatus in 092/1984, required a pump to keep the material finely divided in suspension. However, that device did not operate successfully since the energy was consumed in the operation of the pump.
An object of this invention is to provide method and apparatus for providing motive power. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for providing driving force comprising first and second liquid communication columns, the liquid in the second column is substantially the same as in the second column although containing a finely divided material for increase its specific gravity in relation to the first column, means to keep the material finely divided in suspension in the second column, whereby the height of the liquid in the respective columns is different, so that the liquid in the first column overflows to the second column, means for converting the energy of the resulting movement of liquid into driving force, means for returning the liquid to the first column, and liquid agitation means associated with the second column, wherein the agitating means comprises at least less a propeller or impeller. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing motive power comprising the steps of providing a liquid in a first column and a liquid in a second column but containing a finely divided material to increase its specific gravity in relation to to the liquid in the first column, keeping the finely divided material in suspension in the second column, the two columns communicate with each other so that the height of the liquid in the respective columns is different, so that the liquid in the first column overflows into the second column, converting the energy of the movement resulting from the liquid into driving force and returning the liquid to the first column, where the means to convert the energy from the movement of liquid into driving force is a turbine. Thus, the invention provides a circulatory system to provide motive power. The overflow of liquid from the first column to the second column can be controlled by a valve outlet located below the level at which the first column would be in dynamic balance with the second column. It is preferred to keep the finely divided substantially uniform material dispersed through the liquid in the second column. It may be advantageous to have two or more propellers or impellers at different heights in the column. The turbine can be located at some point in the apparatus where the movement of the liquid can only be used. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine may be associated with the second column to collapse the liquid to directly strike against the rotating blades thereof. In another modality preferred the turbine may be associated with the first column itself to be driven by the liquid being raised or pressurized in that column. The second column preferably has a second member communicating with the main column just below the turbine to the bottom of the column whose member may include the agitating means to provide circulatory movement for the liquid in the second column and still increase the dispersion of finely divided material within it. The second column is preferably higher than its width, to decrease the mixed energy requirements. Preferably two or more agitators will be used separated on an individual axis to achieve suspension of the finely divided material. The finely divided material is one that can be easily separated from the liquid in the second column so that the liquid can only be returned from the second column to the first column. Possibly the finely divided material may be of a magnetic substance such as magnetite or ferrosilicone or a mixture of both, so that the magnetic medium can be used to remove or contain the finely divided material of the liquid that is returned to the first column. Alternatively, mechanical separation means may be used such as filtration media or a setting tank. The finely divided material preferably has a particle size that will pass a 0.25mm screen. The setting container design needs careful consideration since the suspension separation rate can determine the maximum liquid flow system, and increase the energy available to the turbine. An outwardly tapered container is suitable although the setting speeds can be improved by installing suitable diaphragms to induce longer flow paths for the suspension, and increase the longer residence time for the separation phase to take place. The angle of the exterior wall of a cone-shaped container can be significant in the facilitation of setting. Angles of at least 70 ° to the horizontal are believed to be desirable. Alternatively, filtering screens of appropriate size may be employed in the second column, or an associated container or containers to achieve the separation phase of the suspension. The vibration of these screens can be desired to decrease the seal and the separation rates. Suitable vibration devices can be mounted in a container at the upper end of the second column and the motive power provided by the small turbines operated from this pressurized liquid in the first column. An efficient method of additional energy can be used either alone or together with other separation methods that direct the suspension flow within the setting container through a low magnetic field, which has the effect of agglomerating the individual magnetic particles together, in heavier agglomerations that cause them to penetrate faster, accelerating the separation process. The separation areas will ideally be diminished or otherwise the commercial scale separation requirements may be too large. Therefore, it is further proposed that the inclined tube setting devices be used. Such tubes are commercially available and can reduce the area required for setting by gravity by approximately 50% without substantial loss of pressure. An alternative separation method for use in the apparatus of the invention may be to utilize the cyclone separation. It is believed that the apparatus is capable of producing an excess of energy produced by the gravitational force greater than the energy required by its sustained operation. Liquids of different densities are used in the respective first and second columns. The liquids can be freely mixed together and used to establish the different levels between the first and second columns. This is the difference in levels given by the separated water, its potential energy in relation to the average in the second column or mixture. The use of finely divided material allows the necessary height differential between the first and second columns to be established. The miscible properties of the suspension of finely divided materials and the liquid in the first column allow continuous flow conditions to be maintained within the apparatus. The separation of liquid Clear of the finely divided material is achieved by using gravity again to set the material. By connecting the highest liquid column to the top of the second column or mixer a flow rate can be established to convert the potential energy into a useful power by means of a water turbine. The discharge tube is always located below the dynamic balance level of the liquid column to ensure that the system can not be counteracted or stopped. The gravity that acts equally on each column will cause the liquid to move up in the first column as the liquids re-swing. This is the continuous upward displacement of the highest liquid in the first column that maintains the height differential between the two columns and provides the production of energy. The apparatus comparatively requires small amounts of energy to circulate and keep the finely divided material in suspension within the second column. The net energy production of the device is the energy available in the shaft of the turbine, minus the energy required to keep the finely divided material in suspension. The apparatus of the invention does not contradict the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The energy produced is significantly less than the total gravitational force input. This invention will now be further described by way of example, only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the apparatus according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show the apparatus of the Figure
1 in operation; Figure 4 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 schematically shows the coupling of the apparatus of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a variation in the modality of the Figure. With references to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, the apparatus for providing motive power comprises a first column 10 in the form of an annular tank having flared sides and a base formed as a plurality of separation zones 12 in the form of cone and a second column 14 surrounded by the first column 10. The first and second columns 10, 14 communicate in three ways. Firstly, a lower region of the second column communicates with a lower region of the first column almost at the top of the cones 12 by means of the pipe 16. Secondly, at the bottom of the cones 14 there are 18 pipes that extend from the
cones through rotating valves 20. (Any other suitable valves, such as medium valves, can be used). Third, by means of a tank 22 for feeding and a valve 24, there is a tube 26 from the top to the bottom of the top of the second
column. The second column 14 contains an aerodynamic type or impeller mixer 28 operating in a lower region thereof. The second column 14 also includes a plurality of diaphragms 30 spaced around its region
outside to promote the mix. The first column 10 initially contains water and the second column 14 contains water and finely divided magnetite (or any suitable dense media) in suspension. The suspension is maintained by the mixer 28 operating at a
relatively low speed, simply to maintain a
& ^^ ßg *? ^ mixture of magnetite and water. Because the two columns are in communication via the tube 16 and the liquids therein have different specific gravities, the water in the first column rises relative to the mixture in the second column. Part of the magnetite will enter the first column but will set and return to the second column via the rotating valves 20. As shown in Figure 2, with the valve 24 closed, the water in the first column rises to a first height. Then when the valve 24 is open as shown in Figure 3, the water can return to the second column. Assuming that the outlet 24 of the valve is placed below the static level of the first column, upon opening the valve the liquid will flow in the tube 26 and a turbine in the tube (not shown) can extract the available energy from the pressure times of the height, the volume that flows and convert this kinetic energy into shaft power. The system is now decompensated and gravity will continue to force the higher separated water to the top of the first column in an attempt to rebalance the system. Provided that the magnetite remains in suspension and the separation speed is maintained within the first container 10, the circulation and extraction of energy will be maintained constantly. The above description is simplified for the purpose of initial illustration and basic understanding of the principles involved with the system. Essentially, gravity is providing the motive force of the turbine as it attempts to rebalance a constantly decompensated circulatory system of fluid and in doing so generates kinetic energy such as elevated liquid pressure and flow. Gravity is also made to serve as a secondary function by effecting the separating phase of magnetite and liquid, within the first column 10. Returning now to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, the apparatus for providing motive power comprises a first column 100 in the form of four quadrant section 101 tanks, each connection 102 with valve by communication with the base of a second column 104 around which they are arranged. The tanks 101 together form an outer surface generally in the shape of a cone. The second column of tank 104 has a conical bottom portion 106 that extends to a cylindrical top portion 108. Each tank 101 has a tube 110 from its upper end communicating with the upper part of the second column by a turbine 102. The tanks 101 have flexible bellows-type connections 113 to the second tank 104 and are suspended by piezoelectric stacks 114 of rigid supports 116. . The second tank is mounted on the rigid supports 116 with the piezoelectric cells 120 between them. The piezoelectric cells 114 and 5 120 allow the weights of the various tanks to be checked and increase the registered operating conditions. This can provide a basis for automatic operation control. The second column contains a type mixer
aerodynamic or propeller having a shaft 124 and a series of three separate aerodynamic blades 126 for stirring the contents of the tank. The shaft is driven by a water motor 130 a canister cylinder 131 in the upper part of the second column to cover the unit
actuator and protect it from the media. The shaft is supported intermediate to its ends by a bearing 132 supported from the sides of the tank and inside a container 134. Alternatively, an electric motor can be used to drive the shaft. The first tank 101 initially contains water and the second tank 104 contains water and magnetite or finely divided ferrosilicone in suspension. The agitation of the aerodynamic blades contains the finely divided material in suspension. The aerodynamic blades are
designed to push the suspension down dragging
, a - a central core of suspended media below the base of the tank and to flow upwards in the outer regions of the tank. The outer sides of the first tanks are spilled at an angle of approximately 70 ° to the horizontal, so there is less chance that the finely divided material will be clarified on the sides of the tanks. Since the two tanks are in communication and the liquids inside them have different specific gravities, the water in the first tanks rises in relation to the average in the second tank. Part of the finely divided material will enter the first tanks although it will settle and return to the second tank through valve connections. The water that rises in the first tanks flows back to the second tank through the turbines thus generating power in the same manner as described by the first mode. Experiments have shown that spinning the blades at 56 rpm is enough to pump 41m3 of the average per minute. The second tank contains approximately 8 tons of magnetite to form an average that varies in density from 2sg at the base to 1.8sg at the top of the tank. The mixer blades can operate properly using about 750 watts to provide a remixing capacity of around 5m3 per minute. With an achieved pressure height of 2.75m, a turbine production, network of mechanical losses, in excess of 2kw can be achieved by showing an exportable energy production of around 1.4Kw. More blades can be attached to the shaft although it does not seem to require a linear progression in the amount of energy extracted. There will obviously be a limit for the height of any individual mixer tank (second column) caused by any loss of average density in the upper part of the tank or unacceptable power production to maintain fluidization. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, it is proposed to mount an apparatus 200A and 200B of the invention in a vertical series. The apparatus 200 may be of the type shown in Figure 4, for example. The upper apparatus 200A supplies water under pressure from its first column 202A to the second column 204B of the lower apparatus 200B. The water pressure is further increased by the operation of the apparatus 200B and the water is then supplied to the turbine 206. The turbine is located at ground level for convenience and is of the type designated to extract energy from the difference in water flow of input pressure and back pressure in the discharge. Finally, in Figures 6 and 6A of the drawings, an embodiment of Figure 4 is shown, wherein the valve connections between the first (300) and second (302) columns are replaced having the lower part of the second column ( 304) apersioned to form vertical grooves for the finely divided material to return to the base of the second column. The blinds are formed by pallets 306.