WO2001000989A1

WO2001000989A1 - Device and method for accumulating mechanical energy

Info

Publication number: WO2001000989A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/001526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoine Jocelyn Carcasse; Claude Jérôme CARCASSE
Original assignee: Antoine Jocelyn Carcasse; Carcasse Claude Jerome
Priority date: 1999-06-24
Filing date: 1999-06-24
Publication date: 2001-01-04

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a device (1) for accumulating mechanical energy comprising at least two identical cylindrical housings (2) mobile in rotation about a first spindle (3), each housing containing a coil spring (29) whereof the centre (30) is fixed to the first spindle and the outer end (33) is attached to the corresponding housing. Said housings are provided on their outer cylindrical surface with a toothed ring (4) co-operating with a toothed wheel (5) located opposite successively mobile, then integral in rotation relative to a second spindle (6), called motor spindle, each wheel comprising therefor clutch means (7) to set the wheel in a first disengaged position from the spindle motor (6), and a second clutched position integral with the motor spindle.

Description

MECHANICAL ENERGY ACCUMULATOR DEVICE AND METHOD

The present invention relates to a mechanical energy accumulator device and method making it possible to retransmit in a delayed manner and spread over time a mechanical energy previously accumulated.

It finds a particularly important, although not exclusive, application in the field of energy storage which is repetitively rechargeable for a determined period, and which one wishes to use more regularly, and in particular during a time when it is no longer directly available.

This is particularly the case of solar energy which can only be used directly during the day, or even the case of tidal energy which can only be benefited at ebb tide.

Devices are already known which make it possible to supply a device, a system or the like continuously, which uses fossil fuel sources such as gas oil, gas or petrol as a back-up for other energy which is not available. only during non-continuous time periods.

There are also means of storing energy in the form of water retention (dam) or even by supplying an electric storage battery, for example a chemical one that is charged, before discharging them during the period or the energy is no longer available. Such devices have drawbacks. They are indeed polluting (case of fossil fuels), bulky, requiring the construction of civil engineering structures such as dams and / or gravity pipes with hydraulic turbines (case of reservoirs) or even fragile and of capacity to reduced storage (in the case of batteries).

The present invention aims to provide a mechanical energy accumulator device which better meets those previously known to the requirements of practice, in particular in that it offers a spring system based on an accumulation for the first time, of the energy directly available. from another source (sun, wind, etc.) which is easy to implement, easy to maintain and adaptable to any type of environment.

It is compact and inexpensive, while requiring for its manufacture only simple elements, which are found all over the world.

In this sense, such an accumulator device can find its use in developing countries, or in environments which do not benefit from a permanently installed power supply.

To this end, the invention proposes in particular a mechanical energy storage device comprising at least two identical cylindrical housings movable in rotation about a first axis, each case containing a spiral spring whose center is fixed to said first axis and the outer end is attached to the inner side cylindrical of the corresponding housing, said housings being provided on their cylindrical external face with a toothed ring cooperating with a toothed wheel located opposite successively mobile, then integral in rotation with respect to a second axis, said motor axis, each wheel comprising to do this clutch means for putting said wheel in a first position, disengaged from the motor axis, and a second position, engaged, integral in rotation with the motor axis.

In advantageous embodiments, one and / or the other of the following arrangements are also used:

- The accumulator device comprises five boxes and corresponding toothed wheels, the springs of each box expanding successively by a fifth of a turn.

- The first axis is arranged to be kept fixed, the spring housings being arranged to rotate the motor axis, the toothed wheels driving the motor axis being themselves successively actuated by the toothed crowns opposite, said cogwheels being rotated by the springs which expand successively and gradually, then being locked in rotation with said housings when they are detached from the motor axis;

the first axis is movable and arranged to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor axis with a speed lower than that of the motor axis, to tighten partially the spring (s) of the housing (s) facing the toothed wheels immobilized by pawls.

To do this, the speed of rotation of the first axis driven by the motor axis via the spring of the geared housing is regulated in a manner known per se.

In such an arrangement, the motor axis is actuated by an external force, for example a high power wind turbine which makes it possible to rotate the first axis at a constant speed, or in a constant ratio, corresponding to a determined energy, and use the point energy surplus to recharge the accumulator device. The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to “smooth” the energy supply which can be random, very strong at certain times (strong wind in the example of the wind turbine) and very weak, or even zero at other times (dead calm); - The first axis is mobile and arranged to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor axis with a speed equal to the speed of the motor axis divided by the number of housings.

Thus, while the spring of the geared case unwinds to rotate the first axis at a lower speed, the other springs located in the other immobilized cases stretch out by one fifth or substantially one fifth of the power delivered by the axis motor, which tends to replenish the mechanical energy of these springs substantially permanently and continuously, thus always giving an energy available at the output of the first axis, without it being possible to observe the exhaustion of the force accumulated in the springs;

the clutch means for each toothed wheel comprise a pin integral in rotation with the motor axis and capable of moving between a first position for disengaging the free wheel in rotation relative to the motor axis and a second position engagement of the toothed wheel to make it integral in rotation with the motor axis;

- The clutch means comprise a plate comprising a recessed portion extending over a sector of arc of a circle of determined length, said plate being arranged to cooperate with friction with the end of the pin;

- the motor axis is connected to an electric motor; - The device comprises spring means for actuating the pin in the engagement position of the toothed wheel, and means for raising the pin in the release position above and resting on the surface of the plate; - The ascent means comprise a rod comprising inclined plates respectively serving as a raceway for a roller vertically integral with a member capable of raising the pin corresponding to each of the toothed wheels; - The accumulator device further comprises means for recharging the potential energy of the spring or springs;

- the recharging means include a wind turbine; - The recharging means include a gravity ball energy accumulation system;

- the recharging means use tidal energy.

The invention also relates to a method implementing the device as described above.

It relates in particular to a process for partially recharging the mechanical energy of springs during the accelerated unloading of mechanical energy from another spring, and this successively over time. The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example.

The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a side sectional view along II -II of Figure 3, of a housing belonging to the device of Figure 1. - Figure 3 is a top sectional view along III-III of Figure 2 , of the box of figure 2.

- Figure 4 is an exploded view, in parts, partially in section, of a housing and of the toothed wheel opposite, belonging to the device of Figure 1. - Figure 5 is a top view of the toothed wheel showing the upper sector area of the plate.

- Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the spring means for actuating the pin in the engagement position of the toothed wheel.

- Figure 7 is a side view of the rod with successive lifting plates of the pins, for engagement of the toothed wheels. - Figures 8 and 9 are schematic side views of embodiments of ball charging means according to the invention.

- Figures 10 and 11 are views, respectively from the side and from above, of an embodiment of recharging means using the tidal force.

- Figure 12 is a schematic view of the spring box with ratchet used for example with the charging means of Figures 10 and 11. Figure 1 shows a device 1 comprising five identical housings 2, cylindrical, for example metallic of equal height at a third of their diameter, movable in rotation about a first axis 3. Each housing includes an internal spiral spring which will be described more fully below and is provided on its cylindrical external face with a toothed crown 4, integral with the corresponding housing and comprising for example 64 teeth. The device 1 also comprises five toothed wheels 5 of the same diameter and meshing with the toothed crowns 4 facing each other, said wheels being successively mobile then integral in rotation with a motor axis 6.

Clutch means 7 are provided for successively placing the toothed wheels in a first position, in free rotation relative to the motor axis 6, and in a second position, engaged, integral in rotation with the motor axis, as is will see it below.

The clutch means 7 comprise an intermediate plate 8 comprising a recessed part arranged to cooperate with a pin 9 with spring, integral with an upper face 10, itself rigidly fixed to the motor axis 6.

The device according to the embodiment of the invention more particularly described here also includes means 11 for raising the pin 9 to bring the latter into the disengaging and uncoupling position of the toothed wheel from the motor axis 6.

The means 11 comprise a fixed rod 12, disposed at some distance from the teeth of the toothed wheels, and provided with non-return pawls of the toothed wheels which will be used below.

The means 11 comprise five inclined planes 13 respectively serving as a raceway for rollers 14 respectively vertically integral with members 15 suitable for raising the pins 9 when these the latter are facing each other to allow clearance.

The device 1 further comprises means 16 making it possible to actuate the axis 3 in rotation, or to be actuated in rotation by the axis 3, which rotates freely on one side in a bearing 17 and which is integral with the on the other side of a wheel 18 which can be connected to an external power supply or release wheel (not shown). The means 16 make it possible in particular to initially reassemble all of the springs whose housings are then locked in rotation, but these can also be reassembled via the motor axis 6. The motor axis 6 is for its part fixed with a side to a rolling bearing 19 and connected on the other side, for example via a geared motor system 20, known in itself, to an electric motor 21 arranged, for example via a gearbox 22, to supply a alternator 23 to generate electricity, or on the contrary to be supplied by said alternator, for example connected to a wind turbine, to rotate the engine 21 then the engine axis 6.

We will now detail in more detail the elements of the device which has just been described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

The same reference numbers are used to designate the same items.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view along III-III of the housing 2. The housing 2 comprises a cylindrical body 24, integral with two circular end walls 25, fixed to the body for example by screws 26. The circular walls 25 are pierced axially right through a circular orifice 27 for passage of the 'axis 3 and each comprise a rolling bearing 28, located outside ensuring free rotation of the housing around the axis 3 virtually without any friction. As we have seen, a ring gear 4 is also fixed, for example by welding on the external face of the body 24.

Referring to Figure 3, the body 4 of the housing 2 comprises a spiral spring 29 fixed at its central end 30 on a ring 31 integral in rotation with the axis 3 for example by means of a lug 32. The spring has been shown in the figure with three turns for ease of use, but it goes without saying that it has many more, so as to allow longer reeling.

The other end 33 of the spring is secured to the housing by means of a rod 35 fixed to the walls 25.

FIG. 4 shows the two main elements of the device 1 according to the invention, in separate parts, namely the housing 2, and the toothed wheel 5.

The latter will therefore now be detailed, also with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The wheel 5 comprises a cylindrical flat block 36 provided with teeth 37 at its periphery, meshing with the teeth of the crown of the housing 2.

The block 36 is mounted movable around the motor axis 6 via a ball winding bearing 38 known in itself. It has five holes 39 (see FIG. 5) regularly distributed angularly over a circle in the zone situated at its periphery. The number of holes here is five because the embodiment more particularly described here comprises five boxes. In fact, if there were n boxes, the number would be n.

The axis 6 being vertical, a lower stop 40 is fixed to the axis 6 and allows the paver not to descend along the axis. The block comprises in the lower part means 15 which will be detailed with reference to FIG. 6, and in the upper part the intermediate plate 8, with sector, integral with the block.

The plate 8 is located between the block and an upper plate 10 fixed and integral in rotation with the axis 6, said plate 10 being provided with the pin 9 which will also be detailed with reference to FIG. 6.

In Figure 5 has been shown a top view of the intermediate plate 8. The plate consists of a flat disc centered around the axis 6, including an end sector 41, for example over a portion of 100 ° , has been hollowed out, so as to discover an orifice 39.

The clutch means 7 for each toothed wheel provided in the embodiment of the invention more particularly described here will now be described.

They comprise a pin 9 fixed on the external face of a cup 42 on which a coil spring 43 bears on the other side on a cap 44 screwed onto a cylindrical receptacle 45 secured to the upper plate 10, for example by welding.

When the spring 43 is fully relaxed, the cup is in abutment on the upper face of the plate 10, the pin being pressed entirely through the plate 10, the intermediate plate 8 and into a hole 39 in the block 36.

The means 7 further comprise means 11 for raising the pin through the block, to allow the end 47 thereof to disengage from the hole 39, above the block, then resting on the surface 48 of the intermediate plate 8.

The means 11 comprise five abutment members 49 aligned and coaxial with each hole 39, suitable for sliding movement in a tube 50 secured to the block 36 between a high position for erasing the counter vis-à-vis above the plate 8 and a low position of penetration of the pin in the block, and therefore of engagement of the toothed wheel with the axis 6. To do this, the means 11 comprise a lug

51 in contact with the end 47 of the pin 9 and an end with a vertical stop 52 between the two positions.

The member 49 is provided with a roller 14 for rolling on a circle concentric with the axis 6, which is brought to cooperate with the plates or inclined planes which will now be detailed with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows part of the lifting means which comprise a rod 53 comprising inclined plates 13 on which the rollers 14 rise and allow the pin to disappear on the surface of the plate 8, before the latter fall back into a hole 39, once the perforated plate 8 leaves said hole uncovered.

More specifically, the plates are in the shape of an arc of a circle with an angle arranged as a function of their width to raise the pin 9 of the difference in height necessary to allow the erasure of the pin. The rod 53, located a little distance from the toothed wheels, also includes the non-return pawls 54 of the toothed wheels, preventing the backward movement of said wheels when the latter are detached from the axis 6, under the unwinding force of the springs of the housings. opposite.

We will now describe the operation of the device according to the invention with more particular reference to Figures 1, 5 and 6, in the two possible embodiments of the method.

In the first case, the springs 29 of the five boxes 2 are bandaged by rotating the axis 3 by means 16, supplied with directly available energy, the boxes being locked in rotation. Then axis 3 is locked in turn in rotation. To start the device, a brake (not shown) then releases the axis 6 (previously immobilized). The first housing, for example the upper housing being engaged on the toothed wheel 5, itself locked on the axis 6, the latter is rotated at the same speed (if the wheel diameters between housing and toothed wheel are identical), but in the opposite direction under the return force of the spring which begins to unwind.

The other housings are stationary, because locked in rotation by the toothed wheels opposite which are disengaged from the axis 6, the toothed wheels being stopped by non-return pawls 54.

When the roller 14 arrives after a rotation of a fifth of a turn, on the wafer 13, the pin 9, pushed back by the ascent means 11, passes over the top of the toothed wheel.

The toothed wheel is then detached from the axis and remains blocked by the non-return pawl 54, the pin 9 then passing over the surface of the plate 8 due to the rotation of the axis 6 which is indeed, this time , driven by the second gear, for example located just below the first.

This wheel in fact comprises a plate 8 offset by a fifth of a turn, from the plate 8 of the first wheel. The pin 9 of the corresponding upper plate 10, therefore snaps into the hole

39 opposite, a fifth of a turn later, and so on with the following wheels until returning to the first.

The axis 6 is therefore actuated permanently and continuously by the springs of the housings 2 which gradually relax one by one and successively.

The device thus rotates the motor 21, to create electrical energy.

In the other embodiment of the invention, the axis 6 is permanently actuated by a power source causing the electric motor 21 to rotate more or less quickly, and therefore the axis 6. This then causes symmetrically with what has just been described, the first toothed wheel which actuates the corresponding spring housing which, via its internal spring which comes into compression on the axis 3, rotates the axis 3 in the opposite direction, a regulated speed equal to one fifth of the speed of rotation of axis 6.

The other four boxes being immobilized as we have seen, their spring is partially stretched, which makes it possible to maintain an increased operating time of the whole system, by using permanently and if necessary the excess energy from source 23.

We will now describe means 60 for recharging the energy of the springs with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the following we will use the same numbers to designate the same or similar elements.

The first means 60 comprise an elevator 61 in noria, with buckets 62, for example actuated electrically or manually.

The buckets 62 are arranged to raise balls 63, for example of a few kilos, to a tank 64 (see figure 8) or a sloping belt 65 (see figure 9) which feeds via a locking latch 66 to the in the event that one does not wish to actuate, a cup 67 secured to a chain 68 for actuating the spring housing in rotation enabling the latter to be tightened. The cups, for example one or a few tens, for example between ten and twenty, descend loaded with balls, then return to the low point of the elevator 61.

More specifically, the tank 64 has a storage of balls / weight varying according to the number of days of operation. It releases via the locking latch 67 controlled remotely and / or automatically, one ball at a time. The ball drives down the belt or chain integral in rotation with the spring housing.

At least one ball is also reassembled when necessary, to be placed in the housing storing the balls (see figure 8).

The balls released from the housing generate downward the same force as the spring, which allows the tension or compression of the spring to be constant.

In the case where, in addition, the recharging means comprise a wind turbine, and the wind is not constant, an adequate number of balls is provided in the tank to allow operation even in

1 absence of wind.

The setting of the ascent speed of the balls depends on the region. Thus, in strong winds, the loading of balls into the tank will be faster, which makes it possible to reconstitute the storage more quickly.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, provision is also made, for example, for the use of tidal energy via an installation 70. This is equipped with a buoy 71 (float) placed inside a structure 72 metallic vertical guide in water, for example constituted by four guide rails. The buoy is connected by a chain or rope 73 to the periphery of the housing 74.

The energy of the waves is captured in the vertical direction at the descent of the buoy with the tide.

The descent of the buoy 71 in fact generates the re-tensioning of the spring 75, the crown of the spring-loaded housing 76 comprising a system of pawls 77 (see FIG. 6), which allows the chain to go up with the waves and to on the other hand, capture energy when the buoy descends with its weight.

As is obvious and as follows from the above, the present invention is not limited to embodiment more particularly described but on the contrary embraces all the variants and in particular those where the clutch system of the toothed wheels is different and / or the latter are in greater number with more or less large diameters.

Claims

1. Device (1) mechanical energy accumulator comprising at least two identical cylindrical housings (2) mobile in rotation about a first axis (3), each housing containing a spiral spring (29) whose center (30) is fixed to said first axis and the external end (33) is fixed to the corresponding housing, said housings being provided on their cylindrical external face with a toothed ring (4) cooperating with a toothed wheel

(5) located opposite successively mobile, then integral in rotation relative to a second axis

(6), said motor axis, each wheel comprising for this purpose clutch means (7) for putting said wheel in a first position disengaged from the motor axis (6), and a second position, engaged, secured in rotation with the motor axis.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises five boxes and corresponding toothed wheels, the springs of each box extending successively by a portion of a tower.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first axis is arranged to be kept fixed, the housings being arranged to rotate the motor axis, the toothed wheels (5) driving said motor axis (6 ) being themselves actuated by the toothed rings (4) opposite, rotated by the springs (29) which relax successively and gradually.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first axis is movable and arranged to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor axis, to partially tighten the spring of the housing or housings facing each other screws of the gear wheels immobilized by pawls

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first axis is movable and arranged to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor axis with a speed equal to the speed of the motor axis divided by the number of housings.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clutch means (7) for each toothed wheel comprise a pin (9) integral in rotation with the motor axis and suitable for moving between a first release position of the freewheel in rotation relative to the motor axis and a second engagement position of the toothed wheel to make it integral in rotation with the motor axis.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the clutch means (7) comprise an intermediate plate (8) comprising a recessed part (41) extending over a sector of a circular arc of determined length, said plate being arranged to cooperate with friction with the end (47) of said pin (9).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor axis (6) is connected to an electric motor

(21).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises spring means (43) for actuating the pin (9) in the engagement position of the toothed wheel (5), and means ( 11) raising the pin to the release position above the paver then pressing on the surface of the plate (8).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the means (11) for raising comprises a rod (53) comprising inclined plates (13) serving respectively as a raceway for a roller vertically integral with a member capable of being wound up the counter corresponding to each of the gear wheels.

11. Accumulator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (60, 70) for recharging the potential energy of the spring or springs.

12. Accumulator device according to claim 11, characterized in that the recharging means comprise a wind turbine.

13. Accumulator device according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the means (60) for recharging comprise a gravity energy accumulation system with balls.

14. Accumulator device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the recharging means comprise means (70) using tidal energy.

15. A method of operating a device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first axis is fixed and the motor axis is rotated by successively actuating the toothed wheels by the toothed crowns placed opposite. in rotation by the springs which successively and gradually relax.

16. A method of operating a device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first axis is allowed to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor axis, with a speed lower than that of the motor axis, to partially tighten the spring of the housing (s) opposite the toothed wheels immobilized by ratchet.