WO2005100787A1

WO2005100787A1 - Electric pulse pendulum power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2005100787A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/001440
Authority: WO
Inventors: James David Willis; Andrew T. Devereux
Original assignee: James David Willis; Devereux Andrew T
Priority date: 2004-04-16
Filing date: 2005-04-15
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Also published as: GB2413167A; GB0507570D0; GB0408496D0

Abstract

A method for producing usable energy characterised by utilising oscillatory movement of an oscillatory element/pendulum (1) in combination with at least one of a number of different means (7) for producing usable output energy at such a level that at least a portion of this output energy may be utilised to maintain oscillatory movement of the element pendulum in such manner that adequate output energy remains available as said usable energy. Said energy producing means (7) are selectable from a group thereof comprising, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, electromagnetic means, and/or mechanical means.

Description

ELECTRIC PULSE PENDULUM POWER GENERATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating usable energy such as electrical power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that usable energy such as electrical power can be, and is currently, generated in many ways using a wide and varied selection of methods and apparatus.

Such apparatus includes using chemical reactions such as those that occur in batteries and fuel cells, rotating devices such as alternators and direct current generators driven by various prime movers such as steam turbines, diesel, gasoline and gas fueled internal combustion engines, piezoelectric devices and solar devices that convert the energy in solar radiation to electrical energy, normally referred to as photocells. Also electrical power can be generated using vind and water powered devices.

Such known methods of generating usable energy are fundamentally based upon the precept that the energy required, in what ever form it may be, to produce the usable energy is overall less than the level of energy being produced by the method in question thereby leaving a positive balance of power that is usable.

It is well known that the generation of usable energy such as electrical power is a fundamental need of society in today's world where industry and commerce are almost totally dependent upon continuous supplies of electrical power in order to operate the many processes that control the 1 ives of people world wide.

As the demand for electrical power continually increases from which it follows that as the demand for electrical power in all countries throughout the world continues to grow, even greater demand is put on the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which are all burnt as fuel to power vast power generating stations that emit harmful gases and compounds to atmosphere causing wide scale pollution.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide methods of and apparatus for the generation of usable energy such as electricity without the need to burn fossil fuels.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide an economic i.e., low cost, method and apparatus to generate electrical power without the need to burn fuels, or employ chemical reactions, or use solar radiation, wind or water as the primary energy source and to provide a method to generate power without any form of atmospheric pollution.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for for producing usable energy characterised by utilising oscillatory movement of an oscillatory element/pendulum (1) in combination with at least one of a number of different means for producing usable output energy at such a level that at least a portion of this output energy may be utilised to maintain oscillatory movement of the element/pendulum in such manner that adequate output energy remains available as said usable energy.

Preferably the energy producing means, an energy producing means is selected from a group thereof comprising, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, electromagnetic means, and/or mechanical means.

Preferably usable energy is produced by utilising oscillatory movement of an oscillatable element/pendulum in combination with means for producing an energy output and using a portion of this output to maintain the oscillatory movement ofthe oscillatable element/pendulum..

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention tfie oscillatory movements of the element/pendulum are so arranged to interact witht a magnetic field formation to produce primary energy in consequence of the oscillatory movement sufficient to enable a portion of such energy to be used to maintain said oscillatory movement and additionally generates said primary electrical energy in consequence ofthe oscillatory movement.

In a preferred method o the invention the primary electrical energy is produced in the form of a succession of electrical pulses.

Conveniently, the magnetic field formation incorporates a first portion arranged so to cooperate with magnetic field response means oscillating with the element/pendulum, and a second portion so responsive to the oscillatory movement of the element/pendulum as establish/energise an electromagnetic field, and deriving from such field electrical pulses.

A further aspect of the invention provides apparatus including at least one oscillatable element/pendulum, a first arrangement of magnets including magnets oscillatable with the element/pendulum, and electromagnets stationary with respect to the element/pendulum, switching means for enabling energisation of the electromagnets in synchronisation with the oscillations of the element/pendulum, a second arrangement of permanent magnets including magnets physically displaceable along a predetermined path as a result of the movements of the pendulum, and means responsive to the displacements of the second arrangement of permanent magnets for producing electrical energy, for producing electrical current for use as output from the apparatus and for energising said electromagnets

In accordance with a still further aspect of. the invention, there is provided a method for producing usable energy by utilising oscillatory movement of an element/pendulum in combination with hydraulic, pneumatic or combined hydraulic and pneumatic means for producing primary energy at such a level that a portion of this primary energy may be utilised to maintain the oscillatory movement o the element/pendulum in such manner that adequate primary energy remains available as usable energy.

Conveniently, means are provided for producing from the primary energy an electrical input to electromagnetic means for means for maintaining the oscillations of the pendulum

Conveniently the electrical energy is initially in the form of pulses and is converted into an electrical current.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the invention and to show how^ to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic theoretical diagram highlighting the principles of operation of a method incorporating the concepts ofthe invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of apparatus for producing electrical power from the oscillations of an element/pendulum;

Figure 3, schematically illustrates a modified form of the embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 2;

Figure 4, illustrates a detail part of a further embodiment of apparatus for producing electrical power from the oscillations of an element/pendulum ;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates to an enlarged scale a detail of the ein odiment of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a schematic part sectional view of a further embodiment of .apparatus for producing electrical power from the oscillations of an element/pendulum;

Figure 7 is a part sectional end view of the apparatus of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a block diagram of electrical circuitry associated with the arrangements shown in previous Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1 an oscillatable element (hereinafter termed pendulum) is illustrated as being in the form of in the form of a bar like pendulum 1 (i.e., a solid bar pendulum) mounted for oscillatory movement a upon a shaft 2 that is rotatably mounted in appropriate journals not shown in Figure 1. A load 3 serving as a weight is provided at the lower free end 4 of the pendul urn The pendulum free end 4 has an arc of swing whose limits are indicated in the Figure 1 by the arrowed line 5. in practice the pendulum free end will swing though a part circular arc.

At each end of the required swing distance of the pendulum there is provided means 6 conveniently regarded as a pendulum return for exerting a return force on the pendulum 1 at a predetermined point of time after the pendxilum has reached the end of its swing distance i.e., natural swing and has stopped and at which the action of gravity upon the pendulum is such as to start to swing the pendulum in the reverse direction, the return force serving to assist thte reverse direction of swing of the pendulum, i.e., a drive force, is applied to the pendulum as it effectively commences a the reverse movement thereby maintaining the extent of pendulum swing. The angular settings of the pendulum at each end of its swing is represented by the lines 5 A

In addition, it is to be noted that since the pendulum 1 is fixedly mounded upon the shaft 2 the swinging of the pendulum 1 will induce an oscillatory turning torque into the shaft. 2 that is related to the overall energy induced at the lower end 4 of the pendulum as a result of the oscillations. This aspect will be considered herein after. This oscillatory displacement is readily cotrverted in accordance with the concepts of the invention into to a usable motion and thus usable energy and is represented by the arrows 7 as a linear moti on. For convenience the linear motion represented by the arrows 7 will be conveniently regarded as the means for producing usable output from the oscillations and in particular the primary output of the apparatus involved whatever its particular structural form i. e, hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic, mechanical when used either separately or in selected combinations thereof.

The radius o the shaft can be conveniently regarded as the shorter lever arm of a a first order whose longer lever arm is formed by the effective lengrth of the pendulum 1 (i.e., the length between the centre of mass ofthe pendulum 1 and its pivot axis.. In practice, a short stub arm 8 can be provided on the shaft 2 whereby the shorter lever arm is effectively formed by the combination of the shaft radius plus stub arm length. From which situation it follows that the applied force to the main lever (the overall weight of the pendulum) is amplified by the ratio of main and shorter lever arm lengths. In other words, the free end of the stub arm becomes the location where the applied force arising from the pendulum oscillations is amplified by the ratio of lever arm lengths. It will be noted that the stub arm will swing through an arc whose limits are represented by the lines 5B

From theoretical arrangement of Figure 1 arrangement as so far discussed the level of force that could be made available as a linear motion 7 may be readily determined as follows:-.

On moving the pendulum weight 3 to the right to raise the pendulum to a required angle to the vertical it will follow an arc of swing whose effective radius R is determined by the distance between axis 8 of the shaft 2 and the centre point (centre of gravity) of the weight 3. Assuming, for example, that the radius R is 1000 millimetres and that the arc of swing is such that the weight 3, when the pendulum is at said required angle as represented by the appropriate line 5,5A is raised 60 millimetres above bottom dead centre (BDC) of the pendulum to a so-called release level 9. Thus positioning the pendulum 1 at a so-called release level 9, i.e., moves the pendulum weight 600 millimetres upwards from (BDC), the pendulum whereby the pendulum becomes 'loaded' with potential energy, which when the pendulum weight swings downwards will be converted to kinetic energy as the weight returns towards (BDC).

The magnitude of this kinetic energy in terms of such force being applied and expressed in Newton metres is given by multiplying the mass 'm' ofthe weight by the gravitational force acting on the mass of the weight times the height between the release point 9 and (BDC) namely E = m x 9.82 x 9.82 x 0.60 = 57.624 Nm. Therefore, if the mass 'm' of the weight 4 is set at 10 kg then E=10 x 9.82 x 9,82 x 0.60 =576.24 Nm.

Given that such a first order lever arrangement as the above mentioned lever is an already proven method of increasing an applied force, it follows that the shaft mounted solid bar pendulum 1 serves as a viable means of producing a usable linear motion capable of delivering force. For example, as has been mentioned, by providing the stub arm 8 a source of linear motion becomes available at the end of that stub axis.

However it is important to bear in mind that any force gains made in one area will result in losses elsewhere in the system involved because the system must ultimately balance out

Taking this factor into account if the 576.24 Nm force is applied to the free end 4 ofthe pendulum when the free end 4 is positioned at right hand side (as seen in Figure 1) release level 9 in the arc of swing and allowed to fall from this release level 9 to (BDC) and if it is presumed that the combined length of the stub arm 8 and shaft radius length is 50 millimetres the ratio between the combined length and pendulum lengths is 20-1 between the stub arm and the pendulum using the shaft axis as the pendulum axis, the resultant force developed to the left of the stub arm 8 is 1 1524.8 Nm.

Therefore, if the pendulum were to oscillate between the release level limits 9 to either side of (BDC) continuous linear motion will be developed at the top (free end) o the stub arm 8 with an effective operating force of 1 1524.8 Nm. However, since a pendulum does not oscillate continuously without being driven by some external mechanism/arrangement; it is necessary to provide a pendulum drive system that will enable use of the above mentioned linear motion and the force of

1 1524.8 Nm to do external work, without compromising the usable force that is being generated. This drive system will as discussed hereinafter involve the production of applying a force to the pendulum by the schematically indicated actuators 6 as it commences a return swing sufficient to restore any momentum that may, for what ever reason, have been lost during the preceding swing thereby ensuring that the pendulum always fully to returns to the so-called release levels 9.

The attractive force of gravity, which is the force acting on the overall mass of the pendulum plus the added weight 3, can conveniently be regarded as a source of free and abundant energy of such magnitude that it can be used to do work, providing that appropriate mechanisms are used. As proposed by the present invention an oscillatable element/pendulum is one such mechanism because of such proposals it can be used as a method of converting the attractive force of gravity into a usable energy source..

As a result of this applied force i.e., 'kick' the pendulum is forced to accelerate for each swing thereof through the full predicted arc 5 and always back to its original start point at a release level 9 because any momentum that was lost to the first oscillation is restored by the 'kick', ft therefore follows that the production of these force 'kicks' effectively provide a drive mechanism for the pendulum. In other words a powered pendulum 'system' is established.

The various forces that are present in, and being used by the 'system' to determine the associated energy conditions to enable production of energy sufficient to achieve external work, such as turning an electrical alternator will now be very briefly considered.

With the system as so far discussed the main forces involved in the powered pendulum system include gravitational force and inertia forces In addition, there is a stored energy force which is being continually used and restored with each oscillation of the pendulum due so the actuator force 'kick' applied at the start of each oscillation.

As the force of gravity is the primary source of energy involved in the system on moving the pendulum from a rest position at the lowest point in the predicted arc (BDC) to the selected release level 9 to one side of (BDC) the system attains a store of potential energy.

Releasing the pendulum converts that potential energy to kinetic energy as gravity acts on the mass of the weight 3 to bring the weight back to the rest position at (BDC). However, due to the inertia created by the moving mass ofthe weight as it falls, the pendulum swings through (BDC) and back up the arc 5 towards the other level 9 and thereby, restores a significant part of the original stored potential energy.

For the sake of simplicity let us say that the stored potential energy has a value of +10 units and that with the first oscillation 1 unit is lost. This means that on the first oscillation 10% o the original applied force is lost , i.e. 576.24 Nm divided by 10 giving 57.62 Nm. Therefore, this is the extent of loss to be restored by way of force 'kick' that will need to be applied as the pendulum begins the second oscillation. For the purpose of calculating the energy required to generate a force 'kick' sufficient to restore this loss it is convenient to use a slightly different set of parameters.

Suppose the weight has mass 10 kg and that (BDC) is 0.2 metres above ground level (for example to provide a swinging clearance) the highest point in the predicted arc is now 1.2 metres above ground level. This gives a distance of 1 metre either side of (BDC) through which the pendulum weight 3 can fall even though the actual start height above ground level is 1.2 metres. Therefore the applied gravitational force needs to be calculated the at 1.2 metres. The stored energy value in this situation is:- 10 x 9.8x 9.8 x 1.2 = 1.152.48 Nm therefore, with a pendulum length of 1000 mm and a shaft plus stub total length of 50 mm there is a working ratio of 1000 divided by 50 = 20. Thus; if the ratio is 20-1 when the weight falls from the high point i.e., a level 9 and moves through (BDC) to the opposite side of the arc to the other level 9 the resultant turning torque at the shaft is correspondingly equivalent

Since the 'kick' force has been introduced into the system it is necessary to know how much energy will be required by the 'kick' force in order to 'kick' the pendulum weight sufficiently hard enough so ensure that the original stored energy of 1152.48 Nm is fully restored that is by restoring the momentum that would lost as a result of the pendulum not traveling the full length of the predicted arc 5. As indicated above, if one starts with 10 units and lose, for example, 2 units ( 1 152.48 divided by 10 = 1 15.248 Nm. Since a loss of 2 units has been assumed the total loss becomes 2 x 115.248 Nm = 230.5 Nm this being the loss on the first oscillation (an succeeding oscillations) whereby it is necessary to apply for each oscillation 'kick' force that is equal to 230.5 Nm.

Referring now to Figure 2 this schematically illustrates a practical embodiment of apparatus for deriving usable energy from the oscillations of an oscillatory element/pendulum. This particular embodiment makes use of a' hydraulic system to convert the motion of the free end of the stub shaft 8 and thus the pendulum into usable energy source.

In the arrangement of Figure 2 those components that have been numerically identified in Figure 1 will be identiFied in Figure 2 with the same reference numerals. As may be seen from the Figure 2 the ram 10 of a hydraulic ram pump assembly 1 1 is coupled to one side of the stub shaft 8 and the ram 12 of a second ram pump assembly 13 is connected to the stub shaft 8 operationally in opposition to the action ofthe first pump assembly 1 1.

The fluid outlet side of a fluid reservoir 14 is coupled by an appropriate fluid duct 15 to the fluid inlet sides 16 and 17 of the ram pumps 1 1 and 13 by way of one way valves 18

The fluid out put sides 19 of the ram pumps 1 1 and 13 are coupled by way of fluid ducts 20 and 21 to the inlet sides of accumulators 22 and 23 whose outputs are connected in parallel by way of control valves 24 and 25 to a pressure boost unit 26 and further control valve 27 to a hydromotor 28 whose fluid output 29 feeds to the inlet side of the fluid reservoir 14 thereby to form a closed system.

The hydromotor 28 drives an electrical alternator unit 30 whose electrical output is produced/available at electrical outputs 32 this output being related to the magnitude ofthe hydraulic drive ofthe hydromotor 30.

Referring now to Figure 3, this Figure illustrates the one mode of the use of part of the output 32 for the purposes of operating the actuators 6 that serve to provide the 'kick' force by producing as a portion of the power generated by the hydromotor alternator combination a low voltage drive current on low voltage conductors 33 for the two actuators 6 at the requisite time intervals to provide the aforesaid driving 'kick' force to the pendulum 1, In the embodiment of Figure 2 the actuators 6 at the swing end levels 9 of pendulum movement are push loaded electromagnets that apply the 'kick' force to the pendulum.

It will be understood that on setting the pendulum 1 into a swinging action the ram pump assembles I and 13 are alternately operated to pump pressurised fluid to the accumulators 23 and 24 and thence to drive the hydromotor and alternator combination 38/30 and in so doing produces the requisite voltage necessary to actuate the actuators 6 to maintain pendulum swing.

Whilst the arrangements of Figure of Figures 2 and 3 have been concerned with a hydraulic system it is to be understood that a pneumatic system utilising pneumatic rams in place of the hydraulic rams, and an appropriate components associated with pneumatic circuits would be used in connection with the drive of the associated air motor provided in such pneumatic system to drive, the alternator may be used.

In such a pneumatic system air would be pressurised by the swinging action ofthe pendulum operating the pneumatic rams operationally connected with the stub shaft in a manner similar to the previously discussed hydraulic system This pressurised air would be used to drive an air motor and associated alternator combination whose output is applied, for example, to a battery charging unit and a power and control panel. As in the case of the hydraulic arrangements part of the output from the alternator can be used to maintain pendulum oscillation in a manner similar to that discussed in relation to the hydraulic arrangements.

It will be noted that as so far discussed production of the 'kick' force for the maintaining of the oscillations of the element/pendulum has been derived totally from the power derived from the motion ofthe stub shaft 8. In a further embodiment of apparatus of the invention a secondary source of power is introduced by providing the element/pendulum with an arrangement of magnets that are able magnetically to interact with a series of coils arranged along the path ofthe element/pendulum displacements.

Thus referring now to Figures 4 and 5 this schematically illustrates an embodiment of a further means for extracting usable energy from the oscillations of an element/pendulum. This further means includes an array of magnets 34 which are arranged during the oscillation of the pendulum to travel past a linear series of electrically conductive coils 35 that are aligned with the pendulum swing line 5 of the pendulum. The coils can be serially connected by way of a rectifier to the positive side of a storage battery and by way of a second rectifier to the negative pole of the battery output from the battery being applied by way of a timing cuicuit whose output is convnnienly pulse ways applied to the actuators to operate them in step with the swing ofthe pendulum.

The magnets 34 (which can be permanent magnets or electromagnets) are mounted to the pendulum each with their pole faces serving as North poles are aligned with the pole faces 36 of electromagnets serving as the actuators 6 (of a kind known as spring loaded push solenoids) forming the actuators 6. These pole faces 36 when the actuators 6 are unenergised are effectively magnetically South poles are resiliently loaded by springs 37 to rest positions as shown in the Figure 4 The actuators are located at the ends of a predicted 120 degree arc through which the oscillating pendulum 1 will travel. In the case of these magnets of the actuators 6 the open face 36 of each such electromagnet will be energised so that each face 36, also becomes a North Pole.

Now if one considers the situation where the pendulum is set to oscillate without power being applied to either actuator As the face of the magnet array permanent magnet 35 moves closer to the iron core of the unenergised actuator electromagnet pole face 36 a magnetic link is established and the force of attraction increases and thereby assists the travel ofthe pendulum, but only until it reaches the natural return level 9 and then begins the return journey back along the predicted arc 5. If the magnetisation of the actuator electromagnet is set by the above mentioned timing circuiit so that the mass of the weight is just sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction the pendulum 1 will begin the return oscillation. If the actuator 6 is now energised with a strong current pulse, at a point just after the return oscillation starts, a strong repulsive magnetic force will be set up between the two pole faces ofthe magnet array 35 and the pole face 37A that is now a North Pole face that are still in close proximity and the pendulum will be given a powerful magnetic force 'kick'.

As a result of this force 'kick' the pendulum is forced to accelerate through the predicted arc 5 and back to its original start point at level 9 because any momentum that was lost to the first oscillation is restored by the magnetic force 'kick'. Hence, when the weight 3 moves through (BDC) to the second natural return point i.e., the other level 9, the second unenergised actuator 6 is energised and the action repeats. It can be seen that so long as the actuators 6 receive current pulses at the correct points in the pendulum swing arc 5 the pendulum will continue to oscillate indefinitely. From which it follows that having provided a drive mechanism for the pendulum a powered pendulum 'system' is established.

Figure 5 very schematically illustrates a simple embodiment of the magnet array 35 and its mode of connection to the pendulum free end 4. As indicated the magnet array 35 includes a magnet 35A, located to each side of the element 36A provided with the coils 36, carried by a frame member 39 connected to the free end 4 ofthe pendulum 1. The coils are carried by an arcuate bar member 36A . It will be understod that the member 36A the pendulum and actuators 6 would be mounted to an appropriate support faming or the like (not shown) The practical arrangement of Figure 5 may be modified by providing two or more separate rows of coils along the length thereof such that the coils of the rows are effectively radially arranged.

As so far discussed the embodiments illustrated have involved a bar like pendulum. However, the proposals of the invention are not restricted to a bar like pendulum and can involve the oscillation of pivotally mounted elements that are weight ways eccentric.

Thus Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment in which an electric power generation means shown therein includes a support frame 40 which carries an oscillatable element in the form of a non-ferris metallic or compound material disc 41 located on a central shaft 42 mounted between two bearings 43 located on a front and rear cross-members 44 This shaft provides a power ouput shaft 42A

At the top arc of the back and front of the disc 41 there is provided an arc of coils 36 Two heavy brass arms 45 are connected at the base ofthe disc by a solid brass block 46 to form a pendulum like extension to the disc 41. Permanent disc magnets 46A , are on either side of the block 46 as shown in the Figure 7. Also mounted to the lower section of the disc are two plates 47, so located as to present a moving flat surface in either direction of swing ofthe disc. These plates 47 will hereinafter be referred to as the proximity plates.

The assembly of the disc 41, the arms 45, the magnets 46A and the proximity plates 47 will be referred to hereinafter as the pendulum assembly.

Located on either side of the support frame 40 approximately central to the perpendicular plane ofthe frame are two proximity switches 49 so located as to present the active proximity element to the face of the said proximity plates 47 when the disc 41 swings in either direction.

Also located on the support frame 40 and serving as the aforementioned actuators are two electromagnets 51, each so located as to present the face of the magnetic core thereof to the face of each of the permanent magnets 46A located on the brass block 46.

A current pulse generator 52 including an iron laminated yoke 53 which bridges the disc 41 and locates to either side ofthe disc 41. The magnets 35 magnetically interacts with the line of coils 36 provided on the disc 41. The yoke structure is such that the disc is able to oscillate between the faces ofthe yoke legs.

The arrangement of Figures 6 and 7 operates in the following manner;- when the disc 41 is set to oscillate thereby causing the assembly to swing from side to side between the two limits set by the positioning of the pole faces of the electromagnets 51 the pole face of the electromagnet that is closest to the face of one of the permanent magnets 35 on the block 46 is caused to be fed with a pulse of electrical energy, switched into the circuit by the appropriate proximity switch 49 such that the magnetic sense, i.e., polarity of the pole face of the

' electromagnet is the same as that of the adjacent permanent magnet whereby the appropriate adjacent permanent magnet is repelled thereby causing the pendulum assembly to swing sharply in the opposite direction.

As the pendulum assembly swings over to the face of the second electromagnet 51 , it too receives a pulse of electrical energy, on being switched into circuit by the corresponding proximity switch whereby the cycle is repeated forcing the pendulum assembly to swing back to its original location. So long as the electromagnets receive pulses of electrical energy at the correct intervals the disc the assembly will continue to oscillate between the two limits of the natural pendulum motion defined between the two electromagnets. As the disc 41 oscillates between the limits of the pendulum assembly displacements of the coils 13 at the top of the disc 41 are forced to pass between the faces of the yoke legs of the generator 52 and thereby induce a pulsating magnetic field in the generator and thus causing a current pulse to flow through the coil.

As is very schematically shown by the circuit of Figure 8 these current pulses are applied by way of a full wave rectifier 53 to a control circuit 54 whose output is fed to a storage battery 55 that is in turn coupled to a DC to AC inverter 56 to produce a 50 or 60 Hertz alternating current and voltage output.

Additional outputs 57 are derived from the control circuit 54 which can be garded as including a pulse producing and timing circuit controlling the application ofthe pulses to the actuators 6 and are fed to the the electromagnets ofthe actuators 6 of the embodiment of Figures 6 an 7 by way of the proximity switches 29. In the Figure 8 the pendulum system of Figures 5 and 6 is indicated by the rectangle 38

It will be understood that the above mentioned hydraulic and pneumatic embodiments could be replaced by a hybrid system that involved a rocking member mounted to the shaft 2 arranged such that the appositely directed arms of the rockable member are associated with a hydraulic system and a pneumatic system.

For example, hydraulic rams could pump assemblies could be associated with the ends of the rocking member and connected into a hydraulic circuit such as described in relation to Figures 2 and 3 by means of which the oscillations of the element/pendulum rocks the rockable member and in so doing causes the two ram pump assemblies to drive a hydraulic motor as in the case of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. In addition, two pneumatic pump assemblies can also be connected to the rockable member intermediate of the pivot axis of the member and the ends thereof, the pneumatic pump assemblies being arranged to drive an air motor that is used to drive an appropriate generator to produce an electrical output.

As further possible embodiments the oscillations of the element/pendulum can be arranged to drive through appropriate gearing trains an alternator. Practical testing of an unit involving as osillatable element/pendulum can be brierfly set out as follows.

The apparatus and method of the invention were practically tested were actuallygenerating power on a bench scale unit, it was therefore decided to design and build a purpose built low revolutions per minute generator that did not introduce heavy damping of the pendulum oscillations through the complicated gear trains that would be required to drive a standard alternator at much higher revolutions.

To this end a simple unidirectional permanent magnet current pulse generator was built, which was designed to provide the charging current for a 12 volt battery to power a DC to AC inverter giving an output of 230 AC at 50 hertz.

A thus small scaletest unit was built and comprised a shaft mounted 1000 mm long pendulum fitted with a 10 Kg weight, which was set to oscillate over a 37 degree arc. The shaft was coupled, via a 1-2 ratio pulley and belt drive, to give a 74 degree unidirectional motion at the output shaft. Coupled to the final drive output shaft was the purpose built unidirectional permanent magnet current pulse generator delivering 14 Volt amplitude short duration current pulses, which were rectified and fed to a 12 volt storage battery, A 150 watt 12 volt DC to AC inverter delivering 230 volts AC @ 50 hertz was coupled to the battery and a standard 230 volt 60 watt filament bulb was connected to the inverter output; the system was started and left to run.

The trial unit was run for 500 hours non stop under strictly monitored test conditions, continuously supplying 230 volts AC at 60 watts using a standard 60 watt filament light bulb (0.26 amps approximately) (59.87 measured watts to be precise, dropping to 59.05 watts over the test period) A two second 12 volts 1.4 amp pulse was also provided to each of the electro-magnets at intervals of 4 seconds to drive the pendulum.

The inverter itself draws a no-load current of 0.25 amps (255 mA) therefore, including the current pulses of 1.4 amps for the electro-magnets the minimum total continuous current drain on the battery will be in the region of 1.65 amps rising to 2.25 amps with the inverter operating. As such, the accumulative current drain on the battery over the test period would be in the region of 2.25x 500 = 1.125 amps or 2.25 amps per hour continuous current drain.

The battery used for the test was a stack of 24. x 2000 milliamp-hour rechargeable cells operating in series/parallel, delivering an open circuit output of 14.3 volts giving a 4.0 amp-hour rating (12.2 volts average on load).

A 4 amp-hour capacity battery will only supply 4 amps at 12 volts for one hour before rapid cell voltage deterioration begins. Thus; had there not been sufficient energy being generated within the system to overcome the 2.25amps being drawn from the cell stack, the terminal voltage would have fallen well below the measured 12.2 volts going into the inverter. (The 12.2 volts measured is an average reading taking 12.0 volts low to 12.4 volts high as the two extremes recorded over the test period) The DC voltages were measured continuously over the entire test period using a very high impedance digital voltmeter (typically 50 Megohm) and an oscilloscope with a graph recorder sampling at 3 second intervals. The inverter output voltage was measured using a standard digital voltmeter set on the 300 volt range. Frequency was not measured but assumed to be within the inverter manufacturer's specification.

There was no detectable deterioration in battery voltage over the whole operating period, which means that the system was in full balance and self maintaining.

These results clearly show that the energy, which was stored in the system by initially pulling the pendulum to one side and thereby raising the weight to a given height above the low point of the predicted arc, was electrically restored by way of the magnetic 'kick' each time the pendulum oscillated through a full cycle. Therefore the electrical energy being generated by the apparatus was to replace the lost kinetic energy suffered as a result of gravitational attraction on the weight, but also sufficient to allow an independent electrical output to be maintained.

Claims

1. A method for producing usable energy characterised by utilising oscillatory movement of an oscillatory element/pendulum (1) in combination with at least one of a number of different means for producing usable output energy at such a level that at least a portion of this output energy may be utilised to maintain oscillatory movement of the element/pendulum in such manner that adequate output energy remains available as said usable energy.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, and characterised by using as the energy producing means, an energy producing means selected from a group thereof° comprising, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, electromagnetic means, and/or mechanical means.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and characterised by said energy producing means producing an output is sufficient to provide the energy required to both maintain oscillations and provide usable output energy. 5 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and characterised by the use of electromagnetic means to produce an output that is used for maintaining oscillations of the element/pendulum and a further output producing meanss elected from a group thereof comprising hydraulic means,, pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. 0 5. A method as claimed in claim 1,2 3, or 4, and characterised in that the output used to maintain oscillations is a secondary output produced independently of a primary output derived from the oscillations.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1,2 ,3,4 or 5„ and characterised by producing from the oscillations of the element/pendulum, electrical pulses that are used to actuate means (6) for imparting a force 'kick' to the element/pendulum at the commencement of a return swing/rotation of the pendulum (1) following completion of a first swing/rotation of such strength and timing as to maintain the oscillations..

7.. A method as claimed in claim 5, and characterised by using two of said energy producing means (7) to produce usable output of which one serves for producing primary usable output, and the other output for maintaining oscillations.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, and characterised in that the electromagnetic means includes magnetic means carried by an element/pendulum in such location that interact with a magnetic field formation to produce primary usable output in consequence of the oscillatory movements that is sufficient to enable a portion of such energy to be used to maintain said oscillatory movement

9 A method of producing usable electrical energy by arranging for the oscillatory movement of a pendulum (1 ) to be maintained (controlled) magnetically by utilising electrical energy produced in consequence of the movement of the pendulum relative to a magnetic field formation in such manner that sufficient electrical energy output is produced as to enable a first portion thereof to be utilised to apply a driving/'kick' force to the element/pendulum (1) to maintain said oscillatory movement and a further portion thereof to be available for other purposes.

10 Apparatus for producing usable energy charactrised by utilising oscillatory movement of an oscillatory element/pendulum (1,41)) in combination with at least one of a number of different means for producing usable output energy at such a level that at least a portion of this output energy energy may be utilised to maintain oscillatory movement of the element/pendulum in such manner that adequate output energy remains available as said usable energy.

1 1. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, and characterised by using as the energy producing means, an energy producing means (7) selected from a group thereof comprising, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, electromagnetic means, and/or mechanical means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1, and characterised by said energy producing mean (7) for producing an output is sufficient to provides the energy required to both maintain oscillations and provide usable output energy.

13.. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, and characterised by the use of electromagnetic (35,36) for producing an output that is used for maintaining oscillations ofthe element/pendulum (1,41) and a further output producing means (7) selected from a group thereof comprising hydraulic means,, pneumatic means and or mechanical means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10,1 1 , 12 or 13, and characterised in that the i output used to maintain oscillation is a secondary output produced independently of a primary output derived from the oscillations.

15 Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, and characterised in that means (31, 56) are provided for producing from the oscillations of the element/pendulum, (1,41) electrical pulses (that are used to actuate, means (6) for imparting a force 'kick' to the element/pendulum at the commencement of an operational rotation/swing

16. Apparatus as claimed any one of claims 10 to 15 and characterised in that a means are provided for producing an electrical output as a result of interaction between a magnetised source (35, carried by the element/pendulum(l) a magnetic field source (36,52,) relative to which the pendulum (1,41) oscillates, first magnetic means associated with each end of the oscillatory swing movement of the pendulum for reversing the movement direction ofthe pendulum whenever the pendulum reaches a said end position of its swing, and means for using a proportion of said output for alternately energising the appropriate first magnetic means in synchronisation with pendulum oscillation to cause reversal of oscillation direction at each end of its swing.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the electrical output is constituted by short duration electrical pulses of which a proportion thereof is utilised for energising the first magnetic means thereby to maintain oscillation of the pendulum.

17 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the first magnetic means includes electromagnets, and wherein the electromagnets are powered by said proportion of said proportion of the electrical pulses in synchronisation with required pendulum movement.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, and wherein the pendulum mounts a permanent magnet arrangement (35) that is arranged during oscillation of the pendulum magnetically to co-operate with stationary magnet means (36) in such manner that the magnetic interaction between the permanent magnet arrangement and the stationary magnetic means is utilised for generating electrical current pulses.

19 Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stationary magnetic means includes a yoke formation (53) defining spaced apart magnetic poles (35) between which the magnet arrangement of the pendulum magnet passes during oscillation of the pendulum, and wherein a coil of conductive material is provided on the yoke formations of the permanent magnets.

20 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 20, and characterised in that the energy output producing means (7) includes hydraulic/pneumatic ram assemblies (11 ,13) for pressurizing a working fluid, (30) for producing electrical power.