WO2006018476A1

WO2006018476A1 - Device for producing energy

Info

Publication number: WO2006018476A1
Application number: PCT/FI2005/000357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jaakko Juhani Korhonen
Original assignee: Jaakko Juhani Korhonen
Priority date: 2004-08-19
Filing date: 2005-08-19
Publication date: 2006-02-23
Also published as: FI20041090A0

Abstract

Device for producing energy using a vessel (1) filled with and/or submerged in a liquid, and at least two cylinders (3) equipped with a moving float (4). The device also comprises a trolley-like cylinder (8) and piston (7) combination connecting or connected to it. The cylinder (81) and the piston (71) can also be in a separate wheel.

Description

Device for Producing Energy

The present invention relates to a device for producing energy and specifically to a device, which the aid of which it is possible to produce energy economically.

The invention is based creating a system, which produces energy with the aid of a pressure difference caused by a liquid and a gas and associated pistons and weights.

The system of weights and particularly weights and floats has been used previously too to produce energy, with varying degrees of success.

The present invention is intended to create an apparatus, with the aid of which the production of energy is simple and cheap.

The aforementioned and other advantages and benefits of the present invention are achieved in the manner stated to be characteristic in the accompanying Claims.

In the following, the invention is examined in greater detail reference to the accompanying drawings, which show simplified diagrams of one embodiment of the invention.

Thus:

Figure 1 shows a one embodiment of the invention, as a simplified and stripped- down diagram seen in a side view;

Figure 2 shows a slightly modified form of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an additional adaptation of the device; and

Figures 4, 5, and 6 show alternative embodiments of the invention. The embodiments shown by the figures are, as has already been mentioned, intended to depict the basic idea of the invention, and thus do not form a detailed depiction of the apparatus. All components that are not necessary to present the basic principles of the invention have been removed from the embodiments shown in the figures.

Thus, Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The device is formed generally of a cylindrical vessel 1 , which is mounted in bearings to rotate around a horizontal shaft 2. On the surface of the vessel, there are cylinders 3, which are mainly in the form of essentially opposing pairs. The number of cylinders is in no way limited, indeed in practice they will probably be numerous.

In each cylinder 3, there is a float 4. The floats are in pairs, connected to each other by a connecting rod or pipe 5, so that the totality of the two floats and the connecting rod always moves together. Connected to the cylinders 3 at the bottom there is always a connecting piece 6, which is intended to connect the cylinder 3 and the cylinder 8 to each other. The reference number 7 refers to a piston.

On the undersurface of the cylinder 8 there is a wheel 9, which is intended to guide the system on an opposing rail or a corresponding surface 11. A weight 10 at the end of an arm is also connected to the undersurface of the cylinder 8. The seals are marked generally with the reference number 12.

In one preferred embodiment, there is water both inside and outside the device according to the invention. The device is intended to rotate around its shaft 2. The main features of the operation of the device are as follows. When the cylinder-and-float combination arrives at the six o'clock position from the three o'clock position, the cylinders 3 and 8 are connected to each other with the aid of the connecting piece 6, which is attached to the outer surfaces of the cylinders in a watertight manner. The locking of the float and piston, which have been locked to each other, is opened and the water pressure pushes the float into the cylinder 8 and at the same time pushes the piston 7 along with the float to the bottom of the cylinder 8. The float is locked in this position, using an apparatus that, for reasons of clarity, is not shown here, and the piston is locked the float. The energy created is recovered in a suitable manner and converted to a useful form of energy when required.

During the operation described above, the float on the opposite side naturally sinks into the cylinder 3, because it is attached to form a pair with the float on the opposite side.

Because the float at the nine o'clock position is farther out than the float on the opposite side, buoyancy begins to take effect and the device begins to rotate in a clockwise direction. The apparatus totality at the bottom of the figure also begins to move along with the rotation of the device and moves to the position on the left in Figure 1. When it reaches it, the cylinder separate from each other, the piston 7 is locked to the cylinder 8 and the locking of the float 4 and the piston 7, which is shown generally by the reference number 13, is opened.

The locking of the connecting piece 6 from the cylinder 3 is opened and the component 6 drops down, when the cylinder/float is released and the movement can continue. The weight 10 raises the part of the device that has remained stationary and the part is moved to the six o'clock position to wait for the next cylinder-and-float combination to be attached to it.

Figure 2 shows a modified embodiment, in which the connecting piece 6 is not required, instead the arrangement is such that the cylinders 3 on the circumference of the device are made to be rotatable. Thus the cylinder 8 and the piston 7 are now arranged as a type of trolley, in such a way that the cylinder 3 rotates according to its location always to a vertical position, so that the movements between the float and piston always take place in a vertical direction. Reference number 14 generally refers to the connection permitting the rotation of the cylinder 3. The conventional type of connection is some form of a spherical-surface connection. The operation is the same as that depicted in connection with Figure 1. The 'trolley' moves a certain distance clockwise along with the rotation of the device, moving along an essentially horizontal surface and then detaching naturally at the stage when the rotary movement has raised the fixed parts of the device. After detaching, the cylinder once again turns to a radial direction. In order to permit the turning, there must naturally be a pivot in the connecting rod 5, which permit rotation.

An alternative embodiment is one in which the lower cylinder 6 is locked with its , piston 7 to the cylinder 3, in the six o'clock position. Once rotation has proceeded more or less to the position on the left of Figure 1 , the locks are opened and the aforementioned totality drops down. In the aforementioned embodiments, the component 8 is always heavier than the water pressure acting on it.

The smaller inset figure shows how the float/piston/cylinders are shaped with angled ends, which may be important in terms of arranging the connection. Arrangements with angled ends will certainly connect more smoothly with each other than arrangements with right-angled ends. On the other hand, the upper end of the float too, which faces the interior of the device, can be angled. One sensible angled shape is one, in which the angled upper end essentially corresponds to the angle of the wall of the vessel of the device, at the location at which the trolley detached from the other parts of the apparatus.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 differs from that described above, in that the cylinder 3 is now attached to the vessel of the device with the aid of a flexible intermediate component, which is marked with the reference number 15 in Figure 3. All the various rotations of the cylinder take place through this flexible component. However, so that the cylinder 3 will remain firmly in position, guide devices 16, 17 are attached to it, which on the one hand support the cylinder and on the other guide it. A valve construction, which permits the surface of the vessel to be opened and closed, is marked diagrammatically in the embodiment by a broken line 18. A valve construction like that described, or some other type can naturally also be applied to other embodiments, and not only to that shown here.

A sensible procedure is followed with regards to the entry of the water. If the device is used in such a way that the water is either outside the device or only inside it, it is naturally important to maintain this situation. In that case, seals will be needed between the various surfaces, to prevent the water from escaping to the side where it is not wanted. For example, even the entire cylinder 3 can be closed by a valve at a desired point in rotation, to prevent the water from entering the float 4.

Various movements that take place using external energy can also be linked to the operation of the device in an appropriate manner. Thus, for example, the cylinder 3, either by itself or together with the float 4, can be moved particularly in the radial direction of the device.

If and when a small amount of water enters the cylinders in the connecting stage, it is removed before the next stage. It is obvious that suitable channels must be arranged for the movements of air and water, so that it will not be necessary to overcome the forces that arise from the compression or forced movement of a liquid or gas. In order to remove the water from the cylinders 3, various system can be used. For example, it is possible to use valves that open and close in suitable situations, or even just openings, through which the water can flow, so that it does not interfere with the movements of the various components.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 show an adapted embodiment of the invention, in which there is now an opposite part in the form of a wheel, cylinder, or drum 1 ' that also rotates around its shaft 2'. The operation of the basic unit 1 itself is completely similar to that described above in connection with Figures 1 - 3.

The embodiments shown in Figures 4 - 6 are also of a type that operates in water. In the wheel 1 the water is also inside, but in the water wheel the water is either outside or inside and outside. Recesses 19 that are essentially hemispherical or semi-cylindrical are made in the lower wheel 1', the locations of which corresponds with the locations of the piston-float combinations in the wheel 1. The wheels 1 and V are mostly of equal size, though the lower wheel 1' can also have a greater diameter, in which case the distance between the recesses 19 would be the same as the distance between the float-piston combinations in the wheel 1.

A piston T and cylinder 8' combination is placed in each recess 19, as is shown by the corresponding number in Figure 1.

In quite the same way as was described above in connection with Figures 1 - 3, the locking of the components of the upper wheel is opened, when the three o- clock position of the upper wheel rotates to the six o'clock position. At this stage, the float connects with the cylinder 8', when the locking of the float 4 at the opposite position is opened. The float 4 then pushes the piston T in front of it and the air is removed from the part of the cylinder 8' that is behind the piston. The piston T pushes to the bottom of the cylinder 8', to the position that is shown in the upper wheel 1'.

As the apparatus continues to rotate, the cylinder 8' tilts and the float begins to withdraw upwards from the cylinder 8', followed by the piston T. The part of the cylinder that is left by the piston T once again fills with air. Once the piston 7' is in the outermost position, it is locked in place and the locking between the float and the piston T is opened and the cylinder 8¹ is rotated to its starting position. It is also possible to use the guide 6 shown in Figure 1.

The work/energy created is recovered in a suitable manner using conventional mechanisms, for example, from the shafts 2 and/or 2' of the wheels.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the operation is otherwise similar to that depicted above, except that in the lower wheel 1' there are now stops 20 in place of the cylinders shown in Figure 4. In the upper wheel on the other hand, the rotating guide 14 shown in Figure 2 is used.

When the float 4 comes to a stop 20, it is locked onto it. In Figure 5, the stop component 20 is shown as being rotatable, which is better than the fixed alternative in terms of the operation of the solution. In this stage, the locking of the float 4 is opened, when a force is created against the stop 20 and, as the force is oriented at an angle to the radial direction, the force creates a rotary movement in the lower wheel 1'. When the movement continues, the float 4 and the stop form a pair, the positions of which are aligned with each other. In the maximum position, the floats rises out of the locking and the locking of the upper float connected by the connecting rod 5 is opened, when the lower float retracts, into which position it is locked.

In the situation shown in Figure 6, there is water outside both wheels 1 and 1' and also possibly inside the lower one. In the manner described above, the float 4 and the piston T are connected to each other in such a way that an external pressure acts between them. When the locking of the float-piston combination is opened, and at the same time the valve 22 is opened, which is located in the channel 21 , which leads from the external space around the wheel 1 to the cylinder 3 which now has a solid bottom, the water begins to flow from outside into the cylinder 3. The water pressure pushes the float in such a way that it moves downwards, at the same time pushing the piston T to the lower position. The air in front of the piston T exhausts from the cylinder 8'. The float 4 is locked into the lower position. At the same time, the float in the twelve o'clock position withdraws inside from the effect of the connecting rod and the water exits from the space between the float and the cylinder along the channel/valve combination described above, after which the valve is closed. As the rotation continues and the cylinder 8' tilts, the float 4 withdraws from the cylinder, which again fills with air. When the float/piston T comes to the mouth of the cylinder 8', the piston T is locked in place and at the same time the locking between the float 4 and the piston T is released. The process continues in the manner described above. In the manner described above the energy is recovered in a conventional manner. In the same way it is possible to use a guide 6. If it is so desired, the wheels 1 and V need not be opposite each other on the same line. All in all, the operation is either intermittent or continuous.

The device according to the invention is intended specifically to produce energy. In a known manner, the energy can be recovered from the movement is many different ways, such as by using a pump, by using various rotating systems, etc.

It is obvious that only certain operating principles are described above, and not the more detailed construction of the apparatus. Many variations are possible, while for example neither the shape nor the number of the weights, pistons, or other components is of significance from the point of view of the totality. It is also obvious that even though a limited number of pairs of units are shown above for reasons of clarity, in practice there can be an unlimited of pairs of units.

The apparatus according to the invention can also be adapted in such a way that additional weights, floats, or other additional devices can be added to it, by means of which its overall economy can be improved. It is also certainly sensible to control the entire system with the aid of a computer. Because it will be necessary in certain conditions in the device to move the pistons/weights with the aid of external energy, it must be equipped with suitable means, but these are not described here due to their conventional nature.

If it is wished, the water space of the vessel according to the invention can be partitioned as desired. Other variations too, which are not referred to separately, are also possible, while remaining within the basic idea and the protective scope of the accompanying Claims. For example, the floats 4 need not be connected to each other by a rod 5, instead each float can be guided suitably individually, the movement being, however, essentially similar to those described above. The radial position of the cylinders/floats can differ from that shown in the figures.

Claims

1. Device for producing energy using a vessel (1) filled with and/or submerged in a liquid, and at least two cylinders (3), inside which is a moving float (4), characterized in that the device is equipped with a separate cylinder (8, 8') or similar (20) connecting/connected to the device and equipped with a piston (7, 7¹).

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the component totality of the cylinder (8) and the piston (7) is equipped with a wheel (9) that permits movement supported by it.

3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the component totality of the cylinder (8) and the piston (7) is equipped with a weight (10) underneath it to turn the totality to a vertical position in a free state.

4. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the cylinder (3) connected to the vessel (1) of the device is equipped with a joint that permits rotation from a radial direction to a differing position relative to the vessel (1).

5. Device according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the connecting components are joined to each other by using a connecting piece (6) between them.

6. Device according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the connecting components are located in a separate wheel (1¹).

7. Device according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the piston (7) and the cylinder (8) form a trolley-like totality.

8. Device according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the cylinder (3) is connected to the vessel of the device through a flexible component (15).

9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the cylinder (3) is supported and guided with the aid of guide means (16, 17).

10. Device according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the cylinder (3) can be separated from the internal space of the device with the aid of a valve (18) or, if necessary, from the external space through a pipe (21) equipped with a valve (22).