WO2010013255A2

WO2010013255A2 - Gravity powered machine

Info

Publication number: WO2010013255A2
Application number: PCT/IN2009/000432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sanjay Saini
Original assignee: Kumra, Rajesh Kumar
Priority date: 2008-07-30
Filing date: 2009-07-29
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Also published as: WO2010013255A3

Abstract

The subject matter relates to a gravity powered machine for generating torque output. The machine includes a plurality of units positioned in series with each other. Each unit includes a first supporting member, a pair of parallel linear members rotatably having a linear railing/slot and mounted on the first supporting member. The linear members are axially attached to each other by an axle and are aligned substantially perpendicular to each other in the plane of rotation. Each unit further includes at least one pair of weight members. Each weight member of the pair has a first end slidably secured in one of the railing/slot and a second end pivotally attached to and capable of rotating about a second supporting member.

Description

GRAVITY POWERED MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein generally relates to a gravity powered system and particularly relates to a gravity powered machine for generating torque output.

BACKGROUND

Different forms of renewable energy, such as wind energy, tidal energy etc. are known to be used in the art for performing various functions, such as power generation.

Renewable energy is preferred over conventional forms of energy like coal, oil, gas etc. as renewable energy is economical and readily available. Typically, various systems and machines have been employed for converting kinetic energy of one renewable form of energy into torque output. One such system includes a wind turbine, which converts kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy.

This mechanical energy is further converted to electricity. Such a system utilizes huge rotors and requires locations with constantly high wind speeds. The effective force of wind at a particular location is first calculated over a period of time and then the location is finalized. Further, the huge nature of the rotors requires high maintenance.

Similarly, for utilizing other forms of energy, for example, for generation of electricity forms of power, it is required to establish various criteria like location, amount of energy available, etc. Thus, there is a need for a system, which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. SUMMARY:

An object of the present subject matter is to provide a gravity powered system for generating torque output.

Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a system for power generation that can be installed at any location, even in the caves or underground.

Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide gravity powered system that is reliable.

Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide gravity powered system that is efficient. Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide gravity powered system that is simple.

Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide gravity powered system that does not require any form of energy for producing output.

Accordingly, the subject matter described herein is directed to a gravity powered machine for generating torque output. The machine includes a plurality of units positioned in series with each other. Each unit includes a first supporting member, a pair of parallel linear members rotatably mounted on the first supporting member. The linear members are axially attached to each other by an axle and are aligned substantially perpendicular to each other in the plane of rotation. Each of the linear member has a linear railing/slot. Each unit further includes at least one pair of weight members. Each weight member of the pair has a first end slidably secured in one of the railing/slot and a second end pivotally attached to and capable of rotating about a second supporting member. The machine further includes a common output shaft rotatably connected to the axles of each of the unit. The common output shaft is driven by the axles of the each unit successively through driving means, so that when the first ends of the weight members enter a working zone, the first ends descend downward due to gravity and slide within the corresponding railings/slots, thereby rotating the corresponding linear members in the working zone, wherein first ends of at least two weight members are always present in the working zone at every instant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a gravity powered machine for generating torque output in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a gravity powered machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of a gravity powered machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a unit of the gravity powered machine of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 5 illustrates a front view of a unit of the gravity powered machine of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of the rotation of the linear members along with the weight members in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a unit of the gravity powered machine of Fig. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of the unit of the gravity powered machine of Fig. 1 in accordance with the embodiment Fig. 7. Fig. 9 illustrates a front view of the gravity powered machine having gear mechanism as driving means to drive the common output shaft in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 10 illustrates a front view of the gravity powered machine depicting a pair of linear members mounted on one side of the first supporting member in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 11 illustrates a front view of the gravity powered machine depicting a plurality of linear members mounted in series in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 illustrate an isometric view, a side view, and a front view of a gravity powered machine 100 for generating torque output in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. For example, and by no way limiting the scope of the subject matter, the gravity powered machine 100 is used for generation of power. The machine 100 of the present subject matter includes a plurality of units 110 arranged in series and working in combination. There can be a number of units 110 in the machine 100 as is obvious to a person skilled in the art. For instance, but not limiting the scope of the subject matter, the machine 100 of the present embodiment includes six units 110. In accordance with the present embodiment of the subject matter, each unit 110 of the machine 100 includes a first supporting member, such as a fixed pole, a pair of parallel linear members rotatably mounted on the supporting member, a pair of weight members having one end slidably disposed in the linear railing/slot of the linear members and another end pivotally attached to a second supporting member.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, it can be seen that the machine 100 includes a plurality of linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94, 104 and 114 rotatably mounted on the first fixed supporting members 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51. The linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94, 104 and 114 have linear railings/slots 9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99, 109, and 119 respectively and are mounted in pairs on each of the first supporting members 1, thereby forming separate units 110. As shown herein, the linear members in each unit 110 are connected to each other by an axle 2, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and are positioned at approximately 90 degrees from each other in the plane of rotation. In one preferred embodiment, the working lengths of the linear members are same. The working length of a linear member is the maximum length of the linear within which the first end of the weight member slides during operation.

The axles 2, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 of each unit 110 are rotatably connected individually to a common output shaft 88 through driving means. The common output shaft 88 is supported by the first supporting members 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 and is positioned parallel to the axles of each of the unit 110.

The linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94, 104 and 114 in each unit are positioned at an angle from the remaining linear members in the plane of rotation. For example, and by no way limiting the scope of the subject matter, the first 4 and second 14 linear members of first unit are arranged at an angle of 30 degrees from the first 64 and second 74 linear members of fourth unit, the first 24 and 34 linear members of second unit are arranged at an angle of 30 degrees from the first 84 and 94 linear members of fifth unit, and the first 44 and 54 linear members of the third unit are arranged at an angle of 30 degrees from the first 104 and 114 linear members of the sixth unit. Also, the linear members of any one unit of the machine 100 are arranged substantially at an angle of 90 degrees from each other in the plane of rotation.

The machine 100 further includes a plurality of weight members 7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97, 107, and 117 for rotating the linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94, 104 and 114 respectively. Each of the weight members 7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97, 107, and 117 have one end slidably secured within the railing/slot 9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 99, 109, and 119 of the linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, 84, 94, 104 and 114 respectively and second end pivotally attached to the second fixed supporting members 6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66. The configuration of each unit 110 can be clearly understood from Figs. 5, 6 & 7.

Figs. 4 & 5 illustrate an isometric view, a front view and a side view of a unit 110 of the gravity powered machine 100 of Figs. 1-3 separately in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

As shown herein, the unit 110 comprises a fixed supporting member 1 that supports a pair of parallel linear members 4, 14. The linear members 4, 14 are mounted rotatably on the supporting member 1 and are aligned substantially perpendicular to each other in the direction of rotation. The linear members 4, 14 are axially attached to each other by the axle 2. Supporting means, such as discs 120, 140 are provided for supporting the attachment of the linear members 4, 14 respectively with the end of the axle 2. The linear members 4, 14 are rotated by weight members 7, 17 respectively. As can be seen in Figs. 4 & 5, one end of each of the weight members 7, 17 is secured in the linear railing/slot 9, 19 of the linear members 4, 14 respectively. The other ends of the weight members 7, 17 are pivotally attached to the second fixed supporting members 6, 16 respectively.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of the rotation of the linear members along with the weight members in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present embodiment, the height of the center of rotation of each of the weight members is approximately 75-85% of the the height of the center of rotation of each of the linear members. However, it must be noted that in another embodiment, height of the center of rotation of each of the weight members can be equal to the height of the center of rotation of each of the linear members as is obvious to a person skilled in the art. When the first end of a weight member enters a working zone, the first end descends downward due to gravity and slides within the corresponding railing/slot, thereby rotating the corresponding linear member in the working zone. At every instant during working, first ends of at least two weight members are always present in the working zone for performing the desired function. The working zone is defined as the zone in which a weight member starts descending due to gravity and starts moving the corresponding linear member. In one preferred embodiment, the working zone of the first end of a weight member ranges from the position when the angle between the vertical and the weight member is about 10 degrees in the direction of rotation (shown by an arrow) to the angle of about 160 degrees.

As shown in Fig. 6, the weight member 7 is about to enter the working zone and the weight member 37 is about to leave the working zone. At this position, the weight member 7 starts descending downwards and starts rotating the linear member 4. On the other hand the weight member 37 performs no function but slides within the corresponding railing/slot unless it again enters the working zone. When in the working zone, a weight member exerts maximum downward force on the linear member when the first end of the weight member is at a maximum distance from the center of rotation of the linear member. In the present position as shown in Fig. 6, the weight member 27 exerts maximum force on the linear member 24.

The linear distance between the center of rotation of the linear member and the center of rotation of the weight members is maintained in such a manner the minimum and maximum distance between the first end if the weight member from the center of rotation of the linear members is adjusted for performing optimum rotation.

In one preferred embodiment, the minimum distance between the end of the weight member 7 from the axle in the railing/slot 9 is about 1 cm. In this case, the ratio of the minimum distance and the maximum distance between the end of the weight member 7 from the axle in the railing/slot 9 is about 1:250. Also, the weight at the end of the weight member 7 for pushing the end of the linear member downwards by 30 degrees is about 30 kgs.

Now, by increasing the minimum distance between the end of the weight member from the axle in the railing/slot, the ration between the minimum distance and the maximum distance can be decreased. For example, if the minimum distance is increased to 2.5 cms, the ratio decreases to 1:100. If the minimum distance is further increased to 5 cms, the ratio decreases to 1 :50.

It should be noted that if the minimum distance as described above is increased to a predetermined distance, the machine 100 will cease to function. For example, in one embodiment, if the minimum distance is increased to 20 cms, the ratio will decrease to

1:12, which will disturb the working ratio of the machine and machine "will stop operating.

In one preferred embodiment, at any time during working of the machine, the above mentioned phenomenon of increasing the minimum distance can be utilized to. perform the braking of the machine. However, in different embodiments, the braking of the machine can be performed by any braking mechanism known in the art.

Figs. 7 & 8 illustrate an isometric view, a side view and a front view of a unit 110 of the gravity powered machine 100 of Fig. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. In this embodiment, each of the units 110 of the machine 100 in this embodiment includes four weight members 7-1, 7-2, 17-1 and 17-2. As shown in

Figs. 7 & 8, one end of each of the weight members 7-1 and 7-2 is secured in the railing/slot 9 of the first linear member 4 whereas the other end is pivoted to the second supporting member 6. Similarly, one end of each of the weight members 17-1 and 17-2 is secured in the railing/slot 19 of the second linear member 14 whereas the other end is pivoted to the second supporting member 16.

However, it should be noted that the ends of the weight members 7-1 and 7-2 in the railing/slot 9 of the first linear member 4 are always positioned on the opposite sides of the axle 2, as can clearly be seen from Figs. 7 & 8. Similarly, the ends of the weight members 17-1 and 17-2 in the railing/slot 19 of the second linear member 14 are always positioned on the opposite sides of the axle 2.

Further, it should be understood that the machine 100 as mentioned in Figs. 7 & 8 can be operated with a minimum of two units 110 to drive the output shaft 88 for producing the torque output. All the other aspects of the unit of the present embodiment are same as described in the previous embodiment.

The subject matter described in the previous embodiments can be embodied in many ways as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. For example, the machine 100 of the present subject matter can be made in different shapes and sizes. The machine 100 can have one or more linear members on one first supporting member. The length of the linear members can be same or different as known to a person skilled in the art. Further, the shape, size and material of the discs for supporting the linear members on the axles can be made of different sizes and shapes. Alternately, the linear members can be attached to the axles without plates. ⁽

Similarly, the size, shape and number of railing/slot in a linear member can vary or it can be same. The size and shape of weight member can be different in different models or same model. The number of driving means for driving the common output shaft can be one or more according to the understanding of a person skilled in the art. Further, the driving means for driving the common output shaft 88 in different embodiments can vary according to a person skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the driving means is a chain and sprocket arrangement. In another embodiment, can also be belt and pulley arrangement. The driving means of the present subject matter can have any other embodiment as is obvious to a person skilled in the art. Referring to Fig. 9, in one embodiment, the driving means can be a gear mechanism. In this embodiment of Fig. 9, the gear mechanism includes a driving gear 200 connected to the linear member 4 and a driven gear 300 connected to the common output shaft 88. The driving gear 200 is in constant mesh with the driven gear 300. The rotation of the linear member 4 due to gravity by the weight member 9 leads to the rotation of the driving gear 200 and hence the driven gear, which further transfers this rotational motion to the common output shaft 88.

The gravity powered machine 100 as described above can be embodied in many ways as obvious to a person skilled in the art. For example, the number of linear members on a first supporting member can vary. Further, a plurality of linear members can be arranged in series as is obvious to a person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, two linear members 4, 14 can be mounted on one side of the first supporting member 1 and transmit rotational motion to the common output shaft through a gear mechanism. In such an embodiment, the first supporting member 1 supports four linear members, two on each side.

Further, in one embodiment, the linear members 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 can also be arranged in series on different first supporting members 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 and drive the common output member through the gear mechanism. In one embodiment, the machine of the present subject matter is enclosed in an air tight housing (not shown in figures) to prevent the entry of the foreign particles within the machine, thereby ensuring smooth functioning of the machine. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined. -

Claims

IAVe Claim

1. A gravity powered machine for generating torque output, the machine comprising: a. a plurality of units positioned in series with each other, each unit having; i. a first supporting member; ii. a pair of parallel linear members rotatably mounted on the first supporting member, the linear members being axially attached to each other by an axle and being aligned substantially perpendicular to each other in the plane of rotation, each of the linear member having a linear railing/slot; and iii. at least one pair of weight members, each weight member of the pair having a first end slidably secured in one of the railing/slot and a second end pivotally attached to and capable of rotating about a second supporting member; and b. a common output shaft rotatably connected to the axles of each of the unit, the common output shaft being driven by the axles of the each unit successively through driving means, so that when the first ends of the weight members enter a working zone, the first ends descend downward due to gravity and slide within the corresponding railings/slots, thereby rotating the corresponding linear members in the working zone, wherein first ends of at least two weight members are always present in the working zone at every instant.

2. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of units comprises six units.

3. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common output shaft is supported by the first supporting members of each unit.

4. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claims 1, wherein the height of the center of rotation of each of the weight members is same as the height of the center of rotation of each of the linear members.

5. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height of the center of rotation of each of the weight members is in the range of 10-30% of the height of the center of rotation of each of the linear members.

6. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working lengths of the linear members are same.

7. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving means to drive the output shaft comprises a sprocket and chain arrangement.

8. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving means to drive the output shaft comprises a belt and pulley arrangement.

9. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving means to drive the output shaft comprises a gearing mechanism.

10. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linear members are attached to the axle by a supporting means.

11. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the supporting means can be a wheel or a geared wheel.

12, The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle is supported on the first supporting member.

13. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight of the first end of the weight member is 30 kgs.

14. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linear railing/slot extends throughout the length of the linear member.

15. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working zone of the first end of a weight member ranges from the position when the first end of the weight member rotates about 10-55 degrees from the vertically topmost position to the position when the first end of the weight member rotates about 160 degrees from the vertically topmost position.

16. The gravity powered machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine is enclosed in an air tight housing.