WO2010106315A2

WO2010106315A2 - Water transfer system

Info

Publication number: WO2010106315A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/000474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathias Pfaff; Siegfried Schmidt
Original assignee: Mathias Pfaff; Siegfried Schmidt
Priority date: 2009-03-17
Filing date: 2010-03-17
Publication date: 2010-09-23
Also published as: WO2010106315A3; GB2468673A; GB0909475D0; GB2468729A; GB0904581D0

Abstract

A device (8) for transferring water into a column (12) of water (100) comprising a cylinder (36), a fixed piston (32) and a chamber (38) within the cylinder (36). Water can be introduced into the chamber (38) via valves and a pipe (104). Water in the chamber (38) is then passed into the column using the cylinder and piston arrangement.

Description

Water transfer system

The present invention claims priority from GB0904581.6, the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

The present invention relates to a device for creating an electrical current from an object falling under the influence of gravity, or rising through a fluid due to buoyancy. The present invention also relates to an object transfer mechanism for use therein, or for other uses, such as to transfer water from outside a water column into a water column.

It is known that a magnet, when passing appropriately through a solenoid, will generate electricity through the solenoid. One aspect of the present invention seeks to make use of, or to illustrate, that effect. Other aspects of the present invention relate to the object transfer mechanisms used in the present invention's system.

According to the present invention there is provided a device comprising: a first passage, a second passage spaced from the first passage and a magnetised container sized to pass through the passages, wherein at least one of the passages is provided with at least one coil for forming a solenoid as the magnetised container passes through the coil, and the coil and the magnetised container are adapted to interact whenever the magnetised container passes through the coil such that an electric charge is produced by the resulting solenoid; wherein: the magnetised container is arranged to fall through the first passage under the influence of gravity and is arranged to rise through the second passage through the influence of buoyancy; and the magnetised container has a mean density that is greater than the density of a fluid or vacuum content of the first passage and lower than a fluid content of the second passage.

The present invention also provides a method of producing an electric charge, comprising providing a device comprising: a first passage, a second passage spaced from the first passage and a magnetised container sized to pass through the passages, wherein at least one of the passages is provided with at least one coil for forming a solenoid as the magnetised container passes through the coil, and the coil and the magnetised container are adapted to interact whenever the magnetised container passes through the coil such that an electric charge is produced by the resulting solenoid; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: dropping the magnetised container through the first passage under the influence of gravity, the magnetised container having a mean density that is greater than the density of the fluid or vacuum content of the first passage; and allowing the magnetised container to rise through the second passage through the influence of buoyancy, the magnetised container having a mean density that is lower than the density of the fluid content of the second passage.

The following preferred features apply to both the device and the method:

Preferably the fluid within the first passage is air.

Preferably the fluid within the second passage is water.

Preferably, a first transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the magnetised container from the lower portion of the first passage and into the lower portion of the second passage. This transfer mechanism itself can form a second aspect of the present invention.

Preferably a second transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the magnetised container from the upper portion of the second passage and into the upper portion of the first passage.

More than one magnetised container may be provided, each travelling through the passages, from one to the other.

Preferably the magnetised container is a magnetised hollow container, for example containing air. Preferably the magnetised hollow container is polarised such that one end forms a north pole and the opposite end forms a south pole.

Preferably the magnetised container has a fixed mass.

Preferably the mean density of the magnetised container is half the density of the fluid in the second passage. Preferably the transfer mechanisms comprise one or more ramps.

Preferably the transfer mechanisms comprise one or more gates.

Preferably the first transfer mechanism comprises a piston and cylinder, both within the bottom portion of the second passage. Preferably the cylinder defines a chamber therein sized to receive the magnetised container.

Preferably the chamber of the cylinder is swept by the piston upon each transfer of a magnetised container from the first passage and through the first transfer mechanism.

Preferably the chamber has a side door sized to pass the magnetised container therethrough.

Preferably the cylinder is a vessel that defines a core that can be filled or drained of fluid for changing the cylinder's mass. Preferably it is connectable to a trimming tank for the filling and/or draining. The trimming tank is preferably also within the bottom portion of the second passage.

Preferably the cylinder has an openable, or removable, lid that covers the top of the chamber, when closed upon the cylinder. Preferably lid has an openable vent or hole for allowing venting of the chamber of the cylinder. That vent or hole is in addition to the lid being openable or removable. When the lid is open or removed, the magnetised container can rise out of the top of the chamber, whereas when the vent or hole is open, a magnetised container would be retained within the chamber.

Preferably the second passage has a sealable door near its bottom, arranged to link the lower portion of the second passage to the lower portion of the first passage. The sealable door is sized to allow the magnetised container to pass therethrough.

Preferably the sealable door is aligned or alignable with the side door of the chamber of the cylinder.

Preferably the transfer mechanism, or the bottom of the second passage, comprises a fluid-lock seal for the sealable door. It is preferably slidable between a non-sealing position, away from the cylinder, and a sealing position, against the cylinder. Preferably the two doors and the fluid-lock seal together provide an interlock system for allowing a magnetised container to pass from the lower portion of the first passage into the lower portion of the second passage, i.e. within the chamber of the cylinder, without releasing all the fluid out of the second passage - the top of the chamber is closed during that transfer. Then, upon making sure that both doors are closed, the top of the chamber can be opened to release the magnetised container such that it can float up through the second passage.

Preferably the second transfer mechanism comprises a further pair of doors.

Preferably each passage has at least one coil for forming a solenoid with the or each magnetised container as it passes therethrough.

Preferably each coil is a length of coils extending along at least part of the length of the first or second passage.

More than one separate coil, or length of coils, may be provided for the first and or the second passage. The coils may be connected in parallel or in series.

Preferably the magnetised container passes through each coil, or length of coils, at a constant speed. Preferably that constant speed is the same speed, or substantially the same speed, for each coil of the device, or each coil of a passage.

Preferably the magnetised container has a mass in excess of 1 tonne (1000 kg)

Preferably the magnetised container has a volume in excess of 2m³.

Preferably the heights of the first and second passage are in excess of 50m. More preferably the height is 100 m or more.

Preferably the speed of the magnetised container through the solenoid is about 1 m/s.

As alluded to above, according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a transfer mechanism as defined in claim 1 for transferring an object from a first location, situated outside of a column of fluid, to a second location, within the column of fluid, and for releasing the object into the column of fluid. Preferably the fluid is a liquid, and preferably the liquid is water.

Preferably the column is greater than 10m high, and more preferably it is greater than 10Om high.

The transfer mechanism is located at or near a lower portion of the column for introducing the object into the column at or near that lower portion.

The object may be additional fluid, such as more of the same liquid, e.g. more water. Alternatively it may be a magnetised object, such as for implementing the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably the transfer mechanism comprises one or more ramps.

The transfer mechanism comprises one or more gates or valves. It also comprises a piston and cylinder, both within the column. The cylinder defines a chamber therein for receiving the object to be transferred into the column.

In use, the chamber of the cylinder is swept by the piston upon each transfer of an object from outside of the column to the inside of the column through the transfer mechanism.

Preferably the chamber has a side door sized to pass a magnetised container therethrough, the magnetised container being at least 10cm by 10cm by 10cm. Alternatively it has a valve for allowing fluid to be pumped or passed therethrough on its way into the chamber.

Preferably the cylinder is a vessel that defines a core or body that has a cavity that can be filled with or drained of fluid for changing the cylinder's mass, dependent upon the fluid used. For example, the cylinder will be lighter once drained of a heavy fluid. During that draining, the fluid will be replaced with a fluid of a lesser mass (e.g. a water filled cavity can be drained, with the cavity's filling being replaced instead with air). For that purpose, preferably the core's or body's drainable cavity is connectable to a trimming tank for the filling and/or draining. The trimming tank is preferably also within the bottom portion of the second passage. It contains either the heavy fluid or the lighter fluid, dependent upon the status of the cylinder's cavity. The cylinder is fabricated so as to take the form of a pressure vessel, i.e. a vessel designed to withstand high pressure variations across it's wall thickness - being located within the column of fluid, it will experience very high external pressures, especially where the column of water is greater than 10m high, but will contain within its cavity, fluids at relatively lower pressures (e.g. at atmospheric pressures).

Likewise, if the trimming tank is within the column of fluid, it will also need to take the form of a pressure vessel for withstanding those same or similar pressures.

Any pipes or passages connecting the cylinder to trimming tanks or to elements outside the column, and any doors, vents, lids or valves, where exposed to such pressure gradients, will also need to be fabricated to withstand such pressure gradients.

Suitable fabrication techniques for such pressure vessels and pressure pipes, passages, vents, and the like, are known from, or are within the capabilities of skilled persons within, the submarine or space industries.

Preferably the cylinder has an openable, or removable, lid that covers the top of the chamber, when closed upon the cylinder. Preferably the lid has an openable vent or hole for allowing venting of the chamber of the cylinder. That vent or hole is in addition to the lid being openable or removable.

When the lid is open or removed, the magnetised container, or fluid within the chamber, can rise or vent out of the top of the chamber. If the vent or hole is also provided, when just the vent or hole is open, the lid defines a top for the chamber. This restricts the range of motion of the cylinder on the piston.

Preferably the column has a sealable door near its bottom, arranged to link the lower portion of the second passage to the lower portion of the first passage. The sealable door is sized to allow the magnetised container to pass therethrough. The sealable door may be replaced with a valve for controlling the passage of fluids into or out of the chamber.

Preferably the sealable door is aligned or alignable with the side door of the chamber of the cylinder. Preferably the transfer mechanism, or the bottom of the second passage, comprises a fluid-lock seal for the sealable door. It is preferably slidable between a non-sealing position, away from the cylinder, and a sealing position, against the cylinder.

Preferably the two doors and the fluid-lock seal together provide an interlock system for allowing a magnetised container to pass from the lower portion of the first passage into the lower portion of the second passage, i.e. within the chamber of the cylinder, without releasing all the fluid out of the second passage - the top of the chamber is closed during that transfer. Then, upon making sure that both doors are closed, the top of the chamber can be opened to release the magnetised container such that it can float up through the second passage.

In preferred embodiments, the piston is a fixed piston. It can be fixed at or to the bottom of the column of fluid, and is generally immovable relative to the bottom of the column of water.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary magnetised container for use in the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the passage of a magnetised container through a first passage of the device;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates the movement of the magnetised container through a second passage of the device;

Figures 5 to 17 schematically illustrate the operation of a first transfer mechanism for transferring the magnetised container 14 from the lower portion of the first passage into the lower portion of the second passage; and Figures 18 to 21 schematically illustrate the operation of an alternative transfer mechanism, this time for transferring a fluid from outside of a column to a location inside the column.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a device 8 of the present invention in schematic form. With that device 8, gravitational and upthrust (buoyancy) forces act upon an object - the magnetised container 14 - as it passes around the device, through the fluids within the two passages 10, 12 of the device, Those gravitational and upthrust forces are utilised by one or more solenoid, or the like, to create an electrical energy output from the one or more solenoid, or the like.

In this preferred device 8, two passages 10, 12 are provided. They are linked at their tops and bottoms by ramps 16, 22. The first ramp 16 passes from the bottom of the first passage 10 to a first transfer point- the first transfer mechanism 18 - as provided at the bottom of the second passage 12. A second transfer point defining a second transfer mechanism 20 is then provided at the top of the second passage for connecting the second passage to the second ramp 22.

One or more magnetised container 14 is also provided. It can be referred to as an energy carrier, since its mass provides the means by which gravitational forces can be used to create kinetic energy.

The magnetised container 14 is sized to fit through the first passage 10, down the first ramp 16, into the first transfer mechanism 18 for transfer into the second passage 12, then up the second passage 12 to the second transfer mechanism 20 by means of which it is transferred to the second ramp 22 and back to the top of the first passage 10 ready to start again.

At the bottom of the first passage 10, the magnetised container's speed can be controlled eg using a coil or mechanical damping means. This will avoid undesirable impacts at the bottom of the first passage.

One or more "solenoid", or more specifically a coil for forming a solenoid as the magnetised container passes therethrough and is provided in or along either or both of the passages 10, 12. The term "solenoid" will be used hereinafter for simplicity. They only are partially illustrated, and only schematically, as a first solenoid 24 and a second solenoid 26 in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

As the magnetic container 14 passes through the or each solenoid 24, 26, an electrical charge is created by the solenoid that can provide an electrical energy output.

In this illustrated embodiment, the first passage 10 is open to, and filed with, air. The magnetised container 14 can therefore simply fall under the influence of gravity from the upper portion of the passage 10 to the lower portion of the passage 10, thereby falling through the coils of the first solenoid 24 to generate a first electrical charge.

Then, once it has been transferred into the second passage 12, the magnetised container 14 can float up to the upper portion of the second passage 12, as shown in Figure 4, ready for transferring back to the upper portion of the first passage 10, via the second transfer mechanism 20 and the second ramp 22. During that movement up through the second passage, the magnetised container passes through the coils of the second solenoid 26, thereby generating a further electrical charge.

The second passage 12 is filled with a fluid 28 that is different to the content, if any, of the first passage. Preferably that fluid is water, for example either fresh water, groundwater or seawater. After all, water, like air, is readily available.

More than one solenoid, either arranged in parallel or in series, either overlapping or axially displaced, might be provided for each passage 10, 12. Usually, however, for a sufficiently massive magnetised container, the most important solenoid is the first one 24 in the first passage 10 - the solenoid in the second passage 12 is theoretically optional, depending on the buoyancy of the magnetised container 14 relative to the fluid 28. However, for an ultra-low mass magnetised container, the great buoyancy of that within the water might make the most important solenoid the second solenoid 26 in the second passage 12. The first solenoid 24 might then itself become optional.

It is preferred, however, that the mass and mean density of the magnetised container 14 is such that solenoids 24, 26 both in the first passage 10 and in the second passage 12 are desirable.

Referring next to Figure 2, the magnetised containers 14 (or energy carriers) are magnetised hollow containers having a first half (usually a top half) defining a north pole and a second half (then the bottom half) defining a south pole. It is acceptable, however, to reverse that polarity. The solenoids, however, may be designed to operate with a particular polarity of magnetised container, e.g. if direct current is induced. The coil direction may therefore need to be reversed if the polarity is reversed.

The hollow container 14 preferably has a sealed core, filled with air, to reduce the mean density of the container, whereby, although it is sufficiently massive to create an electric charge as it falls through the first solenoid 24, it will have sufficient buoyancy to create an electric charge as it floats upwards through the second solenoid 26.

The container 14 is shown to be made from two shells - a first half intermeshing onto the second half.

Referring next to Figure 3, the passage of the magnetised container 14 through the first passage 10 is shown. As shown, it is preferred that the magnetised container 14 is allowed to pass through the solenoid 24 at constant speed V₀, whereby it has an impulse mV₀. That constant speed can be maintained by choosing an appropriate solenoid - with an appropriate solenoid, the tendency for the gravitational force to cause the magnetised container 14 to accelerate is compensated by the EMF induction within the solenoid 24. This is in accordance with Lenz's Law. That EMF induction is thus converting the gravitational forces into electrical energy.

Referring next to Figure 4, the upwards motion of the magnetised container 14 is also shown. In this preferred embodiment, that upwards motion through the second solenoid 26 is also at a constant speed, and that speed is preferably the same constant speed V₀ as with the gravitationally induced motion. The upwards motion is induced by the upthrust force created by the buoyancy of the magnetised container 14 within the fluid 28 of the second passage, and the constant speed can again be achieved by providing a suitable solenoid 26: the tendency for the object to accelerate due to the upthrust force can be compensated by EMF induction within the second solenoid 26. The EMF induction from that second solenoid 26 is therefore then converting the upthrust forces into electrical energy.

The above arrangement is therefore allowing mechanical, i.e. kinetic or accelerational energy, as caused to be acting upon the magnetised container 14 by gravity or buoyancy, to be converted, within the two passages 10 and 12, by the two solenoids 24, 26, into electricity, through induction, in accordance with Lenz's Law. It will be appreciated that the solenoids provided for the first and second passages 10, 12 are only partially illustrated. It is preferred that they extend across substantially the full length, or at least a substantial portion of the length, of the first and second passages 10, 12.

In the first passage 10, the first solenoid 24 can have a first height h-i and a radius r,. The magnetic container 14 also has a mass m and it is sized to pass through the vertical solenoid, or solenoids, provided for the first passage 10 at least in a first orientation. That portion of the movement of the magnetised container 14 through the device starts at the top of the first passage 10 at Point I. The magnetic container 14 then passes through the first passage 10 at the constant velocity V₀, through the solenoid(s) such that gravitational force is compensated by Lenz's Law as defined by formula 1 :

ε₌ - d-(Nφ) (Formula 1) dt

The quantity of electric energy created by that solenoid then depends on the mass of the container, and the height of the solenoid(s). The work done by the system, however, is equal to the potential gravitational energy:

Ep = mgh_x (Formula 2)

However, when the container arrives at the lowest point of the first passage 10 (Point II), the potential remaining energy to acquire from the solenoid(s) has become zero.

At that point, the magnetised container 14 is then transferred through the first transfer mechanism 18 into the second passage 12, for example as described below, with reference to Figure 5 onwards.

That bottom position of the second passage 12 is hereinafter referred to as Point III. See Figure 4.

The second passage 12, as illustrated, is filled with an incompressible fluid, such as water. It is also, like the first passage 10, provided with one or more solenoid 26 along its length (again only part of that solenoid 26 is illustrated). The solenoid 26 (or solenoids), however, have a height h₂ and a radius X₂-

The magnetised container 14, through its buoyancy, then passes through the solenoid 26 in this second passage 12 in its prearranged orientation.

It will be appreciated that the preferably fixed volume of the magnetised container is chosen such that its mean density provides a suitable buoyancy within the fluid 28, and that buoyancy is preferably such that the upthrust force is at least twice the gravitational force acting upon it. To achieve that the mean (average) density of the container should be no more than half the density of the fluid 28 of the second passage 12. That level of buoyancy is preferred to allow the constant velocity V₀ again to be achieved as it passes up the second passage 12 while using essentially identical solenoids to those provided for the first passage 10.

With this arrangement, the potential upthrust energy is as defined in the following formula:

E₂ = E_p = -pVgh₂ = mg\ (Formula 3)

As the magnetised container 14 passes from Point III to the top of the second passage 12 (i.e. Point IV), the potential acquirable energy due to buoyancy drops to zero.

Dependent upon the efficiencies of the solenoids, and their energy transfer systems, a significant quantity of energy might be recoverable from the passage of the magnetised container 14 through the two passage 10, 12.

A preferred mechanism for transferring the magnetised container 14 into the lower portion of the second passage 12, from the first ramp 16, will now be described with reference to Figure 5 onwards. It should be observed, however, that the container 14 is shown to be approaching the second passage 12 from the right, rather than the left. This is purely to do with the way it is drawn - it is effectively viewing the arrangement from the opposite side.

In order to get the magnetised container 14 into the second passage 12, an empty space within the first transfer mechanism 18 needs to be maintained for it. The magnetised container 14 can then be located into that space. For that purpose, a interlock system 30 is provided. See Figure 5.

The interlock system 30 contains a fixed piston 32 that is fixed to the floor 34 of the second passage 12 so as to have an immoveable height. The piston is arranged to be slidable within a chamber 38 of a cylinder 36.

The height of the piston is determined by the dimensions of its cylinder 36: the cylinder needs to be contained within the bottom portion of the second passage 12 such that it will not touch the floor 34 of that second passage 12. See Figure 16.

The interlock system 30 therefore comprises both a piston 32 and a cylinder 36. The cylinder 36 has a solid housing with a sealable door 46 to a side thereof. The cylinder 36 is also provided with a sealable lid 50 containing a sealable hole (not shown). Both the lid and the hole (or a vent) can be opened or closed, as discussed below.

The cylinder 36 can move between an up position (as shown in Figure 5) and a down position (as shown in Figure 15). In the up position, the piston 32 is located in a bottom area of the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36. In the down position, the piston 32 is located at or near the top of the chamber 38.

The cylinder 36 moves up and down the piston 32 depending upon its level of buoyancy, as will also be described below.

The cylinder 36 has a hollow core 40, that is generally cup shaped - the chamber 38 is in its centre. That hollow core 40 is connectable to a trimming tank 42, that is also located within the bottom portion of the second passage 12. That trimming tank 42, however, is located outside of the cylinder 36. It is provided to store liquid from within the core 40 of the cylinder 36 when the cylinder 36 is wanted to move from it down position to its up position, and it and serves to fill the cylinder 36 with liquid when the cylinder 36 is wanted to move from its up position into its down position. The liquid can be transferred between the trimming tank 42 and the core 40 of the cylinder 36 by pumping it therebetween, through, for example, a flexible, sealable, tube that can connect therebetween. This mechanism therefore allows the cylinder 36 to be filled or drained of fluid, into or out of the trimming tank, e.g. with a pump. It should be appreciated that when the core is filled with fluid, the mean density of the cylinder will be greater than when the core is empty (i.e. filled instead with air). Therefore, when it is empty, it will float into its up position, but when it is full, it will sink into its down position - the cylinder will be made from a material that is more dense than the fluid 28 of the second passage 12.

The sealable lid 50, as provided at the top of the cylinder 36 allows the chamber 38 to be capped off. This is done whenever the cylinder 36 is moving upwards, and also whenever the chamber 38 is having a magnetised container loaded therein through the sealable door 46. See Figure 9.

However, when the cylinder 36 is moving downwards towards its down position, the sealable lid is still closed, but a sealable hole or vent in it is open. This allows the piston 32 to displace any fluid 28 from within the chamber 38, as will have got there from when the last magnetised container 14 was released therefrom by opening the lid 50, into the second passage 12. This displacement of fluid 28 is completed once the cylinder 36 has dropped fully downwardly into its down position, as shown in Figure 15.

Referring next to Figure 12, however, the arrangement is shown where a magnetised container 14 has been loaded into the chamber 38, and the sealable lid has then been opened to allow the magnetised container 14 to exit the chamber 38 into the second passage 12. That movement of the magnetised container 14 occurs due to the buoyancy of the container 14 in the fluid 28.

The final components of the interlock system are a sealing sleeve 44 and a further door, or gate, 48. These are shown to be mounted to the bottom of the second passage 12.

The sealing sleeve 44 is adapted to be moved, by sliding, between a non-sealing position away from the cylinder 36, as in Figure 5, and a sealing position against the cylinder 36, and in registration with the sealable door 46 of the cylinder 36, as in Figure 6. It is put into the sealing position of Figure 6 when a magnetised container 14 is needed to be loaded from the first passage 10 into the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36, i.e. through the door 46 of the cylinder 36. The gate 48 provided the outer opening for the second passage. It holds the fluid 28 within the second passage 12 whenever the sealing sleeve is in its non-sealing position. Otherwise the second passage 12 would be drained of all its fluid 28.

The two doors/gates 46, 48, and the sleeve 44, operate as an interlock, as will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 17 in sequence.

Referring first to Figure 5, the bottom portion of the second passage 12 is illustrated. It has the gate 48, adjacent to which a magnetised container 14 has located via the first ramp 16 (not shown in this figure).

The gate 48 is an openable gate. It is shown in this figure to be in its sealed-closed condition, and it is containing the fluid 28 in the second passage 12.

The magnetised container 14 is currently outside the second passage 12. It needs to be transferred or loaded, however, into the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36.

The cylinder 36 is currently in its up position, and it is empty (i.e. filled with air) - its contents have been pumped into the trimming tank 42.

To avoid a vacuum being created by the pump, an opening is provided at the bottom of the piston's shaft. This allows for the movement of air through the piston shaft to the chamber 38 from an air supply. The air's movement can be controlled with two sealable vent hole valves in the piston: one for the up-movement and one for the down-movement.

Like the cylinder 36, the chamber 38 is also filled with air. Further, the piston 32 is currently at the bottom of the chamber 38.

The sealing sleeve 44 can also be seen to be retracted into a non-sealing position.

For the above-mentioned pumping process, the trimming tank 42 is connected to the core 40, preferably through two flexible sealable tubes: one for the air and one for the water. The tank 42 and the core 40 can have the same volume, whereby there will be no problems with having the free flow of the fluid, and the air, therebetween using the pump. Next, with reference to Figure 6, the sealing sleeve 44 has been moved or slid across from its non-sealing position into its sealing position against the cylinder 36, around the door 46 of the cylinder 36. By making the sleeve 44 short, but solid, yet slidable or movable into that sealing position, the sleeve can restrain the pressures of the fluid above it. The sleeve 44 therefore has defined a fluid-tight passageway between the gate 48 of the second passage 12 and the door 46 of the cylinder 36, whereby the bulk of the fluid 28 of the second passage 12 is no longer in communication with the gate 48 of the second passage 12 and the door 46 of the cylinder 36. Some of the fluid, however, will have been trapped within the space between the gate 48 and the door 46. That fluid is likely later to be lost from the system, although minimising that space by using tight tolerances between relatively movable components can reduce that loss to a minimum.

The illustrated sizes and shapes and tolerances are only schematic.

The next illustrated step is then, as shown in Figure 7, to open the door 46 of the cylinder 36, and then, as shown in Figure 8, the sealable gate 48 can also be opened. That then completely opens the area/passageway from the outside of the second passage 12 into the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36, whereupon the trapped fluid might be lost from the system by draining from that area. That loss, however, is reduced to a minimum by using tight tolerances, as mentioned above. Tight tolerances can equally be used for all spaces and gaps surrounding the cylinder, container, doors or gates, i.e. rather than the loose tolerances illustrated. The opened passageway, however, now allows the magnetised container 14 to be loaded through the open gate 48 and door 46 into the chamber 38, as shown in Figure 9.

Any lost fluid volume that does occur at the bottom can be replaced into the second passage 12 at the top from a replacement fluid source or the lost fluid can be pumped to the top for reinsertion into the passageway. Since that fluid is generally water, such replacement fluid sources are readily available. Likewise, draining away any lost water is readily achievable.

Once the magnetised container 14 has been inserted into the chamber through the now open passageway, the sealable gate 48 and the sealable door 46 are closed, as shown in Figure 10, and finally, the sealing sleeve 44 is repositioned back away from the cylinder 36 into its non sealing position, so as to release the cylinder 36. At that stage, as shown in Figure 11 , the magnetised container 14 is sealed inside the cylinder 36, on top of the piston 32.

Then, as shown in Figure 12, the sealable lid 50 can then be opened or removed to release the container 14 fully into the second passage 12. The magnetised container 14 will thus start to float upwards out of the chamber 38 and through the solenoid 26 (not shown).

Then, as shown in Figure 13, the sealable lid 50 can once again be closed. However, this time the sealable hole (not shown) in the lid 50 is opened.

Once that condition of Figure 13 has been arrived at, the trimming tank 42 can be connected with the cylinder 36 to commence pumping the fluid from the tank 42 into the cylinder 36.

Once the pumping is completed, as shown in Figure 14, the pump can be shut off, or the flexible tube connecting the tank 42 to the core 40 can be taken out of its fluid communication therebetween, whereupon the increased weight of the now filled cylinder 36 will tend to cause the cylinder 36 to drop relative to the piston 32. That in turn will cause the fluid 28 within the chamber 38, above the piston 32, to be vented out through the open hole, or holes, or vents, in the sealable lid 50. The cylinder 36 will thus drop to the down position shown in Figure 15, with the piston 32 thus becoming located towards the top of the chamber 38.

The area of the chamber 38 located below the piston 32 will have by then filled with air, for example via piston valves (not shown), for example in the rod or head of the piston. That area beneficially, however, fills at a low pressure compared to ambient pressures, which is achievable due to the weight of the cylinder 36 once it is filled with fluid (water) instead of air.

At that stage, the fluid connection between the core 40 and the trimming tank 42 can then be reopened or reconnected so that the fluid in the core can once again be pumped out of the cylinder 36 and back into the tank 42. At this stage, the sealable hole or vent in the sealable lid 50 is closed.

Once the fluid is pumped out of the core 40, the cylinder will once again have its reduced weight, which will then cause it again to float upwards. That in turn will allow the piston 32 to draw air into the area of the chamber 38 above the piston 32 through further piston valves (not shown), e.g. via the the rod of the piston.

A half-way point of the traversal of the cylinder 36 up the piston 32 is shown in Figure 17.

As this occurs, the area of the chamber 38 below the piston will be vented, again through the valves and the rod of the piston, or perhaps into the area above the piston 32. The low pressure in that lower area, however, can facilitate the raising of the cylinder 36 relative to the piston 32.

While this recycling of the cylinder/piston arrangement is ongoing, the magnetised container 14 will pass up and round the device, eventually arriving back to a position close to the gate 48, as shown in Figure 17. It will be appreciated, however, that where more than one magnetised container is provided, the replacement container 14 of Figure 17 may be a different container 14 to the one just released back in Figures 12 and 13.

Ultimately, the cylinder 36 will reach its up position, as per Figure 5. The first transfer mechanism can thus start its loading procedure again for the new/recycled magnetised container 14.

This process therefore continues cyclically, i.e. again and again.

The entrance work to be done to transfer the magnetised container 14 from the first passage 10 into the second passage 12, via the interlock system 30, can be defined by formula 4:

- W₁ - pgVAh + δW (Formula 4)

Referring next again to Figure 1 , the second transfer mechanism 20 will also now be described.

The second transfer mechanism is provided towards the upper portion of the second passage 12. It does not need to operate in the pressured environment of the first transfer mechanism. It is therefore potentially much less involved. It consists of a transfer area referred to as a pool. It can have a substantially similar size and shape to the magnetised container 14, for containing that container 14. It has two gates - one on each side of it. The first gate is an exit gate from the second passage 12, and the second gate is an entrance gate for the first passage 10. Te mechanism operates as follows - first one opens the exit gate, and the magnetised container 14 is then parked into the pool area of the second transfer mechanism 20, between the two gates. Then that first gate is closed. Then, the entrance gate for the first passage is opened so that the magnetised container 14 can then be passed through to the second ramp 22 for commencing its downward passage through the first passage 10. The second gate can then be closed, i.e. once the magnetised container 14 has exited the pool area.

It will be appreciated that the magnetised containers 14 need to have a substantial mass and volume in order to allow electricity to be usefully created by the solenoids 24, 26. Further, it is best if they are permanently magnetised.

The magnetised containers can be of any shape or form, although the volume needs to be proportioned so that the upthrust within the fluid of the second passage 12 is preferably at least twice the gravitational force acting upon it, such that when solenoids are provided for the second passage 12, similar quantities of electricity can be generated by both solenoids. It will be appreciated, however, that in embodiments where no solenoids are provided in the second passage 12, it can be enough simply that the volume is proportioned so that there is some residual buoyancy for the magnetised container 14 relative to the fluid in the second passage 12. After all, no EMF resistance to rising is then presented.

It would also be desirable to reduce the amount of power needed to operate the transfer mechanisms to a minimum. After all, if the energy generated by the solenoid contributes towards that power requirement, by reducing that power requirement to a level below the quantity of electrical energy generated by the solenoids, a net power output would be achieved. The device could thus be used to generate electricity.

The theory behind this can be summarised as follows:

In a conservative field the work along a closed path is nil: i Fds = 0 (Formula 5)

The work done by the first passage is then:

+mgr (Formula 6) r r where

r = h_λ\→W_G= mg\ (Formula 7)

The work done by the second passage (i.e. against gravity, and therefore upthrust) is then:

F_A = -pVg y→F_Λ= 2F_G (Formula 8) Resulting in F = -mgr (Formula 9) and

mgdr = mgr (Formula 10)

where r = h₂\→W_A = mgh₂ (Formula 11) and h_x=h₂=h>- W_{G +}W_A = 2mgh > 0 (Formula 12)

The system disclosed herein can be made in numerous different sizes. Standard engineering practices can be used to develop the appropriate mechanisms to put the device into practice. One size of device might comprise a 1 tonne (1000kg) magnetised container, approximately 100m tall passages and a velocity of perhaps 1m/s for the container through the solenoid(s). The container would preferably have a volume of about 2m³ to ensure it can float appropriately in the water of the second passage.

Assuming that energy conversion efficiencies can be maintained, and that the components can be physically produced, even larger devices can be produced. After all, a longer height and a larger mass will provide a greater potential supply of potential energy, and hence, once moving, kinetic, (or accelerational), energy.

The additional height for the second passage allows for the provision of the ramps.

In addition, by using multiple carriers, the potential levels of energy passing through the device can be correspondingly increased, although the work carried out by the transfer mechanisms likewise correspondingly increased.

Although electricity conversion is one potential use of the device, the device can also be used to demonstrate the use of solenoids in the creation of an electrical charge from a moving, magnetised, object. That charge will be created in either or both of the first and second passages, using gravity in the first case and buoyancy in the second case.

It is important to bear in mind, however, that this system is not a net energy producing device: the output will typically be smaller than the input, whereby more energy is not being produced than in being put in. Instead the device serves to convert one available energy source into another energy source - potential gravitational energy found potential upthrust energy is/are converted into electricity, rather than just converting that energy into kinetic energy. Energy conservation laws therefore apply to this device:

Input energy 1 is the potential gravitation energy = mgh Input energy 2 is the potential upthrust energy = mgh

Input energy 3 is the work to pump the weight from the water to move the first transfer mechanism 18, W=6mga h=height of first passage 10 and second passage 12, a = height of first transfer mechanism 18

Input energy 4 is Work to transfer container from top of second passage 12 into first passage 10 = mgb b=distance to move container

Input energy 5 is work to do for moving tubes and doors W=20mgc c=distance to move equipment

Total input energy =mgh+mgh+6mga+mgb+20mgc

Output energy for solenoids at max = mgh+mgh=2mgh

Due to inefficiencies of the system, (lnput)=2mgh+4mga+mgb+20mgc>2mgh=(Output)

An estimation for the output by numbers with g=10

Mass m=1000Kg, height of coils (solenoids) from the two passages 10, 12: h=100m volume chamber inside first transfer mechanism 18 V=3 cubit meters=3000Kg, h=a=3m weight from every door and tube m=200kg, distance to move c=2m

maximum Output=mgh+mgh-6mga-mgb-20mgc Output=1000000J+1000000J-360000J-30000J-4000J=1606000Joule Output are around 80% of the Input.

Referring finally to Figures 18 to 21 , a preferred arrangement for transferring fluid, such as water, from outside of a column of water into the column of water, without having to pump the water into the column either at the top, or at the bottom using a conventional high-pressure pump, is disclosed. This aspect of the invention will have significant utility in building the device of the first aspect of the present invention, since that device calls for a high column of water through which the magnetised containers float upwards. This utility also allows the column of water to be readily assembled without having a water source flowing up at the upper levels of the device since a lower-level water source can instead be used, and without needing the use of a high-pressure water pump, or multiple lower pressure pumps for staging the water up to the higher level.

Referring first of all to Figure 18, there can be seen the bottom portion of a column 12 of water 100 - the column 12 may extend upwards by a considerable distance, as compared to that illustrated in this schematic drawing. Within that bottom portion is a piston 32, much like that of the previous drawings. Likewise there is a cylinder 36, again much like that of the previous figures. Indeed, where this device is being used to fill the second passage 12 of the previous drawings, these elements will be one and the same - additional features disclosed below would then be in addition to the features discussed above in relation to the embodiment for the first aspect of the invention. As such, it also has a chamber 38 defined by the cylinder 36, and which is swept by the piston 32. Further it has a core or cavity 40 into which water or air can be located for varying the mass of the cylinder. In Figure 18, it contains air, whereas in Figure 19 it has instead been filled with water. Although not illustrated, this is likewise done with pumps and a trimming tank, as above. Yet further, mechanisms for allowing the cylinder 36 to slide up and down relative to the piston 32 are again provided, although not illustrated, e.g. vents or pathways in the piston's shaft or in the head of the piston.

This second embodiment, however, being disclosed as being for separate purposes, can contain alternative elements: as illustrated it is connectable to a further water supply 102 by a pipe 104, which allows the passage of water from the water supply 102 (e.g. a river) into the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36, such as by pumping or sucking it therein - as shown the top of the water supply 102 is above the top of the chamber 38, so suction using the piston 32 and cylinder 36 arrangement may suffice for that purpose.

That pipe 104 is fitted with valve mechanisms (not shown) to allow that flow of water to be controlled. Those valves should be capable of retaining the full pressure head of the column 12 of water 100 so that upon release of the water from the chamber 38 into the column 12 of water 100, there will be no blow-back into the water source 102. The pipe 104 might even be removable or disconnectable during such transfers.

This water transfer system therefore works as follows:

Starting from Figure 18, a supply of water is located within the chamber 38 of the cylinder 36. The cylinder's cavity is also filled with air, whereby it is floating up towards its uppermost position. This causes the piston's head to be at the bottom of the chamber 38. The pipe 104 and the supply of water 102 are both isolated from the chamber 38, e.g. using the or each valve supplied for that purpose. Further, the cavity 40 of the cylinder is now pumped full of water from e.g. a trimming tank (not shown in this Figure) or from the water source 102. Displaced air from within the cavity 40 either escapes to atmosphere or is captured in the trimming tank, where used.

As the cylinder fills with water, it becomes heavier than the surrounding water 100. The cylinder therefore will start to fall due to gravity. To allow this to continue, the top 50 of the cylinder has its vent or lid opened so that water within the chamber 38 can vent out of the cylinder 36 into the column 12. This therefore allows the water within that chamber 38, which came from outside of the column, to be introduced into the column.

Through other vents or valves, air or water can vent into the chamber 38 underneath the piston's head, e.g. through the piston's shaft 106 or using additional valves and distribution lines in the pipe 104, as that cylinder continues to drop. The dropping action is illustrated by the arrows 108 in Figure 19. It drops during this cycle to the position shown in Figure 20.

Once there, the vent in the top 50 of the cylinder is again closed and the water in the cavity 40 of the cylinder is once again displaced with air, e.g. from the trimming tank or from the atmosphere, via pumps, and the water or air below the piston's head can likewise escape the system as the cylinder again floats up relative to the piston 32, as shown by the arrows 110 in Figure 21. That can also cause water from the water source 102 to be drawn into the chamber 38 of the cylinder through the pipe 104. In this manner, the system recycles to the initial position of Figure 18.

This system therefore allows low pressure pumps to recycle the cylinder/piston arrangement for introducing a small amount of water into a tall column of water upon each cycle of the transfer device, and the limitations to the system lie in the capacity of the cylinder/trimming tank/valves and pipes being able to withstand the head of pressure applied thereto by the column of water, rather than by the capability of the pumps themselves - they can operate substantially at atmospheric pressures, rather than at those elevated pressures as experienced within the water within the column 12.

The present invention has been defined and described above purely by way of the given examples. Modifications in detail may be made to the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A transfer mechanism for transferring an object from a first location, situated outside of a column of fluid, to a second location, within the column of fluid, and for releasing the object into the column of fluid, comprising one or more gates or valves, and a piston and cylinder, both within the column, the cylinder defining a chamber therein for receiving the object to be transferred into the column, wherein the transfer mechanism is adapted to be, or is, located at or near a lower portion of the column for introducing the object into the column at or near that lower portion.

2. The transfer mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a liquid, and preferably the liquid is water.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 or claim 2, located at or near a lower portion of a column on fluid, the column being greater than 10m high, and more preferably greater than 100m high.

4. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object is more of the same fluid as found in the column of fluid.

5. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object can be a magnetised object, the transfer mechanism being adapted to accept such an object through its gates or valves.

6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the chamber has a side door sized to pass a magnetised container therethrough, the magnetised container being at least 10cm by 10cm by 10cm.

7. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, having at least one valve and at least one pipe for allowing fluid to be pumped or passed therethrough on its way into or out of the chamber.

8. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder is a vessel that defines a core or body that has a cavity that can be filled with or drained of fluid for changing the cylinder's overall mass, dependent upon the fluid used to fill the cavity.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the core's or body's drainable cavity is connectable to a trimming tank for the filling and/or draining fluid therein and/or therefrom.

10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the trimming tank is also within the bottom portion of the column of fluid.

11. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder has an openable, or removable, lid or vent or valve for separating the chamber from the fluid within the column of fluid, when closed.

12. The mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the lid or vent or valve is at the top of the chamber.

13. The mechanism of claim 12, comprising both a lid and a vent at the top of the chamber, wherein when the lid is open or removed, a magnetised container can rise out of the top of the chamber.

14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein when the lid is closed, but the vent is open, the lid defines a top for the chamber for restricting the range of motion of the cylinder as it sinks down upon the piston.

15. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, provided at the bottom of a column of fluid, the column having a sealable door near its bottom, arranged to allow a magnetised container to pass therethrough for inserting into the chamber, through the wall of the cylinder.

16. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, provided at the bottom of a column of fluid, wherein a valve and pipe is provided through the wall of the column to allow fluid to be passed therethrough for passage into the chamber, through the wall of the cylinder.

17. The mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston is a fixed piston.

18. A method of filing a column of water using the mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising cycling the cylinder on the piston to pump water therewith into the column of water.

19. A device comprising: a first passage, a second passage spaced from the first passage and a magnetised container sized to pass through the passages, wherein at least one of the passages is provided with at least one coil for forming a solenoid as the magnetised container passes through the coil, and the coil and the magnetised container are adapted to interact whenever the magnetised container passes through the coil such that an electric charge is produced by the resulting solenoid; wherein: the magnetised container is arranged to fall through the first passage under the influence of gravity and is arranged to rise through the second passage through the influence of buoyancy; and the magnetised container has a mean density that is greater than the density of a fluid or vacuum content of the first passage and lower than a fluid content of the second passage.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the fluid within the first passage is air.

21. The device of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the fluid within the second passage is water.

22. The device of any one of claims 19 to 21 , wherein more than one magnetised container is provided, each travelling through the passages, from one to the other.

23. The device of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the magnetised container is a magnetised hollow container, for example containing air.

24. The device of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the mean density of the magnetised container is half the density of the fluid in the second passage.

25. The device of any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein a first transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the magnetised container from the lower portion of the first passage and into the lower portion of the second passage.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the first transfer mechanism comprises a cylinder within the bottom portion of the second passage.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the cylinder defines a chamber therein sized to receive the magnetised container.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the chamber has a side door sized to pass the magnetised container therethrough.

29. The device of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the first transfer mechanism also comprises a piston within the bottom portion of the second passage.

30. The device of claim 29, when dependent upon claim 27, wherein the chamber of the cylinder is swept by the piston upon each transfer of a magnetised container from the first passage and through the first transfer mechanism.

31. The device of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the cylinder is a vessel that defines a core that can be filled or drained of fluid for changing the cylinder's mass.

32. The device of claim 31 , wherein the core is connectable to a trimming tank for the filling and/or draining.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the trimming tank is within the bottom portion of the second passage.

34. The device of any one of claims 26 to 33, when dependent upon claim 9, wherein the cylinder has an openable, or removable, lid that covers the top of the chamber, when closed upon the cylinder.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the lid has an openable vent or hole for allowing venting of the chamber of the cylinder.

36. The device of any one of claims 19 to 35, wherein the second passage has a sealable door near its bottom, arranged to link the lower portion of the second passage to the lower portion of the first passage.

37. The device of claim 36, when dependent upon claim 28, wherein the sealable door is aligned or alignable with the side door of the chamber of the cylinder.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein a transfer mechanism, or bottom of the second passage, comprises a fluid-lock seal for the sealable door.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the fluid-lock seal is slidable between a non- sealing position, away from the cylinder, and a sealing position, against the cylinder.

40. The device of claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the two doors and the fluid-lock seal together provide an interlock system for allowing a magnetised container to pass from the lower portion of the first passage into the lower portion of the second passage without releasing all the fluid out of the second passage.

41. The device of any one of claims 19 to 40, wherein a second transfer mechanism is provided for transferring the magnetised container from the upper portion of the second passage and into the upper portion of the first passage.

42. The device of claim 41 , wherein the second transfer mechanism comprises a pair of doors.

43. The device of any one of claims 25 to 35, or 37 to 42, wherein the or each transfer mechanism comprises one or more ramps.

44. The device of any one of claims 25 to 35, or 37 to 43, wherein the or each transfer mechanism comprises one or more gates.

45. The device of any one of claims 19 to 44, wherein each passage has at least one coil for forming a solenoid with the or each magnetised container as it passes therethrough.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein each coil is a length of coils extending along at least part of the length of the first or second passage.

47. The device of any one of claims 19 to 46, wherein more than one separate coil, or length of coils, may be provided for the first and or the second passage.

48. The device of any one of claims 19 to 47, wherein the magnetised container has a mass in excess of 1 tonne (1000 kg).

49. The device of any one of claims 19 to 48, wherein the magnetised container has a volume in excess of 2m³.

50. The device of any one of claims 19 to 49, wherein the heights of the first and second passage are in excess of 50m.

51. A method of producing an electric charge, comprising providing a device comprising: a first passage, a second passage spaced from the first passage and a magnetised container sized to pass through the passages, wherein at least one of the passages is provided with at least one coil for forming a solenoid as the magnetised container passes through the coil, and the coil and the magnetised container are adapted to interact whenever the magnetised container passes through the coil such that an electric charge is produced by the resulting solenoid; and wherein the method comprises the steps of: dropping the magnetised container through the first passage under the influence of gravity, the magnetised container having a mean density that is greater than the density of a fluid or vacuum content of the first passage; and allowing the magnetised container to rise through the second passage through the influence of buoyancy, the magnetised container having a mean density that is lower than the density of a fluid content of the second passage.

52. The method of claim 51 , wherein the device is in accordance with any one of claims 19 to 50.

53. The method of claim 51 or claim 52, wherein the magnetised container passes through the or each coil at a constant speed.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein that constant speed is the same speed, or substantially the same speed, for each coil of the device, or each coil of a passage.

55. The method of claim 53 or claim 54, wherein the speed of the magnetised container through the coil is about 1 m/s.

56. A method of producing an electric charge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 18 to 21.

57. A device for converting energy into electrical energy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 18 to 21.

58. A fluid transfer mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 18 to 21.

59. A column of water comprising at or near its bottom a fluid transfer mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 18 to 21.

60. A method of filling a column with additional water, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 18 to 21.