WO2014024208A1

WO2014024208A1 - Home power generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2014024208A1
Application number: PCT/IN2013/000326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dilip Daniel JAMES
Original assignee: James Dilip Daniel
Priority date: 2012-08-06
Filing date: 2013-05-21
Publication date: 2014-02-13

Abstract

A Power Generation system for the home, comprising a system that can raise and lower counterweights (6,7) using forces of gravity and atmospheric pressure to produce continuous electrical output. Two or more counterweights (6,7) are present, attached by cables (8) to shuttles (4,5) that can be sealed or opened. The energy of one counterweight (6,7) turns a generator (9) which powers a vacuum device (12) inducing a vacuum in the system, the other counterweights (6,7) produce useful electricity through turning of a generator (9). Gravity pulls the counterweight(s) (6,7) down, the shuttles (4,5) are then sealed and atmospheric pressure pushes down on them raising the counterweights ) (6,7). This is due to a vacuum existing beneath the sealed shuttles (4,5), resulting in a pressure differential that pushes the sealed shuttle (4,5) down and raises the counlenveight (6,7). Thus a repeatable cycle is achieved whereby the countenveighls (6,7) can be raised and lowered, resulting in the continuous generation of electricity.

Description

Complete specification for grant of patent for a "Home Power Generation System":

A Home Power Generation System that offers a clean, sustainable, renewable source of power generation, using only naturally occurring forces of nature such as atmospheric pressure and gravity.

Background:

Hitherto the generation of electricity has by and large, involved the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas or coal, that contaminate the environment. With the depletion of fossil fuel reserves world-wide there is an increasing need for power generation through renewable energy sources such as solar; thermal and photovoltaic, wind, tide, geothermal etc., both for the benefit of the environment and for the good of society. Unfortunately, efficient energy storage systems that would make the use of such renewable energy sources practical and dependable, are not available as of date, making such sources of renewable energy, intermittent, unreliable and dependent on location. In this patent application a home power generation system is described that is not dependent on fossil fuels and uses a pressure differential and existing forces of nature to generate electricity. The system can be used anywhere in any climate and is universally applicable.

Prior art:

In recent years vacuum elevators have entered the commercial market that utilize multistage turbine fans or other method to create a pressure deferential and thus lift heavy loads to heights of up to 10 m using atmospheric pressure and a vacuum. These systems as well as those systems that utilize a vacuum to create a pressure differential to lift or transport goods have been known for many years. Partial or low vacuums are also used to dehydrate goods and as central vacuuming systems for buildings and in other industries. Improvements in technology have made possible the quick and efficient forming of vacuums over large areas, as well as lightweight dependable containers for effectively holding these vacuums.

Description of the working and construction of the ' Home Power Generation System":

The "Home Power Generation System" described herein, uses a similar system to that used by vacuum elevators, by using a partial or tow vacuum to create a pressure differential and gravity to lift and lower a counterweight which turns a generator and thereby generates electricity. The system consists of a fully sealed and air tight polycarbonate (or of any other suitable material) main cylinder or chamber situated at a height, and of any suitable diameter shaped in such a manner that it is capable of supporting a partial or low vacuum. Inside the main chamber are the generators and spools etc., with means of support. Projecting vertically downward from the main chamber, are two or more smaller paired polycarbonate tubes of smaller diameter and length of 10m or whichever length (i.e., height) is decided on. The paired tubes are divided into two sections one of larger diameter, contains the coaxially situated open ended shuttle while the other tube which may be of any suitable shape contains the coaxially situated counterweight together with suitable support such as railing, wheels etc., in order that the counterweight might be restrained yet move freely during ascent and descent with a minimum of frictional losses. Thus support and deployment of a counterweight through use of pulleys, supporting structure etc., is made possible The number of counterweights, depends on the number of shuttles. Suitable support system such as aluminium (or other material) scaffolding are used to strengthen the whole structure. The counterweights are connected by cable, chain, rope, belt (or other means) and pulleys mat rotate a generator and then connect to a shuttle inside the other half of the paired tubes; thus for every counterweight there is provided a corresponding shuttle and generator. The shuttles and counterweights are in opposed positions, so that when one descends the other ascends and vice versa. Of these paired tubes within the system, one is the initiator, providing the vacuum for the whole system through turning of a suitable vacuum device such as multi stage turbines or vacuum pumps to aspirate air out of the system. The other paired tubes are actualisers that are responsible for generating useful electricity. When the counterweight is released its kinetic energy is used to generate electricity which is used to power a vacuum device that aspirates the system creating a vacuum. Since the open ended shuttle is connected to the counterweight by cable or other means, it ascends as the counterweight descends, in the meanwhile because of the action of the vacuum device, a partial or low vacuum exists in the system. When the shuttle reaches near the top of its ascent and the counterweight is near the bottom of its descent, the open ended shuttle is sealed by an actuator switch converting it into an approximation of a piston. Atmospheric pressure is allowed to enter the main chamber above the sealed shuttle through the opening of a valve. The situation is now as follows; a vacuum exists below the sealed shuttle and atmospheric pressure above it. This is similar to the working of the Newcomen engine. Pressure sensors determine if a sufficient vacuum exists to pull the piston down, raise the counterweight and run the generator. If the vacuum is sufficient, the vacuum device is turned off or put on standby, if it isn't the vacuum device continues to run evacuating the sealed tube in which the shuttle is situated, thereby forcing the shuttle down through the action of atmospheric pressure. Once the shuttle reaches the bottom of its descent, the actuator switch unseals the shuttle unlocking the vacuum below the shuttle and allowing atmospheric pressure to be restored throughout the system, gravity then takes over and the counterweight starts to descend, making a complete cycle. The actualisers work in exactly the same manner with the exception that no current is directed to the vacuum device, instead the current produced is output as useful electricity. The generators are geared to produce electricity both while the counterweight descends and ascends. Alternatively the Kinetic energy of the descending counterweight in the initiator system may be used to turn a generator which charges a bank of ultra capacitors, when the shuttle is sealed the bank of ultra capacitors are used to run a vacuum device to aspirate air out of the shuttle tubes, causing atmospheric pressure to push the sealed shuttle down the tube, raise the counterweight and generate electricity. It is therefore demonstrated that the partial or low vacuum in the system can be generated by several means and methods.

The Vacuum device:

The heart of the Home Power Generation System, hereinafter called HPGS, is the aspiration system or vacuum device, this can be of any suitable type, such as multi stage turbines or vacuum pumps, used to create a partial or low vacuum. This vacuum device can be placed in any position where it is effective, on top of the main chamber, below the system or separately located and connected with suitable tubing or pipes. There are available several vacuum inducing devices that can generate a partial or low vacuum over a short space of time, for instance 'Vacuum Pumps America inc.' produces the SMB-600D roots vacuum pump that has a pumping speed of 501 cubic metres per hour and consumes just 2.2. KW of power, when used in conjunction with the VPA-R36 double stage rotary vane pump that has a pumping capacity of 500 cubic litres per minute an end vacuum of 10^"3 Torr results, which is a vacuum greater than a factor of ten to the power of four than is required by the system, since a low or partial vacuum is sufficient for the system to work efficiently. The VPA-R36 double stage rotary pump consumes just 0.5 KW. Thus for a total outlay of 2.75 KW approx. it is possible to generate the needed vacuum. Further because the HPGS is split up into a single small main chamber and six smaller tubes, the volume that has to be aspirated is correspondingly smaller. For instance in a HPGS with a main chamber, one initiator system and two auxiliary systems, the total volume to be evacuated would be about 1.5 cubic metres or about one third the volume of a vacuum elevator with a similar diameter. The amount of power needed to power the vacuum device can be extracted from the kinetic energy of the descending counterweight. Pressure sensors switch off or put on standby the vacuum device as soon as the desired pressure is reached. The pressure sensors play an important part in the working of the system since they accurately determine whether the needed degree of vacuum has been reached and can control the system accordingly.

Other types of sensors dictate when the actuator should seal or unlock the shuttles. The Initiator System:

A counterweight descends from a height and its kinetic energy is used to run a generator, the electricity from the generator is used to run a vacuum device such as multi-stage turbines or vacuum pumps. The vacuum device creates a partial or low vacuum in the system. As the counterweight descends in its tube, it runs over a sheaf or pulley turning a generator and pulls up an open ended shuttle in an adjoining tube by means of a cable. When the open ended shuttle reaches near the top of its tube, an actuator or other type of switch seals the top of the shuttle in an air-tight manner, so that it now resembles a piston in a cylinder. Atmospheric pressure is reintroduced into the main chamber by opening of a valve, the situation is now as follows; there exists a vacuum in the tube below the sealed shuttle and atmospheric pressure above it. The surface area of the sealed shuttle/piston is calculated so that there is enough atmospheric pressure present to force the sealed shuttle down the tube, raise the counterweight and still produce enough electricity from the generator to run the vacuum device. When the shuttle reaches the bottom of the tube in which it is situated, the actuator unseals the shuttle converting it into an open ended shuttle and gravity pulls the counterweight down, so that the whole process can be repeated. Thus a cycle has been created and means have been provided for both the raising and lowering of the counterweight. In the former case it is the vacuum that has been generated below the sealed shuttle that causes a pressure differential below and above the sealed shuttle causing the shuttle to descend and at the same time raise the counterweight. In the latter case, the force of gravity causes the counterweight to descend and the shuttle to ascend, since the shuttle is open ended and offers practically no resistance to the counterweights descent. The acfaialisers:

The actualisers are identical in construction and operation to the initiator system excepting that the electricity generated by the generator is not used to power a vacuum device but is fed out of the system as usable energy. Therefore the initiator system provides the vacuum that enables one or more of the actualiser systems to work and produce useful electricity.

The Shuttles:

The shuttles maybe made out of polycarbonate or any suitable material that can withstand the pressure it is subjected to. The shuttles are coated with a friction lowering medium (in the same way that the cage in a vacuum elevator is treated) lowering frictional forces between the shuttle and the tube in which it is travelling significantly. The shuttles are opened and closed by means of an actuator switch in milliseconds, although this is not critical. When the shuttle is closed it functions like a piston, when it is open it offers practically no resistance to the descent of the counterweight. Alternatively a permanently closed piston during ascent can be used with atmospheric pressure introduced into the shuttle tube from below, enabling the counterweight to pull the piston up. In this instance the vacuum would have to be formed below the piston after it reaches the top of its tube.

The Generators:

Today small sized alternator type of generators are available such as those produced by the US Based Company Auragen, that produce anything up to 16 KW of energy, the 8 KW and 5 KW generators of this type have dimensions of 31cm by 15 cm . Thus such alternators may easily be accommodated in the main cylinder or chamber and will be cooled when the vacuum device aspirates the system, since any sudden lowering of pressure results in rapid drop in temperature. (If the vacuum is created below a permanently sealed type of shuttle/piston, alternate means have to be used to cool the generators.) Further these alternators are normally run by a car engine using a belt drive, there is therefore no appreciable difference between the manner proposed for turning of these generators in the Home Power Generating System and the manner in which they are normally run. The power generating systems developed by the Auragen Company have been widely tested over many years and are dependable and capable of working nonstop 24/7. Similar generators are used in wind turbine systems. Explanation of the invention with reference to drawings:

Sheet 1/4

The working of the Home Power Generation System, hereinafter called the HPGS, can be explained with the help of diagrams (Sheet 1, Figure 1). The HPGS consists of an air-tight main chamber (1) containing generators (9) and means of support for the generators, pulleys etc.,. Attached to the main chamber and projecting perpendicularly downwards from it, also in an airtight manner, are a number of paired tubes (2) and (3) ( in this instance only two paired tubes are illustrated). Each paired tube consists of a larger diameter tube (2) containing an open ended shuttle (4) and (5) and a smaller diameter tube (3) containing a counterweight (6) and (7) . The counterweights and the shuttles are connected to each other by a cable (8) in an opposed manner such that when the counterweight descends the shuttle ascends and vice versa. To begin with the counterweight is placed at the top of its tube, it is then allowed to descend under the influence of gravity, thereby pulling up the open ended shuttle (5) and also turning the electrical generator (9) The current from the generator is conveyed through wire (11) to a vacuum forming device (12) which creates a vacuum in the air tight system through pipe (13). Thus as the counterweight descends and the shuttle ascends, a partial vacuum is created throughout the system, when the shuttle nears the top of tube (2) a device such as an actuator seals the top of the shuttle in an airtight manner turning the open ended shuttle into a piston. Atmospheric pressure is then introduced into the main chamber through a valve (14). The situation is now as follows, a partial vacuum exists beneath the sealed shuttle and atmospheric pressure above it, the area of the sealed shuttle on which atmospheric pressure acts is calculated so as to provide enough power to raise the counterweight and generate electricity through turning of the generator, the generated electricity from one set of paired tubes continues to power the vacuum inducing device (if necessary) (12) so that the vacuum in the now sealed tube (2) containing the shuttle increases, inducing the sealed shuttle to continue moving down the tube through the action of atmospheric pressure. When the sealed shuttle reaches the bottom of its tube, the actuator unseals the shuttle and gravity causes the counterweight to descend and the shuttle to ascend, thus creating a continuous cycle that can be repeated. One set of paired tubes, called the initiator, supplies electricity to the aspiration device inducing a vacuum in the system and the other sets of paired tubes, called actualisers, use the same vacuum to cause the counterweight to descend and ascend thereby turning the generator (9) thus generating a continuous supply of electricity through wire (10).

Thus it may be seen that the HPGS works on the same principle as the Newcomen Atmospheric engine, with the difference that the vacuum is induced by an aspiration device such as a vacuum pump or multistage turbine, instead of through the condensation of steam. There are available several vacuum inducing devices that can generate a partial or low vacuum for instance 'Vacuum Pumps America inc.' produces the SMB-600D roots vacuum pump that has a pumping speed of 501 cubic metres per hour and consumes just 2.2. KW of power, when used in conjunction with the VPA-R36 double stage rotary vane pump that has a pumping capacity of 500 cubic litres per minute, can produce an end vacuum of 10^"3 Torr, which is a far greater vacuum than needed, since a partial or low vacuum would be adequate . The VPA-R36 double stage rotary pump consumes just 0.5 KW. Thus for a total outlay of 2.75 KW approx. It is possible to generate the needed vacuum.

The Kinetic energy of the descending counterweight, if for example it is at a height of 10 m (although the system can be of any suitable height) , and weighs 100 Kg. Will be equal to 10m x 100 Kg x 9.8 = 9.8 KJ, thus providing, even after taking into account losses, enough power (about 5KW)in the initiator system to induce the vacuum, while the actualiser systems produce usable power. For instance in the above example if there are two actualiser systems (i.e., paired tubes) and one initiator system, it will be possible to produce about 10 KW of continuous power output (i.e., 5 KW plus 5 KW). Thus it may be seen that the initiator produces the power used to induce a vacuum in the system, and the actualisers use the same vacuum to function and produce usable electricity. Similarly the counterweight is raised back to its original height and enough power is produced to run the aspiration device that produces the vacuum through atmospheric pressure. For instance if the sealed shuttle has a diameter of 20 cms then the area on which- atmospheric pressure can act will be lO ² x 3.14 x 1 kg/cm ² = 314 Kgf. This is sufficient pressure to lift the counterweight back to its original position and at the same time to produce the 2.75 KW or so needed by the vacuum generating device, since a total of about 160 Kgf. Approx. (i.e., much less than the 314 Kgf theoretically available) has to be exerted by atmospheric pressure on the piston to accomplish both these objectives. Sheet 2/4:

Sheet 2/4 depicts the shuttle and the manner in which it may be closed in an air-tight manner converting it into a piston. (Sheet 2/4 ) Fig4, 1& 4 show the shuttle in an open ended position where air can pass freely through it Fig4, 2 shows the cable attached to the shuttle. Fig4, 3 shows the actuator switch that closes the shuttle as for instance by means of a helical gear capable of rotating movable plates in the shuttle. Fig 5, 3 shows the shuttle in a closed position, the numbers 1 and 2 depict the cable and the actuator switch. (Sheet 2/4 Fig 6 ) shows the shuttle from above in the open position (Sheet 2/4 Fig 6) shows the shuttle in a closed position as seen from above. Numerous means are available for sealing and unsealing the shuttle. Sheet 3/4:

Sheet 3/4 depicts the paired tubes in greater detail. The numbers are as follows for (Sheet 3/4 Fig 8) 1 & 2 cable attaching shuttle to counterweight. 3 counterweight 4 support for counterweight 5 tube for counterweight 6 tube for shuttle 8 shuttle in open position (sheet 3/4 Fig 9) depicts the shuttle in closed position.

Novelty of the Invention:

The Home Power Generation System might be said to demonstrate several features involving both novelty and inventive step. For instance although it might be said to be similar in working to the Newcomen atmospheric engine, using the action of atmospheric pressure on the piston to raise the counterweight, there are several vital differences, for instance the HPGS uses multistage turbines or vacuum pumps to create the vacuum under the piston while the Newcomen atmospheric engine uses the condensation of steanij further atmospheric pressure (i.e., low pressure steam) and gravity is used to lower the counterweight and raise the piston in the Newcomen atmospheric engine, while in the HPGS the shuttle is opened using an actuator or other means allowing atmospheric pressure to be established and allowing the counterweight to descend. Again in the HPGS, a continuous pressure differential can be maintained , if necessary, under the shuttle/piston ensuring that it descends, the Newcomen atmospheric engine is dependent on a single steam condensation. Similarly while the HPGS system uses a pressure differential to work as in the case of modern vacuum elevators there are again several key differences. For one thing vacuum elevators have of necessity to move at slow speeds because of passenger safety, while in the HPGS the shuttle is made to move as fast as possible in order to generate the maximum power. Further the use of such a system to generate useful electricity is completely new and novel and is not known in the state of the art.

Alternate designs:

The system might be designed with the counterweights operating outside the vacuum area, in which case suitable care should be taken to ensure that the points at which the cables exit the system are air-tight through the means of seals 'Ο' rings etc.,

The tubes referred to herein, may be either cylindrical or oval or square or any shape conducive to holding a vacuum as may be the main chamber housing the turbine fan. The sealing of the shuttles may be achieved through electrical means or mechanical or a combination of the two, as can be the unsealing of the shuttles.

Conclusion:

To sum up a 'Power Generating System for the Home' that uses only natural forces and minimal external power sources to operate, can produce electricity continuously.

Claims

1) I claim, a power generation system for domestic use comprising a main chamber situated at a height, projecting downward from said main chamber in an air tight manner are two or more smaller paired tubes, each paired tube consisting of a larger diameter tube containing an open ended shuttle co-axially fitted in the tube and a tube of smaller diameter containing a coaxially fitted counterweight, the

counterweight and shuttle are joined together by a cable or other means, running over a pulley or spool attached to a generator or other device in the main chamber, such that when one is ascending the other is descending and vice versa, one of the paired tubes is the initiator and the other paired tubes are actualisers, the kinetic energy of the descending counterweight in the initiator system is used to turn a generator which supplies power to a vacuum device attached to the bottom of the shuttle tubes and so aspirate the system, while the kinetic energy of the

counterweight in the actualiser tubes is used to generate electricity through turning of a generator by means of a cable and spool or other means, the vacuum device powered by the initiator system creates a partial vacuum throughout the system, as the shuttles reach the top of the tubes and before the vacuum device stops turning the shuttles are converted into pistons by air tight sealing of openings in the shuttle by means of an actuator or switch, atmospheric pressure is then re-introduced into the system by means of a valve^ pushing down on the pistons and forcing them down the tubes which have a partial vacuum below them, thereby raising the

counterweights, to which they are connected, to their original elevated position, once the sealed shuttles reach the bottom of the tubes, they are unsealed allowing the vacuum to unlock and for gravity to pull down on the counterweights and repeat the cycle, thereby allowing for continuous generation of electricity, the system works on the principle of a pressure differential.

2) The main chamber as claimed in claim 1 and paired tubes referred to in claim 1 above comprise an air tight system , and may be supported by a structure made of aluminium or other suitable material to add strength and stability to the structure, similarly the counterweights referred to in claim 1 above maybe positioned on supporting rails and equipped with wheels or other means, to make the descent and ascent of the counterweights smooth, stable and as frictionless as possible, the main chamber is equipped with means to release the vacuum and re-introduce atmospheric pressure as needed.

The counterweights mentioned in claim 1 and claim 2 above maybe situated outside the main system area wherein a partial vacuum is developed, in which case suitable arrangements for sealing of the cable, or other means being used to connect the counterweight to the shuttle/ piston mentioned in claim 1 above as they exit the main chamber, must be made, in such a case the paired tubes referred to in claim 1 and claim 2 above will be replaced by single tubes in which are situated the coaxially fitted shuttles/ pistons connected by cable or other means to the counterweights outside the system, the counterweights might be suitably supported in order to allow for secure but low friction travel..

The vacuum device as mentioned in claim 1 above is powered by the kinetic energy developed by the descent of the counterweight in the initiator system mentioned in claim 1 above, and used to power a generator, the resultant electrical output may be applied in a variety of ways for powering of a vacuum device which might be multi stage turbine fans, coupled vacuum pumps or other such aspirating devices, or for charging of ultra capacitors which in turn power a vacuum device and so on, alternatively suitable gearing might be used to mechanically turn a set of multi stage turbines at speed to produce a vacuum, said vacuum device may be positioned in any suitable position, such as above, below or outside and connected through air tight tubes..

The shuttles as mentioned in claim 1 and claim 3 above are open ended during ascent when they are pulled up the tube by the counterweights to which they are attached by cable, belt or other means and are sealed during descent when they function as pistons to pull the counterweights back to their original elevated positions, the sealing and unsealing of the openings in the shuttles may be achieved by mechanical or electrical means or by a combination of both, said shuttles are lined with friction reducing material as are the tubes in which they are placed, the shuttles may, if needed, be equipped with small battery operated turbines that facilitate the aspiration of the system and the creation of a partial vacuum within the system. 6) The paired tubes as mentioned in claim 1 above might be of any cross sectional shape, and material suitable for the purpose and may in the case of counterweights being placed outside the system be single tubes, the tubes are lined with low friction materials in order to decrease frictional forces as the shuttles rise and descend, while maintaining an air tight seal between the two surfaces, the tubes containing the shuttles may each be equipped with a hose to the vacuum device.

7) The main chamber as mentioned in claim 1 above maybe situated at any height, and of any size or shape suitable for the purpose and maybe constructed of any material such as polycarbonate capable of withstanding a minimum pressure of 1 Kg/ cm ² i.e., atmospheric pressure.

8) The generators run by the kinetic energy of the descending and ascending

counterweight in the actualiser and initiator system as claimed in claim 1 above may be geared so that they turn in the same direction both during the descent and ascent of the counterweight, making the continuous generation of electricity possible, it is possible to fit multiple actualisers in the same system all run by the vacuum created by a single initiator system, a single main chamber might therefore contain multiple generators, the generators may be cooled by the action of the vacuum device reducing temperature in the system.

9) A Power Generation System for the home substantially as described above and with the help of diagrams.