WO2019098997A1 - System for converting acceleration to rotational energy - Google Patents

Abstract

A system that converts acceleration to rotational energy by using gravity to lower a ballast member and buoyancy to raise it when the ballast member is filled with compressed air. The ballast's initial ascent is controlled by a brake member. This buoyancy associated with the ballast's ascent causes a plunger member to rise that compresses air used to refill the intermediary tank so the cycle can repeat itself. The ballast member generates rotational energy along the way using a mounted cable that travels around an output shaft assembly. Upon reaching the top of the silo, valves will open allowing water to enter the ballast thereby sinking it to the bottom, creating additional rotational energy.

Description

I. TITLE: SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING ACCELERATION TO

ROTATIONAL ENERGY

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

[001] The present invention relates to a system for converting acceleration to rotational energy to actuate various devices or assemblies.

2. Description of the Related Art.

[002] Several designs for converting acceleration to rotation have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a first piston using pneumatic pressure to actuate the rising of a second piston having sensors to coordinate the opening and closing of its valves as it travels in a liquid-filled tank to generate force, which is converted to electricity.

[003] Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to U.S. patent application No. 11/790,498 filed on April 26, 2007 issued to Jui-Chi Tung for a hydraulic buoyancy kinetic energy apparatus. However, it differs from the present invention because the Tung reference requires a water supply source to keep the water level high whereas the present invention reuses the same water supply, eliminating the need for a water source to be continuously operating. Also, the Tung reference requires both pistons to be located within the same water tank, thereby requiring more water and a larger tank than the present invention. Applicant is able to achieve the desired result with one ballast instead of two. The Tung reference further requires a larger tank than the present invention, which creates additional complexity leading to added material costs and potential breakdowns.

[004] Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

Ill SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a system for converting acceleration to rotational energy from the rising of a ballast.

[006] It is yet another object of this invention to convert acceleration to rotational energy to power a centrifugal blower, centrifugal pump, or alternator without requiring an external energy source other than acceleration, thereby reducing costs and emissions.

[007] It is another object of this invention to provide a system for converting acceleration to rotational energy using a computerized system that coordinates the opening and closing of the ballast’s valves using a plurality of sensors to maximize the system’s efficiency. [008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for converting acceleration to rotational energy that can recycle its water supply to avoid needing a water source continuously connected to the system, thereby saving thousands of gallons of water, which would otherwise be processed and

contaminated. This reduces costs and benefits the environment.

[009] It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a system that is cost-efficient to implement and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

[010] Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Oi l] With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 represents front elevational view of the present system in its operating environment after the initial phase. In its initial phase ballast assembly 20 is filled with water since that is how it is manufactured. In Figure 1 ballast assembly 20 can be seen filled with water since valves 24; 24a were opened upon ballast assembly 20 reaching the top of the silo to allow water into and sink ballast assembly 20 back to the bottom in

preparation for the next cycle. Intermediary tank assembly 60 can begin filled with compressed air in its initial stage. Plunger assembly 1009

includes plunger 1007 that is in the lowered position ready to push

compressed air found within plunger tank 1003 initially into intermediary tank assembly 60 during the next cycle.

Figure 2 shows the beginning of the next cycle as ballast member 22 is still partially filled with water but compressed air from intermediary tank assembly 60 is being delivered to ballast assembly 20. J-pipe 66 is seen allowing water into intermediary tank assembly 60 as compressed air has left its inner space.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view showing ballast member 22 completely filled or refilled with compressed air and intermediary tank 62 filled with water that entered from J-pipe 66.

Figure 4 shows a front elevational view wherein ballast member 22 is permitted to begin rising using brake 23 within silo once it is filled with compressed air moving chain 1020 along gear 1010 to urge plunger rod

1006 to rise and compress air within plunger tank 1003. As plunger 1007 rises and the psi delivered to valve 64 reaches a predetermined amount the compressed air from plunger tank 1003 enters intermediary tank assembly 60 in preparation for the next cycle. Figure 5 shows plunger rod 1006 at its uppermost point any intermediary tank assembly 60 completely filled with compressed air. Intermediary tank 62 is now fully filled with compressed air again.

Figure 6 shows latches 27; 27a now disengaged from anchoring members 104; 104a allowing rack assembly to drop to its bottommost position.

Ballast member 22 is now rising to the top of silo 42. Output shaft assembly 1002b includes output shaft 1000 that can be used to provide rotational force and/or drive various equipment such as fans, engines, etc. Gear train assembly 1002a includes pulleys 302a, cable 1020, gear 1010 and pulley 302b. The system also includes support beam 1005 that holds the entire output shaft assembly 1002b and silo 42.

Figure 7 represents a front elevational view of the present invention wherein ballast member 22 has begun its descent within silo 42 by valves 24; 24a having been opened allowing water, or any liquid that is used, to flood ballast member 22 and begin sinking it back down to the bottom of silo 42.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein shaft 1000 is used to actuate a centrifugal blower.

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein shaft 1000 is used to actuate a centrifugal pump. Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein shaft 1000 is used to actuate a motor.

Figure 11 shows a view of the present invention with the proportions that can be used.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[012] Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes ballast assembly 20 that can be a square or rectangular shape and its bottom end is open. Ballast assembly 20 can begin in its initial position already filled with compressed air. It can be manufactured that way. Ballast assembly 20 includes ballast member 22 and upper valves 24; 24a. In yet another the motors can be powered using direct current. The ballast assembly 20 is positioned inside a silo assembly 40 that is filled with liquid.

[013] Within silo assembly 40 a cable 50 runs down the height of the silo assembly 40 and its first end 52 is mounted at the top of ballast assembly 20.

Output shaft assembly 1002b can be used to rotate shaft 1000 that in turn can be used to actuate various instruments and/or equipment such as an alternator, a fan, a motor, or a pump. The present invention can be optionally understood to act as an educational device for the purposed of teaching how the acceleration from gravity as the ballast member 22 drops, or its buoyancy as it rises, can be converted to rotational energy. This can be practical when harnessing wasted energy from outside processes. The wasted energy can be transferred to acceleration, which can then be transferred to rotational energy using the present invention.

[014] Ballast assembly 20 includes sensors 25 that detect when ballast assembly 20 is at the top and bottom of the silo assembly 40. When sensor 25 detects sensor 25b the system knows that ballast member 22 has reached the top of the silo 42. The system will open valves 24; 24a allowing water to enter ballast assembly 20 and sink it to the bottom of silo assembly 40. Cable 50 includes second end 54 that is mounted within ballast member 20 at its top wall opposite first end 52 after the cable 50 was wrapped around a plurality of pulleys 28 and brake 23. In one embodiment, first end 52 does not meet with second end 54. Rack assembly 200 supports silo 42.

[015] The system also includes intermediary tank assembly 60 that includes upper valve 65, connecting pipe 63 that allows compressed air to travel between intermediary tank assembly 60 and ballast assembly 20. Intermediary tank assembly 60 can be manufactured with compressed air, ambient air, or liquid. Upper valve 65 can be a one-way valve and is opened to allow compressed air inside of ballast assembly 20 when ballast assembly 20 is locked at the bottom of silo assembly 40. In addition, prior to upper one-way valve 65 opening, brake 23 must be locking cable 50 thereby preventing any movement of cable 50 and in turn ballast member 22. Intermediary tank 60 assembly includes J-Pipe 66 that connects intermediary tank assembly 60 to silo assembly 40 and allows water to flow in and out of intermediary tank assembly 60. [016] Intermediary tank 60 also includes bottom valve 64 that can be a one way valve that when opened allows compressed air to enter from air compressor 1003 via pipe 1004. Intermediary tank assembly 60 also includes upper and lower float sensor 68a; 68b, respectively, housed therein. In its initial cycle the ballast assembly 20 begins at the bottom of silo 60 filled with compressed air. Brake 23 is released a predetermined amount allowing ballast assembly 20 to rise.

[017] Lower float sensor 68b detects when the liquid has been replaced by the compressed air. When top sensor 25b detects sensor 25 indicating that ballast assembly 20 has reached the top of the silo 42, valves 24; 24a will open allowing water in and the ballast will drop. When brake 23 reengages, valve 65 is actuated to release the compressed air inside intermediary tank 60 through pipe 63 and back into ballast assembly 20.

[018] Upon the compressed air being delivered to ballast assembly 20 through pipe 63, water will enter intermediary tank 60 through J-Pipe 66. When upper float sensor 68a detects that intermediary tank 60 is filled with water, the system will again begin to release brake 23 causing the ballast to rise.

[019] Compressed air is delivered to intermediary tank assembly 60 until lower float sensor 68b again detects that there is not enough liquid left because it is filled with compressed air. While intermediary tank 60 is being filled with compressed air, ballast assembly 20 is traveling upwards through silo assembly 40 as brake 23 allows. Brake 23 is controlled by the control unit that synchronizes all the sensors and valves of the system. Alternatively, brake 23 and the sensors and valves can be controlled manually.

[020] The system begins operations with air inside the intermediary tank and ballast tank. This prefilling is done as part of the manufacturing process of the machine, and this initial filling of compressed air occurs once and only the date of the machine manufacture. In the initial phase, intermediary tank 62 is filled with compressed air, ballast 22 is filled with water and at the bottom of silo 42, and plunger tank 1003 of plunger assembly 1009 is filled with air either compressed or not by plunger 1007. Plunger assembly also includes one-way valve 1008 that allows the plunger to work as a syringe. In the next phase, compressed air is transferred to ballast 22 using pipe 63 and one-way valve 65 until ballast 22 is filled with compressed air. As ballast 22 travels up silo 42 its buoyancy is translated to a force on cable 50 which translates the force to output shaft assembly 1002b that moves chain 1020 urging gear 1010 to move against plunger rod 1006 making it rise and in turn making plunger 1007 rise thereby compressing air inside plunger tank 1003. The compressed air is allowed to travel out of plunger tank 1003 as it is being compressed and through plunger tank pipes 1004 which end on one end at valve 64. Valve 64 only allows the compressed air to enter

intermediary tank 62 upon a certain psi being reached. When the predetermined psi is achieved, the compressed air will begin filling intermediary tank 62. When intermediary tank 62 is filled, plunger 1007 lowers once again to the bottom of plunger tank 1003. [021] When ballast 22 reaches the topmost height of silo 42 valves 24; 24a are opened to allow water to enter therein and begin causing ballast 22 to sink to the bottom. As ballast 22 rises and falls output shaft 1000 is receiving rotational force to drive a predetermined device connected thereon. At this point when ballast 22 is falling, plunger 1007 has returned to its lowered position ready to compress more air in plunger tank 1003 and intermediary tank 62 is filled again with compressed air ready to refill ballast 22.

[022] Figure 4 depicts the cycle where the intermediary tank 62, is refilling with air and is thus“recharging” for the next cycle. The next cycle occurs after the ballast tank 20 has totally risen and then has totally descended, as depicted in Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 1 respectively. The predominant forces at work here are gravity, and pressure which is a byproduct of gravity.

[023] As an example, and referring to Figure 11 for a closer depiction of the system to scale, a height to tank 40 is given of 100 feet, the water pressure at the bottommost part of the tank is 43.3 pounds per square inch. Note that this lowest point of 100 feet is actually located on j -pipe 66. If we set ballast 20, to have a dimension of 10 feet, then it’s buoyancy/displacement would be 62,436 LBS in fresh water. This buoyancy/displacement is calculated by multiplying the volume of the ballast 20 1000 cubic feet, by the weight of a water per cubic foot, 62.427 LBS. Boyles law states: For a fixed amount of gas kept at a

fixed temperature, Pressure and Volume are inversely proportional. The

following web link describes this principle:

https://www.scubatoys. com/education/boylel .asp” [024] As the pressure at the bottom of ballast 20 is 43.3 pounds per square inch, this approximates to 3 atmospheres. Plunger 1003 is transferring the entirety of itss air content to the intermediary tank 62, plunger 1003 must have 4 times the air capacity, and its dimensions are 10 feet* 10 feet*40 feet respectively.

[025] If we take this Plunger 1003, use its area of 10 , and apply a force per second of 62,436 LBS, then we render a steady compressive force of 43.3 pounds per square inch. Below is a more descriptive explanation. The following web link describes this principle:“https: www.reference.com math calculale-psi- dda49bcle391737d#”

[026] As it has now become relevant to assign a weight to the mechanisms as to not violate the laws of thermodynamics and make mechanism realistic, let us accept the weight of all mechanisms and friction loss to 2000 lbs. In recalculation of the force on the plunger 1003 we render only 41.96 pounds per square inch, a pressure not yet sufficient to operate one way valve 64.

[027] The function of gear 1010, is to apply a power increasing gear ratio to the plunger 1003. In this example we will use a gear ratio of .9: 1. This gear ratio thus makes it possible for a force of 67,144 LBS to be applied to the plunger 1003, (60,436 LBS buoyancy/displacement + 6,708 LBS gained through ratio) thus creating a pressure of 46.62 pounds per square inch, an amount greater than the bottommost pressure of 43.3 pounds per square inch, an amount sufficient to operate one-way valve 64, and amount sufficient allow for the refilling cycle to occur.

[028] An important correlation on the efficiency of the machine’s process and the height which the ballast 20 must travel to refill the intermediary tank 62 is present. In the current system the air filled ballast 20 must travel 44.4 feet of the total 100 feet in order to refill the intermediary tank 62 with air. 44.4 feet was determined by first taking the minimum air volume necessary to refill the intermediary tank 62, 40 feet as per Boyles Law, then multiplying it by the ratio used on gear 1010 (.9: 1). If for example the machine lost more potential energy in friction than the 2000 lbs I stated, then this would cause the ballast 20 to have to rise higher than 44.4 feet because a more powerful gear ratio would be required, and thus a shorter power phase of the ballast 20 would be seen.

[029] If for example any and all inefficiency due to friction resulted in 10,000 lbs of force, an exorbitant figure, then the following would be true: The buoyancy of the ballast will be equal to 52,436 lbs (62,4361bs buoyancy - 10,0001bs friction), this 52,4361bs exerted on an area of 10 feet would create a pressure of 36.41 psi within plunger 1003, an amount short of the 43.3 psi required to operate one way valve 64, thus the gear ratio that would be required to operate the valve would have to be roughly .75: 1 to create a force equal to 65,545 lbs and thus a pressure of 45.5psi. Thus the ballast would have to travel roughly 25% more than the height of the plunger to compensate for the power increasing gear ratio. Therefore, under these different conditions the ballast would have to rise 50 feet and leave a power phase of only 40 feet. This would leave less of a power phase and could thus be considered less efficient as the machines power cycle time would be shorter and less power per cycle would be converted.

[030] If for example any and all inefficiency due to friction resulted in more than 62,436 lbs the machine would cease to work whatever. This is because the ballast would not be able to rise and produce any force onto the plunger. The closer that the inefficiency of the machine approaches zero lbs, the less powerful the gear ratio would have to be, and thus the longer the power cycle of the machine would be. This correlation illustrates that friction loss is not a sufficient condition for failure as the machine can overcome such loss and still be productive by utilizing a more powerful gear ratio to overcome such friction losses.

[031] Also, further evidence that the machine will not“run out of energy” is that the properties of friction of elements are known, and although may somewhat increase due to heat, on the whole friction will not increase substantially from one cycle to the next, thus allowing the machine engineer to fit the proper gear ratio, and materials for that system to convert the most energy per cycle possible.

It must be understood that the possibility of the system“running out” or eventually stopping due to energy loss is not present in this machine. This machine aims to continually convert an acceleration into a rotation, a perfectly acceptable process as per the laws of thermodynamics. As Earth’s acceleration is constant and in a downward direction at all times, the phenomena of pressure and objects

experiencing buoyancy is always experienced. This machine would not function whatever in an environment without an acceleration, such as space, further testament that the machine requires the constant input of gravity. So long as buoyancy is experienced the machine would run as per the laws of physics and the calculations provided.

[032] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

VI. CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for converting acceleration to rotational energy comprising, a ballast assembly initially filled with compressed air connected to an intermediary tank assembly, said ballast assembly including at least one ballast valve, a silo assembly filled with a predetermined amount of liquid, said intermediary tank having a J-pipe that extends from said intermediary tank assembly to said silo assembly, said ballast assembly housed within said silo assembly, said ballast assembly having a cable mounted thereon that is connected to an output shaft assembly that in turn rotates a shaft member, a plunger assembly including a plunger tank, a plunger member, at least one plunger pipe connected to said intermediary tank via a one-way valve that allows compressed air of a predetermined pressure to enter, said plunger member includes a valve to compress air within said plunger tank, said ballast member’s buoyancy when traveling up said silo used to move a chain that in turn moves a gear that urges a plunger rod to rise and thereby causes said plunger member to compress air within said plunger tank, and a brake member mounted to the cable that controls the movement of said cable.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said ballast includes at least one sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said silo includes at least one sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said intermediary tank includes at least one float sensor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said intermediary tank includes an upper and lower float sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said ballast includes at least one ballast sensor and said silo member includes a top and bottom silo sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said cable includes a first and second end, said ballast member including an outer top wall and an inner top wall, said first end mounted to said outer top wall and said second end mounted to said inner top wall.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein a ballast member is open at the bottom.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the rotation of said shaft actuates a

centrifugal pump.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the rotation of said shaft actuates a

centrifugal air blower.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the rotation of said shaft actuates an

alternator.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein when said ballast member is at the bottom of said silo and full of liquid, said means for engaging and said brake do not allow said ballast to rise, said brake is selectively released to allow said ballast member to rise thereby raising said plunger which in turn compresses air within said plunger tank to be delivered to said intermediary member, upon said bottom float sensor detecting

insufficient liquid, compressed air will cease being delivered and said means for engaging will disconnect allowing said ballast member to rise and allow cable to generate rotational energy to be transferred to said shaft.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said silo, said output shaft assembly, and said intermediate tank are mounted to a mounting assembly or support beam that stabilizes the system with respect to the ground or adjacent wall.

14. The system of claim 7 using a method of converting acceleration to

rotational energy comprising the steps of:

a) having a ballast member filled with compressed air in its initial phase with said engaging means and said brake member locking said ballast member in place at the bottom of said silo assembly;

b) said brake member selectively releasing said cable member allowing said ballast to rise;

c) said ballast rising and thereby rising said plunger member; d) said plunger member compressing air within said punger tank that is delivered to said intermediary tank upon a predetermined air pressure being reached, water is then displaced within said intermediary tank back into said silo assembly using said J-pipe;

e) said engaging means and said brake releasing said ballast member upon said bottom float sensor detecting insufficient liquid indicating that said intermediary tank is filled with compressed air;

f) said cable spinning around said output shaft assembly upon said

ballast member ascending and descending through said silo assembly; g) said at least one ballast valve allowing water inside said ballast

member upon said ballast member detecting said upper silo sensor; h) said ballast member sinking back down to the bottom of said silo

assembly;

i) said engaging means and said brake member locking again said ballast member at the bottom of said silo member upon said ballast sensor detecting said bottom silo sensor;

j) said compressed air within said intermediary tank being released into said ballast member using a second pipe upon said ballast sensor detecting said bottom silo sensor.