Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02437599 2003-08-12
BUOYANCY-ACTIVATED MOTOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of motors, and more
particularly to pollution-free motor activated by buoyancy and gravity
principles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many devices and apparatuses have been developed in the past to
generate power/energy by taking advantage of the gravity force and/or the
buoyancy force to produce variable torque and induce rotation of a shaft.
US Patent 5,372,474 granted to Miller on December 13, 1994
discloses an apparatus for gravity assisted rotational motion that includes a
plurality of fixed hollow arms rotatably supported on an axle itself supported
on a
frame. A hollow reservoir is mounted at each outer end of each arm. Each
reservoir can be selectively filled or emptied of a heavy flowable material
such as
water. Depending on the location of a reservoir around the axle, a heavy plate
alternatively tangentially closes or opens the reservoir as the device
rotates. The
transfer of water form one end of each arm to the otller end induces the
ratational
movement. Due to the fixed position of the arms relative to the axle,
important
counter torque is induced by the reservoirs and plates being raised.
Furthermore, one cannot control the rotational speed of such an apparatus that
remains generally constant, as opposed to vary between a maximum speed and
a minimum speed thereof.
PCT international application WO-99/37913 of Scibiorek published
on July 29, 1999 discloses an energy turbine for gravifiy assisted rotational
motion
that includes a plurality of arms rotatably supported on an axle itself
supported on
a frame. A weight is mounted at each outer end of each arm. Each arm can
slide radiafly relative to the axle to vary the radial distance of each weight
relative
to the axle to generate a resulting torque that induces the rotational motion
of the
axle. A ratchetllatch mechanism allow for alternately locking the arm in two
opposed extreme positions, depending on the location of a weight around the
axle. The sliding of each arm induces the rotational movement. Here again, one
cannot control the rotational speed of such an apparatus that remains
generally
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According to the present invention, there is provided a buoyancy-
activated motor for generating power when immersed in a first fluid medium,
the
buoyancy-activated motor operatively connectin~~ to a power generator, the
buoyancy-activated motor comprises:
- a shaft being at (east partially immersed in the first fluid medium, the
shaft being generally horizontally oriented for operative connection to the
power
generator, the shaft defining a shaft longitudinal axis;
- a structure rollably supporting the shaft;
- deformable chambers being immersed in the first fluid medium, the
deformable chambers connecting to and extending generally radially outwardly
from the shaft, each of the deformable chambers being deformable between an
expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration so as to have a variable
buoyancy relative to the first fluid medium, the deformable chamber having a
center of gravity~at a first and a second generally radial distance from the
shaft
when in the expanded and collapsed configurations, respectively, the first
generally radial distance being generally greater than the second generally
radial
distance, the deformable chambers moving generally upwardly and downwardly
about the shaft when in the expanded and collapsed configurations,
respectively,
whereby the deformable chambers induce rotational movement of the shaft;
- a second fluid medium being contained within the deformable chambers,
the second fluid medium being 9ighter than an equal volume of the first fluid
medium;
- a chamber connecting means connecting between the deformable
chambers so as to place the deformable chambers in fluid communication with
one another;
- a chamber deforming means selectively defarmirig the deformable
chambers in the expanded and collapsed configuration during upward and
downward movement thereof, respectively.
Typically, the chamber deforming means includes:
- a chamber expansion means selectively deforming the deformable
chambers from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration;
- a chamber collapsing means selectively deforming the deformable
chambers from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration; and
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TypicaNy, each of the deformabie chambers defines a chamber first
end and a generally radially opposed chamber second end, the chamber
deforming means operatively connecting to at least one of the chamber first
and
second ends so as to selectively displace the chamber first and second ends
generally radially away from and toward one another during upward and
downward movement thereof, respectively.
Typically, the chamber deforming means includes a guiding rail, the
guiding rail being generally fixed relative to the: structure, the guiding
rail
operatively connecting to at least one of the chamber first and second ends so
as
to selectively displace the chamber first and second ends generally radially
away
from and toward one another during upward and downward mavement thereof,
respectively.
Typically, the guiding rail is configured . to be variably radially
positioned relative to the shaft with a circumferential position of the
guiding rail
relative to the shaft so as to induce deformation of the deformable chambers
in
the generally radial direction.
Typically, the guiding rail operatively connecting to at feast one of
the chamber first and second ends so as to selectively displace the chamber
first
and second ends generally radially away from and toward one ancther during
upward and downward movement thereof, respectively.
Typically, one of the chamber first and second ends operatively
connects to the guiding rail, the other one of the chamber first and second
ends
being generally radially fixed about the generally radial direction.
fn one embodiment, the deformable chambers are generally equally
radially spaced from the shaft, the deform~:ble chambers being generally
equally
spaced from one another in a generally circumferential direction.
Typically, each of the deformabie chambers has a generally radially
opposed one of the deformable chambers, each of the deformabie chambers and
the radially opposed one of the deformable chambers forming a chamber pair
such that the deformable chambers form a plurality of the chamber pairs.
Typically, the chamber deforming means includes a connecting rod
for each of the chamber pairs, the connecting rod defining generally
longitudinally
opposed rod first and second ends, the connecting rod being generally radially
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being in the first and second locked positions when each of the deformable
chambers of corresponding the chamber pair is in the expanded configuration,
respectively.
Typically, each of the connecting rods includes a weight chamber,
the weight chamber being substantially located at equal distance from the rod
first and second ends, the weight chamber slidably receiving the weight member
therein so as to allow the weight member to longitudinally move relative to
the
connecting rod, the weight chamber being configured and sized to allow the
weight member to freely slide relative to the shaft radially away from
corresponding the deformable chamber being in the expanded configuration
when the connecting rod passes a substantially horizontal orientation.
Typically, the weight member is rollably mounted within the weight
chamber.
Typically, the chamber first ends are generally radially fixed relative
to the shaft, and each of the chamber second ends extends generally radially
outwardly relative to respective the chamber first end.
In one embodiment, each of the chamber first ends defines a
generally cylindricUl-shaped sleeve, the cylindrical-shaped sleeve defining a
sleeve axis, a hollowed cylindrical peripheral wall and a longitudinal end
wall, the
sleeve axis being generally radially oriented relative to the shaft, each of
the
chamber second ends being a piston slidably mounted within the peripheral
wall.
Typically, the peripheral wall extehds generally radially outwardly
from corresponding the longitudinal end wall, the piston being in proximity to
and
away from corresponding the longitudinal end wall when in a first and a second
limit position, respectively.
Typically, each of the connecting rods generally extends through
the longitudinal end walls of the opposed deformable chambers of corresponding
the chamber pair so as to connect to both the pistons of the opposed
deformable
chambers and allow one of the pistons to be in the first limit position while
the
other one of the pistons is in the second limit position.
In one embodiment, the shaft is a first shaft, the motor further
including a second shaft rollably mounted on the structure, the second shaft
being generally vertically spaced from the first sh<~ft, the deformable
chambers
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a first and a second pre-determined angular position relative to the shaft in
the
expanded and collapsed configuration, respectively, the lock mechanism being
actuatable into the unlocked position by corresponding the deformable chamber
being in a third and a fourth pre-determined angular position relative to the
shaft
in the collapsed and expanded configuration, respectively, the third and
fourth
pre-determined angular positions directly preceding the first and second pre-
determined angular positions, respectively, so as to enable corresponding the
;
deformable chamber to deform from the collapsed canfiguration to the expanded
configuration and to deform from the expanded configuration to the collapsed
configuration, respectively.
In one embodiment, the deformable chambers deform in a generally
radial direction relative to the shaft between the expanded and collapsed
configurations.
Typically, the chamber expansion means includes a wheel member,
the wheel member freely rollably mounting on the structure about a wheel
shaft,
the wheel shaft being substantially parallel to the shaft, the wheel member
selectively engaging the deformable chambers so as to selectively deform the
deformable chambers from the collapsed configuration to the expanded
configuration.
Typically, the wheel member is a sprocket wheel selectively
engaging complementary rollers freely rollably mounted on the deformable
chambers, and the sprocket wheel is operatively connected to the shaft so as
to
selectively actively deform the deformable chambers.
Alternatively, the sprocket wheel is a first sprocket wheel, the wheel
shaft being a first wheel shaft, the chamber collapsing means including a
second
sprocket wheel, the second sprocket wheel freely rollably mounting on the
structure about a second wheel shaft, the second wheel shaft being
substantially
parallel to the shaft, the second sprocket.wheel selectively engaging the
rollers of
the deformable chambers so as to selectively deform the deformable chambers
from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.
In one embodiment, each of the deforrnable chambers defines a
chamber first end and a generally opposed chamber second end, the chamber
deforming means operatively connecting to at least one of the chamber first
and
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Figure 11 is a sectioned side el~avation view of a buoyancy-
activated motor in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present
invention,
showing details of the piston-type deformabfe chambers;
Figure 12 is a sectioned side elevation view of the embodiment of
Fig. 11 with an alternate chamber connecting means;
Figure 13 is a sectioned side elevation view of a buoyancy-
activated motor in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present
invention, showing a vertically elongated embodiment;
Figure 14 is a sectioned side elevation view of a buoyancy-
activated motor in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present
invention, showing different chamber expansion and collapsing means using a
wheel member; and
Figure 15 is a sectioned side elevation view of the embodiment of
Fig. 14, showing a sprocket wheel as an alternate ~rvheel member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments
of the present invention will be herein described for' indicative purposes and
by no
means as of limitation.
Throughout the following description, similar reference numerals
identify similar components of the different embodiments.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a buoyancy-activated motor
20 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The
buoyancy-activated motor 20 generates power when it is immersed in a first
fluid
medium such as water 22 or the like. The motor 20 includes a shaft 24 at feast
partially immersed in water 22. The shaft 24 is substantially horizontally
oriented
and is generally connected to a power generator (not shown) or any machine for
operation thereof. The shaft 24 defining a shaft Icngitudinal axis 26 is
rolfably
supported by a structure 28 or the like. A plurality of deformable chambers
30,
immersed in the water 22, connect to and extend generally radially outwardly
from the shaft 24. Each deformabie chamber 30 or container is deformable
between an expanded or open configuration, shown on Fig. 2, and a collapsed or
closed configuration, shown on Fig. 3, in order to have variable buoyancy
relative
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In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, the deformable chambers 30 are
generally equally radially spaced from the shaft 24, and are generally equally
spaced from one another in a generally circurnferential direction ali around
the
shaft 24. Typically, there is an even number of chambers 30 such that each
chamber 30 defines a generally radially opposed chamber 30'; both the chamber
30 and its opposed chamber 30' form a chamber pair.
The deformable chambers 30 of Figs. 1 to 3 deform in a generally
axial direction relative to the shaft 24. Each chamber 30 defines a chamber
first
end 44 and a generally axially opposed chamber second end 46. The chamber
deforming means 36 operatively .connects to at least one of, and typically
both,
the chamber first and second ends 44, 46 to selectively displace the latter
generally axially away from and toward one another during upward and
downward movement of the chamber 30, respectively. Obviously, the chamber
first and second ends 44, 46, represented by gerierally rigid panels hingeably
connected to the shaft 24, or its extension 25, are connected to one another
via a
water seal generally flexible interface 47 in order to allow relative
displacement
between the two without air leakage.
Typically, the chamber deforming means 36 includes a guiding rail
48 or the like that is generally fixed relative to the structure 28. The
guiding rail
48 includes generally axially opposed first and second rail tracks 50, 52 that
operatively connect to the chamber first and second ends 44, 46, respectively,
to
selectively displace the latter generally axially away from and toward-each
other
during upward and downward movement thereof, respectively.
Preferably, the first and second rail tracks 50, 52 engage rollers 54
or the like mounted on the chamber first and second ends 44, 46. Both first
and
second tracks 50, 52, schematically represented in Fig. 1, typically extend
ail
around the shaft 24 and each one includes a chamber expansion section 56, a
chamber collapsing section 58, and chamber configuration holding sections 60
between the chamber expansion and collapsing sections 56, 58. Each track 50,
52 is configured to be variably axially positioned relative to the shaft 24
according
to the circumferentiai or angular position of the guiding rail 48 relative to
the shaft
24 to induce the deformation of the chambers 30 in the axial direction.
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to selectively displace the fatter generally radially away from and 'toward
one
another during their upward and downward movement, respectively.
More specifically, the chamber first ends 44b are radially fixed
relative to the shaft 24 while the chamber second ends 46b.generally move in
the
5 radial direction, or extend radially outwardly, relative to the respective
chamber
first end 44b. Typically, each chamber second end 46b pivotally connects to
its
respective chamber first end 44b via a chamber deforming pivot 66.
Similarly, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art to have either
the chamber first ends 44b radially moving relative to the shaft 24 and the
10 chamber second ends 46b radially fixed thereto or both chamber first and
second
ends 44b, 46b radially moving relative to the shaft 24 without departing from
the
scope of the present invention.
The deformable chambers 30b are generally equally spaced around
the shaft 24 and each one of them has a generally diametrically opposed one
15 30b', both forming a chamber pair.
The chamber deforming means ~~6 includes a guiding rail 48b
generally fixed relative to the structure 28. The guiding rail 48b is
configured to
be variably radially positioned relative to the shaft 24 with its
circumferential
position about the shaft 24 so as to selectively induce deformation of the
20 deformable chambers 30b in the radial direction.
The guiding rail 48b typically extends all around the shaft 24 and
includes a chamber expansion section 56b adjacent the lowermost section
thereof, a chamber collapsing section 58b adjacent the uppermost section
thereof, and chamber configuration holding sections 60b between the chamber
25 expansion and collapsing sections 56b, 58b. The chamber configuration
holding
sections 60b maintain the deformable chambers 30b in either the collapsed or
the
expanded configuration. Preferably, the guiding rail 48b engages rollers 54b
or
the like mounted on the chamber second ends 46b, the rollers 54b rolling
freely
about there respective axis generally parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis
26.
30 The chamber connecting means 34 typically includes a connecting
tubing 68 or the like connected to both deformable chambers 30b, 30b' of each
pair. The connecting tubing 68 typically allows the air 32 to freely flow
between
the two deformable chambers 30b, 30b'.
CA 02437599 2003-08-12
collapsed configuration when in an unlocked position. The lock mechanism 76
mounts between the chamber first and second ends 44c, 46c. Typically, a lock
78 itself mounts on the connecting rod 70, fixed relative to the chamber
second
end 46c with its complementary part 78' fixed relative to the corresponding
chamber first end 44c, while a lock latching component 80 mounts on the
structure 28, radially fixed relative to the chamber first end 44c.
The lock latching component 80 preferably includes a small rail,
located at a first pre-determined angular position P1 about the shaft
longitudinal
axis 26 (from any reference angle such as the downward direction), forcing the
lock 78 to reach its Locked position and its complementary part 78' by helping
the
weight member 74.
A lock unlatching component 82, located at a second pre-
determined angular position P2 about the shaft longitudinal axis 26, forces
the
lock 78 to unlock from its complementary part 78' into its unlocked position
and
allow the weight member 74 to displace the connecting rod 70 accordingly,
under
gravity.
A lock 78 mounted on each rod first and second end 72, 72' is
activated by the lock latching component 80 mounted on the structure 28 at the
first pre-angular position P1 adjacent the lowermost position of the
deformable
chambers 30c, just before its upward movement relative to the shaft 24, as
shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
The lock unlatching component 82 is located on the structure 28 at
the second pre-determined angular position P2 adjacent the uppermost position
of the deformable chambers 30c. The second pre-determined angular position
P2 is substantially diametrically opposed to the first pre-determined angular
position P1 such that the Pock 78 of one of the deformable chamber 30c' is
unlatched from its complementary part 78' to be in its unlocked position and
allow
the connecting rod 70 to slide radially dewnwardly with the weight member 74
to
collapse the deformable chamber 30c' and simultaneously expand the opposed
corresponding deformable chamber 30c, as illustrated by arrow A in Fig. 9.
When the latter reaches is expanded configuration, the opposed lock 78 is
latched to its complementary part 78' in its locked position by the lock
latching
component 80.
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The chamber expansion and collapsing sections 56d, 58d
operatively connect to the respective chamber rollers 54d and could be used as
a
backup to the lock mechanism 76 activated by the weight members 74.
Now referring.to Fig. 11, there is shown a buoyancy-activated motor
20e in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
As opposed to the above described embodiments 20, 20a, 20b, 20c
and 20d wherein each chamber second end 46 pivotally connects to its
respective chamber first end 44 via a chamber deforming pivot 66, each chamber
second end 46e slidably moves relative to its respective chamber first end 44e
in
a generally radial direction relative to the shaft 24. Each chamber second end
46e moves between first and second limit positions corresponding to the
expanded and collapsed configurations of the deformable chamber 30e,
respectively.
Typically, each chamber first end 44e, fixed relative to the shaft 24
although not specifically illustrated in Fig. 11, defines a generally
cylindrical-
shaped sleeve 90. The cylindrical-shaped sleeves 90 defines a sleeve axis 92,
a
hollowed cylindrical peripheral wall 94 and a longitudinal end wall 96. The
sleeve
axis 92 is generally radially oriented relative to the shaft 24. Each chamber
second end 46e is a piston 98 slidably mounted within the corresponding
peripheral wall 94.
Each peripheral wal! 94 extends generally radiaily outwardly from
the corresponding longitudinal end wall 96 such that the piston 98 is in
proximity
to and away from the corresponding end wall 96 when in a first and a second
limit
position, respectively.
Typically, each connecting rod 70e generally extends through the
end walls 96 of the opposed deformable chambers 30e of the corresponding
chamber pair so as to connect to both pistons 98 thereof and allow one of the
pistons 98 to be in the first limit position while the other one is in the
second limit
position.
A connecting tubing 68e connects to both opposed deformable
chambers 30e of each chamber pair, typically through the end walls 96, to
allow
fluid communication between the two deformable chambers 30e.
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respectively; the first horizontal distance Dh being generally greater than
the
second horizontal distance Dh'. The deformable chambers 30f have their center
of gravity 31 being "radially" horizontally displac~sd relative to the
vertical plane
including the shaft longitudinal axes 26, 26' between their expanded and
collapsed configurations such that the respective torque applied to the first
and
second shafts 24, 24' varies to improve the povver induced by the deformable
chambers 30f and increase the overall efficiency of the motor 20f.
Accordingly,
the center of gravity 31 of each deformable weight 30f is horizontally (about
the
first and second shafts 24, 24' for torque purpose) further away from the
vertical
plane during its upward movement when it induces a generally positive torque
than it is during its opposed downward movement when it induces a generally
negative torque.
The chamber configuration holding means 42 includes a lock
mechanism 76f to maintain the deforrnable chambers 30f in both the expanded
and collapsed configurations when in a first and a second locked position
respectively during upward and downward movement thereof, respectively. The
lock mechanism 76f includes a lock 78f mounted between corresponding
chamber first and second ends 44f, 46f, and first and second lock latching
components 80f, 80f mounted on the structure 28 and corresponding first and
second lock unlatching components 82f, 82f' also mounted on the structure 28.
When in the unlocked position, the lock mechanism 76f allows the deformable
chambers 30f to deform from one of the expanded and collapsed configurations
to the other.
Each lock 78f is actuatable into the first and second locked
positions by the first and second lock latching components 80f, 80f positioned
at
a first and a second pre-determined angular position P1, P1' relative to the
first
shaft 24, respectively, when the deformable chambers 30f reach their expanded
and collapsed configurations, respectively. In a similar manner, the lock 78f
mechanism is actuatable into the unlocked position by the corresponding first
and
second lock unlatching components 82f, 82f positioned at a third and a fourth
pre-determined angular position P2, P2' relative to the first shaft 24,
respectively,
when the deformable chambers 30f are in their collapsed and expanded
configurations, respectively. The third and fourth pre-determined angular
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Furthermore, instead of the chamber connecting rods 70, the
chamber expansion section 56g of the chamber deforming means 36 includes a
chamber deforming wheel member 102. The wheel member 102 is mounted on
a wheel shaft 104 itself roilably mounted on the ;>tructure 28; the wheel
shaft 104
5 being generally parallel to the first shaft 24. The wheel member 102
selectively
and operatively engagds the deformable chambers 30g such that it selectively
deforms the deformabie chambers 3Og from their collapsed configuration to
their
expanded configuration. Preferably, the wheel shaft 104 is operatively driven
by
the first shaft 24 using a wheel chain 106 or the like, as shown in dashed
lines in
Fig. 14.
Similarly, the chamber collapsing section 58g of the chamber
deforming means 36 includes a second chamber deforming wheel member 102'
mounted on a second wheel shaft 104' itself rollably mounted on the structure
28.
The seconr~ wheel shaft 104', generally parallel to the second second shaft
24', is
15 typically operatively driven by the second shaft 24' using a second wheel
chain
106' or the like via a sprocket gear 108, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 14.
The
second wheel member 102' selectively and operatively engages the deformable
chambers 30g such that it selectively deforms the deformable chambers 30g from
their expanded configuration to their collapsed configuration.
Similarly, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the wheel
members 102, 102 could be driven by external motors {not shown) without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
Now referring to Fig. 15, there is shown alternate wheel members
that are sprocket wheels 1028, 102g' with corresponding wheel teeth 110, 110'
to
25 selectively engage the complementary rollers 54g freely rollably mounted on
the
chamber second ends 46g; the chamber first ends 44g .remaining fixed relative
to
the driving belt 100.
The rotational speed of the motor 20 to 20g can be controlled by
varying the air pressure level inside the deformable chambers 30 andlor the
water level inside the structure 28 such that the deformable chambers 30 at
least
partially come out of the water 22 when reaching i:he upper region of their
travel
path around the shafts) 24.
23
