A system (100) for generating electricity comprising - at least one structure (1) defining an upper support surface (11) and a lower support surface (12); - a plurality of cranes (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) adapted to move a plurality of bodies (3) from the upper support surface (11) to the lower support surface (12), and vice versa; wherein each crane (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) is provided with - gripping means (21 ) adapted to grasp a body (3) of said plurality of bodies (3); - and a device (4) connected to the gripping means (21), adapted to transform into electricity the kinetic energy of a body (3) grasped by the gripping means (21 ), which moves, in particular substantially vertically, under the effect of gravity towards the lower support surface (12).

A nonpropellant inertial device to propel structures on and off earth is disclosed. Secured on a rigid planar base are electrically powered motors for two crankshafts. Pair of parallel linkages are connected between the crankshafts and the sides of a freely rotatable cylintrical weight. The crankshafts rotate differentially to create straight-line reciprocating motion to the linkages. The linkages are design to only pull the cylindrical weight from one side then the other causing the weight to rotate back and forth in reciprocal motion, traverse to the straight-line motion of the linkages. High frequency impulses alternate from the sides of the cylintrical weight with each impulse being a simultaneous action-reaction event. However, only part of the angular action to the weight, directly opposes the straight-line reaction to the crankshafts. Therefore, a net amount of reaction remains to impart unidirectional inertial propulsion to the mover. Two similar cylintrical weight systems are generally used for cancelling out lateral vibrations to the mover.

A machine having two interconnected wheels, one having hinged weighted arms that fall with gravity to rotate the wheel and store rotational energy for use in a connected shaft.

A lift drive system for an energy storage and delivery system includes an electric motor that rotates a driven shaft, a brake assembly for selectively braking the rotation of the driven shaft, and optionally includes a clutch selectively operable to decouple the electric motor from the driven shaft. A steel ribbon is disposed at least partially about and in contact with the driven shaft, where rotation of the driven shaft by the electric motor causes linear movement of the steel ribbon. The steel ribbon can connect at one end to an elevator cage assembly and at an opposite end to a counterweight.

An energy storage and delivery system includes a crane elevator cage, where the crane or elevator cage is operable to move one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy (e.g., via the potential energy of the block in the higher elevation) and operable to move one or more blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (e.g., by gravity) to generate electricity (e.g., via the kinetic energy of the block when moved to the lower elevation). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the electrical grid.

A pneumatic motion system includes a rotating wheel, a plurality of wheel rods mounted to the rotating wheel, a plurality of main weight members respectively sleeved on the wheel rods, at least one air supply member, and a plurality of air cycle units. Each of the air cycle units is disposed at one of two opposite ends of a respective one of the wheel rods, and includes two main air compressors fluidly communicating with the at least one air supply member. For each wheel rod, when the respective one of the main weight members is moved to the one of the opposite ends of the wheel rod, each of the main air compressors is pressed by the main weight member to force air into the at least one air supply member.

A pneumatic motion system includes a plurality of casings, a plurality of frame members respectively extending into the casings, a plurality of linear rails respectively mounted to the frame members, a plurality of main weight members respectively and movably mounted to the linear rails, at least one air supply member, and pairs of main air compressors. Each pair of the main air compressors is disposed at one of two opposite ends of a respective one of the casings. For each casing, when the respective one of the main weight members is moved to the one of the opposite ends of the casing, each pair of the main air compressors is pressed by the main weight member to force air into the at least one air supply member.

An energy storage and delivery system includes an elevator operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy and from a higher elevation to a lower elevation to generate electricity. A winch assembly is movably coupled to a cable that is coupled to the elevator. The winch assembly has planetary gear assemblies, brakes that selectively engage at least a portion of the planetary gear assemblies, and a spool coupled to the cable. A drive shaft extends between a motor-generator and the winch assembly. A brake is operable so that the spool rotates to reel-in the cable to raise the elevator to move a block from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy or so that the spool rotates to reel-out the cable to lower the elevator to move a block from a higher elevation to a lower elevation to generate electricity.

An axle device is proposed including a linear shaft, at least one carriage, an electric drive for moving the carriage along the linear shaft, and a mechanical energy storage arrangement. The energy storage arrangement being able to assume a charging state for converting kinetic energy into potential when the carriage is decelerated along the linear shaft energy in an energy charging region, a storage state for storing the potential energy, and a discharging state for converting the stored potential energy into kinetic energy when the carriage is accelerated along the linear shaft in an energy releasing region.

A system for energy conversion includes a support structure which has a descent channel and an ascent channel connected at respective lower ends and a sealing device applied at the upper end of the descent channel. The system further includes at least one extensible element, switchable between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and sliding inside the support structure along a path extending from the descent channel to the ascent channel. The system further includes a plurality of locking means configured to individually and reversibly constrain respective portions of the extensible element to the support structure.