Offset Weight-Powered Engine

Abstract

An offset weight-powered engine uses gravity to create an unbalanced net moment arm on the engine to overcome the moment of inertia and to produce rotational motion which is converted to energy out of the system. Weights on rotatable arms extend from peripheral points on the main body of the engine, which rotates on a main shaft. The weights are held off-vertical during in a stable, but unbalanced, configuration, to provide leverage and create an over-leveraged situation. This creates a rotational force generating torque and allowing the system to generate power. The rotating weights are maintained in an off-vertical position by a control system. A rotating control assembly holds those weighted arms in position, rotating in unison with the weight arms with a main shaft parallel but offset from the main shaft of the main body, and rotatable arms fixed to the weighted arms and compensating for the offset.

Claims

1. A rotating offset weight-powered engine for generating power, comprising: a power-generating assembly, comprising a main shaft about which said power-generating assembly may rotate; a plurality of weighted arms rotatably mounted on said power-generating assembly at a lever distance from a centerline of said main shaft; and a control system maintaining said weighted arms in an offset weight configuration during rotation of said power-generating assembly, said control system comprising a secondary shaft about which the control system may rotate; a plurality of control arms rotatably mounted on said control system at the lever distance from a centerline of said secondary shaft; each of said plurality of control arms connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of weighted arms in a fixed rotational relationship.

2. The engine of claim 1: said secondary shaft centerline and said main shaft centerline parallel to one another but separated by an offset distance; each of said plurality of weighted arms rotatably mounted at a first rotational sub-axis; each of said plurality of control arms rotatably mounted at a second rotational sub-axis; and the second rotational sub-axis for one of said control arms separated by the offset distance from the first rotational sub-axis for the weighted arm connected to said one of said control arms.

3. The engine of claim 2: said secondary shaft centerline offset from said main shaft centerline in an offset direction; and the second rotational sub-axis for one of said control arms separated in the offset direction from the first rotational sub-axis for the weighted arm connected to said one of said control arms.

4. The engine of claim 1: each of said plurality of weighted arms comprising a center of weight; and each of said plurality of weighted arms rotatably mounted on said power-generating assembly at a mounting point on said weighted arms; said mounting points at a distance from said center of weight.

5. The engine of claim 4: said offset weight configuration comprising a line formed between the mounting point and the center of weight on each of said plurality of weighted arms forming a non-zero angle to a local gravitational down direction.

6. The engine of claim 5: said angles being substantially the same for each of said weighted arms.

7. The engine of claim 1: said offset weight configuration comprising said plurality of weighted arms each being off-vertical in a range of about 10-degrees to about 90-degrees; each of said weighted arms being off-vertical by approximately the same amount.

8. The engine of claim 1: said power-generating assembly further comprising a plurality of main arms extending radially outward from the main shaft toward a distal end; and each of said plurality of weighted arms rotatably mounted on one of said plurality of main arms at a position between the main shaft and said distal end.

9. The engine of claim 1 further comprising: a generator coupled to the main shaft.

10. A method of generating power from a rotating offset weight-powered engine, comprising: rotating a power-generating assembly about a main shaft thereof, said rotating step comprising rotatably mounting a plurality of weighted arms on said power-generating assembly at a lever distance from a centerline of said main shaft; and applying torque to the power-generating assembly by maintaining said plurality of weighted arms in an offset weight configuration during the rotation step; and said maintaining step comprising rotating a control system about a secondary shaft; rotatably supporting a plurality of control arms on said control system at the lever distance from a centerline of said secondary shaft; and holding each of said plurality of weighted arms in a fixed rotational relationship to a corresponding one of each of said plurality of control arms.

11. The method of claim 10: said secondary shaft and said main shaft centerline centerline parallel to one another but separated by an offset distance; said rotatably mounting step at a first rotational sub-axis; and said rotatably supporting step at a second rotational sub-axis; and the second rotational sub-axis for one of said control arms separated by the offset distance from the first rotational sub-axis for the weighted arm connected to said one of said control arms.

12. The method of claim 10: each of said plurality of weighted arms comprising a center of weight; and said rotatably mounting step comprising mounting each of said plurality of weighted arms on said power-generating assembly at a mounting point on said weighted arms; said mounting points at a distance from said center of weight.

13. The method of claim 10: said maintaining step further comprising holding each of said plurality of weighted arms each off-vertical approximately the same amount and in a range of about 10-degrees to about 90-degrees.

14. The method of claim 10: said rotating a power-generating assembly and rotating a control system steps further comprising said rotating taking place in unison.

15. The method of claim 10: said rotatably supporting step comprising supporting each of said plurality of control arms at a proximal end thereof; said holding step comprising fixing a distal end each of said plurality of control arms to one each of said plurality of weighted arms; and applying a force to a proximal end of said control arms.

16. The method of claim 15: said main shaft centerline and said secondary shaft centerline parallel to one another and said secondary shaft centerline being vertically above said main shaft centerline; said rotatably supporting step further comprising supporting each of said plurality of control arms in a vertical configuration. holding each of said plurality of weighted arms in a fixed rotational relationship to a corresponding one of each of said plurality of control arms.

17. A rotating offset weight-powered engine for generating rotational torque, comprising: a rotating generating assembly for undergoing rotation, comprising a main shaft; a main body mounted on the main shaft, said main body comprising at least two leverage points radially outward of the main shaft; and at least two power arms; each of said at least two power arms supported by a corresponding one of said at least two leverage points and rotatable with respect thereto; and each of said at least two power arms capable of assuming a static non-vertical configuration during rotation of rotating generating assembly; and a control system configured to maintain said at least two power arms in said non-vertical configuration during rotation of rotating generating assembly.

18. The engine of claim 17: each of said at least two power arms creating torque on said main shaft in said non-vertical configuration.

19. The engine of claim 17: each said at least two power arms rotatable with respect to its corresponding leverage point about a power arm axis; and each said at least two power arms comprising a center of weight; wherein said center of weight and said power arm axis are non-coincident.

20. The engine of claim 19: said non-vertical configuration comprising a leverage angle formed between a local gravitational down direction and a line formed between said center of weight and said power arm axis; said leverage angle in a range between 10-degrees and 90-degrees.

21. The engine of claim 17: said main body comprising at least two main arms extending radially outward from the main shaft toward a distal end; each of said at least two leverage points located on one of said at least two main arms at a position between the main shaft and said distal end.

22. The engine of claim 17: said main shaft aligned to a main axis; said control system comprising a control shaft aligned to a control shaft axis; a control body mounted on the control shaft, said control body comprising at least two control points radially outward of the control shaft; and at least two positioning arms; each of said at least two positioning arms supported by a corresponding one of said at least two control points and rotatable with respect thereto; each of said at least two positioning arms rotationally fixed to a corresponding one of said at least two power arms; said main axis and said control shaft axis parallel to one another but offset by a shaft offset distance.

23. The engine of claim 22: each said at least two power arms rotatable with respect to its corresponding leverage point about a power arm axis; and each of said at least two positioning arms rotatable with respect its corresponding control points about a positioning arm axis; said main axis and said control shaft axis parallel to one another but offset by said shaft offset distance; and said positioning arm axis and said power arm axis parallel to one another but offset by said shaft offset distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a front right oblique view of the power generating system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the power generating system of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side view of the power generating system of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a left rear oblique view of the power generating system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the power generating system of FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a right-side view of the power generating system of FIG. 4;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A first embodiment of the power generating system is shown in FIGS. 1-3. System 1 includes main assembly 2 and control gearing assembly 3.

[0029] Main assembly 2 includes main shaft 4, hub assembly 5 mounted on main shaft 4, four main arm assemblies 10 mounted on hub assembly 5 at right angles to each other and at right angles to main shaft 4, and four power arm assemblies 15 mounted on main arm assemblies 10. Hub assembly 5, in this embodiment is formed of front & rear bracket sets 6 & 7, each rotationally fixed to main shaft 4 and extending perpendicular to its axis of rotation. Main arm assemblies 10 include front & rear arms 11 & 12. Front & rear arms 11 & 12 are parallel to one another, extending radially outward from main shaft 4, and are mounted at their proximal ends on, respectively front & rear bracket sets 6 & 7. At or near the distal (radially-outward) ends of front & rear arms 11 & 12 are bearing sets 13. Bearing sets 13 are fixed axially parallel to each other, and each support a power arm assembly 15, and permit it to rotate freely relative to its respective main arm assembly 10. Power arm assembly 15 includes support arms 16, which is rotationally fixed via a keyway to, and supported, by sub-axle 19, and weight 17. Sub-axle 19 is mounted in and supported by bearing set 13 on main arm assembly 10. Sub-axle 19 include sprocket 20 at its forward end, which projects forwardly past front arm 11 and beyond bearing set 13.

[0030] Control gearing assembly 3 includes sprocketed servo motor assembly 41, and two drive chains 43. Servo motor assembly 41 is mounted on control hub 5 and may be mounted collinear with main shaft 4. Motor rotation of servo motor assembly 41 drives motion of drive chains 43 which, in turn drive sprockets 20 on sub-axles 19. Operation of servo motor assembly 41 may be used to maintain power arm assemblies 15 in a fixed position (i.e. at drive angle) while the portions rotationally fixed to hub assembly 5 rotate. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), servo motor assembly 41 is replaced by one motor per power arm. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), servo motor assembly 51 is mounted off-center on control hub 5, or is fixed in a fixed non-rotating position off main assembly 2.

[0031] System 1 also includes support frames 31 to support other structures, bearings 32 to support and fix main shaft 4 and power shaft 8 thereon, starter pulley 33 fixed to main shaft 4, starter motor 34 on support frame 31, and starter belt 35 connecting starter pulley 33 and starter motor 34. System 1 also optionally includes brake 40 (shown in FIGS. 4-6), power pulley 38 fixed to main shaft 4, generator 37, and generator belt 39 connecting power pulley 38 and generator 37, and clutch 36 connecting main shaft 4 to power shaft 8. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), pulleys 33 and 38 and belts 35 and 39 are replaced by gearing (or gearboxes) connecting main shaft 4 to starter motor 34 and power shaft 8 to generator 37.

[0032] In operation, system 1 is initiated using starter motor 34 to start rotation of the portions of main assembly 2 rotationally fixed to hub assembly 5, and servo motor assembly 41 operates to rotate power arm assemblies 15 to a drive position (off vertical).

[0033] As power arm assemblies 15 are driven towards an orientation off vertical, such as parallel to the base or floor, weights 17 at the ends of support arms 16 create an over-leveraged situation, causing main arm assembly 10 to rotate. As servomotor assembly 41 positions power arm assemblies 15 to a drive position, one of power arm assemblies 15 is oriented such that it is weight is extended towards the radial outward end of main arm assembly 10. The opposing power arm assembly 15 at the same time is positioned toward main shaft 4, the weights of the respective power arm assemblies 15 thereby causing the overleveraged situation via the applied torque on main arm assemblies 10.

[0034] As main assembly 2 rotates in a clockwise fashion, weights 17 rotate in a counterclockwise fashion (relative to hub assembly 5 and main arm assemblies 10), always maintaining the drive orientation (e.g. parallel to the base or floor), continuously generating the over-leveraged situation. This shift in weight lengthens the moment arm on the over-leveraged segment of the rotating lever arm while simultaneously shortening the moment arm on the opposite segment of the rotating lever arm, thereby allowing gravity to rotate the lever arm by overcoming the moment of inertia for the rotating lever arm. Continuing applied torque to main arm assemblies 10 is transmitted to hub assembly 5 and thence to main shaft 4. Main shaft 4 rotates, passing the power through clutch 36 (when engaged) to power pulley 38, and via generator belt 39 to generator 37 to generate electric power. The system could be designed to reverse the direction of rotation by reversing the component orientation for driving a device needing a different input, or a reversing gearbox could be provided.

[0035] A second embodiment of the power generating system is shown in FIGS. 4-6. System 101 includes main assembly 2 and control assembly 151. Structures common to the FIGS. 1-3 retain the same numbering, and some have been omitted from FIGS. 4-6 in the interests of clarity.

[0036] Main assembly 2 includes main shaft 4, hub assembly 5 mounted on main shaft 4, four main arm assemblies 10 mounted on hub assembly 5 at right angles to each other and at right angles to main shaft 4, and four power arm assemblies 15 mounted on main arm assemblies 10. Hub assembly 5, in this embodiment is formed of front & rear bracket sets 6 & 7, each rotationally fixed to main shaft 4 and extending perpendicular to its axis of rotation. Main arm assemblies 10 include front & rear arms 11 & 12. Front & rear arms 11 & 12 are parallel to one another, extending radially outward from main shaft 4, and are mounted at their proximal ends on, respectively front & rear bracket sets 6 & 7. At or near the distal (radially-outward) ends of front & rear arms 11 & 12 are bearing sets 13. Bearing sets 13 are fixed axially parallel to each other, and each support a power arm assembly 15, and permit it to rotate freely relative to its respective main arm assembly 10. Power arm assembly 15 includes support arms 16, which is rotationally fixed via a keyway to, and supported, by sub-axle 19, and weight 17. Sub-axle 19 is mounted in and supported by bearing set 13 on main arm assembly 10. Sub-axle 19 projects forwardly past front arm 11 and beyond bearing set 13.

[0037] Control assembly 151 includes control shaft 154, associated bearings 32, control hub assembly 152 mounted on control shaft 154, and four control arm assemblies 160 mounted on control hub assembly 152 at right angles to each other and at right angles to control shaft 154. Control hub assembly includes brackets 155 supporting control arm assemblies 160 at their proximal (radially-inward) end. Control arm assembly 160 includes control arm 165, bearing set 164 at or near the distal end of control arm 165, position arm 162, sub-axle 161, and pinplate 163. Sub-axle 161 is mounted in bearing set 164 and supports position arm 162 at or near one end thereof from control arm 165 and allows position arm 162 rotation relative thereto. Pinplate 163 is rotationally fixed to position arm 162 at or near the opposite one end thereof from sub-axle 161, and rotationally fixes and supports keyed sub-axle 19.

[0038] Control shaft 154 is offset vertically upward from main shaft 4, but is parallel thereto, forming a center-to-center shaft offset distance. A corresponding shaft-to-shaft offset relationship exists between sub-axles 161 (on control arm assemblies 160) supporting position arms 162, and sub-axles 19 (on main arm assemblies 10) supporting power arm assemblies 15. The vertical shaft displacement offset effectively raises control assembly 151, and control arm assemblies 160, and places them in the same offset relationship to main arm assemblies 10. In this embodiment, position arms 162 hang down from, and are permitted to rotate relative to, control arms 165, but pinplate 163 locks sub-axle 19 rotationally thereto. Thus, controlling the rotational position of position arms 162 controls the rotational position of power arm assemblies 15, which are similarly fixed to sub-axle 19. In this embodiment, position arms 162 are vertical and pinplate 163 locks power arm assemblies 15 into a 90-degree relationship, holding them horizontally to the ground.

[0039] System 101 also includes support frames (not shown, see FIGS. 1-3), bearings 32 to support and fix main shaft 4 thereon, starter pulley, starter motor, and starter belt (all not shown, see FIGS. 1-3). System 101 also optionally includes brake 40, power pulley 38 fixed to main shaft 4, and generator, generator belt, and clutch (all not shown, see FIGS. 1-3).

[0040] In operation, system 101 may be initiated using a starter motor as described above to start rotation of the portions of main assembly 2 rotationally fixed to hub assembly 5. The shaft offset forces position arms 162 to maintain a vertical position, thus holding power arm assemblies 15 to a drive position (off vertical). As a consequence, bearing sets 164, position arms 162, pinplates 163, and control arms 165 will experience changing forces as control assembly 151 and main assembly 2 rotate together. Depending upon the relative position of power assemblies 15, they will create torque resulting in alternating compressive forces and tension forces on those elements.

[0041] As above, power arm assemblies 15 are in an orientation off vertical, such as parallel to the base or floor, and weights 17 at the ends of support arms 16 create an over-leveraged situation, causing main arm assembly 10 to rotate. One of power arm assemblies 15 is oriented such that its weight is extended towards the radial outward end of main arm assembly 10. The opposing power arm assembly 15 at the same time is positioned toward main shaft 4. The weights of the respective power arm assemblies 15 thereby cause the overleveraged situation via the applied torque on main arm assemblies 10.

[0042] As main assembly 2 rotates in a clockwise fashion, weights 17 rotate in a counterclockwise fashion (relative to hub assembly 5 and main arm assemblies 10), always maintaining the drive orientation (e.g. parallel to the base or floor), continuously generating the over-leveraged situation. This shift in weight lengthens the moment arm on the over-leveraged segment of the rotating lever arm while simultaneously shortening the moment arm on the opposite segment of the rotating lever arm, thereby allowing gravity to rotate the lever arm by overcoming the moment of inertia for the rotating lever arm. Continuing applied torque to main arm assemblies 10 is transmitted to hub assembly 5 and thence to main shaft 4. Main shaft 4 rotates, passing the power to power pulley 38, and thence to a generator (not shown) to generate electric power.