Abstract
This Hydrostatic/Hydro-Power engine's power to create energy arises from compression chambers filled by the force of Gravity to full capacity with water and is immediately ready to be instantly pressurized, amazingly enough, to virtually thousands of pounds (PSI). This uses an intensifier piston assembly pushing a small Force of compressed air against surfaces of water in the chambers. A computer program manages a repeating cycle of compression (PSI) and kinetic hydro-power bursts from chambers which collectively comprises a powerful hydro-power flow. This is by automated opening and closing of certain valves in connecting conduits. After/as pressurized water is expelled from a chamber, gravity almost instantly floods the vacant space again with enough water to reach full capacity, in reverse order the refilling water pushes the intensifier's piston upward in its cylinder, simultaneously ejecting the air from the piston's chamber space, thus the piston is reset to repeat another cycle.
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A system comprising an internal Hydrostatic Compression Engine, being partially submerged, immersed in a body of water, its structure attached to an underwater surface, consisting of multiple chambers which are continuously filled by the force of Gravity with water taken in from its outside immersed within environment to fill up each chamber to maximum capacity, and await at rest (static) for its cyclic turn to be pressurized to thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI), the Force for compression being Compressed Air supplied by others, applied as (energy) by mechanical means (piston) impressed upon water molecules (mass) resting in a static state while confined in a chamber, its repetive potential hydrostatic energy (instantaneous pressure) occurring without any involvement of/by workplace resisting/opposing environmental factors available for immediate high (PSI) energy flow releases of hydro-power, the power function comprising a repeating 4-event duty cycleintake of water into chambersincreasing (PSI) hydrostatic potential of the molecular massexpelling powerful hydro bursts of energy for doing work as a prime moverreloading of replacement water back into for refilling of chambers to full water capacity, and simultaneously resetting of the energy intensifying mechanical compressor piston for the sequenced, repeating next duty cycle repetition, ready as a unified hydro power flow and conversion to mechanical or other energy forms then to be discharged/returned to the body for recirculation over and over again;
9. The system in claim 8 whereas, it is an operating system of interacting pneumatic/hydraulic components and associated high pressure cells, connecting lines, valves and associated parts which are subject to pressures increases/changes, the design and fabrication of its integral components must be in conformance with best practices of the art as established by the Design Institute of Emergency Relief Systems to deal with potential process upsets which might adversely affect system functions and safety of operation;
10. The system in claim 8 is a means for elevating the pressure levels of container contents to hundreds of atmospheres by means of force multiplication of small force (low pressure) to larger force (high pressure) between pneumatic/hydraulic components by means of solid piston transfer agents having opposite area piston size differences, said contents within the array of pressure cells being ready for discharge as bursts of kinetic energy, and flow into/through the associated kinetic energy accumulator distribution system;
11. The system in claim 8 as a means whereby bursts of kinetic energy are expelled from the kinetic energy cell for application as a force acting against workloads not a part of this invention;
12. In the system of claim 8, having an almost unlimited range of design options/choices for creating/manipulating of potential hydrostatic energy levels (PSI) regarding the several critical variables (location, water supply, pressure level ratios), cylinders, pressure cells, etc.), there are no practical limits on scope, scale and purpose for applications of the system, from extremely small individual use to industrial scale applications;
13. In the system of claim 8, wherein a group of hydrostatic/hydraulic engines, structures partially submerged or not within impounded or moving waters, working in collective communication/purpose, one to the other, can create an almost unlimited amount of molecular energy, hydrostatic head, all entities acting together as one in consort can by controlled release of such molecular energy provide enough hydro-power to drive industrial level hydropower plants, the mass medium of water for the entire process, can be recirculating or free flow, in any case being unchanged in physical/chemical properties;
14. In the system of claim 13, wherein an internal compression engine can be established/operated wherever an adequate water source exists a a reservoir, freely moving waters or otherwise, without any change of physical properties/chemical properties;
15. In the system of claim 13, wherein an internal compression engine can be operated wherever an adequate supplier of compressed air available, being in direct communication with the system, provide an on demand pressurized air supply as required;
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0061] FIG. 1 is a flat plat conceptual representation of the system top to bottom abbreviated views; [0062] [a] The principal parts of the system are (1) array of pressure cells, (2) an ample supply of water to fill almost instantly the cells to capacity, (3) a pneumatic means to greatly increase the pressure levels (PSI) in the cells and (4) a computerized management system that functions like the camshaft/ignition/timing of an internal combustion engine. [0063] [b] The water, which is the medium for the high energy bursts enters an intake port via check valve V1 of each pressure cell. The water enters at the ambient pressure (PSI) level of the external supply source. If it were from an interior reservoir then it would be continuously recirculating as the water properties remain unchanged. [0064] [c] An external air compressor furnishes compressed air by valve V2 into the container at a low pressure (PSI) for powering the compressing function of the system. The air is released by valve V3 to start the 4 non-stroke duty cycle in response to a computer valve opening command. [0065] [d] Valve V4 is the vent line to the free atmosphere for vacating any compressed air remaining in the large piston area space after a release of energy by valve V5. This permits the piston to reset and makes space available for the next release by valve V3 to activate the piston to start a new compression-cycle. [0066] [e] The force multiplier consists of a piston within a cylinder structure in communication with the water being at rest in the cell. The multiplication effect relies solely on the solid piston having different surface areas on its opposite ends. Surface Area B has only a fraction of the surface area of larger Area A surface. If area A was 1-inch square and B was one/quarter inch square then the fraction be 1/16th. If the low-pressure input on area A was 100-PSI then the compression force on the water at rest in the cell would be 1,600-PSI. It follows by Pascal's law (FIG. 4) that this pressure level of the contents would prevail irrespective of how large or small the cell's capacity. And, further the ratio could be further increased from pressure multiplication factor of 16 to much higher numbers. [0067] [f] Changing the static PSI level in a cell would simply be a matter of air pressure PSI input in combination with piston surface area size on opposite ends. If the low pressure input only on area A was increased to 150 PSI then the compression force on the water at rest in the cell would be 2,400 PSI. For economy of effort, the volume of compressed air required per cycle for a cell would be minimal. The piston a moves very small linear travel distance within its cylinder, it is simply a constant compressing, touching force between equally forces balanced opposing surfaces.
[0068] FIG. 2 is a flat plat conceptual representation system top to bottom abbreviated views of the system that has been described in detail by txt and detail previously. The means and methods described are readily understood as to how each part works and relates to the whole. FIG. 3, following, recognizes that the number of cells is only a matter of choice since the variables which ordinarily are constraints are for all practical purpose are simply more about satisfying a desired outcome, the system is very broad and robust.
[0069] As context for FIG. 3, FIGS. 1 and 2 have graphically shown by way of methods how the natural laws, FIGS. 4, 4.1a and 5, make it all possible i.e.; (1) the properties of a gas (elasticity & compressibility); (2) the compression (pressurization) of a (non-elastic) liquid in a static state, and (3) the force multiplier effect whereby low pressure compressed air can cause high pressures within a static liquid by operation of a piston acting on the opposing cell's liquid surface contents. Neither force nor static contents are moving as they in that moment are in a shared state of equilibrium. This will prevail as long as the piston's compressed air pressure level (PSI) force is sustained.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a flat plat conceptual representation of an array or cluster of closed cells when acting in unison on sequenced command, will expel powerful bursts of kinetic energy. There no practical limits on the number of cells nor their configuration, positional arrangements or volume capacities. [0071] [a] The system has valve V3 as shown by FIGS. 1 & 2 for cells individually filled or in the process of being filled depending upon where they are in the duty cycle; [0072] [b] The energized computer module has sensors that monitor the relative positional state of the several cells as each proceeds through the repeating for non-stroke movement duty cycle; [0073] [c] The computer sends commands for valves V3 in FIGS. 1 & 2 to open or close after the contents of a particular cell are at capacity in a static state, this activates the force multiplier piston into the compression mode; [0074] [d] Following compression to a high PSI level within the cell, a sequenced command is sent to open each discharge valves V5 a, b and c with the contents unloading individually as bursts of energy. The volume of the discharged force is related to the diameter of cell's discharge port and exit pressure (PSI). [0075] [e] The discharge of bursts from cells occurring in succession will approximate a continuous, uniform flow of kinetic energy; [0076] [f] Valve V6 regulates a combined flow output of the system into the mechanical conversion converter for the work component of choice process. After doing its work as a prime moverthe energy-depleted-waste water then exits the system with its properties unchanged and reenters its associated reservoir of water for subsequent recirculation back over and over through the system as a flow of kinetic hydro power.
[0077] This Embodiment's Operative Forces are: Gravity-Compressed Air Energy-Potential Hydrostatic Energy-Hydro Kinetic Energy [0078] [a] Quotations from THE HOW AND WHY WONDER BOOK OF ATOMIC ENERGY by DONALD BARR, Assistant Dean, School of Engineering, Columbia University, 1961. [0079] [1] Energy exists in many forms, and we have learned how to change it from form to form. We still do not know very clearly what energy is, but we know what it does. It does work. More simply it is to move things or to change things. [0080] [2] In the year 1905, a young German born scientist was working in the Swiss Patent Office, checking other people's inventions. And he wrote a paper about what he called his Theory of Relativity. [0081] [3] All the physicists had known that energy can be stored in matter and gotten out again too, but they believed that this did not change the amount of matter. The theory said that when energy is stored in matter, it takes the form of a little additional mass, and when the energy is released, the mass goes back to what it was. We now have one law, the Law of Conservation of Mass-and-Energy. [0082] [a] In short, this is what it means in respect to the creation of so much extremely high kinetic hydro power pressures from so little compressed air energy input to begin with the system. Energy drawn from the accumulator presses upon the large area of the piston within the pneumatic cylinder. [0083] [b] The smaller area of the piston presses as an intensified force upon a surface of the liquid (water) contents within the compression chamber. This additional energy results from the amount of water being increased and manifested as such in the form of potential hydrostatic pressure. A weight increase of mass is not measurable but absolutely known to be true. [0084] [c] The pressurization as described in 1 and 2 is not in any way affected nor influenced by work forces in the external working environment. It is simply a change in energy form, pneumatic to hydraulic. Air to water, the first being elastic & the other being for all practical purposes incompressible. The air to water density ratio is 784 times denser for water at near sea level. [0085] [b] The external air compressor (outside the scope of this embodiment, being an independent supplier of stored energy), must be in communication by fixed conduit with the system's accumulator (compressed air container). In turn, the accumulator is in communication by conduit with the force multiplier (pneumatic piston and cylinder). In turn, the force multiplier is in communication with the compression chamber(s) (internal compressed hydro power vessel), said chamber(s) containing water supplied from the body of water outside the structure. In turn, the compression chamber must be in communication with the flow accumulator (which serves as a common collector of hydro power energy from one or more chambers all being interconnected by conduits and in communication one with the other to serve as a unified provider of hydro power energy to operate the mechanical energy convertor. In turn the flow accumulator is in communication with (as a prime server for a mechanical energy convertor). The convertor (as a work function processor is in communication with an exit port for return downstream of waste water back to the body of water in which the system is immersed for recirculation again/physically unchanged by the system's repetitive processing of such.)
Preferred Embodiment
[0086] This embodiment comprises FOUR independent CHANGE AGENTS for initiating or putting-into-motion masses of fluid matter (gas and water). Other activities are interrelated and cooperating as if one continuing event in unison for the production of hydro power kinetic energy. Some invention (aka Internal Compression Engine) being in all respects a powerful prime mover of hydraulic driven end components. The preferred use would be Hydro-Powered Electricity Generation equivalent to a Hydro Power Dam Generator. [0087] [a] As contrast with my invention, we refer now to the workings of an internal combustion engine found under the hood of a typical gasoline fueled automobile. The engine harnesses natural forces and energy to transform single elements such as fuel, air, spark and pressure into powerful motion for storage/accumulation in a heavy revolving balanced flywheel. Thereafter the energy to be released on demand for work via a drive shaft as rotational torque. The four-cycle events are a choreographed dance where each piece plays an integral role in the system itself while also being driven by it. [0088] [b] My invention is remarkably robust and readily expandable in size/scope plus establishment in multiple arrays, it needs two things to be on hand as part of its work environment site location wherever it might be established: [0089] [1] A volume of water equivalent to a reservoir or such from which to take/receive a filling inflow of water into its pressure vessel(s) (chambers), to thereafter be pressurized and serve as the medium for transmission of highly pressurized kinetic energy bursts. [0090] [2] An external air compressor completely independent of but in direct communication as the 24/7 on-demand-supplier of air for the system's compressed air container. [0091] [c] The structure of my invention is graphically illustrated herein by three figures, these being as follow: [0092] [1] FIG. 2, INTERNAL COMPRESSION SYSTEM (ICS) [0093] [2] FORCE MULTIPLIER-LOW PRESSURE AIR TO HIGH PRESSURE LIQUID (FMPAHPL) [0094] [3] FIG. 3, DISTRIBUTION OF KINETIC ENERGY-FLOW ACCUMULATOR AND MECHANICAL ENERGY WORK UNIT (DKEAMEW) [0095] [d] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conceptual site placement sketch i.e. a contained body of water with free atmosphere. The system is partially submerged within the body of water. The site sketch shows an underwater module attaching surface. Also, the placement of the system compressed air source, an independent supplier's External Air Compressor, is located outside the conceptual module but by conduit being in direct communication with the system's COMPRESSED AIR CONTAINER. [0096] [e] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are to be understood as depicting internal functional elements of the system, top to bottom orientation with interrelated features such as connecting conduits, valves, intensifier cylinder & piston, pressure sensor, flow accumulator, air holding tank, annotating descriptions, automated management control module, etc. The drawings provide a coherent blueprint or layout of the system, its makeup and interrelationships. This does not describe the roles played and contributions made which collectively make possible the doing of work, the production of hydro power to put end items into motion to do beneficial work.
[0097] The graphic representations disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 & 3 and FIGS. 4, 4.1 & 5, the natural properties of matter, more specifically attributes of the water molecule, are to be considered and understood fully in all respects. This understanding, though illustrative in nature, does not restrict the implications to be deduced from the means and methods and concepts taught by my invention. These are now discussed in sufficient detail for a person skilled in the art of hydrostatics and fluid dynamics to understand the method and means and intent of my invention. Namely to produce a hydro power flow as a powerful force to do work by the simple application of compressed air energy via an intensifier (piston) to pressurize water, otherwise residing in a state of rest by applying pressure to its molecular mass. This way bypasses/avoids any involvement of/by ordinary workplace factors in the doing of work. Additionally, there are process activities, not Change Agents such as Gravity, Force Multiplier, and Pressure (PSI) level Differences (hydrostatic vs. kinetic states). Details follow: [0098] [a] Compressed Air Energy Element: FIGS. 1 and 2, the COMPRESSED AIR CONTAINER (CAC) receives, contains, and maintains a volume of compressed air energy at all times at predetermined pressure levels as needed/required to support the FORCE MULTIPLIER (FM) element (intensifier assembly) which is comprised of a cylinder, its sliding solid piston and integral chamber, such as are common to all cylinders, pneumatic or hydraulic. The CAC is in direct communication by conduit with the system's independent External Air Compressor (EAC). Valve V2 a solenoid, controlled by automated command, opens and permits/maintains a one-way flow of air into the CAC in sufficient volume and at a programmed pressure level. Valve V2 opens and closes in response to demands for compressed air as the intensifier process proceeds thru its continuing repetitive cycle routine. CAC is in direct communication by conduit with the FORCE MULTIPLIER (FM) element (intensifier). Valve V3, also solenoid controlled by automated command being ready to open and close to permit a one-way flow into FM's cylinder chamber with its sliding piston. This input activity is always premised upon the INTERNAL COMPRESSED HYDRO POWER VESSEL (ICHPV) being filled to full volume capacity and the water is standing at rest in a compression chamber, the next one up in the system's sequence order Air Energy Element routine. [0099] [1] The Compressed is the cause/means whereby a specific pressure level (PSI), in its elastic state, is directly conveyed/transferred by mechanical device to the water mass resting in a compression chamber. The transferred pressure level (PSI) then is present throughout the entire water-mass-volume This is a creation of energy. [0100] [b] The Gravity Force Element: A CHANGE AGENT, being the cause/means for water intake from the surrounding reservoir of water whenever less than full capacity of pressure cell/chamber occurs, assures the chamber is at full capacity and the mass is at rest in a static state. FIGS. 1 and 2, Valve V1, A one-way no return check valve that is an integral part of the INTERNAL COMPRESSED HYDRO POWER VESSEL (ICHPV), opens and closes subject to the force of Gravity whenever any vacant space (less than full) occurs in the compression chamber i.e. the ICHPPV, the weight of water at depth presses against Valve V2 and forces it to an open position, whereby water is sucked into and replenishes a compression chamber to full capacity. This is an almost instantaneous reaction and it occurs every time that the water in ICHPV's chamber is pressurized by the FM (intensifier) and thereafter Valve V5, a solenoid in response to an automated command opens and discharge of contents is almost instantaneous. This creates space in the chamber and replenishment via Valve V1 is an almost instantaneous reaction. In short Gravity keeps the system going, it moves water, the medium for transmitting energy through this invention, it is the Change Agent for moving things or changing things. [0101] [c] The Force Multiplier (FM): A CHANGE AGENT being the cause/means for compressing of water molecules otherwise being at rest and unable to spontaneous move themselves. The intensifier is in the strictest sense a lever which applies force against the water molecules, the molecules react by small volume increases. The leveraging act itself requires little low pressure compressed air to produce high pressure levels for two reasons. The piston barely moves in its cylinder as the small end of piston rests almost up against the surface of the water in the chamber. The leveraging action is isolated from all resisting factors in the outside work environment in contrast to kinetic movements of things and mass. [0102] [1] As described [a] above in CAC is in direct communication by conduit from CAC and extends into the intensifier's large cylinder body this is AREA A space above and downward, touching the surface of large area piston end. The solid piston has an extended small shaft body terminating as small area surface. The dimensional area of large piston end divided by comparable area of small piston end is the force multiplication ratio. This intensified (focused i.e. ratio) force that my invention can bring to bear (adding energy) on the surface of the water (or any like liquid) otherwise being at rest (static) within the ICHPV's compression chamber. If a compressed air pressure of 10 PSI was released by Valve V3, as stated paragraph [0007] (A2), and the focused force ratio were 16 to 1, then the force bearing on the molecules in the ICHPV's compression chamber the force would be 160 PSI. Further if the volume (cubic inches) in the chamber was one cubic foot (1,728) then the potential hydrostatic energy would be 276,480 pounds. How much of a single pressurized water mass of any (PSI) magnitude and volume could be released as useful flow by a split-second kinetic burst and repeated immediately by other bursts so to sustain a uniform flow, this is a system design issue. [0103] [d] Pressure (PSI) Level Differences (molecular mass energy increase): A CHANGE AGENT, what this means is that this engine requires minimal quantity of stored energy (compressed air) to create an almost unlimited amount of potential hydrostatic energy within a mass of water resting in a static state. Ready for immediate release as repeating powerful (PSI) bursts of energy in motion against work objects, operating at lesser PSI levels, to do work. Particularly so as an overall input/output result when the released water (liquid) is 784 times denser than air near sea level. Especially so as FIGS. 4 and 4.1 illustrate the physical/mechanical attributes for being pressurized and the communicating of hydro power. [0104] [e] Inertia, a natural CHANGE AGENT just like Gravity, it follows that the masses of water, as ejected from chambers (vessels 1,2 and 3 shown as by FIG. 3), as interval time releases by automated burst pressure Valves 5a,b and c, comprising therefore a sequential, combining, merging flow, have one thing in common as one powerful hydro stream, INERTIA. The inability to stop of their own accord. A primary mover, to do work. A MECHANICAL ENERGY CONVERTER. [0105] (f) Having spent much of its energy in doing work, the flow returns to the body of water from whence it came. Ultimately to be returned by the GRAVITY FORCE ELEMENT at Valve V1 to occupy space as part of the mass at rest in a chamber.
[0106] Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0107] To conclude, this invention uses the natural force of gravity to fill chambers with water and pressurizes it to create molecular energy, and releases it as kinetic Hydro-Power to do work. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive.
