A Mass Displacement Energy Storage And Electricity Generator

Abstract

A mass displacement electricity generator, having a tower and a first mass suspended by the tower for falling and lifting. The first mass is suspended by a pulley arrangement including a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the first mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the first mass. A cable extends through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable is fixed to one of the tower or to the first mass. A winch includes a barrel about which the cable winds off as the first mass falls and winds on as the first mass lifts. The winch is in driving connection with a flywheel so that as the first mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate. The flywheel is in driving connection with a generator so that rotation of the flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy.

Claims

1. A mass displacement electricity generator, comprising a tower, a first mass suspended by the tower for falling and lifting, the first mass being suspended by a pulley arrangement comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the first mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the first mass, and a cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable being fixed to one of the tower or to the first mass, a winch including a barrel about which the cable winds off as the first mass falls and winds on as the first mass lifts, the winch being in driving connection with a flywheel so that as the first mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate, and the flywheel being in driving connection with a generator so that rotation of the flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy.

2. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, including a second mass that is suspended by the tower by a second pulley arrangement comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the second mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the second mass and a cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable being fixed to one of the tower or to the second mass, the cable extending to a second winch which includes a barrel about which the cable winds off as the second mass falls and winds on as the second mass lifts, the second winch being in driving connection with the flywheel so that as the second mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate.

3. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, including a second mass that is suspended by the tower by a second pulley arrangement comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the second mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the second mass and a cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable being fixed to one of the tower or the second mass, the cable extending to a second winch which includes a barrel about which the cable winds off as the second mass falls and winds on as the second mass lifts, the second winch being in driving connection with a second flywheel so that as the second mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the second flywheel to rotate, the second flywheel being in driving connection with a generator so that rotation of the second flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy.

4. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 3, the second flywheel driving a second generator.

5. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 2, the second mass being supported in the same tower as the first mass.

6. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 2, the second mass being supported in a second tower.

7. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 2, the second mass having the same vertical travel as the first mass.

8. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, including one or more further masses that are suspended by the tower by one or more further pulley arrangements each comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the one or more further masses and a second set of pulleys fixed to the one or more further masses and a respective cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable being fixed to one of the tower or to the one or more further masses, the respective cables extending to a respective winch which includes a barrel about which the one or more further cables winds off as the one or more further masses fall and winds on as the one or more further masses lifts, the winch being in driving connection with the flywheel so that as the one or more further masses fall, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate.

9. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, including first and second flywheels, the first flywheel connecting to the winch during initial commencement of electricity generation when the first mass is commencing falling movement and when the first mass reaches a predetermined fall velocity, the second flywheel connecting to the winch to slow or reduce the fall velocity of the first mass.

10. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, the winch being drivable to wind on the cable associated with the winch to lift the mass associated with the winch.

11. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, the tower having a height of approximately 12 storeys or approximately 37 m.

12. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, the first mass having dimensions of about 12 m?7.5 m?10 m and a weight of about 2200 t.

13. A mass displacement electricity generator according to claim 1, the first mass being arranged to fall at a velocity of about 1 m/s over about 3 hours.

14. A system of generating electricity, comprising, suspending a first mass in a tower by a pulley arrangement comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the first mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the first mass, extending a cable through the first and second sets of pulleys and fixing one end of the cable to one of the tower or to the first mass, extending a free end of the cable to a winch that includes a barrel about which the cable winds off as the first mass falls and winds on as the first mass lifts, connecting the winch with a flywheel for driving the flywheel so that as the first mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate, and connecting the flywheel with a generator so that rotation of the flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy.

15. A system of generating electricity according to claim 14, comprising varying the output of the electricity generated by increasing or decreasing the weight of the mass, by increasing or decreasing the number of pulleys of the first and second sets of pulleys, or by changing the gearing connection between the winch and the flywheel or between the flywheel and the generator.

16. A system of generating electricity according to claim 14, termination of falling movement of the first mass being controlled by controlling rotation of the barrel about which the cable associated with the first mass winds onto.

17. A system of generating electricity according to claim 14, including allowing the first mass to fall the maximum distance and then allowing a second mass to commence falling.

18. A system of generating electricity according to claim 14, including allowing the first mass to fall a predetermined distance and before the first mass has fallen the maximum distance, allowing a second mass to commence falling.

19. A system of generating electricity according to claim 14, comprising the mass being pulsed during fall.

20. A system of generating electricity according to claim 19, the mass being pulsed by connecting a generator directly to the barrel of the winch or in the driving connection between the winch and the flywheel to apply a brake to the travel of the mass.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mass displacement electricity generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the mass displacement electricity generator of FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a same view of the mass displacement electricity generator of FIG. 2, but with a section of the housing of one winch shown cut-away to show the barrel of the winch.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an upper section of the mass displacement electricity generator of FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a front view of the mass displacement electricity generator of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a side view of the mass displacement electricity generator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a mass displacement electricity generator 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The electricity generator 10 includes a tower 11 and first to fourth masses 12, 14, 16 and 18 suspended within the tower 11. It can be seen from FIG. 1 and from FIGS. 2 and 3, that the masses 12 to 18 are each square in cross-section and rectangular in length and the tower 10 supports them side by side or adjacent one another.

[0050] The masses 12 to 18 are each suspended within the tower 11 by a pulley arrangement that comprises a first set of pulleys fixed to the inside of the upper tower plates 20, 22, 24 and 26 and to a second set of pulleys fixed to the upper facing surface of the masses 12 to 18. Cables 28, 30, 32 and 34 extend through the first and second sets of pulleys, with one end of each cable being fixed to one of the tower or the mass, and the other end extending downwardly and about a barrel 36 (see FIG. 3) only one of which is shown in FIG. 3 but which form part of each of the separate winches 38, 40, 42 and 44.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 28 winds onto and off the barrel 36 of the winch 38 depending on the direction of travel of the mass 12 up or down. In the figures, the mass 12 and the other masses 14 to 18 are all shown at about one third of their vertical travel between the plates 20 to 26 of the tower 11 and the base 46 from which the tower 11 extends. In some forms of the invention, the masses 12 to 18 each fall at a velocity of about 2 mm/s over about 3 hours. Examples that follow show how this can be done. The masses 12 to 18 can all fall together at the same rate, or at different rates, or less than all of the masses 12 to 18 can fall while the remaining masses remain stationary or one or more of the masses are lifted from a lower position. The stationary masses can commence falling once others of the masses have reached the lowest level they can fall to for example.

[0052] The cables 28 to 34 extend upwardly from the barrels within the associated winches 38 to 44 and extend 90 degrees through an upper pulley 48 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the upper end of the cable 28 that extends from the barrel 36 and shows that it extends through the upper pulley 48. The cable 28 extends from the pulley 48 into the first set of pulleys 50 that are attached to the inside of the upper tower plate 20. The cable 28 extends through a first pulley in the first set of pulleys 50 and then downwardly to a pulley of the second set of pulleys (not shown) that is attached to the upper surface of the mass 12. The cable 28 then returns upwardly to another pulley of the first set of pulleys 50 and then downwardly to a pulley of the second set of pulleys. The cable 28 thus threads through each pulley in the first and second sets of pulleys until it has passed through each of those pulleys and then it can be fixed to one of the tower 11 or to the mass 12. In some forms of the invention, there are about 480 pulleys (24 pulleys per column?20 rows) in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, however, there can be a greater or lesser number.

[0053] The cable 28 is thus required to be of significant length. For example, if the mass 12 can fall a distance of about 26 m, then the length of cable needs to include a section of about 26?480=12,480 m just to span between the first and second sets of pulleys. At a fall rate of 1.0 m/s, the time taken for the mass 12 to fall will be about 208 min. However, the cable also needs to extend about the pulley wheels and from the barrel up to the first set of pulleys. So the length of the cable 28 will be longer than 12,480 m. Where the height of the tower allows a greater fall distance, or where the number of pulleys is increased, the length of the cable will be greater.

[0054] The manner in which pulleys operate to lift and lower weights is well known. For the present invention, increasing the number of pulleys in each of the first and second sets of pulleys means that the mass 12 will fall more slowly than if there is a reduced number of pulleys in each of the first and second sets of pulleys. Thus, one way of varying the speed at which the mass 12 falls from adjacent the plate 20 of the tower 11 to the base 46, is to increase the number of pulleys in each of the first and second sets of pulleys.

[0055] FIG. 4 only illustrates pulleys of the first set of pulleys 50, but it should be appreciated that a similar pulley arrangement is attached to the upper surface of the mass 12 for the cable 28 to extend or thread through.

[0056] As indicated earlier, as the masses 12 to 18 fall, the respective cables 28 to 34 wind off the barrels 36 within the respective winches 38 to 44. Each of the barrels connects to a shaft, with shafts 52, 54 and 56 visible in the figures. The shaft that is associated with the winch 44 (see FIG. 5) is not visible in the figures.

[0057] Each of the shafts 52 to 56 extends to a drive wheel 58 that connects with a flywheel 60, that is in turn connected to a generator, so that rotation of the flywheel 60 under drive by the drive wheels 58 rotates a rotor within the generator 62 to generate electricity. The actual engagement of the drive wheels 58 with the flywheel 60 can be by tooth engagement rather than the frictional engagement shown in the figures. Of course other arrangements can be adopted for transferring drive between the drive wheels 58 and the flywheel 60, such as by a different form of geared connection, or by belt or chain drive. Because the present invention contemplates that one or more of the masses 12 to 18 can fall independently of the other masses, it is to be appreciated that a single drive wheel 58 can drive the flywheel 60 to rotate, but at a lower speed than if two or more of the drive wheels 58 were driving the flywheel 60.

[0058] Moreover, the electricity generator 10 can be modified to include a pair of flywheels, or four flywheels for example. If a pair of flywheels were provided, then two of the drive wheels 58, such as extending from the winches 38 and 40, could drive the first flywheel and the drive wheels 58 extending from the winches 42 and 44 could drive the second flywheel.

[0059] Moreover, the actual engagement of the flywheel 60 with the generator 62 can be of any suitable form and for example, the flywheel 60 can drive a shaft to rotate and that shaft can be in geared connection with a shaft of the generator 62 for driving the generator. Shaft connection between the flywheel 60 and the generator 62 is not shown in the figures, but would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art.

[0060] The generator 62 may be the only point of generation in the mass displacement electricity generator 10, or additional generators might be provided. A generator might be attached directly to the barrel 36 of the winches 38 to 44, or in the driving connection between the winches 38 to 44 and the flywheel 60 to apply a brake to the travel of the masses 12 to 18. These generators might provide reduced power when the power requirements are low, and might allow power to be generated by one, two or three of the masses 12 to 18, instead of driving the generator 62 by all four of the masses 12 to 18.

[0061] As discussed earlier herein, these additional generators could be employed to pulse the fall of the masses 12 to 18 to brake travel of the masses 12 to 18, to either slow them or to completely stop them. This allows the masses 12 to 18 to fall more slowly but without interrupting the generation of electricity by the continuous rotation of the flywheel if the flywheel is still being driven. If the pulsing is sufficiently short then rotation of the flywheel will not be interrupted.

[0062] The masses 12 to 18 can be lifted in times of off-peak electricity usage, or when there is excess electricity in the grid. This might be in times of peak solar generation during the day so that the masses 12 to 18 can be lifted ready for the electricity generator 10 to be used at night, or during high wind events that occur at any time during the day or night. The electricity generator 10 can be used in concert with wind generation when generation falls due to light or stagnant wind conditions, or during overcast days when sunlight is weak, or at night when sunlight is not available.

[0063] The electricity generator 10 thus can work in concert with other forms of electricity generation to supply a consistent base load, or to add to the base load when required or when the other form or forms of electricity generation are depleted. Alternatively, the electricity generator 10 can be the primary form of electricity generation as long as a source of electricity is available for lifting the masses 12 to 18 when required. The electricity generator 10 can also be used to recharge batteries in a battery storage facility.

[0064] The electricity generator 10 is relatively simple in construction and thus is expected to provide robust and reliable performance over time. The environmental advantages of the electricity generator 10 are also advantageous in the absence of the use of fossil fuels. This is a particular advantage where the masses 12 to 18 can be lifted with the use of solar, hydro, wind or wave generated electricity.

EXAMPLES

[0065] The following examples show how the number of pulleys in the first and second sets of pulleys affects the time taken for a mass to travel the available fall distance from the top of the tower to the base. The examples show generator constructions that use towers having different fall distances, masses having different mass weight and cables of different lengths.

[0066] The examples all use a mass fall rate of 1.0 m/s. This fall rate is determined by frictional resistance within the system and by generator resistance. Different fall rates can be selected and will alter mass fall time.

Example 1

[0067] Based on an available fall distance of 21.4 m and with the number of pulleys being 120 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 21.4?120=2568 m. If the fall rate is set at 1.0 m/s, then the time taken for the masses to fall will be 42.8 min.

Example 2

[0068] Based on an available fall distance of 18.8 m and with the number of pulleys being 240 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 18.8?240=4512 m. If the fall rate is set at 1.0 m/s, then the time taken for the masses to fall will be 75.2 min.

Example 3

[0069] Based on an available fall distance of 16.2 m and with the number of pulleys being 360 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 16.2?360=5832 m. If the fall rate is set at 1.0 m/s, then the time taken for the masses to fall will be 97.2 min.

Example 4

[0070] Based on an available fall distance of 13.6 m and with the number of pulleys being 480 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 13.6?480=6528 m. If the fall rate is set at 1.0 m/s, then the time taken for the masses to fall will be 108.8 min.

[0071] The masses can vary in weight and examples include 550 t, 1100 t, 1650 t and 2200 t. As the number of pulleys increases, it is preferable to increase the weight of the mass or masses to overcome increased frictional resistance.

[0072] If the above examples were to be applied to taller towers, then the fall time for the masses would increase. Thus, if a tower was employed that provides a greater fall distance, the following changes to the fall time given in the examples above would apply.

Example 5

[0073] Based on an available fall distance of 33.4 m and with the number of pulleys being 120 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 33.4 m?120=4008 m. At a fall rate of 1.0 m/s, the time taken for the masses to fall will be 66 min 48 sec.

Example 6

[0074] Based on an available fall distance of 30.8 m and with the number of pulleys being 240 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 30.8 m?240=7392 m. At a fall rate of 1.0 m/s, the time taken for the masses to fall will be 123 min 12 sec.

Example 7

[0075] Based on an available fall distance of 28.2 m and with the number of pulleys being 360 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 28.2?360=10152 m. At a fall rate of 1.0 m/s, the time taken for the masses to fall will be 169 min 12 sec.

Example 8

[0076] Based on an available fall distance of 25.6 m and with the number of pulleys being 480 in each of the first and second sets of pulleys, then the total length of the cable extending through the first and second sets of pulleys will be about 25.6 m?480=12288 m. At a fall rate of 1.0 m/s, the time taken for the masses to fall will be 204 min 48 sec.

[0077] For a mass displacement electricity generator that has four masses, in Example 8, the fall time is 4?204.8 mins=819.2 mins=13.65 hrs.

[0078] These examples show that the mass displacement electricity generator according to the invention can produce a constant rate of electricity generation over an extended period of time and thus can provide a reliable alternative or additional form of electricity generation that can be largely renewable if the masses are lifted during periods of alternative excess electricity generation through solar, wind or other renewable forms of electricity generation.

[0079] Advantageously, the mass displacement electricity generators according to the invention harness the energy of the falling masses through the transmission train comprising the winch, the flywheel and the generator. The generator converts the rotational energy of the flywheel into electricity for direct use or for addition to the electricity grid, or for battery storage. The interposition of the flywheel is of importance to the invention to maintain constant delivery of rotational energy to the generator. The adoption of a flywheel in the manner contemplated by the present invention is not known to the applicant to be part of the prior art.

[0080] Where any or all of the terms comprise, comprises, comprised or comprising are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.