METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY THROUGH THE FALL OF A WEIGHT UPON A HYDRAULIC FLUID

Abstract

A method for generating electrical energy through the fall of a weight upon a hydraulic fluid (reference sign H) is characterised in that it employs the kinetic energy of a weight (11) which is accelerated by the force of gravity when falling inside a tube (12) which contains a hydraulic fluid which is expelled through a discharge pipe (14) to a gravity box (22) in which blades (21) are contained to rotate a shaft (20) which transfers mechanical energy to an elastic coupling (19) which absorbs shocks and transmits a stable rotation to the alternator (17) which generates electrical energy for the electrical grid and to recharge a battery (10) by cables (18) which also power the motor. The weight (11) is lifted by a motor (7) and a reducer 8 which uses a belt (6) to transmit the movement by means of the belt (6) to a wheel (5) on which a metallic disk (9) is mounted to lock the arm (4) and allow it to be lifted together with the cable (3) connected thereto, passing by a tower (2), and the circulation path of which is controlled by pulleys (1) which cause the weight (11) to be lifted until the arm (4) reaches the vertical position, when it is released and falls, accelerated by the force of gravity. The weight (11) falls freely inside the tube (12) and causes the hydraulic fluid to be expelled towards the blades (21) and then to fall to the bottom of the gravity box (22) which is located above the filling level in the tube (12), causing the fluid to be returned by the force of gravity through discharge pipes (15), at the same time as it is aspirated by the valve (13) under the pressure generated when the weight (11) rises to restart a new cycle.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY MEANS OF THE DROP OF A WEIGHT ELEMENT ON HYDRAULIC FLUID, which is referred to by reference H and is characterized by using kinetic energy of a weight element (11) of a cylindrical shape or any other shape, which falls under gravity to inside a tube (12) where hydraulic fluid is placed which is expelled through pipes (14) transmitting force over vanes (21) that rotate with the assistance of a shaft (20), by means of which movement passes through an elastic coupling (19) that allows rotation transmitted to an alternator (17) to be adjusted, by means of which electricity is generated. A tower (2) is used for elevating the weight element (11), where pulleys (1) are placed, where the cable (3) runs, which is moved by rotation of a wheel (4) which comprises a metallic disc (9) supporting an articulated arm (5) to assist reducing the necessary force to elevate the weight element (11). In the lower part of apparatus H, a suction valve (13) is included to make reentry of hydraulic fluid easier after moving the vanes (21), being then deposited on the bottom of the gravity box (22), falling under gravity following outlet pipes (15).

2. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY MEANS OF THE DROP OF A WEIGHT ELEMENT ON HYDRAULIC FLUID, according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight element (11) may have another geometrical shape, besides the cylindrical shape, and it is responsible for transforming gravity potential energy, when elevated, into kinetic energy, and for expelling hydraulic fluid through pipes (14) to generate kinetic movement over vanes (18), and from the vanes to shaft (20) which transmits the energy to the elastic coupling (19) which adjusts the rotation transmitted to the generator (17).

3. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY MEANS OF THE DROP OF A WEIGHT ELEMENT ON HYDRAULIC FLUID, according to claim 1, characterized in that functioning of apparatus (H), described herein, comprises elevation of the weight element (11) from inside a tube (12) until a height to be dropped, to such end a motor (7) and a reducer (8) work to move belt (6) that rotates a wheel (5), used to displace an articulated arm (4) which is supported by a metallic disk (9) to be elevated until the vertical position when it is separated and drops together with the weight element (11), accelerated by the gravity force.

4. APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY MEANS OF THE DROP OF A WEIGHT ELEMENT ON HYDRAULIC FLUID, according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus H may comprise a battery (10) that powers the motor (7) which carry out work with the assistance of a reducer (8) to elevate the weight element (11) which is connected to a cable (3) that runs through a pulley (1), which assists in the rise and fall movements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The apparatus for generating electricity by means of the drop of a weight element on hydraulic fluid, which is object of the present patent application, may be understood in all of its aspects by the detailed description which will be made based on the following figures, which:

[0035] FIG. 1a illustrates a side perspective view of a cell of the elevation mechanism;

[0036] FIG. 2a illustrates a general perspective view of an assembly comprised of three cells supplying fluid to an electric power generating system;

[0037] FIG. 1b illustrates a zoomed in detail, where all elements related to elevation and fall of the weight element are shown;

[0038] FIG. 2b illustrates a general perspective, where all elements related to the mechanic energy generation are shown, particularly in a detail of the generating element on a generator separated from the fluid reception box;

[0039] FIG. 3a illustrates a general perspective view of the whole assembly in an embodiment where support is made by means of the tube itself;

[0040] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates all elements needed for the apparatus to work;

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view with a zoom on a top part of the mechanism responsible for the cable elevation that is connected to the weight element;

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a zoomed in detail of the tower and pulleys assembly;

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a zoomed in detail of the tube assembly with the respective suction valve;

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a zoomed in detail of the weight element and the support cable;

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a zoomed in detail, taken from the motor, reducer and belt;

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates a zoomed in detail of the power generation assembly;

[0047] FIG. 7a schematically illustrates the system that receives hydraulic fluid and the transmission of kinetic energy to the shaft vanes, coupling and generator.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

[0048] According to what is shown by the above mentioned figures, the apparatus for generating electricity by means of the drop of a weight element on hydraulic fluid, object of this patent application and which is generally indicated by reference H, comprises a motor 7, which carry out work to rotate a wheel 5 with the assistance of a reducer 8 by means of a belt 6, which altogether vertically move an arm 4 which, upon movement, elevates the weight element 11, with the assistance of a metallic disc 9 which allows its locking and which, when elevated together with cable 3, that runs through pulleys 1, makes the weight element 11 rise and fall until the full extent of the vertical position of the arm 4, when the arm is released and drops together with the weight element 11 to the inner part of tube 12, inside of which hydraulic fluid is placed.

[0049] A tower 2 supports the elevation system and a battery 10, used to power motor 7 and which is charged by alternator 17 by means of cables 18, and which also generates electricity to the grid from movement of a shaft 20, attached to vanes 21 located inside a gravity box 22, which receives hydraulic fluid from inlet pipes 14, which, due to being at higher ground when compared to tube 12, makes the hydraulic fluid return by gravity, the fluid being also sucked by a valve 13 by means of return pipes 15, at the moment the weight element is elevated.

[0050] To absorb shock on the vanes 21, an elastic coupling 19 is installed for the purposes of keeping constant rotation of the angular movement allowing the generator 17 to be driven.

[0051] Apparatus H, described herein, comprises a motor 7 and a reducer 8 which transmits movement to a wheel 5 by means of a belt 6, the movement being followed by an arm 4 which is locked by a metallic disc 9, which makes elevation of the weight element 11 easier, until the arm 4 reaches the top vertical portion and, losing support of the metallic disc 9, drops together with the weight element 11, which transmits its energy to the hydraulic fluid which is expelled.

[0052] Apparatus H, described herein, works in an automatized assembly, can be articulated with a single gear and comprises successive cycles of elevation and drop of the weight element 11 over tubes 12 containing hydraulic fluid, which circulates through tubes 14, which direct the same towards the vanes 19, which create mechanical movement in a shaft 20, this movement being conveniently adjusted by means of an elastic coupling 21, by means of which it is adequate to generate electricity in an alternator 17.