Current Powered Generator Apparatus

Abstract

A frame which includes adjacent, spaced-apart segments that define adjacent, spaced-apart, and parallel closed-loop tracks supporting two or more articulated foils between the adjacent frame segments. Opposite distal ends of the foils cooperate with opposite tracks of the frame segments so that the foils can traverse along the tracks when current lifts the foils and pushes them along the tracks.

Claims

1. An apparatus that converts current power into usable energy, the apparatus comprising: a. a frame which includes a first segment, wherein said first segment includes a first track; and b. a foil, wherein a distal end of said foil is configured to be placed in said track of said first segment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said foil comprises: i. a first foil segment; and ii. a second foil segment, wherein said first foil segment and said second foil segment are pivotally connected.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said foil is configured to adjust to a current.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said current is a wind current.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said current is a water current.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: c. a second segment.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second segment has a second track.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track is linear.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track is a loop.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first track and said second track are essentially perpendicularly aligned.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said foil is made of canvas.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said foil is made of sheet aluminum.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is placed on a base.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is configured to be placed at ground level.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said foil comprises: i. a first foil segment; ii. a second foil segment; iii. a third foil segment; and iv. a forth foil segment.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track is a diamond-shaped.

17. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: c. a platform unit configured to connect said foil to said frame segment.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said platform unit comprises: i. a plate; and ii. a roller assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current powered generator.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a current powered generator.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a generator.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the connection between a foil and a track of a generator.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of the foils of the generator, showing the foil member in three different positions.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the tracks of the generator.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the tracks and generator assembly.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative foil arrangement, with two members disposed on one platform rather than the one member arrangement of FIG. 5.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative roller arrangement used on the bottom and top distal ends of a foil to engage the track and allow the foil to roll along the track.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the foils and the roller arrangement of FIG. 9.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a plan view of another alternative foil and platform arrangement that includes pairs of platforms connected with connecting rods, with each platform supporting two foils.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a front elevation of the arrangement of FIG. 11.

[0034] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a generator.

[0036] FIG. 14A is a cutaway perspective view of the piston-like support of the generator shown in FIG. 14.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 14.

[0038] FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of an alternative of the second embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0039] FIG. 16A is a cutaway perspective view of the piston-like support of the generator shown in FIG. 16.

[0040] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0041] Current powered generator 20 (see FIGS. 1-3) generally includes frame 21 and moveable foils 22 disposed vertically and spaced apart a predetermined distance. Frame member 21 includes bottom segment 23, opposite top segment 24 and opposite column segments 25 and 26 that connect segment 23 and segment 24 a predetermined distance apart. Frame 21 can lie on the ground or alternatively a predetermined distance above the ground atop supporting base 27 to form a tower. A material of high strength and rigidity can form frame 21.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, each foil 22 includes four segments 28, 29, 30 and 31 which are elongated, vertical and plate-like pieces pivotally connected in edge-to-edge (i.e. end-to-end) relation to form an articulated air foil. In other embodiments, the foils can be made of various numbers of segments, or made of a single piece. The foils function like the wings of an airplane or the sails of a water vessel to lift the foil, or in this case to push it along its predetermined path. In at least some embodiments, each segment 28-31 includes a frame and a shell made of sheet aluminum, cotton canvas, carbon-fiber or other suitable materials. Although the embodiments and alternatives shown in the drawings include foils with four segments, the foils can alternatively include fewer segments or a greater number of segments.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the segments of the foil are pivotally connected in end-to-end relations to create different lift/drag combinations that can be configured to particular situations.

[0044] Both top segment 24 and bottom segment 23 of frame 21, define a closed-loop track. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the track of each segment 23 and 24 is a channel. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, the track has an overall diamond-like shape. Tracks of opposite and adjacent segments 23 and 24 are substantially co-extensive and lie disposed in spaced-apart, generally parallel relation. They guide foils 22 along the predetermined diamond path in generator 20 in response to the current which pushes the foils, longitudinally along the path. Foil orientation (morphing) is used to both create productive lift and/or drag (that is lift and/or drag that generates more energy) and/or to reduce counterproductive lift and/or drag. In some embodiments, the foils are configured to receive lift and/or drag in multiple directions.

[0045] In the shown embodiment, platform unit 35 connects each distal end of foil 22 with either frame segment 23 or frame segment 24. Unit 35 includes plate 36 and roller assembly 37 with hexagonal and spaced-apart plates 38 and 39 and rollers 40 disposed between plate 38 and plate 39, rotatably mounted to them. Plate 36 lies secured to plate 38 (as with welding, nut and bolt, or similar connections) at one face and to a distal end of a foil at the opposite face. In some embodiments, only foil segment 28 is fixedly secured (e.g. with nut and bolt connections) to plate 36. The other three segments 29-31 can move with respect to plate 36. In some embodiments the other three segment 29-31 can only move a predetermined extent. Slot 41 and slot 42 define the limits of segment 29 pivot; slot 43 and slot 44 define the limits of segment 30 pivot; and slot 45 and slot 46 define the limits of segment 31 pivot. Thus, foils 22 can assume the position that allows the most lift and push provided by current movement through generator 20.

[0046] Although the embodiment described above has foils 22 oriented vertically, a horizontal orientation of the foils allows the apparatus to function in the same manner to produce essentially the same results as a vertical foil unit. In some embodiments, platform units 35 can be modified to mount a pair of foils 22 to frame segment 23 and frame segment 24, as shown in FIG. 8. In this modification, a second plate provides the same function as plate 36. In addition, either hexagonal plate 38 and/or another hexagonal plate cooperate with plates of generator 20 disposed along the path of tracks to drive plates and generate electrical energy.

[0047] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a modified roller assembly, while FIGS. 11 to 13 show a modified assembly for connecting the platform units of one foil 22 to adjacent member 22. In the embodiment and modifications shown in FIGS. 1-10 connecting rods and/or a bicycle-type chain are used to connect the foils together. In some embodiments, the foils are spaced predetermined distance apart.

[0048] FIGS. 14 to 17 show a second embodiment of a current powered generator. This embodiment includes frame 200 with piston-like support 201 rotatably mounted to frame 200 by axle 202. It also includes three foil members secured at opposite ends of piston-like support 201 with foil member supports 203. This embodiment produces energy as a result of the rotation of the foil members along axle 202 as well as the in and out movement of piston-like support 201 caused by variable current pressure on the foils. Bearing 205 is used in connection with axle 202.

[0049] In some embodiments, the use of two conventional rods with an additional wishbone rod for the connection of a third foil mechanism allows the harvesting of power similar to a three-phase electric motor. Two of the rods are at a high torque input position when the other foil can morph into a configuration for harvesting the power of the current in the opposite direction.

[0050] In some embodiments, the morphing foil moves from a spinnaker configuration in low winds to a flattened and taut foil in high winds. In some embodiments, this morphing is controlled by rotational springs which can be activated by moment arm pressures as current speeds and lift are increased. In this way the morphing foil can be self-regulating.

[0051] The rod harvests power in both movements of the stroke. In some embodiments, this is accomplished with a single rod crankshaft per unit, timed with additional complete units, linked with timing belts and/or other acceptable alternatives and rotationally sequenced in any combination that might be rotationally significant to the power conversion method chosen.

[0052] In traditional blades, sails or wings that utilize lift perpendicular to the axis, much of the lift is centripetally driven off the end of the propellers. This causes vortex drag currents that reduce potential energy gains. It is beneficial if the lift is vectorially accumulative between rotational movements and natural centripetal flow and centripetal lift from a rotating device where lift controls outward flow.

[0053] In some embodiments, this can be accomplished by making the axis either arc from the perpendicular starting point of the blade or by immediately rotating the blade at the axis to make acute portions for lift and obtuse portions for low pressure where the lift presses toward.

[0054] In some embodiments, by slowing the rotational movement and harvesting energy at lower rotating speeds, energy losses can be reduced.

[0055] While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.