GB2544774A

GB2544774A - Power generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2544774A
Application number: GB1520867.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Delany Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-11-26
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-26
Also published as: GB2544774B; WO2017089806A1; GB201520867D0

Abstract

Power generating apparatus 10 for low heads of water comprises reciprocating members each comprising a buoyant float 64, 74 and an outer chamber 62, 72. The outer chambers 62, 72 are open at their upper and lower ends, and are connected to each other by a lever 80. The outer chambers may selectively be locked to the floats 64, 74 by locks 66, 76. Drain valves 93, 95 are provided in a base below each of the outer chambers. When first outer chamber 62 is in its lower position, water is evacuated through drain valve 93, allowing first float 64 to fall. The first float 64 and outer chamber 62 are then locked together, and the surrounding water is allowed to enter the cylinder, e.g. through filling valve 110. Once the seal between the outer chamber and the base is broken, the float and chamber can float upwards, lowering second outer chamber 72 by means of the lever 80. The cycle now repeats with the second chamber and float.

Description

Power generating apparatus

The present invention relates generally to a power generating device and a method of generating electricity and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in harnessing the potential energy of water supplies with relatively low heads.

It is known to use water to generate power with such constructions as dams and associated turbines turned by the relatively high head of water stored behind such dams. It is also known to use turbines submerged in river/sea environments to harness relatively strong currents.

The present invention provides a way of harnessing relatively low heads of water to generate power.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a power generating apparatus comprising first and second reciprocating members each reciprocating member comprising an inner chamber and an outer chamber, each outer chamber connected to each other by a lever arranged on a pivot point therebetween, each outer chamber being open at an upper end thereof, each inner chamber being closed at its lower end thereof so as to be buoyant in use, each inner and outer chamber being arranged to move relative to one another, or by the provision of first and second locking means for being fixed together, a base onto which each outer chamber may releasably and sealingly engage, and a first valve arranged to controllably drain water, in use, from a lower part of the first outer chamber and a second valve arranged to controllably drain water, in use from a lower part of the second outer chamber, whereby, in use, with the apparatus arranged in a body of water with the surface of said water being below the top of both first and second outer chambers at all times, manipulation of the first and second locking means and first and second valves creates reciprocal motion of the lever due to the buoyancy effect provided by the water on the inner chambers.

The apparatus harnesses the buoyancy effect provided by the body of water, rather than the pressure/flow of water created by a current or high head. Only a relatively low head of water is required, said head being approximately equal to the height between the surface of the body of water and the base. This may only need to be a few metres as will be explained in more detail below.

The inner and outer chambers may be close-fitting such that they have the same shape along the portion of their respective bodies which move relative to, and past one, another. For instance, the inner chambers may be sealed right cylinders and the outer chambers may be hollow right cylinders open at both ends. The outer chambers may have an inner radius only slightly less than the outer radius of the inner chambers such that a gap of only 10mm therebetween is provided. Shapes other than right cylinders are contemplated such as cubes and cylinders with other cross-sectional shapes such as hexagonal or oval.

The power generating apparatus may further comprise guides for guiding the movement of each outer chamber. These may take the form of guide rails and wheels or the like so as to ensure smooth and regular reciprocation of the outer chambers relative to the base. Guide may also be provided to ensure smooth and regular reciprocation of the inner and outer chambers relative to each other. In other words, guides may be provided between the inner and outer chambers in the gap therebetween.

The power generating apparatus may further comprise a third valve arranged to controllably introduce water, in use, into a lower part of the first outer chamber and a fourth valve arranged to controllably introduce water, in use into a lower part of the second outer chamber.

All such valves may be mechanically and/or electrically opened or closed. They may be arranged to open automatically whether by electronic timer, a central processing control unit, or by mechanical means. They may be electronically controlled.

The power generating apparatus may further comprise gearing for converting the reciprocation of the lever into unidirectional torque.

The power generating apparatus may comprise electricity generating means for generating electricity from the unidirectional torque.

The power generating apparatus may further comprise a first and second compressor each one arranged above the first and second respective reciprocating members, for pressurising a pressurisable fluid in the compressors by the reciprocation of the first and second reciprocating members.

It is also contemplated that the first and second compressor are arranged in locations other than above the first and second respective reciprocating members. For instance, with appropriate mechanical linkages they could be arranged to one, or either, side.

The power generating apparatus may comprise electricity generating means for generating electricity from the pressurised fluid.

The power generating apparatus may further comprise an enclosure around the apparatus, the enclosure including a water inlet and a water outlet, the enclosure arranged to hold a body of water in which the apparatus sits to operate thereby. In this way, the apparatus can operate with only a relatively small body of water and distant from such typical bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and seas.

The enclosure may include an air inlet and be water tight other than for the water inlet and outlets and air inlet such that, in use, the enclosure may be arranged beneath the surface of a larger body of water with the air inlet above the surface of said larger body of water. In this way, the apparatus may be effectively hidden from view in a larger body of water such as a lake, river or sea.

The enclosure may contain more than one apparatus. It is contemplated that several enclosures may be stacked relative to one another.

The enclosure may further comprise an inlet and outlet for the pressurisable fluid. This would not be necessary in the situation where the power is only generated via torque from the lever and not through pressurisation of a fluid.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a power generating array comprising more than one power generating apparatus according to the first aspect. The various power generating apparatus may be arranged in series, they may be arranged on the same level with one another or in stacked relationship to one another. The water controllably drained, in use, from the lower parts of the first and second outer chambers in a first power generating apparatus may be controllably introduced, in use, into the lower parts of the first and second outer chambers in a second power generating apparatus. If the second power generating apparatus is arranged at a lower height than the first power generating apparatus then the water may be transferred by gravity and pressure due to the head (static pressure).

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figures 1 to 4 are elevational schematic drawings of a power generating device with the inner and outer chambers in four different positions; and

Figure 5 is an elevational schematic drawing of a piston linked to an inner chamber.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1, a reservoir 20 is depicted; formed by a dam 40 holding back water above ground level 30. The surface of the water in the reservoir 20 is referenced “50”.

An example power generating device 10 is located substantially within the water 20. It comprises two reciprocating members 60, 70. Each reciprocating members 60, 70 includes an outer chamber 62, 72 and an inner chamber 64, 74. The inner buoyancy chambers 64, 74 are closed substantially hollow vessels, although the term “inner chamber” may also include substantially solid bodies such as of cork.

The respective inner 64, 74 and outer chambers 72, 74 are close fitting such that only a narrow gap exists therebetween. The inner and outer chambers in the example shown are all right cylinders, having circular cross-sections, although other shapes are contemplated. The outer chambers 62, 72 are hollow and open at both ends such that the inner chambers 64, 74 may pass through the upper ends of the outer chambers 62, 72. A lever 80 is arranged between the two reciprocating members 60, 70 and rotatably attached 68, 78 at either end to the two outer chambers 62, 72 via short linkage arms 81. The lever 80 is rotatably attached, such that it may pivot about its centre 82, to a support 84. The support 84 is fixed to a base 15 onto which the outer chambers 62, 72 may sealingly engage when in their lower positions. This is enabled by an upwardly presented groove 16 provided on the upper surface of the base 15 which is matched in size and location to the base of the outer chambers so that when the outer chambers descend (as will be explained in more detail below) the bottom of each will drop into their respective groove 16.

It is contemplated that a second lever may be arranged, in a similar manner to the first lever 80, but on the opposite side of the outer chambers from the first. This second lever may assist in a more regular reciprocation of the chambers.

In Figure 1 the left hand reciprocating member 60 has its inner chamber 64 in the elevated position and its outer chamber 62 in the descended position. This is because there is water 110 underneath the inner chamber 64 and between it and the outer chamber 62 such that the inner chamber 64 is buoyant.

Locking means 66, 76 are provided on each of the two reciprocating members 60, 70 to controllably lock together the respective inner 64, 74 and outer 62, 72 chambers. In Figure 1, the left hand reciprocating member is unlocked such that the inner chamber 64 can move freely with respect to the outer chamber 62.

The right hand reciprocating member has its inner 74 and outer 72 chamber locked together due to the locking means 76. The inner chamber 74 of the right hand reciprocating member 70 is buoyant as it has water 20 underneath it and water 115, 20 around it. Since the outer chamber 72 is locked to the inner chamber 74 both are in the elevated position. In this regard the mass of each outer chamber 62, 72 is arranged to be less than the buoyancy force imparted on the inner chamber to avoid the inner and outer chambers sinking when locked together.

Water 110 is then drained from beneath the left hand inner chamber 64, within the outer chamber, by means of a drain pipe 92 arranged with its inlet inside the groove 16. The pipe 92 is arranged in the base 15 and leads to an outlet 90 which is outside of the reservoir 20. In this case it projects through the dam 40.

The water 110 is drained out of the base of the left hand outer chamber 64 by the opening of a valve 93 provided in the pipe 92. The control of this valve may be by electronic or mechanical means (for instance a spring-loaded valve which is able to discriminate between the difference in pressure, prior and post sealing of the outer vessel against the base. The valve may include a solenoid. With water 110 draining out of the base of the left hand outer chamber 62 the buoyancy effect is withdrawn and the left hand inner chamber 64 will descend. This is made possible by the state of the locking means 66 being in an unlocked position such that the inner 64 and outer chambers 74 are freely movable relative to one another.

In Figure 2 the left hand inner chamber 64 is shown in its fully descended position together with its outer chamber 62. With regard to the right hand reciprocating member the locking means has been changed such that the inner 74 and outer 72 chambers are not locked to one another.

Water is now introduced into the base of the left hand outer chamber 62 by means of a pipe 100 (and associated valve 101) which connects into the base 15 within the groove 16. It has its other end within the reservoir and outside the outer chamber 62. It is contemplated that the pressure of water within the reservoir 20 will allow some water into the base of the outer chamber 62 underneath the inner chamber 64. The inner chamber 64 will then start to become buoyant and rise slightly. With the inner 64 and outer 62 chambers locked together as soon as the outer chamber is lifted slightly and the seal is broken between its lower rim and the groove 16 the buoyancy effect will take full effect and the inner and outer chambers will rise together to their elevated position.

If water does not enter underneath the inner and outer chambers through pipe 100 due to the pressure of water within the reservoir then it is contemplated that a pump (not shown) be used to force water in. Alternatively, or additionally, a motor may be provided (not shown) to physically lift the outer chamber slightly such that water may enter underneath.

With the left hand reciprocating member in the elevated position, the right hand outer chamber 72 is pulled downwards as shown in Figure 3. This is possible because the locking means 76 arranged on the right hand reciprocating member has been changed to an unlocked state such that the inner 74 and outer 72 chambers may move freely relative to one another.

The right hand inner chamber 74 is in the elevated position because of the buoyancy effect of the water 120 underneath it and the water 115 between it and the inside of the outer chamber 72.

The lever 80 will have pivoted about its pivot point 82 by the upward movement of the left hand reciprocating member 60 and the corresponding downward movement of the right hand reciprocating member 70.

Water is then drained out from within the outer chamber 72 of the right hand reciprocating member 70 since its base rim is sealed in the groove 16 within the base 15. The draining occurs via a pipe 94 in the base 15 in a similar manner to that described with the left hand reciprocating member 60. A valve 95 is used to control the draining of the water 120. As the water drains the right hand inner chamber 74 descends within the outer chamber 72.

This position is shown in Figure 4. The locking means 76 on the right hand reciprocating member is then moved to the locked position so that the inner 74 and outer 72 chambers are locked together. The drain valve 95 is also closed.

The locking means 66 on the left hand reciprocating member is changed such that it is unlocked and the inner 64 and outer 62 chambers may move freely with respect to one another.

Water is now introduced into the base of the left hand outer chamber 72 via pipe 102 and controlled by a valve 103 in a similar manner to that described with respect to the left hand reciprocating member. This will allow the inner 74 and outer 72 right hand chambers to rise due to the buoyancy force created by the water 20.

This will allow the left hand outer chamber 62 to descend. The lever 80 will again pivot about pivot point 82. The left hand inner chamber 64 will remain in the elevated position due to the buoyancy effect of the water 110 underneath and around it as shown in Figure 1.

The cycle may now repeat creating torque at the pivot point 82. This torque may be transferred using gearing to turn a turbine to generate electricity.

Gearing for converting the reciprocation of the lever into unidirectional torque may be provided.

Additionally, or alternatively power may be generated by the pressurisation of a fluid. Figure 5 shows how above a reciprocating member 60 a pressurisation means 200 may be arranged. This comprises a piston head 220 arranged above, and moved by, inner chamber 64 located within a piston chamber 210. Fluid (such as air, water, hydraulic oil and the like) enters the space 250 between the piston head 220 and the top of the piston chamber 210 via an inlet 230. As the inner chamber 64 rises the piston head 220 is moved upwardly within the piston chamber 201 which compresses (pressurises) the fluid and pushes it out via an outlet 240. The inlet includes a one-way valve 235 such that the fluid may enter but not leave the chamber 210 via the inlet 230.

The outlet includes a one-way valve 245 such that the fluid may exit but not enter the chamber 210 via the outlet 240.

The fluid may enter the chamber 210 via gravity. The fluid may be water from the reservoir, and/or air from the atmosphere.

The piston head 220 includes seals 236 around its perimeter to ensure a good seal with respect to the die walls of the piston chamber 210.

The pressurisation means 200 may be arranged at a point other than above the inner chamber but may still be moved by the movement of the inner chamber through the use of mechanical linkages.

Pressurisation means 200 may be arranged in association with each reciprocating member 60, 70.

Although not shown it is to be understood that an array of power generating apparatus may be created. The array may include several pairs of reciprocating members arranged side-by-side, at different heights including above one another. The water discharged via outlet pipe 90 from underneath the inner chambers may be introduced underneath the inner chambers, via pipes 100, 102, to another set of reciprocating members at a lower height.

Although a pair of reciprocating members has been described it is to be understood that any number of reciprocating members may be arranged on either side of the lever such that all the members on one side are connected to the same end of the lever.

The inner chambers may rise and fall approximately 30% of their length as they reciprocate.

Claims

1. A power generating apparatus comprising first and second reciprocating members each reciprocating member comprising an inner chamber and an outer chamber, each outer chamber connected to each other by a lever arranged on a pivot point therebetween, each outer chamber being open at an upper end thereof, each inner chamber being closed at its lower end thereof so as to be buoyant in use, each inner and outer chamber being arranged to move relative to one another, or by the provision of first and second locking means for being fixed together, a base onto which each outer chamber may releasably and sealingly engage, and a first valve arranged to controllably drain water, in use, from a lower part of the first outer chamber and a second valve arranged to controllably drain water, in use from a lower part of the second outer chamber, whereby, in use, with the apparatus arranged in a body of water with the surface of said water being below the top of both first and second outer chambers at all times, manipulation of the first and second locking means and first and second valves creates reciprocal motion of the lever due to the buoyancy effect provided by the water on the inner chambers.

2. The power generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising guides for guiding the movement of each outer chamber.

3. The power generating apparatus according to either one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a third valve arranged to controllably introduce water, in use, into a lower part of the first outer chamber and a fourth valve arranged to controllably introduce water, in use into a lower part of the second outer chamber.

4. The power generating apparatus according to of any preceding claim, further comprising gearing for converting the reciprocation of the lever into unidirectional torque.

5. The power generating apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first and second compressor each one arranged above the first and second respective reciprocating members, for pressurising a pressurisable fluid in the compressors by the reciprocation of the first and second reciprocating members.

6. The power generating apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an enclosure around the apparatus, the enclosure including a water inlet and a water outlet, the enclosure arranged to hold a body of water in which the apparatus sits to operate thereby.

7. The power generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the enclosure further includes an air inlet and is water tight other than for the water inlet and outlets and air inlet such that, in use, the enclosure may be arranged beneath the surface of a larger body of water with the air inlet above the surface of said larger body of water.

8. The power generating apparatus according to claim 7, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, wherein the enclosure further comprises an inlet and outlet for the pressurisable fluid.

9. The power generating apparatus according to any preceding claim, directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, comprising electricity generating means for generating electricity from the unidirectional torque.

10. The power generating apparatus according to any preceding claim, directly or indirectly dependent on claim 5, comprising electricity generating means for generating electricity from the pressurised fluid.

11. A power generating array comprising more than one power generating apparatus according to any preceding claim.

12. A power generating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.