U.S. patent application number 09/845424 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for power generating apparatus using compressed air.
Invention is credited to Kim, Young-Chan.
Application Number | 20020088342 09/845424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19704303 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020088342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Young-Chan |
July 11, 2002 |
POWER GENERATING APPARATUS USING COMPRESSED AIR
Abstract
Provided is a power generating apparatus for obtaining a desired
power source from elastic movement of an elastic tube into which
compressed air is injected. The elastic pressure receptacle having
compressed air is rotatably supported and pistons engaged with the
elastic receptacle are installed in the vicinity thereof. Also,
installed is a driving mechanism having circular plates having
inclined protrusions for providing power to rotate the elastic
pressure receptacle while inducing elastic movement for driving the
pistons from the elastic pressure receptacle and a seesaw mechanism
having rollers in contact with the inclined protrusions of the
circular plate. The rotation power generated from the elastic
pressure receptacle can be used as a desired power source through a
driving shaft integrally installed on the elastic pressure
receptacle.
Inventors: |
Kim, Young-Chan; (Ukyo-Ku,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anderson, Kill & Olick P.C.
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10020-1182
US
|
Family ID: |
19704303 |
Appl. No.: |
09/845424 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
92/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01B 19/04 20130101;
Y10T 74/1892 20150115; Y10T 74/1556 20150115; F01C 5/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
92/72 |
International
Class: |
F01B 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2001 |
KR |
2001-601 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A power generating apparatus using compressed air comprising: an
elastic pressure receptacle for accommodating compressed air to
have an elastic force in a radial direction; a protective
receptacle, fixedly rotatably installed, having piston holes
surrounding and protecting the elastic pressure receptacle and
radially formed; pistons, inserted into the piston holes to be
movably installed radially, subjecting to a force from the elastic
pressure receptacle in a radial direction; a first circular plate,
fixedly installed in the vicinity of the protective receptacle,
having first inclined projections formed at the outer circumference
at a predetermined angular distance; a second circular plate,
fixedly installed and spaced a predetermined distance aparat from
the first circular plate, having second inclined projections formed
at the outer circumference at a predetermined angular distance; a
seesaw mechanism, installed so as to be capable of seesawing around
a predetermined support point, one end of which is connected to the
pistons, and having first and second rollers contacting the first
and second inclined projections, respectively, at the other end;
and a rotation shaft, connected to the protective receptacle,
rotating together when the protective receptacle rotates.
2. The power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second inclined projection of the second circular plate projects
more outwardly than the first inclined projection of the first
circular plate, and the outer circumference of the first and second
inclined projections are inclined by a predetermined angle
lengthwise with respect to the seesaw mechanism.
3. The power generating apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a compressed air supply tank, connected in communication
with the elastic pressure receptacle, for supplying compressed
air.
4. The power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first and second rollers are formed of magnets.
5. The power generating apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a housing having air flow holes and surrounding the
power generating apparatus, for rotatably supporting the protective
receptacle and the rotation shaft, wherein a compressed air spray
for spraying the compressed air toward the seesaw mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a power generating
apparatus using compressed air, and more particularly, to a power
generating apparatus using compressed air, adapted to easily obtain
desired power from elastic movement of a tube having compressed
air.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, an apparatus for generating power burns fuel
filled inside an engine to operate pistons with explosive power
generated when the fuel is burned, and to rotate a shaft through a
connecting rod and a crank, thereby obtaining rotation power. The
power generating apparatus requires power, and an engine must
withstand high temperature and high pressure to burn the fuel.
Also, since a high-temperature heat is generated inside the engine,
a cooling apparatus for cooling the engine is necessary. Another
power generating apparatus includes a motor using electrical
energy. In order to continuously utilize the power generating
apparatus, the electrical energy must be continuously supplied.
Thus, when electricity supply is interrupted due to power failure,
the power generating apparatus cannot be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a power generating apparatus using compressed
air, adapted to obtain a stable, economic power source from elastic
movement of a tube having compressed air.
[0006] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is provided a power generating apparatus using compressed air
including an elastic pressure receptacle for accommodating
compressed air to have an elastic force in a radial direction, a
protective receptacle, fixedly rotatably installed, having piston
holes surrounding and protecting the elastic pressure receptacle
and radially formed, pistons, inserted into the piston holes to be
movably installed radially, subjecting to a force from the elastic
pressure receptacle in a radial direction, a first circular plate,
fixedly installed in the vicinity of the protective receptacle,
having first inclined projections formed at the outer circumference
at a predetermined angular distance, a second circular plate,
fixedly installed and spaced a predetermined distance aparat from
the first circular plate, having second inclined projections formed
at the outer circumference at a predetermined angular distance, a
seesaw mechanism, installed so as to be capable of seesawing around
a predetermined support point, one end of which is connected to the
pistons, and having first and second rollers contacting the first
and second inclined projections, respectively, at the other end,
and a rotation shaft, connected to the protective receptacle,
rotating together when the protective receptacle rotates.
[0007] The second inclined projection of the second circular plate
preferably projects more outwardly than the first inclined
projection of the first circular plate, and the outer circumference
of the first and second inclined projections are preferably
inclined by a predetermined angle lengthwise with respect to the
seesaw mechanism.
[0008] Also, the power generating apparatus may further include a
compressed air supply tank, connected in communication with the
elastic pressure receptacle, for supplying compressed air.
[0009] The first and second rollers are preferably formed of
magnets.
[0010] Further, the power generating apparatus may further include
a housing having air flow holes and surrounding the power
generating apparatus, for rotatably supporting the protective
receptacle and the rotation shaft, wherein a compressed air spray
for spraying the compressed air toward the seesaw mechanism.
[0011] Therefore, according to the present invention, a stable,
economic power source can be obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above object and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred
embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal
structure of a power generating apparatus using compressed air
according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the installation state of pistons shown
in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of a seesaw mechanism connected to the
pistons shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the arrangement of first
and second disks and first and second rollers; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating the
installation state of the first and second disks and a rotary shaft
shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.scribed in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal
structure of a rotation power generating mechanism using compressed
air according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates the
installation state of a piston.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a power generating apparatus 100
using compressed air according to the present invention includes a
pressure receptacle 110 capable of elastic movement. The elastic
pressure receptacle 110 includes a spherical tube 112 dilating or
contracting by directly injected compressed air, and a tire 114
surrounding to protect the outside of the tube 112. The elastic
pressure receptacle 110 can be replaced with another container
having a function similar to that of the tube 112 and tire 114.
[0021] An air injection tube 116 for injecting compressed air into
the elastic pressure receptacle 110, is installed at one side of
the elastic pressure receptacle 110. Also, a cap 118, for
preventing the compressed air from draining out, is detachably
coupled to the end of the elastic pressure receptacle 110. A
general air compressor, for refilling the inside of the elastic
pressure receptacle 110 with compressed air, may be connected to
the air injection tube 116. In this embodiment of the present
invention, a compressed air tank 180 in which compressed air
supplied from an air compressor is stored is illustrated by way of
example. When the inside of the elastic pressure receptacle 110 is
filled with compressed air, the elastic pressure receptacle 110 is
elastically contracted or dilated in a radial direction.
[0022] A protection receptacle 120, installed outside the elastic
pressure receptacle 110, accommodates the elastic pressure
receptacle 110 therein to protect the same. Also, there is provided
a piston cover 121 having a centrally formed piston hole 122 at
left and right sides of the elastic pressure receptacle 110, to
provide a path for allowing a piston 130 to move. The piston holes
122 are radially disposed. The protection receptacle 120 is
protected by a housing 105. The protection receptacle 120 is
axially supported to the housing 105 so as to be rotatable by the
integrally formed air injection tube 116 and a rotation shaft 140
to be described later. An air flow hole 106 that allows air
circulation, is preferably formed in the housing 105, which will
later be described in detail.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the piston 130 is inserted into each of
the piston holes 122 so that one end thereof contacts the elastic
pressure receptacle 110 to be engaged therewith and the other end
is linked with a seesaw mechanism 170 to be described later by
means of a pin 177. Thus, when the elastic pressure receptacle 110
is pressed from a one-end piston 130 by a force generated by the
seesaw mechanism 170, the elastic pressure receptacle 110
elastically moves in the opposite direction to push the other-end
piston 130 disposed at the opposite side of the one-end piston 130.
Then, the pistons 130 directly in contact with the elastic pressure
receptacle 110, are subjected to a force that thrusts outwardly,
that is, radially, by the elastic force of the elastic pressure
receptacle 110, and the piston 130 performs an interlocking action
of pushing the seesaw mechanism 170 connected through the pin
177.
[0024] As shown in the drawing, the power generating apparatus 100
using compressed air according to the present invention includes
the rotation shaft 140. The rotation shaft 140, integrally coupled
to the protection receptacle 120 to be rotatably supported to the
housing 105, is so constructed that it rotates together with the
protection receptacle 120 with a supporting point of the housing
105. A power transmitting member, e.g., a gear 142, for
transmitting rotation power to other parts, is installed at the
exterior end of the rotation shaft 140. Any means that can transmit
power, may be used instead of the gear 142 shown in the drawing. A
first circular plate 150 and a second circular plate 160, spaced a
predetermined distance apart from each other, are coupled to the
outer circumferences of the rotation shaft 140. The first and
second circular plates 150 and 160 are integrally connected on the
rotation shaft 140 by means of a connector 145 connected by bolts
147a and 147b. The first and second circular plates 150 and 160
include a first inclined projection 152 and a second inclined
projection 162 formed at a predetermined angle along the edges of
the first and second circular plates 150 and 160, respectively,
which will later be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
4. The outer circumferences of the first and second inclined
projections 152 and 162 are preferably inclined at a predetermined
angle in a direction of the rotation shaft.
[0025] Also, the power generating apparatus 100 includes the seesaw
mechanism 170. The seesaw mechanism 170 is configured to obtain
rotation power by the first and second circular plates 150 and 160
while seesawing with a phase difference using the force of the
pistons 130 moved by the elastic pressure receptacle 110. The
seesaw mechanism 170 is installed so as to seesaw about a
supporting pin 172 installed at one side of the protection
receptacle 120, and has seesaw members 174 each connected to the
pistons 130 by the pin 177, at either end. A first roller 176 is
installed in the seesaw member 174. The first roller 176, rotatably
installed in the vicinity of the first circular plate 150, presses
a relatively gentle (right side) inclined plane of the first
inclined projection 152 of the first circular plate 150 at a
location in a predetermined angle range along the seesaw motion of
the seesaw member 174, thereby obtaining rotation power in one
direction by a fractional force generated at the inclined
plane.
[0026] Also, a second roller 178 having the same diameter as the
first roller 176, is intalled at a location spaced apart from the
first roller 176, that is, at one end of the seesaw member 174. The
second roller 178, rotatably installed in the vicinity of the
second circular plate 160, lifts the support pin 172 using one end
of the seesaw member 174 as a supporting point, while being applied
to a force outwardly by the second inclined projection 162 of the
second circular plate 160. The second roller 178, installed farther
from the rotation center of the seesaw member 174 than the first
roller 176, easily lifts one end of the seesaw member 174 with a
relatively lesser force. The second roller 178 ascends along a
relatively gentle (left side) inclined plane of the second inclined
projection 162 (see FIG. 4). Here, the first and second rollers 176
and 178 are preferably constructed of magentic bodies for faster
and stronger driving.
[0027] The power generating apparatus 100 using compressed air,
includes a compressed air spray 190 for compensating for rotatary
movement by spraying the compressed air in a direction tangential
to the rotation of the seesaw member 174. As the compressed air
spray 190, a means for generating compressed air, e.g., air
compressor, may be used. In some cases, another types of rotation
force supplementing means, e.g., means using wind or water, may be
used. Also, in other cases, the rotation force may be supplemented
by spraying air continuously or intermittently. The air flow hole
106 is formed in the housing 105 by the compressed air spray
190.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the seesaw mechanism coupled
to the piston, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the state in which
the first and second circular plates and the first and second
rollers are arranged, and FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view
showing the state in which the first and second circular plates and
a rotation shaft are installed.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the seesaw mechanism 170 includes the
seesaw member 174 having a predetermined length, to which the
pistons 130 shown in FIG. 2 are connected, and, the first roller
176 and the second roller 178, spaced a predetermined distance
apart from each other. At one side of the seesaw member 174 are
provided the support hole 173 for rotatably supporting the seesaw
member 174 to the protective receptacle 120 by means of the support
pin 172 (see FIG. 1), and a connection hole 174 for installing the
pin 177 (see FIG. 1) to be connected to the pistons 130. Thus, the
seesaw member 174 performs seesaw movement around the support hole
173.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first circular plate 150 and
the second circular plate 160 are integrally connected to each
other through the connector 145 to then be fixed to the housing 105
by means of bolts 147b in such a state. The first inclined
projection 152 formed on the first circular plate 150 and the
second circular plate 162 formed on the second circular plate 160
are inclined in the direction of the rotation shaft. The reason of
the foregoing will now be briefly described. In a state in which
the seesaw member 174 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the
contact plane of the first and second rollers 176 and 178 is also
inclined at a predetermined angle. Thus, in order to attain smooth
contact, the contact plane between the first inclined projection
152 and the second inclined projection 162 is also inclined
lengthwise with respect to the outer circumference.
[0031] The rotation shaft 140, freely rotable inside the connector
145, is coupled inside the connector 145. Since the interior end of
the rotation shaft 140 is fixed to the protective receptacle 120,
when the protective receptacle 120 rotates, the rotation shaft 140
integrally connected to the protective receptacle 120 and the air
injection tube 116 rotate together using the housing 105 as a
supporting point. A gear 142 for transmitting rotation power to
another necessary parts, is connected to the rotation shaft 140.
Alternative power transmitting means such as pulley may be
installed instead of the gear 142.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of first inclined
projections 152 having inclined planes 154a and 154b are formed
along the periphery of the first circular plate 150 at a
predetermined anglular distance. A plurality of second inclined
projections 162 having inclined planes 164a and 164b are formed
along the periphery of the second circular plate 160, spaced a
predetermined distance apart from the first circular plate 150, at
a predetermined anglular distance. The right inclined plane 154b of
the first inclined projection 152 is formed more gently than the
left inclined plane 154a thereof. Thus, when the first roller 176
is positioned on the left inclined plane 154a, the second roller
178 is in a state in which it ascends along the left inclined plane
164a of the second inclined projection 162. Thus, the first roller
176 is out of contact with the left inclined plane 154a of the
first inclined projection 152.
[0033] In such a state, the first roller 176 comes into contact
with the right inclined plane 154b of the first inclined plane 152
from the time when the first roller 176 and the second roller 178
reach the vertex of the first inclined projection 152 and the
second inclined projection 162, thereby attaining its rotation
force. On the other hand, the second roller 178 is brought out of
contact from the second inclined projection 162 from the time when
it reaches the vertex of the second inclined projection 162, so
that it is brought out of contact from the right inclined plane
164b of the second inclined projection 162. In order to allow the
above-described procedure to occur, it is necessary to
appropriately determine the inclination angles of the inclined
planes 154a and 154b and 164a and 164b. In other words, as shown in
FIG. 4, the right inclined plane 154b of the first inclined
projection 152 is formed more gently than the left inclined plane
154a. Also, the right inclined plane 164b of the second inclined
projection 162 is formed more sharply than the left inclined plane
164a. Also, the first roller 176 must have each inclined planes so
that it can be spaced apart from the inclined projection 152 while
the second roller 178 ascends along the left inclined plane 164a of
the second inclined projection 162. The second roller 178 must have
each inclined planes so that it can be spaced apart from the right
inclined plane 164b of the second inclined projection 162 while the
first roller 176 contacts the right inclined plane 154a of the
first inclined projection 152.
[0034] If air is injected from the compressed air storage tank 180
into the inside of the elastic pressure receptacle 110, the
pressure inside the tube 112 increases so that the tube 112
expands. Accordingly, the tire 114 disposed outside the tube 112
also expands to pull the pistons 130 outwardly. Since a plurality
of pistons 130, as shown in FIG. 2, are radially arranged, the tube
112 and the tire 114 outside the tube 112 pull away the pistons 130
subjected to lesser resistance. Thus, the seesaw member 174 whose
one end is connected to the pistons 130, is rotated around the
support pin 172, and the first roller 176, installed at the other
end of the seesaw member 174, strongly presses the right inclined
plane 164b of the first inclined projection 152.
[0035] Since the first circular plate 150 and the second circular
plate 160 are fixed to the case 105, the first roller 176 is
applied to a rotation force clockwise, and the rotation force is
transferred to the protective receptacle 120 via the seesaw member
174, so that the seesaw mechanism 170 installed around the
protective receptacle 120 rotates clockwise and the rotation shaft
140 integrally connected to the protective receptacle 120 also
rotates.
[0036] The second roller 178, installed at the end of the seesaw
member 174, rotates along the periphery of the second circular
plate 160, to come into contact with the right inclined plane 164b
of the second inclined projection 162, thereby subjecting to a
force outwardly. Accordingly, while the end of the second roller
178 of the seesaw member 174 is lifted using the support pin 172 as
a supporting point, the piston 130 installed opposite to the second
roller 178 descends from the seesaw member 174 using the support
pin 172 as a supporting point, to thus strongly press the elastic
pressure receptacle 110. Here, since the second roller 178 is
positioned farther from the rotation center of the seesaw member
174, that is, the support pin 172, than the first roller 176, it
can lift one end of the seesaw member 174 with a relatively less
force. Another seesaw member 174 between the seesaw members 174
performs the intermediate operation.
[0037] As described above, if the piston 130 strongly presses the
elastic pressure receptacle 110 while it descends using the support
pin 172 as a support point, the force is applied in the opposite
direction, thereby facilitating to push the opposed piston 130
outwardly. As described above, the repetitive operation of the
pistons 130 and the geared seesaw mechanism 170 makes it possible
to continuously obtain necessary power such that the protective
receptacle 120 connected with the seesaw mechanism 170 and the
rotation shaft 140 are continuously rotated.
[0038] During the above-described procedure, in order to prevent
power balance from energy loss due to friction among various
elements, it is preferable to supply compressed air from the
compressed air spray 190 continously or intermittently in the
direction tangential to the rotating seesaw emmber 174.
[0039] As described above, an economic and stable power source can
be obtained by the power generating apparatus using compressed air
according to the present invention.
* * * * *