U.S. patent application number 11/137880 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for buoyancy and weight transducer system.
Invention is credited to Gillilan, James.
Application Number | 20050271524 11/137880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35449117 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050271524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gillilan, James |
December 8, 2005 |
Buoyancy and weight transducer system
Abstract
A transducer system utilizing weighted compression units for
transmitting and receiving the flow of a first fluid with the units
disposed within a second fluid is disclosed. The system includes a
series of weighted units linked one to the other. The weighted
units are configured for select orientation and, when disposed in a
first orientation, manifest a weight or force, compressing a first
fluid into a second unit disposed in an orientation on the order of
a generally 180 degrees from that of the orientation of the first
unit. In this manner, the force of gravity causes the movement of a
first weighted member compressing the first fluid into the second
unit where the weighted member forces, by the force of gravity, the
expansion of a volume within the second unit.
Inventors: |
Gillilan, James; (Sherman,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKENS & GILCHRIST, PC
1445 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
35449117 |
Appl. No.: |
11/137880 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60574466 |
May 26, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/331 ;
417/329; 417/330; 417/337 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 35/004 20130101;
F04B 17/00 20130101; F04B 35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/331 ;
417/329; 417/330; 417/337 |
International
Class: |
F04B 017/00; F04B
035/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A transducer system comprising: at least two weighted
compression units serially coupled one to the other; a first fluid
disposed within the compression units; a fluid flow conduit
interconnecting the compression units and comprising a system for
transmitting and receiving flow of the first fluid between the
compression units; a second fluid in which the compression units
are suspended; and means for utilizing the buoyancy force of the
second fluid to impart movement of the compression units within the
second fluid.
2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the compression units
are configured for select orientation such that when disposed in
the first orientation each compression unit manifests a force
compressing such first fluid and forcing the first fluid through
the fluid flow conduit interconnecting the compression units, and
wherein the second unit is disposed and orientationally on the
order of generally 180 degrees from that of the orientation of the
first unit and receives the flow of first fluid from the fluid flow
conduit.
3. The system set forth in claim 2 wherein the compression units
comprise weighted mass and bellows assemblies.
4. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the buoyancy force means
includes at least two rotatable mounts separated one from the other
and supported in the second fluid wherein the compression units may
move therearound to impart rotation thereto.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first fluid comprises air.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the second fluid comprises
water.
7. A method of imparting rotation around at least two rotatable
mounts with a transducer system comprising: providing at least two
weighted compression units; serially coupling the compression units
one to the other around the rotatable mounts; disposing a first
fluid within the compression units; interconnecting the compression
units with a fluid flow conduit for transmitting and receiving flow
of the first fluid between the compression units; suspending the
compression units in a second fluid; and utilizing the buoyancy
force of the second fluid and the force of gravity to impart
movement of the compression units within the second fluid and
around the rotatable mounts.
8. The method as set forth in claim 7 and further including
configuring the compression units for select orientation such that
when disposed in the first orientation each compression unit
manifests a force compressing such first fluid and forcing the
first fluid through the fluid flow conduit interconnecting the
compression units, and wherein the second unit is disposed and
orientationally on the order of generally 180 degrees from that of
the orientation of the first unit and receives the flow of first
fluid from the fluid flow conduit.
9. The method set forth in claim 8 and further including
constructing the compression units in the form of weighted mass and
bellows assemblies.
10. The method set forth in claim 8 and further including aligning
the rotatable mounts in a generally vertical relationship and
serially coupling the compression units therearound with a conveyor
belt assembly.
11. The method of claim 7 and further including providing the first
fluid in the form of air and the second fluid in the form of water.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from
U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/574,466 filed May 26, 2004
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a transducer system adapted
for utilizing the weight of a mass and a first fluid compressed
thereby in conjunction with buoyancy forces in the system disposed
in a second fluid for transducing motion therewith and, more
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system of weighted
compression units linked one to the other for effecting the motion
thereof in conjunction with the transfer of the compressed first
fluid (such as air) therebetween in such a manner so as to utilize
the buoyancy force of the second fluid (such as water) disposed
therearound.
[0004] 2. History of Related Art
[0005] The principles of both gravity and hydrostatics have been
well developed over the centuries. Fluids at rest utilize the term
"hydrostatics" while the force with which the earth attracts a body
is referred to as the force of gravity. This force is an
acceleration resulting from the phenomenon of "gravity." Albert
Einstein addressed this phenomenon in his general theory of
relativity in 1915, but for purposes of this discussion the
equations of Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) will be utilized.
Likewise, basic principles of hydrostatics developed by Archimedes
(287-212 B.C.) will be incorporated. For example, the upward force
that a fluid exerts on a body is known to be the weight of the
fluid originally occupying the boundary surface of the body and
whose line of action passes through the original center of
gravity.
[0006] It is thus well known that the buoyancy force of a liquid
such as water creates a flotation force equivalent to the
displacement of an object immersed within the liquid. The greater
the displacement, the greater the buoyancy, and in certain buoyancy
designs, the displacement is sufficient to allow a particular
object to float. The basic physical principles have been well
established for many years and may be seen in other U.S. patents
which address such principles. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,363,212 and 4,498,294 address buoyancy systems.
[0007] The force of gravity upon objects on the earth is likewise
well known. As published by Newton in 1686, every particle of
matter attracts every other particle with a force which is directly
proportional to the product of the masses of the particles and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Thus according to Newton, 1 F g = G mm ' r 2 .
[0008] This equation can be applied to the force between a small
body, such as that described in the present patent application, and
the earth. If the earth were a homogeneous sphere, the force
exerted by it on a small body would then be, 2 F g = G mm e r 2
,
[0009] where m.sub.e is the mass of the earth on m, the mass of the
small body. The value of G, the gravitational constant, has been
found experimentally and thus the weight of a body can be expressed
as 3 W = F g = G mm e r 2
[0010] W=.mu.g=G where R is the radius of the earth.
[0011] Objects placed in water thus experience two distinct
physical forces: (1) the influence of gravity upon the object, and
(2) the influence of buoyancy upon the displacement of the body
within the fluid. Many factors affect these multiple forces
including the viscosity, which is determined by the density and
weight of the fluid and, of course, the precise force of gravity at
a given location. Transducers are likewise well-known. It has,
thus, been found that by utilizing the force of gravity in
conjunction with the principles of buoyancy, a transducer system
can be implemented which utilize the combined principles of
buoyancy and the acceleration of gravity for a power transducer
system.
[0012] Finally, for reference purposes, Applicant has filed and
received the following patents on transducer and power generating
systems:
[0013] (1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,513 issued Sep. 8, 1987 titled
"Rotary Power Transducer System;" (2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,173
issued Feb. 5, 1985 titled "Power Transducer System;" and (3) U.S.
Pat. No. 4,086,765 issued May 2, 1978 titled "Power Generating
System."
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention relates to a transducer system
utilizing weighted compression units for transmitting and receiving
the flow of a first fluid between the units disposed within a
second fluid and further utilizing the buoyancy force there around.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a series of
weighted compression/displacement units linked one to the other.
The displacement units are configured for select orientation and
when disposed in a first orientation, manifest a weight or force,
compressing a first fluid into a second unit disposed in an
orientation on the order of a generally 180 degrees from that of
the orientation of the first unit. In this manner, the force of
gravity causes the movement of a first weighted member compressing
the first fluid into the second unit where the weighted member
forces, by the force of gravity, the expansion of a volume within
the second unit. In this manner, the relative displacements between
the first and second displacement units are directly resultant of
the select orientation thereof and the relative position
therebetween, whereby the force of displacement of a second fluid
therearound imparts a buoyancy differential between the first and
second units thereby resulting in a force transducing configuration
therebetween.
[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a
method of and system for a transducer system comprising weighted
compression units serially coupled one to the other and having a
first fluid disposed within the compression units for transmitting
and receiving flow of the first fluid between the compression
units. The serially coupled compression units are disposed in a
second fluid and the compression units are fully or partially
suspended therein for utilizing the buoyancy force of the second
fluid. The displacement units are configured for select orientation
and when disposed in a first orientation, manifest a weight or
force, compressing the first fluid into a second unit disposed in
an orientation on the order of generally 180 degrees from that of
the orientation of the first unit. The force of gravity causes
movement of a first weighted member compressing the first fluid
into the second unit where the weighted member is urged by the
force of gravity to expand the volume within the second unit. In
this manner, the relative displacement of the second fluid between
the first and second displacement units is directly resultant of
the select orientation thereof and the relative position
therebetween, whereby the force of displacement of the second fluid
therearound imparts a buoyancy differential between the first and
second units thereby resulting in forces facilitating the
transducing configuration thereof.
[0016] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a plurality
of bellows assemblies are disposed within a second fluid and
connected one to the other by a first fluid. The force of gravity
upon a first weight of a first unit in the first orientation forces
the bellows to close and force the first fluid outwardly and into a
second bellows in which a second bellows is disposed in a position
for selectively exiting the second bellows thereby imparting a
transfer of the first fluid therebetween. The second fluid thus
exerts different buoyancy and displacement forces upon the first
and second displacement units. The displacement force differential
then facilitates the second unit to move in a direction effectively
transducing the first displacement unit for consistent motion
therewith. In this manner, the mass of the weights in the select
orientation in conjunction with the force of fluid displacement
creates a transducer system maximizing the efficiency of fluid
displacement and mass compression.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of
the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following
Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying Drawings wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is diagrammatic illustration of the principles of a
system of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the
displacement units of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic schematic illustration of one
embodiment of the system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 comprises copies of three photographs of test
displacement units; and
[0022] FIGS. 5-9 comprise additional illustrations of aspects of
the invention as described below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] It has been recognized by the inventor hereof that by
utilizing the weight of a mass oriented in a first direction
relative to a first bellows in flow communication with a second
bellows containing a second mass in opposite vertical orientation
relative to gravity will, by virtue of being placed within a fluid
exerting buoyancy upon the mass and bellows, facilitate the
operation of the transducer system effectively maximizing the
physical aspects of gravitation and buoyancy.
[0024] Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a diagrammatic
schematic of the system 10 of the present invention wherein a
plurality of displacement units comprising weight/compression
bellows. Bellows 12 are shown in this embodiment to be in a
connected array, coupled one to the other. Each bellows 12 includes
a weighted mass 14 (shown herein as a weight, slidably mounted upon
guide rods 14A) positioned to compress a first fluid 16, such as
air. The bellows 12 of the array are then submerged within a second
fluid 18, such as water, within which buoyancy is manifested.
[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1, a first series 20 of bellows 12
are positioned in a first vertical direction wherein the weighted
mass 14 of each bellows 12 is situated to compress the first fluid
16 therein. Each bellows 12 of the first series 20 is connected to
at least a sister cylinder of a second series 22. The bellows 12 of
the second series 22 are oriented in a second, opposite orientation
wherein the weighted mass 14 of each is disposed toward the lower
end of each bellows 12. A flow conduit 16A connecting each of the
sister bellows 12 is adapted for the transmission of the
compression fluid therebetween whereby the movement of the weighted
mass 14 of a bellows 12 on the first series 20 of the array will
exert a pressure forcing the compression fluid into the sister
cylinder in the second series 22 of the array. By virtue of the
fact that the weighted mass 14 of the bellows 12 are in an inverted
position in the second series 22 of the array relative to the first
series 20 of the array, the weighted mass of each is forced
downwardly and into fluid expansion by the force of gravity while
the weighted mass of the first series 20 of the array are each
forced downwardly in compression of the first fluids by the force
of gravity. The first fluids thus flow from the first series 20
into the second series 22.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 1, it may be seen that once the
bellows of the first series 20 of the array have allowed the
weighted mass 14 therein to compress the first fluid therein, the
amount of displacement of the second fluid represented thereby is
less than the displacement of the fluid by the sister cylinder on
the opposite side of the array in the opposite vertical position.
In this manner, more buoyancy force is applied to the bellows in
the second series of the array forcing the bellows linked one to
the other around rotation members disposed above and below the
array to facilitate the motion thereof.
[0027] Still referring to FIG. 1, this diagrammatic illustration
represents the basic principles of the present invention. What is
not shown is a mounting configuration for the rotational elements 4
and 5 disposed on opposite ends of the array 20. Elements 4 and 5
will of course be secured and mounted in a structurally sound
fashion that is not specifically shown in these figures, other than
the diagrammatic representation in FIG. 3. It should be well
understood by a person skilled in the art that the structural
mounting of elements 4 and 5 on opposite ends of the array 20 can
be effected by standard engineering principles. For this reason, no
further detail is deemed necessary relative to the rotational
mounting of elements 4 and 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
specifically. As will be described relative to FIG. 3 below, the
bellows compression units mounted in the serial array set forth,
shown and described herein will rotate around the elements 4 and 5,
and are therefore connected one to the other by suitable connection
means. The details of the connection means is representatively
shown in FIG. 3 as described below.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged
perspective view of one embodiment of bellows 12 and weighted mass
14 assembled according to the principles of the present invention.
The bellows 12 is disposed contiguous the weighted mass 14. As
referred above, a "bellows" type cylinder is shown. It is
contemplated that bellows and weighted mass assemblies may also be
used in accordance with the present invention. The first fluid 16
flows from a flow conduit 30 extending from a first bellows plate
32, oppositely disposed from a second bellows plate 34. The plates
are connected by the above-referenced guide rods 14A.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown a diagrammatic
schematic of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating
the movement of the rotation of the array along a conveyor
(labeled) and the transducing aspect of the motion by virtue of the
rotational members disposed on opposite ends thereof. Specifically,
it may be seen that during the movement of the bellows from the
first series of array to the second series of the array described
above, the bellows rotate through at least one position which is
generally horizontal.
[0030] Still referring to FIG. 3, the bellows of the second series
22 of the array illustrates the weighted mass 14 expanding the
bellows. It may likewise be seen in this particular view that the
weighted mass 14 has expanded the bellows due to the pull of
gravity. In the position of series 22, the force of gravity will
force the weighted mass 14 downwardly relative to the bellows 12
further facilitating the injection of a first fluid 16 from sister
bellows in the first series 21. The differential in displacement of
the surrounding second fluid by the bellows of the first series of
the array relative to the bellows of the second series of the array
will thereby be manifest by the increased displacement and buoyancy
force on the second series of the array thereby imparting movement
thereto consistent with the principles of buoyancy displacement and
gravity.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 3, the mounting of the individual
bellows is representatively shown relative to the upper and lower
elements 4 and 5 which are described herein as rotational elements
or mounts for a pulley belt conveyance. It may be recognized that
any other suitable conveyance mechanism could be utilized in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this
particular illustration, the individual bellows 12 are mounted to a
conveyor and/or tether system 100 to thereby afford serial mounting
array rotation around elements 4 and 5 which are appropriately
supported as described above. The individual construction of the
elements 4 and 5 as shown herein include a curvilinear section 102
to allow clearance of the bellows rotating therearound. Other
designs could be incorporated in accordance with the principles of
the present invention.
[0032] FIGS. 5-9 comprise a series of drawings prepared by the
inventor illustrating examples of the movement of the compression
units described above through a second fluid. In this case, the
second fluid is water and the inventor has constructed a sample
bellows unit and demonstrated the weight differential of the
bellows unit through immersion in water. In a first position such
as the bellows compression unit A-1 in FIG. 5, a weight of
approximately 10.5 pounds was determined with the bellows unit A-1
completely submerged under water. The unit A with the bellows
collapsed weighed 12 pounds. The inventor thus found that
approximately 1.5 pounds weight differential (due to buoyancy)
existed from weighing a bellows unit when submerged into water in
the collapsed and uncollapsed bellows position shown. The inventor
has also sketched the operation of the invention as set forth in
the following description made by the inventor.
[0033] FIGS. 5-8 show the various positions of the enclosures and
their on-board components during cycling. These examples represent
one cycle of a pair of enclosures.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the enclosures at the beginning of a cycle. "A"
has just passed the lower pulley and is beginning its journey
upward. A-1 has cleared the top pulley and beginning its journey
downward. The bellows of "A" is closed and will begin to open. This
begins the effort of transferring the air within it to the bellows
of "A". At this point in the cycle, the sliding weight of "A" is
being physically supported by the water pressure. This status
allows the enclosure to be lightened by the value of the sliding
actuator weight. This status will exist for a period of the upward
travel of "A", or until the bellows is fully opened allowing the
moving weight to rest on the bottom of the enclosure.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates that the cycle has progressed and the
bellows of "A" is opening as A-1 continues to help by forcing air
into it. When the bellows on A is opened with the sliding weight
resting on the bottom of the enclosure frame the overall weight
advantage is the buoyancy of the expanded bellows.
[0036] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the enclosures returning to the cycle
start position. The same process is repeated with A-1 moving upward
and A moving downward.
[0037] It is thus believed that the principles of the present
invention will be apparent from the foregoing Detailed Description.
While various devices are shown and described, it will be obvious
to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.
Therefore, the spirit and the scope of the appended claims should
not be limited to the Detailed Description.
* * * * *