rexresearch.com
Robert KOSTOFF
Gravity-Power Machine
KeelyNet.com [09/06/07 ]
http://www.thepost.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=679901&catname=Local%20News&classif=News%20Live
The Lindsay Post ( Canada )
Gravity into Power
After about four years of planning and development through trial
and error - including about a year-and-a-half creating the designs
on paper - Bob Kostoff has reached his goal. He now owns the
patent on the technology to prove it. The result was 'The Gravity
Powered Machine.
' The self-sustaining engine provides as little as 10 foot-pounds
of torque or as much as hundreds, Kostoff said, adding how its
cost is less than half of a small wind turbine.
The machine - which only requires a little bit of start-up juice
before it creates enough power to sustain itself - works much like
a teeter-totter, using a series of sliding weights that, with the
help of the earths gravitational pull, force the unit to continue
spinning around in a circle.
Install a series of magnets in the unit and tens of thousands of
watts of electricity can be produced, an amount that depends on
the size of the actual machine.
“You can get off the hydro grid with one of these,” Kostoff told
The Lindsay Post.
So far, about five of the units have been made. Once he got the
concept down, he said he began fine-tuning the more cosmetic
aspects of the machine, such as reducing noise.
“Once you figure it out, it's just about perfecting it,” he said.
The machines can be used in a variety of applications, Kostoff
said, because they produce electricity at no cost.
For example, he said the units can be used to generate the power
needed for electrolysis, a process that creates hydrogen, a “free
fuel” that could be used to power your personal vehicle.
For more information on the gravity powered engine, or to see a
video of it in action, visit www.newsourceofenergy.com. [ defunct
website ]
This engine is a self sustaining gravity powered unit. It produces
all the energy needed to run a generator large enough to provide
power for all the hydro and heat needed for your home.
This patented system can be as small as producing 10 foot pounds
of torque or as much as over 300 foot pounds of torque.
Each unit is approximately 8 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet tall and is
totally enclosed for safely protection against moving parts.
VIDEO : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT7oR_-l0qU
ENERGY CONVERTER
CA2639107
A rotor rotates about a spindle and has one or more sliders which
are movabl e between two stop points. An actuator is activated by
pressurized fluid and causes th e slider or sliders to move back
and forth between the stop points. The back and forth movement
causes the spindle to rotate and the rotational energy of the
spindle is harnessed to produce electricity.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for converting one form of
energy to another and more particularly to an apparatus for
converting the energy from fluids under pressure to electrical
energy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In mines and at construction sites, pressurized fluid is the usual
source of energy for driving heavy machinery such as drills, power
shovels and buckets. On farms, pressurized fluid is used in a wide
variety of machines. It is used for example to raise and lower
heavy machinery such as the cutting heads of combines, ploughs,
mowers and the like.
Fluid under pressure is usually produced by compressors powered by
gas, diesel fuel or gasoline. In most circumstances it is more
economical to compress fluid on a continuous basis rather than
periodically when it required. Where the pressurized fluid is
produced continuously however, pressure tanks are required to
store it until it is required for use. If the pressurized fluid is
stored for relatively long periods of time, its pressure will
dissipate and it will become unusable during those long periods
and the fuel used to pressurize such fluid will be wasted.
Accordingly, for the most efficient use of the fuel, the fluid
should be used immediately after it is compressed.
I have invented an apparatus for converting the energy of
pressurized fluid such as air and water to electrical energy.
Unused pressurized fluid need not be stored in pressure tanks for
long periods but may be converted to a form of energy which is a
much more versatile than pressurized fluid. Since in most
workplaces, there is a constant need for electricity, the
electricity produced by my apparatus will be used immediately.
There will be no need to store it and moreover, when it is used,
there will a reduction in the use of electricity from other
sources with resulting savings in the cost of electricity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the apparatus of my invention includes a spindle
rotatable about a horizontal axis and a slider adapted to rotate
about the axis. The slider is movable between two stop points on
opposite sides of the axis. The apparatus also includes an
actuator activated by pressurized fluid for causing the slider to
move back and forth between the stop points. Also included are
means for controlling the back and forth movement such as to cause
the slider to rotate. Means is also included for harnessing the
rotational energy of the spindle for the production of
electricity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The apparatus of the invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the components of the
apparatus;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective of three components of
the apparatus, namely a slider, an actuator and a rotor;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an array of rollers on
the rear face of the slider together with a groove in which the
slider moves;
Figure 4 is a elevation of the slider and groove;
Figures 5 to 8 are elevations of the slider and an actuator
which controls the movement of the slider. The Figures show the
various positions of the slider as it completes one full
revolution; Figure 9 is a simplified elevation of a rotor and
sliders according to a second embodiment of the apparatus of the
invention;
Figure 10 is an elevation of a portion of the rotor and
slider illustrated in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a simplified
elevation of each slider illustrated in Figure 9 in conjunction
with the central portion of the rotor; and
Figure 12 is an elevation of a rotor and sliders according
to a third embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13 is a simplified elevation of a rotor and sliders
according to a third embodiment of the apparatus of the
invention.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the
description of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to Figure 1, the apparatus of the invention,
generally 10, includes a rotor 12, a slider 14 and an actuator 16.
The rotor is mounted to spindle 18 and revolves about a horizontal
axis of rotation 20-20. The rotor has a longitudinal axis 12a-12a
which passes through the axis of rotation.
A fluid such as oil is store in a tank 19 and when required, flows
to a motor and pump, generally 20. The pump pressurizes the fluid
and causes it to flow through an internal passageway in the
spindle. The fluid flows from openings in the spindle to the
actuator. The actuator is described below. The fluid may being
either in the form of a gas such as air or a liquid such as oil or
water.
The spindle is connected to speed accelerating apparatus,
generally 22 for increasing the rate of rotation of the input
shaft of a turbine generally 24. The apparatus is described below.
The rate of rotation of the spindle is controlled by the
combination of a governor, generally 26 and brake generally 28.
The governor and brake are conventional and are well known to
those familiar with the art.
With reference to Figure 2, the slider is formed of a single sheet
of steel or other relatively heavy material and is composed of a
pair of terminal plates 30, 32 interconnected by an elongated
coupling 34. The two terminal plates are of equal weight and shape
and are spaced apart an equal distance from the centre 34a of the
coupling. The slider is symmetrical about the centre of the
coupling.
With reference to Figures 1- 4, an array of rollers, generally 36
is formed on the under- side of each terminal plate 30,32. The
rollers travel in elongated grooves 38a,b formed on the outer wall
of the rotor.
The grooves are aligned with each other and each groove receives a
separate array of rollers.
The grooves have aligned longitudinal axes 39 which lie on the
longitudinal axis 12a-12a of the rotor so that the terminal plates
travel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
A pair of spaced outer and inner end plates 40a, 40b, respectively
is formed adjacent to one end of the rotor while outer and inner
end plates 42a, 42b, respectively are formed at the opposite end
of the rotor. Each outer end plate is attached to the rotor and is
connected to a separate inner end plate by four coil springs 44.
The inner end plate is not attached to the rotor but is free to
move toward and away from the outer end plate. The springs bias
the inner and outer end plates apart.
The slider is free to slide in grooves 38a,b whose ends define two
stop points of travel. The coil springs cushion the force of
impact of the slider on the inner end plates at each stop point.
That force can be considerable when the rotor and slider are
rotating rapidly.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the cylinder 16a of actuator 16
is pivotally attached to one end of the rotor. The ram 16b of the
actuator is pivotally connected to one end of a rod 52. A pin 54
pivotally connects the centre of the rod to the ear 12a of the
rotor. The other end of the rod is pivotally connected to coupling
34 at its centre 34a. The point of connection is on the axis of
symmetry of the slider.
The actuator acts to cause the slider to move radially back and
forth in grooves 38a,b. When the ram retracts from the position
illustrated in Figure 2, rod 52 rotates clockwise about pin 54
with resulting radial movement of the slider to the left toward
inner end plate 40b. When the ram extends, terminal plate 32
slides radially outward and into contact with inner end plate 42b.
A conventional control 55 directs the operation of the actuator.
With reference to Figure 5, as previously indicated, rotor 12
revolves around a horizontal axis of rotation 20-20. The rotor
revolves clockwise and its upper end 12a has passed the highest
point of its travel during each revolution. The actuator has
caused the terminal plate 32 of the slider to contact inner end
plate 42b. The other terminal plate 30 is adjacent to the axis of
rotation of the rotor and is at its greatest distance from the
other stop point defined by inner end plate 40b.
The two terminal plates 30, 32 are of equal weight and they are
spaced an equal distance from the axis of symmetry or centre of
the slider. The upper plate 32, being farther from the axis of
rotation 20-20 of the rotor, exerts a greater moment than the
lower plate which is closer to the centre of rotation with
resulting acceleration in the rate of clockwise rotation.
The moment or turning effect of terminal plate 32, being farther
from the axis of rotation is greater than the moment of terminal
plate 30. The preferred location of terminal plate 30 is not as
shown in Figure 5 but rather at the axis of rotation where one
half of its weight is on one side of the axis and the other half
is on the other side. In that location, its moment will be
approximately zero since one half of its weight will cause turning
of the rotor in one direction while the other half will cause
turning in the opposite direction. As a result, terminal plate 30
will have essentially no turning effect on the rotor while
terminal plate 32, by contrast, will be the sole cause of turning
disregarding of course the effect of inertia on the movement of
the rotor.
The position of terminal plate 30 illustrated in Figure 5 is less
desirable than that just described because it will exert a turning
effect opposite to that of terminal plate 32. It will accordingly
tend to work against the other terminal plate in causing the rotor
to rotate.
Figure 12 described below shows the desirable location of terminal
component 30 (num- bered 92b in Figure 12). In the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 12, the two terminal components are not
connected but the operation of the rotor is similar to that
illustrated in Figure 5.
In Figure 6, end 12a which was previously the upper end of the
rotor has now become the lower end. As the end approaches its
lowest point in a revolution, terminal plate 32 continues to
contact stop point 42b.
In Figure 7, end 12b of the rotor approaches its highest point and
the ram of the actuator begins to retract thereby causing the
slider to move upward. In Figure 8, the ram is fully retracted and
terminal plate 30 contacts the stop point defined by inner end
plate 40b. The momentum of the rotor carries it past the point at
which its upper end 12b is vertically above the axis of rotation
20- 20. Once past that point, the moment produced by terminal
plate 30 will cause the rate of rotation of the rotor to again
accelerate.
With reference again to Figure 1, the speed accelerating apparatus
22 is composed by a driving pulley 60 which is attached by a
spline to spindle 18 for rotation. A belt interconnects pulley 60
to first and second conventional arrays of belts and pulleys of
unequal diameter, generally 62, 64 for increasing the rate of
rotation of the output from the spindle. The output from the
second array is connected by belt 66 to turbine 24. The turbine is
of conventional construction and functions to generate electrical
energy.
With reference to Figure 9, the rotor generally 70 is trihedral
having three arms 72a,b and c. The angle between each arm and the
adjacent arm on either side of it is 120 degrees. The arms have an
elongated grooves 74 for receipt of sliders 76a,b and c. The
sliders are movable between inward and outward stop points 78, 80
respectively. The stop points are defined by the inner and outer
ends of the groove. It will be observed that the inner stop point
is adjacent to the axis of rotation 82 of the rotor while the
outer stop point is adjacent to the outer wall of the arm.
An actuator 90 is pivotally connected to an L-shaped support 92
attached to the outer wall of each arm. The ram 90a of the
actuator is pivotally connected to a first link 94 which in turn
is pivotally connected to a second link 96. the latter link being
pivotally connected to the slider.
Sliders 76 operate in a way similar to slider 14 of the previous
drawings. As the rotor revolves, each slider is drawn radially
outward by the actuator to which it is attached as the arm reaches
it uppermost position on the rotor. The actuator draws the slider
radially inward when the slider reaches the lowermost position on
the rotor.
With reference to Figure 10, the innermost position of slider 76c
as arm 72c rotates about the axis of rotation 82 of the rotor is
illustrated in broken lines. In that position, the slider is at
the same elevation as the axis of rotation.
As the rotor completes each revolution, each slider will slide
into and out of the in- nermost position once. Depending on the
shape of the sliders, they may collide with and foul each other as
they move into and out of this position. To avoid this, the walls
of the grooves are constructed such that the slider in each groove
travels in a path that traces out an imaginary disc but the discs
of the three sliders are horizontally spaced apart from each
other. Figure 11 illustrates the paths that the three sliders
follow.
In Figure 11a, slider 76a is adjacent to the centre of rotor 12 as
it revolves around axis 82. In Figure 11 b, slider 76b is spaced
apart from the rotor by a space 80 which is slightly greater than
the thickness of slider 76a and in Figure 11 c, slider 76c is
spaced apart from the rotor by a space 82 which is slightly
greater than the thickness of sliders 76a and 76b. The sliders
being spaced apart in this manner will not contact each other as
they move into and out of the innermost position on the rotor.
With reference to Figure 12 rotor 90 is similar to rotor 12 of
Figure 1. The slider is how- ever different. Rotor 90 is provided
with two sliders 92a,b which are not connected to each other. Each
slider is of the same weight as the other and each travels on
rollers in a separate groove 94a,b. The rollers and grooves are of
the same construction as rollers 36 and grooves 38 in Figure 1. A
separate actuator 96a,b activates each slider. Pivotally
interconnected links 98, 100 interconnect the ram of each actuator
and a separate slider. The operation of the rotor and sliders of
Figure 12 is similar to the rotor and slider of Figure 1.
In Figure 12, slider 92 is at located at its outer stop point
while slider 92b is at the inner stop point. Preferably the weight
of slider 92b is evenly distributed on opposite sides of an
imaginary line 100 which lies normal to the longitudinal axis
102a-102a of the rotor and which intersects the axis of rotation
104 of the rotor.
With reference to Figure 13, the rotor, generally 110, has a
trihedral shape like the rotor of Figure 9. On each arm 112 of the
rotor are two parallel lines of rollers 114 which define the path
along which slider 116 travels. The path radiates outwardly from
spindle 118 about which the rotor revolves and is oriented
approximately 120 degrees apart from the paths of the other two
sliders. Each slider is movable between radially inner and
radially outer stop points at opposite ends of its travel. The
slider is at its inner stop point when the end wall of slot 22
formed in the slider contacts spindle 118. The slider is at its
outer stop point when the slider contacts end plate of arm 112.
An actuator 130 at the outer end of each arm causes the slider to
move radially inward and outward in its respective path. The
radial movement is controlled such that as each slider rotates
toward an upper point 134 at which the slider is vertically above
the spindle, the slider travels radially outwardly in its path.
Conversely as each slider rotates toward a lower point 136 at
which the slider is below the axis, the slider travels radially
inward in its path.
Each actuator has a ram or piston rod 138 which is connected to a
separate slider for imparting radial movement to the slider. The
piston rod extends and retracts in a direction 140-140 which is
collinear with the direction of radial movement of the slider. The
direction of movement of the piston rod in this Figure is to be
contrasted with the direction of movement of the piston rods in
Figure 9. In the latter Figure, the piston rods extends and
retracts in a direction which is spaced apart from the direction
of radial movement of the sliders.