GB2069619A

GB2069619A - Utilising energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2069619A
Application number: GB8004971A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Delva & Co Eng Ltd
Current assignee: Delva & Co Eng Ltd
Priority date: 1980-02-14
Filing date: 1980-02-14
Publication date: 1981-08-26

Abstract

The energy is utilised in an apparatus immersed in water, comprising eg wheel A, an endless succession of returning buckets B in driving relationship with the wheel and having an upward run of inverted buckets as a part of the succession. Air is liberated under the upward run into the buckets and the uplift force so provided is used to produce an output torque on the wheel. Another embodiment comprises an endless succession of buckets (B) attached to a chain. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Utilising energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids The purpose of this invention is to make use of the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids. When a bubble of gas in introduced into liquid there is an uplift force exerted on the gas because of the difference in specific gravity of the bubble of gas and that of the liquid displaced by this gas. This invention seeks to contain these bubbles of gas in a mechanism which will convert this uplift force into usable mechanical energy.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, wherein a gas is liberated at a depth in a liquid under an upward run of inverted buckets forming a part of an endless succession or returning buckets immersed in the liquid, the succession of buckets being in driving relationship with a wheel, containing charges of the liberated gas in the buckets of the upward run and thus transmitting to these buckets the uplift face of the contained gas charges in the liquid whereby to produce an output torque on the wheel.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, comprising a wheel, and endless succession of returning buckets in driving relationship with the wheel and having an upward run of inverted buckets as a part of the succession, and means for liberating a gas under the upward run, the apparatus being intended to be immersed in a liquid.

A simple form of the apparatus is shown in accompanying Drawing no. 8001 and comprises a wheel A to which is attached at its circumference an endless succession of buckets B and which is mounted of a shaft, C. If this apparatus is submerged in a liquid and a gas is introduced into the inverted buckets B in an upward run from beneath as shown, through nozzles E and F which are provided with gas through supply line D, the uplift provided, as explained above, will cause the wheel, A, to rotate in the direction shown and mechanical energy can be derived from this wheel. The amount of this energy is dependent on the size of the wheel, the number and volume of buckets, and the volume of gas provided. The speed of rotation is simply controlled by increasing or decreasing the rate of delivery of the gas.

A more complex and powerful version of the apparatus is shown in accompanying Drawing no. 8002. This consists of two wheels A connected with a bucket chain, G, to which are attached an endless succession of buckets B. When this unit is submerged in a liquid and a gas is introduced into the inverted buckets B in the upward run supply line D and nozzle E then the wheels will rotate in the direction indicated, because of the differential specific gravities. This version allows a large number of buckets to brought into use with a consequential great increase in the uplift available and hence a greater amount of energy is transferred to the wheels, A, through which it can be converted into mechanical energy as required.

A typical variation would be to arrange that the buckets overlapped each other and consequently a volume of gas of the same height as the unit and the same area as the buckets could be provided to give maximum lift.

The gas could be provided by conventional means and the gas producing unit could be located at a distance from this mechanical unit to meet specific requirements such as operating at depth in water when the gas producing unit can be located outside or above the water.

If wind or wave power was used to produce the gas then a continuing and economical source of energy is provided.

It can be seen that extremely large mechanical forces can be provided from such a gas supply.

Power units such as cranes mounted over the water or alongside water could derive their energy from such an apparatus. Some underwater units requiring mechanical energy could benefit From this invention.

It is feasible that a ship with a wind driven gas supply unit could use this invention to drive its means of propulsion.

Land structures, such as highrise flats requiring mechanical energy for the operation of lifts, could use this invention if a suitable shaft of liquid is provided with an appropriate gas producing unit.

It can be appreciated that where there is a natural depth of water or a shaft is provided and filled with water then this invention will produce large mechanical forces derived from the natural differential in the specific gravities of gases and liquids. Air water in plentiful supply and the air could be recirculated if need be and the water is, in itself, not dissipated.

1. A method of utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, wherin a gas is liberated at a depth in a liquid under an upward run of inverted buckets forming a part of an endless succession of returning buckets immersed in the liquid, the succession of buckets being in driving relationship with a wheel, containing charges of the liberated gas in the buckets of the upward run and thus transmitting to these buckets the uplift force of contained gas

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Utilising energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids The purpose of this invention is to make use of the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids. When a bubble of gas in introduced into liquid there is an uplift force exerted on the gas because of the difference in specific gravity of the bubble of gas and that of the liquid displaced by this gas. This invention seeks to contain these bubbles of gas in a mechanism which will convert this uplift force into usable mechanical energy. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, wherein a gas is liberated at a depth in a liquid under an upward run of inverted buckets forming a part of an endless succession or returning buckets immersed in the liquid, the succession of buckets being in driving relationship with a wheel, containing charges of the liberated gas in the buckets of the upward run and thus transmitting to these buckets the uplift face of the contained gas charges in the liquid whereby to produce an output torque on the wheel. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, comprising a wheel, and endless succession of returning buckets in driving relationship with the wheel and having an upward run of inverted buckets as a part of the succession, and means for liberating a gas under the upward run, the apparatus being intended to be immersed in a liquid. A simple form of the apparatus is shown in accompanying Drawing no. 8001 and comprises a wheel A to which is attached at its circumference an endless succession of buckets B and which is mounted of a shaft, C. If this apparatus is submerged in a liquid and a gas is introduced into the inverted buckets B in an upward run from beneath as shown, through nozzles E and F which are provided with gas through supply line D, the uplift provided, as explained above, will cause the wheel, A, to rotate in the direction shown and mechanical energy can be derived from this wheel. The amount of this energy is dependent on the size of the wheel, the number and volume of buckets, and the volume of gas provided. The speed of rotation is simply controlled by increasing or decreasing the rate of delivery of the gas. A more complex and powerful version of the apparatus is shown in accompanying Drawing no. 8002. This consists of two wheels A connected with a bucket chain, G, to which are attached an endless succession of buckets B. When this unit is submerged in a liquid and a gas is introduced into the inverted buckets B in the upward run supply line D and nozzle E then the wheels will rotate in the direction indicated, because of the differential specific gravities. This version allows a large number of buckets to brought into use with a consequential great increase in the uplift available and hence a greater amount of energy is transferred to the wheels, A, through which it can be converted into mechanical energy as required. A typical variation would be to arrange that the buckets overlapped each other and consequently a volume of gas of the same height as the unit and the same area as the buckets could be provided to give maximum lift. The gas could be provided by conventional means and the gas producing unit could be located at a distance from this mechanical unit to meet specific requirements such as operating at depth in water when the gas producing unit can be located outside or above the water. If wind or wave power was used to produce the gas then a continuing and economical source of energy is provided. It can be seen that extremely large mechanical forces can be provided from such a gas supply. Power units such as cranes mounted over the water or alongside water could derive their energy from such an apparatus. Some underwater units requiring mechanical energy could benefit From this invention. It is feasible that a ship with a wind driven gas supply unit could use this invention to drive its means of propulsion. Land structures, such as highrise flats requiring mechanical energy for the operation of lifts, could use this invention if a suitable shaft of liquid is provided with an appropriate gas producing unit. It can be appreciated that where there is a natural depth of water or a shaft is provided and filled with water then this invention will produce large mechanical forces derived from the natural differential in the specific gravities of gases and liquids. Air water in plentiful supply and the air could be recirculated if need be and the water is, in itself, not dissipated. CLAIMS

1. A method of utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, wherin a gas is liberated at a depth in a liquid under an upward run of inverted buckets forming a part of an endless succession of returning buckets immersed in the liquid, the succession of buckets being in driving relationship with a wheel, containing charges of the liberated gas in the buckets of the upward run and thus transmitting to these buckets the uplift force of contained gas charges in the liquid whereby to produce an output torque on the wheel.

2. Apparatus for utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, comprising a wheel, an endless succession of returning buckets in driving relationship with the wheel and having an upward run of inverted buckets as a part of the succession, and means for liberating a gas under the upward run, the apparatus being intended to be immersed in a liquid.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the endless succession of buckets is attached to the circumference of a single wheel.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the endless succession of buckets is attached to a bucket chain connected to a plurality of wheels in such a manner that a straight upward run is provided.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the buckets overlap each other.

6. A method of utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompa nying drawings.

7. Apparatus for utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravities of gases and liquids, substantially as herein be fore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. Apparatus for utilising the energy provided by the difference in specific gravites of gases and liquids, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.