FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power.
BACKGROUND
No Patent has been reported so far in respect of a system, which generates electric power using atmospheric buoyancy force.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which generates electric power with manufacturing cost approximately less than $ 400/kw with a generating cost of $ 0.012/kwh, which is very less in comparison to existing systems.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which is free from pollution threats.
Further object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which is simple in construction and therefore consumes less time for construction.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which results in cheaper electricity generation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to coveri atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which eliminates problem of rehabilitation as this system does not use any fuel or consumable material and can be erected at any location.
Still another further object of the present invention is to propose a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power which can also reduce electricity transmission losses considerably.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy force into electric power comprising of a plurality of balloons between two chains (A & B) and a pipe (F) containing light gas disposed between two chains (B and C) wherein the chain (A B and C) moves on
sprocket (F, G and E and I, J and H) fitted on a shaft at the top and bottom vertically in which the bottom shaft is connected with an alternator/generator to produce electricity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig 1. shows :- perspective view of the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows :- connection among different parts of the
invention.
Fig. 3 shows :- Backside view of the invention.
Fig. 4 shows :- Balloon and pipe fitting used in the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH
REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The system of the present invention comprising of a plurality of
balloons(B') filled with Helium float in air due to buoyancy force.
The balloon is made of rubber or plastic sheet coated with metal
like Aluminium (to reduce leakage of gas from Balloon, Osmosis
process). The balloons are fixed at equal distance on a
continuous chain (A and B) moving between two vertical
sprockets/pulley (F and G and I and J) fixed on shafts (1 and 2).
Helium is filled in the balloons one after another by gas pump at
the lowest point of chain and evacuated in a pipe at highest
point of the system.
This pipe acts as a buffer storage and passage for Helium gas
flow from top to bottom balloor.. Balloon goes upward due to
buoyancy force because Helium is 8 times lighter than atmospheric air and upward atmospheric buoyancy force of Helium filled balloon produces a torque on the lower shaft which revolves alternator and produces electric power. The chain moves between toothed gear Rl and R2. Movement of chain gives specific rotation to the toothed gear Rl. This gear Rl when coupled with an alternator generates electric power (As shown in fig. 2).
Above process of filing can be achieved for example by a single bi-directional pump for all the balloons at the bottom and another pump at the top for emptying processes. Separate pump can also be used for individual balloon between buffer pipe and balloon. A single pump with direction reversal can also be used for filling and emptying processes.
Balloon may be of ellipsoid, cylindrical or any other suitable shape having a calculated volume according to the capacity of the system. Balloons may be coated with suitable coating of metal like Aluminium, known as Mylar to prevent leakage. Each balloon has some flexible linkage to tie it firmly with chain so that the position of balloon is not affected by wind flow direction. These balloons are having a flow valve, which regulates the flow of gas according to the need. To prevent chain vibrations due to atmospheric airflow, complete system may be covered within suitable enclosure.
Since only one balloon is filled by Helium gas at one time, input remains same what may be the number of balloon in the system while pulling force by many balloons increases as number of balloons increases.
The pressure within balloons is for example 1 bar and pressure in buffer pipe between balloons is such as 1.1 bar. So pump will work from 1 bar to 1.1 bar in emptying process and 1.1 bar tol bar in filling process with limited input. Pressure within buffer pipe is slightly more due to fast filling.
A flexible pipe (F) containing Helium gas is fixed by flexible linkage continuous chains "B" and "C" as shown in fig .1. A series of balloons are fixed between continuous chains "A" and "B" by linkages. Chain "C" moves on sprockets (E and H) fitted on a shaft at the top and bottom vertically. Similar arrangement is provided for chains "A" and "B" also. These chains "A" and "B" move on sprockets (F and G at the top) and the sprocket (I and J at the bottom) respectively. Sprockets (E, F and G) are fixed on a common shaft at the top and sprockets (H, I, J) on another common shaft at the bottom.
Helium starts filling in the lowest balloon by an inflator pipe arid pump. Connection between balloon and flexible pipe is terminated after the required quantity of gas is filled in balloon
and pump stops working. This filling process is completed in lower 1-meter circular distance. This process is separate and independent for each balloon, which can be controlled electronically. This filling process will move gas from flexible pipe to balloon. When the balloon reaches top most position of the system, an emptying process of gas starts with another pump with a similar arrangement as used for filling process. This emptying process moves gas from balloon to flexible pipe, which is completed for example: in upper 1-meter circular distance. These pumps are of very low power requirements and are integral parts of the inflator pipes.
When the lowest balloon is filled with Helium or Hydrogen gas, Balloon gas (mixes of many lighter gas) hot gas etc or gas mixture, it starts moving in upward direction due to the buoyancy force of atmospheric air exerted by balloon. This balloon moves up to the top most position of the system due to this force. This movement will make the lower shaft rotate with a considerable torque. This torque will be produced according to the magnitude of buoyancy force exerted on balloon. Above process of filling and emptying is carried out for every balloon fitted on a continuous as soon as these reach at the bottom lowest and top position of the system respectively, A combined torque of all of these balloons is produced on the bottom shaft.
This bottom shaft is connected with an alternator/generator (G') through a increaser type cf gear box. This arrangement ultimately converts mechanical work into electricity.
INFLATOR PIPE; Inflator pipe gives a passage to flow Helium gas between balloon and flexible pipe without leakage Air Pump and accessories to attach to the balloon with flexible pipe are integral part of inflator pipe.
Power Transmission chain: Three continuous chains passes over the above gears vertically as described above. Flexible linkages are joined with outer surface of the chain at equal distance. The distance between linkages depends on size of balloon.
Gears System: A gear box of iricreaser type is used to get higher revolutions of output shaft (lower shaft).
Air Pump/Filling and Emptying device: Air pump/filling and emptying device are used to fill and empty lighter gas like Helium in the balloon from flexible pipe and vice versa. The air pumps are integral part of inflator pipe. Each air pump will be having a separate electric input contact which will be activated at the time of starting of filling or emptying process. If a single pump is used for filling or emptying process, no such arrangement is required.
Advantages
Since the power source of proposed system is atmospheric buoyancy force and it does not consume any fuel or material. This system needs minimum maintenance due to lesser and
sirnpler equipments in comparison to existing systems of power generation. The capital and running cost will be very low. The manual labour is least and there is no need of rehabilitation. All these factors make it a viable option for power generation. The system is automatic resulting in reduction of manual labour. A central point controls all the functions of the system. As the capacity of the system increases, the running cost of system further reduces and system becomes more profitable.
The material used in the construction of this system is of low cost and the same is easily available. The construction is easy and less time consuming due to simplicity of technology.
System design can be made of any configuration and size and proposed system does not require any special location as it does not use any fuel or material. It can be commissioned at the nearby location requiring electricity. It will minimize transmission losses considerably which is prime consideration of all the electricity generating arid distributing companies.
The material used in this system is Helium gas or other lighter gas mixture, iron, compressor and rubber etc, which does not lead to pollution as there is no smoke, heat emission or loud sound.
The size of system can be adjusted to suit one's requirement. It can be constructed only for a single home or for a city or whole country.
The system construction is so simple that time taken for commissioning is very short in comparison to the existing systems. Helium is directly available in nature and other parts like gears, generators etc. are easily available.
Proposed system is independent of any special location requirement as it will not be using any fuel or material. Hydro electricity location restrictions and restrictions of location selection due to pollution factor are completely eliminated. All of these advantages of proposed system make it possible to construct at the place of one's choice, which eliminates the problem of rehabilitation.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are ir .tended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims: -

I CLAIM:-
1. A mechanical system :o covert atmospheric buoyancy
force into electric power comprising of a plurality of
balloons between two chains (A & B) and a pipe (F)
containing light gas disposed between two chains (B and
C) wherein the chain (A, B and C) moves on sprocket (F,
G and E and I, J and E) fitted on a shaft at the top and
bottom vertically in which the bottom shaft is connected
with an alternator /genera tor to produce electricity.
2. A mechanical system ;o covert atmospheric buoyancy
force into electric power as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the light gas is Helium or other lighter gas or gas
mixture.
3. A mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy
force into electric power as claimed in any of preceding
claims comprising a pump such as herein described for
filling and emptying gas into and from the balloon.
4. A mechanical system to covert atmospheric buoyancy
force into electric power substantially as herein described
and illustrated with reference to accompanying drawing.