US6249057B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrodynamic energy conversion apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1999-10-20
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Granted: 2001-06-19
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Expires: 2019-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An energy conversion apparatus for converting compressed gas to shaft power includes a housing divided between first and second chambers in fluid communication with each other and adapted to maintain a water column in the second chamber when the first chamber is pressurized with the compressed gas. The air filled first chamber houses a gravity drive system which harnesses energy created by the gravitational forces acting on a plurality of downwardly moving cylindrical containers grasped by receiving arms disposed on at least one gravity drive chain in the first chamber. The second chamber houses a buoyancy drive system which harnesses energy created by buoyant forces acting on a plurality of upwardly moving cylindrical containers grasped by receiving arms disposed on at least one buoyancy drive chain in the second chamber. An external drive shaft is driven by a coupling means which combines the energy created by the buoyancy and gravity drive systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Lehet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:41
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B17/00; F03B17/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An energy conversion apparatus, comprising: a housing with a first chamber partially filled with water to a first chamber water level and in fluid communication with a second chamber filled with water to a second chamber water level; a pressurizing means for pressurizing said first chamber to maintain a difference between said second chamber water level and said first chamber water level by forcing water from the first chamber to the second chamber; a gravity drive means disposed within said first chamber for releasably securing a first plurality of containers and generating a first quantity of energy; a buoyancy drive means disposed within said second chamber for releasably securing a second plurality of containers and generating a second quantity of energy; a first transporting means for transporting the plurality of containers from the first chamber to the second chamber when the containers are released from the gravity drive chain; a second transporting means for transporting the plurality of containers from the second chamber to the first chamber when the containers are released from the buoyancy drive chain; an external drive shaft; and a coupling means for coupling the gravity drive system and the buoyancy drive system to the external drive shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An energy conversion apparatus, comprising: a housing with a first chamber partially filled with water to a first chamber water level and in fluid communication with a second chamber filled with water to a second chamber water level; a pressurizing means for pressurizing said first chamber to maintain a difference between said second chamber water level and said first chamber water level by forcing water from the first chamber to the second chamber; a gravity drive means disposed within said first chamber for releasably securing a first plurality of containers and generating a first quantity of energy; a buoyancy drive means disposed within said second chamber for releasably securing a second plurality of containers and generating a second quantity of energy; a first transporting means for transporting the plurality of containers from the first chamber to the second chamber when the containers are released from the gravity drive chain; a second transporting means for transporting the plurality of containers from the second chamber to the first chamber when the containers are released from the buoyancy drive chain; an external drive shaft; and a coupling means for coupling the gravity drive system and the buoyancy drive system to the external drive shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gravity drive means comprises at least one sprocket-mounted gravity drive chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gravity drive means comprises a first plurality of receiver arms disposed on said gravity drive chain, said first plurality of receiver arms being spaced apart to receive one of said pluralities of containers between two of said receiver arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy drive means has at least one sprocket-mounted buoyancy drive chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 4 , wherein buoyancy drive chain comprises a second plurality of receiver arms disposed on said buoyancy drive chain, said second plurality of receiver arms being spaced apart to receive one of said pluralities of containers between two of said receiver arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the containers are cylindrically shaped and air-tight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of containers is transported back and forth between the first and second chambers in continuous motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second transporting means comprises a lifting means for releasing the containers from the receiver arms of the buoyancy drive chain and transporting the containers to the gravity drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first transporting means comprises at least one loading wheel rotationally adapted for receiving a plurality of containers from the gravity drive means and releasing the plurality individually toward the buoyancy drive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein containers are urged by gravity into the first transporting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a staging means for receiving containers from the buoyancy drive means and loading said containers into said first chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein energy is generated by the gravity drive means and transmitted to the external drive shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The energy conversion apparatus of claim 1 , wherein energy is generated in the buoyancy drive means and transmitted to the external drive shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-18 | 2004-12-18 | 2005-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-18 | 2008-12-18 | 2009-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-18 | 2012-12-18 | 2013-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |