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WO2025181839A1 - Volumetric fluid system for converting mechanical energy into electricity - Google Patents

Volumetric fluid system for converting mechanical energy into electricity

Info

Publication number
WO2025181839A1
WO2025181839A1 PCT/IT2024/050229 IT2024050229W WO2025181839A1 WO 2025181839 A1 WO2025181839 A1 WO 2025181839A1 IT 2024050229 W IT2024050229 W IT 2024050229W WO 2025181839 A1 WO2025181839 A1 WO 2025181839A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
piston
cylinder
cavity
base
operating member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/IT2024/050229
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Primo Giovannelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2025181839A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025181839A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G3/00—Other motors, e.g. gravity or inertia motors
    • F03G3/097—Motors specially adapted for creating a reciprocating movement, e.g. by rotating eccentric masses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/08—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
    • F03G7/081—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine recovering energy from moving road or rail vehicles, e.g. collecting vehicle vibrations in the vehicle tyres or shock absorbers
    • F03G7/083—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine recovering energy from moving road or rail vehicles, e.g. collecting vehicle vibrations in the vehicle tyres or shock absorbers using devices on streets or on rails
    • F03G7/085—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine recovering energy from moving road or rail vehicles, e.g. collecting vehicle vibrations in the vehicle tyres or shock absorbers using devices on streets or on rails hydraulic or pneumatic devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of systems for converting mechanical energy into electricity. More precisely, the present invention relates to a system of the aforesaid type adapted to generate electricity following a conversion of an alternating rectilinear motion into a rotary motion.
  • the object of the present invention is a system comprising:
  • first conversion means suitable for converting a translational motion of said first stem into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said first piston
  • third conversion means suitable for converting a translational motion of said second stem into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said second piston
  • a second pressure operating member connected to said second piston and at least partially lying with respect to the latter on the side opposite to the one where said base of said second cylinder lies so that said second piston is at least partially interposed between said second operating member and said base of said second cylinder, said second operating member being shaped so that and being connected to said second piston so that said second operating member, when said second piston is in said first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity of said second cylinder in sufficient measure so that by pressing said second operating member so as to translate said second piston towards said second position, said second operating member, when said second piston reaches said second position, still partially lies outside said cavity of said second cylinder or is at said first opening of said second cylinder so that said second operating member is pressable so as to translate said second piston towards said second position when said second piston is not in said second position;
  • the first and the second piston need to be alternatively pushed, by means of the respective operating members, from the first position to the second position. Since a translation of the first piston from the first position to the second position determines a translation of the second piston from the second position to the first position and, vice versa, a translation of the second piston from the first position to the second position determines a translation of the first piston from the second position to the first position, alternatively pushing the first and the second piston from the first position to the second position translates into alternating translational motion of each of the two pistons and, with the latter, of the two stems and of the two ballasts.
  • the alternating translational motion of each of the two stems is converted into a rotary motion by the first and third conversion means.
  • the first and third conversion means could comprise respective rotary thrust linkages.
  • the rotary motions in which the first and third conversion means convert the alternating translational motions of the pistons, respectively, are converted into electricity by the second and fourth conversion means, re- spectively.
  • the second and fourth conversion means could comprise respective alternators or dynamos.
  • ballasts translate vertically and lie below the pistons to which they are respectively connected.
  • the conversion system of the invention is of the “fluid” and “volumetric” type.
  • said side wall of said first cylinder constrains said first piston to translate in said cavity of said first cylinder in a first direction
  • said side wall of said second cylinder constraining said second piston to translate in said cavity of said second cylinder in a second direction, said first and second directions being mutually parallel.
  • said first stem extends in length in said first direction, said second stem extending in length in said second direction.
  • the stroke of said first piston (intended as measurement of the movement of said first piston between said first and second positions) is equal to the stroke of said second piston.
  • said first ballast weighs as much as said second ballast.
  • said second conversion means coincide with said fourth conversion means.
  • the first and third conversion means include two rotary thrust linkages, respectively (one for each stem), according to this aspect of the invention, the two linkages are, for example, connected to each other by means of a crankshaft.
  • the first and second piston translating in alternating manner, concur to placing the shaft itself into rotation.
  • the rotary motion of the latter is converted into electricity by the second conversion means, coincident with the fourth conversion means.
  • the first and third conversion means comprise two racks and two gear wheels meshing therewith, respectively.
  • the gear wheels are rotatable around the axes thereof, respectively, integrally with a same rotation shaft, by means of two freewheel mechanisms.
  • the two gear wheels By suitably arranging the two freewheel mechanisms, the two gear wheels, while each performing an alternating rotary motion (forced, by means of the rack with which it meshes, by the alternating translational motion of the respective piston), place the aforesaid shaft into rotation in the same direction.
  • the rotary motion of the shaft is converted into electricity by the second conversion means, coincident with the fourth conversion means.
  • Another object of the invention is a method for using the aforesaid system comprising the following steps: a) orienting said system so that said first and second ballasts vertically translate with a translation of said first and second pistons in said cavity of said first and second cylinders, respectively, and placing:
  • said method comprises a fur- ther step d) consisting in returning to step b).
  • FIG. 1 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, a system according to the present invention in a first configuration in which the first piston, and consequently also the second piston, is in an intermediate position between the upper end stop and the lower end stop (corresponding to the aforementioned first and second positions, respectively);
  • FIG. 2 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, the system in Figure 1 in a second configuration in which the first piston is at the upper end stop and consequently, the second piston is at the lower end stop;
  • Figure 3 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, the system in Figure 1 in a third configuration in which the first piston is at the lower end stop and consequently, the second piston is at the upper end stop.
  • Figure 1 shows a system 1 comprising at least a first, preferably substantially cylindrical, piston 2 and therefore, including a first base 3, arranged below in the drawing, a second base 4, opposite to base 3, parallel to the latter and arranged above in the drawing, and a side face 5 interposed orthogonally between the bases 3 and 4.
  • System 1 also comprises a first cylinder 6 including a cavity 7 at least partially delimited by a base 8, arranged below in the drawing, and by a side wall 9.
  • Cylinder 6 further comprises a first opening 10 for accessing cavity 7, opposite (said opening 10) to base 8 and delimited by wall 9.
  • a second opening 11 is preferably made in base 8 and a third opening 12 is preferably made in wall 9 closer to base 8 than to opening 10.
  • system 1 is oriented so that the axis of cylinder 6 is arranged vertically and therefore, so that base 8 is arranged horizontally.
  • Piston 2 is at least partially housed in cavity 7 so as to be opposite to base 8. More precisely, the base 3 of piston 2 opposes base 8 and is parallel to the latter, while base 4 lies on the opposite side to the one where base 8 lies with respect to base 3. Face 5, at least at a portion thereof and preferably completely, opposes a portion of wall 9 so that a portion 13 of cavity 7 is delimited by piston 2, by base 8 and by the stretch of (side) wall 9 extending from piston 2 to base 8.
  • the axis of piston 2 coincides with the axis of cylinder 6.
  • Wall 9 constrains piston 2 to translate in cavity 7 in a direction indicated above as “first direction” and coincident with the axis of cylinder 6.
  • Piston 2 is translatable in cavity 7, with respect to wall 9 and with face 5 remaining opposing part of wall 9 and therefore, with the axis thereof remaining coincident with the axis of cylinder 6, between at least a first position corresponding to the upper end stop, shown in Figure 2 and in which piston 2 hermetically occludes opening 10 (so that the volume of portion 13 is maximum), and a second position corresponding to the lower end stop, shown in Figure 3 and in which piston 2 is in an intermediate position between opening 10 and base 8 (so that, in said intermediate position, the volume of portion 13 is less than the volume of portion 13 when piston 2 is in the aforesaid first position).
  • the openings 11 and 12 are in respective positions such as to never be occluded by piston 2.
  • System 1 comprises a first, preferably rectilinear, stem 14 crossing base 8 at opening 11 so as to occlude the latter hermetically.
  • Stem 14 is connected to piston 2 at a first end 15 thereof, and to a first ballast 17 at a second end 16 thereof, opposite to end 15.
  • stem 14 and ballast 17 are translatable, with respect to wall 9, integrally to piston 2.
  • Stem 14 slides in opening 11 so as to keep the latter hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between stem 14 and a delimiting edge of opening 11 , i.e., between stem 14 and base 8, with a translation of piston 2 between the aforesaid first and second positions.
  • cylinder 6 is oriented so that piston 2 always lies above ballast 17, the latter tends to translate piston 2, together with stem 14, from the aforesaid first position to the aforesaid second position.
  • the axis of stem 14 coincides preferably with the axis of cylinder 6 and piston 2.
  • Stem 14 is therefore preferably arranged orthogonally to piston 2 and base 8, and further extends in length in the same direction in which wall 9 constrains piston 2 to translate in cavity 7.
  • Cylinder 6 is preferably oriented so that the axis of stem 14 is arranged vertically and piston 2 lies always above ballast 17.
  • Stem 14 is connected to a mechanism 18 suitable for converting a translational motion of stem 14 into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of piston 2.
  • Mechanism 18, belonging to the aforesaid “first conversion means’’ consists of, by way of explanation, a rotary thrust linkage (also known as “rodcrank mechanism”).
  • Linkage 18 is connected to a device 19 suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which linkage 18 converts a translational motion of piston 2.
  • Device 19, belonging to the aforesaid “second conversion means”, consists of, by way of explanation, an alternator or a dynamo.
  • System 1 comprises a first pressure operating member 20 preferably shaped as a rectilinear shank 21 and connected orthogonally and preferably integrally with a discoidal element 22 at a first end 23 thereof, and with piston 2, at base 4 of the latter, at a second end 24 thereof, opposite to end 23.
  • the operating member 20 lies therefore at least partially, with respect to piston 2, on the side opposite to the one where base 8 (of cylinder 6) lies so that piston 2 is interposed between the operating member 20 and base 8.
  • Shank 21 is connected to piston 2 preferably so that the axis of shank 21 coincides with the axis of cylinder 6.
  • Shank 21 is long enough so that (i.e., the operating member 20 is shaped so that and is connected to piston 2 so that) the discoidal element 22, when piston 2 is in the aforesaid first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity 7 in sufficient measure so that by pressing the discoidal element 22 (i.e., the operating member 20) so as to translate piston 2 towards the aforesaid second position, the discoidal element 22, when piston 2 reaches the second position, still partially lies outside cavity 7 (as shown in Figure 3) or it is at opening 10 so that the operating member 20 is pressable, at the discoidal element 22, so as to translate piston 2 towards said second position when piston 2 is not in the second position.
  • the discoidal element 22 has a diameter in length preferably greater than the one of the diameter of cavity 7 (i.e. , the one of the inner diameter of cylinder 6). Incidentally, given that shank 21 is connected preferably integrally both with piston 2 and with the discoidal element 22, the operating member 20 is translatable integrally with piston 2.
  • System 1 also comprises at least a second, preferably substantially cylindrical, piston 32 and therefore including a first base 33, arranged below in the drawing, a second base 34, opposite to base 33, parallel to the latter and arranged above in the drawing, and a side face 35 interposed orthogonally between the bases 33 and 34.
  • Piston 32 is preferably identical to piston 2.
  • System 1 also comprises a second cylinder 36 including a cavity 37 at least partially delimited by a base 38, arranged below in the drawing, and by a side wall 39. Cylinder 36 further comprises a first opening 40 for accessing cavity 37, opposite (said opening 40) to base 38 and delimited by wall 39.
  • a second opening 41 is preferably made in base 38 and a third opening 42 is preferably made in wall 39 closer to base 38 than to opening 40.
  • Cylinder 36 is preferably identical to cylinder 6.
  • the axis of cylinder 36 is also preferably parallel to the axis of cylinder 6.
  • the cylinders 6 and 36 are therefore preferably arranged so that if system 1 is oriented so that the axis of cylinder 6 is arranged vertically (and therefore, so that base 8 is arranged horizontally), as shown in the drawings, also the axis of cylinder 36 is arranged vertically (and therefore, so that base 38 is arranged horizontally).
  • Piston 32 is at least partially housed in cavity 37 so as to be opposite to base 38. More precisely, the base 33 of piston 32 opposes base 38 and is parallel to the latter, while base 34 lies on the opposite side with respect to the one where base 38 lies with respect to base 33. Face 35, at least at a portion thereof and preferably completely, opposes a portion of wall 39 so that a portion 43 of cavity 37 is delimited by piston 32, by base 38 and by the stretch of (side) wall 39 extending from piston 32 to base 38.
  • the axis of piston 32 coincides with the axis of cylinder 36.
  • Wall 39 constrains piston 32 to translate in cavity 37 in a direction indicated above as “second direction” and coincident with the axis of cylinder 36.
  • Piston 32 is translatable in cavity 37, with respect to wall 39 and with face 35 remaining opposing part of wall 39 and therefore, with the axis thereof remaining coincident with the axis of cylinder 36, between at least a first position corresponding to the upper end stop, shown in Figure 3 and in which piston 32 hermetically occludes opening 40 (so that the volume of portion 43 is maximum), and a second position corresponding to the lower end stop, shown in Figure 2 and in which piston 32 is in an intermediate position between opening 40 and base 38 (so that, in said intermediate position, the volume of portion 43 is less than the volume of portion 43 when piston 32 is in the aforesaid first position).
  • the stroke of piston 37 (intended as the measurement of the movement of piston 37 between the aforesaid first and second positions) is equal to the stroke of piston 7.
  • the axis of stem 44 coincides preferably with the axis of cylinder 36 and piston 32.
  • Stem 44 is therefore preferably arranged orthogonally to piston 32 and base 38, and further extends in length in the same direction in which wall 39 constrains piston 32 to translate in cavity 37.
  • Cylinder 36 is preferably oriented so that the axis of stem 44 is arranged vertically and piston 32 lies always above ballast 47.
  • Stem 44 is preferably equal to stem 14 and ballast 47 is preferably equal to ballast 17.
  • Stem 44 is connected to a mechanism 48 suitable for converting a translational motion of stem 44 into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of piston 32.
  • Mechanism 48 belonging to the aforesaid “third conversion means’’, consists of, by way of explanation and preferably equal to mechanism 18, a rotary thrust linkage.
  • Linkage 48 is connected to a device 49 suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which linkage 48 converts a translational motion of piston 32.
  • Device 49 belonging to the aforesaid “fourth conversion means”, consists of, by way of explanation and preferably equal to device 19, an alternator or a dynamo.
  • System 1 comprises a second pressure operating member 50 preferably shaped as a rectilinear shank 51 connected orthogonally and preferably integrally with a discoidal element 52 at a first end 53 thereof, and with piston 32, at base 34 of the latter, at a second end 54 thereof, opposite to end 53.
  • the operating member 50 lies therefore at least partially, with respect to piston 32, on the side opposite the one where base 38 (of cylinder 36) lies so that piston 32 is interposed between the operating member 50 and base 38.
  • Shank 51 is connected to piston 32 preferably so that the axis of shank 51 coincides with the axis of cylinder 36.
  • Shank 51 is long enough so that (i.e.
  • the operating member 50 is shaped so that and is connected to piston 32 so that) the discoidal ele- merit 52, when piston 32 is in the aforesaid first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity 37 in sufficient measure so that by pressing the discoidal element 52 (i.e. , the operating member 50) so as to translate piston 32 towards the aforesaid second position, the discoidal element 52, when piston 32 reaches the second position, still partially lies outside cavity 37 (as shown in Figure 2) or it is at opening 40 so that the operating member 50 is pressable, at the discoidal element 52, so as to translate piston 32 towards said second position when piston 32 is not in the second position.
  • the discoidal element 52 i.e. , the operating member 50
  • the discoidal element 52 has a diameter in length preferably greater than the one of the diameter of cavity 37 (i.e., the one of the inner diameter of cylinder 36).
  • shank 51 is connected preferably integrally both with piston 32 and with the discoidal element 52, the operating member 50 is translatable integrally with piston 32.
  • the operating member 50 is preferably equal to the operating member 20.
  • a substantially incompressible fluid 60 i.e., a liquid such as, for example, water or oil, is housed in the cavities 7 and 37.
  • the latter communicate with each other at the openings 12 and 42.
  • the cavities 7 and 37 communicate with each other at the openings 12 and 42, hermetically with respect to an environment external to system 1 , so that a force acting on piston 2 and tending to move away the latter, together with the operating member 20, from the first position, and consequently, tending to near piston 2 to the second position, tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 7 into cavity 37 and consequently, tends to translate piston 32, together with the operating member 50, towards the first position and consequently, away from the second position.
  • pistons 2 and 32 and cylinders 6 and 36 are shaped so that, and fluid 60 is included in system 1 in such a quantity that, when piston 2 is in the first position, piston 32 is in the second position, and when piston 2 is in the second position, piston 32 is in the first position.
  • a force acting on the operating member 20 and tending to near the discoidal element 22 to base 8 tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 7 into cavity 37 and consequently, to move the discoidal element 52 of the operating member 50 away from base 38 (and therefore, to move piston 32 away from the second position).
  • a force acting on the operating member 50 and tending to near the discoidal element 52 to base 38 tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 37 into cavity 7 and consequently, to move the discoidal element 22 of the operating member 20 away from base 8 (and therefore, to move piston 2 away from the second position).
  • the pistons 2 and 32 need to be alternatively pushed, by means of the respective operating members 20 and 50, from the first position to the second position. Since a translation of piston 2 from the first position to the second position determines a translation of piston 32 from the second position to the first position and, vice versa, a translation of piston 32 from the first position to the second position determines a translation of piston 2 from the second position to the first position, the pushing alternatively of pistons 2 and 32 from the first position to the second position translates into alternating translational motion of each of the two pistons 2 and 32 and, with the latter, of the two stems 14 and 44 and of the two ballasts 17 and 47.
  • the linkages 18 and 48 may be connected to each other by means of a crankshaft.
  • the pistons 2 and 32 translating in alternating manner, concur to placing the shaft itself into rotation.
  • the rotary motion of the latter is converted into electricity by a single conversion device (corresponding to device 19 coincident, in this case, with device 49).
  • System 1 when actuated, is preferably and as specified above, oriented so that the ballasts 17 and 37 translate vertically with a translation of the pistons 2 and 32 in the cavities 7 and 37, respectively.
  • System 1 is further preferably actuated so that, starting from a configuration in which piston 1 is in the first position and piston 2 is in the second position, there is applied, on the discoidal element 22, a force which, when added to the weight force acting on the operating member 20, is equal to the weight force acting on ballast 17, which tends to move piston 2 away from the first position and which is applied up to piston 2 reaching the second position, and subsequently there is applied, on the discoidal element 52, a force which, when added to the weight force acting on the operating member 50, is equal to the weight force acting on ballast 47 (preferably equal to the force weight acting on ballast 17), which tends to move piston 32 away from the first position and which is applied up to piston 32 reaching the second position.
  • System 1 may be actuated by exploiting the winds or the motion of water, as occurs today for hydroelectric turbines or wind blades. This is widely within the grasp of a skilled technician. However, by actuating system 1 as illustrated above, said system 1 has a strongly higher performance than current systems based on hydroelectric turbines or wind blades.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The application relates to a volumetric fluid system for converting mechanical energy into electricity. The system comprises a first and second pistons which are translatable in respective cylinders, by means of respective pressure operating members, between an upper end stop and a lower end stop. A working fluid ensures that when one of the two pistons is at the upper end stop, the other is at the lower end stop, and vice versa. Each of the two pistons is connected to a ballast by means of a respective stem. The stem of each piston, translating integrally with the latter, actuates an alternator or a dynamo for converting the translational motion of the piston into electricity.

Description

VOLUMETRIC FLUID SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICITY
Field of application of the invention
The present invention relates to the field of systems for converting mechanical energy into electricity. More precisely, the present invention relates to a system of the aforesaid type adapted to generate electricity following a conversion of an alternating rectilinear motion into a rotary motion.
Overview of the prior art
Multiple systems for converting mechanical energy into electricity exist.
Objects of the invention
It is the object of the present invention to indicate a system for converting mechanical energy into electricity, which forms an alternative to the existing systems of the same type.
Summary and advantages of the invention
The object of the present invention is a system comprising:
• at least a first piston including at least one side face;
• at least a first cylinder (intended as cylindrical compartment adapted to act as guide for a piston) including:
- a cavity;
- at least one base and a side wall at least partially delimiting said cavity;
- a first opening for accessing said cavity, said first opening being opposite to said base and delimited by said side wall;
- a second and a third opening for accessing said cavity, said second opening being made in said base, said third opening being made in said base or in said side wall, said first piston being at least partially housed in said cavity so as to be opposite to said base and so that said side face, at least at a portion thereof, opposes a portion of said side wall so that a portion of said cavity is delimited by said first piston, by said base and by the stretch of said side wall extending from said first piston to said base, said side wall constraining said first piston to translate in said cavity, said first piston being translatable, in said cavity, with respect to said side wall and with said side face which, at least at said portion thereof, it remains opposing part of said side wall, between at least:
- a first position at which said first piston hermetically occludes said first opening so that the volume of said portion of cavity is maximum when said first piston is in said first position;
- a second position at which said first piston is in an intermediate position between said first opening and said base so that the volume of said portion of cavity, when said first piston is in said second position, is less than the volume of said portion of cavity when said first piston is in said first position, said side face and said side wall, both when said first piston is stationary with respect to said side wall and during a translation of said first piston in said cavity, hermetically matching at the mutually opposing portions thereof so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between said first piston and said side wall, each of said second and third openings being in such a position as to never be occluded by said first piston;
• at least a first element acting by force of its own weight. Said first element will be identified hereinafter in the present description by the term "ballast";
• a first stem connected to said first piston at a first end thereof, and to said first ballast at a second end thereof, opposite to said first end, both said first stem and said first ballast, the latter by means of said first stem, being translatable integrally with said first piston, said first stem crossing said base at said second opening so as to occlude the latter hermetically, said first stem sliding in said second opening so as to keep said second opening hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between said first stem and said base with a translation of said first piston between said first and second positions, if said first cylinder is oriented so that said first piston, when the latter is in said first position, when said first piston is in said second position and when it is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions, lies above said first ballast, the later tending to translate said first piston, together with said first stem, away from said first position towards said second position;
• first conversion means suitable for converting a translational motion of said first stem into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said first piston;
• second conversion means suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which said first conversion means convert a translational motion of said first piston;
• a first pressure operating member connected to said first piston and at least partially lying with respect to the latter on the side opposite to the one where said base lies so that said first piston is at least partially interposed between said first operating member and said base, said first operating member being shaped so that and being connected to said first piston so that said first operating member, when said first piston is in said first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity in sufficient measure so that by pressing said first operating member so as to translate said first piston towards said second position, said first operating member, when said first piston reaches said second position, still partially lies outside said cavity or is at said first opening so that said first operating member is pressable so as to translate said first piston towards said second position when said first piston is not in said second position;
• at least a second piston including at least one side face;
• at least a second cylinder including:
- a cavity;
- at least one base and a side wall at least partially delimiting said cavity of said second cylinder;
- a first opening for accessing said cavity of said second cylinder, said first opening of said second cylinder being opposite to said base of said second cylinder and being delimited by said side wall of said second cylinder;
- a second and a third opening for accessing said cavity of said second cyl- inder, said second opening of said second cylinder being made in said base of said second cylinder, said third opening of said second cylinder being made in said base of said second cylinder or in said side wall of said second cylinder, said second piston being at least partially housed in said cavity of said second cylinder so as to be opposite to said base of said second cylinder and so that said side face of said second piston, at least at a portion thereof, opposes a portion of said side wall of said second cylinder, so that a portion of said cavity of said second cylinder is delimited by said second piston, by said base of said second cylinder and by the stretch of said side wall of said second cylinder extending from said second piston to said base of said second cylinder, said side wall of said second cylinder constraining said second piston to translate in said cavity of said second cylinder, said second piston being translatable, in said cavity of said second cylinder, with respect to said side wall of said second cylinder and with the side face thereof which, at least at said portion thereof, remains opposing part of said side wall of said second cylinder, between at least:
- a first position at which said second piston hermetically occludes said first opening of said second cylinder so that the volume of said portion of cavity of said second cylinder is maximum when said second piston is in said first position;
- a second position at which said second piston is in an intermediate position between said first opening of said second cylinder and said base of said second cylinder so that the volume of said portion of cavity of said second cylinder, when said second piston is in said second position, is less than the volume of said portion of cavity of said second cylinder when said second piston is in said first position, said side face of said second piston and said side wall of said second cylinder, both when said second piston is stationary with respect to said side wall of said second cylinder and during a translation of said second piston in said cavity of said second cylinder, hermetically matching at mutually opposing portions thereof so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between said second piston and said side wall of said second cylinder, each of said second and third openings of said second cylinder being in such a position as to never be occluded by said second piston, said cavity of said first cylinder and said cavity of said second cylinder communicating with each other at the respective third openings;
• at least a second element acting by force of its own weight. Said second element, as the abovementioned first element, will be identified hereinafter in the present description by the term "ballast";
• a second stem connected to said second piston at a first end thereof, and to said second ballast at a second end thereof, opposite to said first end of said second stem, both said second stem and said second ballast, the latter by means of said second stem, being translatable integrally with said second piston, said second stem crossing said base of said second cylinder at said second opening of said second cylinder so as to hermetically occlude the latter, said second stem sliding in said second opening of said second cylinder so as to keep the latter hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid may not occur between said second stem and said base of said second cylinder with a translation of said second piston between said first and second positions, if said second cylinder is oriented so that said second piston, when the latter is in said first position, when said second piston is in said second position and when it is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions, lies above said second ballast, the later tending to translate said second piston, together with said second stem, away from said first position towards said second position;
• third conversion means suitable for converting a translational motion of said second stem into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said second piston;
• fourth conversion means suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which said third conversion means convert a translational motion of said second piston;
• a second pressure operating member connected to said second piston and at least partially lying with respect to the latter on the side opposite to the one where said base of said second cylinder lies so that said second piston is at least partially interposed between said second operating member and said base of said second cylinder, said second operating member being shaped so that and being connected to said second piston so that said second operating member, when said second piston is in said first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity of said second cylinder in sufficient measure so that by pressing said second operating member so as to translate said second piston towards said second position, said second operating member, when said second piston reaches said second position, still partially lies outside said cavity of said second cylinder or is at said first opening of said second cylinder so that said second operating member is pressable so as to translate said second piston towards said second position when said second piston is not in said second position;
• a substantially incompressible fluid housed in said cavities of said first and second cylinders, said cavity of said first cylinder and said cavity of said second cylinder communicating with each other
- not only at the respective third openings
- but also hermetically with respect to an environment external to said system, so that:
- a force acting on said first piston and tending to move said first piston, together with said first operating member, away from said first position, and consequently tending to near said first piston to said second position, tends to cause said fluid to flow from said cavity of said first cylinder into said cavity of said second cylinder and consequently, tends to translate said second piston, together with said second operating member, towards said first position and consequently, away from said second position and - a force acting on said second piston and tending to move said second piston, together with said second operating member, away from said first position, and consequently tending to near said second piston to said second position, tends to cause said fluid to flow from said cavity of said second cylinder into said cavity of said first cylinder and consequently, tends to translate said first piston, together with said first operating member, towards said first position and consequently, away from said second position, said first and second pistons and said first and second cylinders being shaped so that, and said fluid being included in said system in such a quantity such that:
- when said first piston is in said first position, said second piston is in said second position and
- when said first piston is in said second position, said second piston is in said first position.
To generate electricity employing the system of the invention, the first and the second piston need to be alternatively pushed, by means of the respective operating members, from the first position to the second position. Since a translation of the first piston from the first position to the second position determines a translation of the second piston from the second position to the first position and, vice versa, a translation of the second piston from the first position to the second position determines a translation of the first piston from the second position to the first position, alternatively pushing the first and the second piston from the first position to the second position translates into alternating translational motion of each of the two pistons and, with the latter, of the two stems and of the two ballasts. The alternating translational motion of each of the two stems is converted into a rotary motion by the first and third conversion means. To this end, the first and third conversion means could comprise respective rotary thrust linkages. The rotary motions in which the first and third conversion means convert the alternating translational motions of the pistons, respectively, are converted into electricity by the second and fourth conversion means, re- spectively. To this end, the second and fourth conversion means could comprise respective alternators or dynamos.
To generate electricity employing the system of the invention, it is firstly preferable to orientate said system so that the ballasts translate vertically and lie below the pistons to which they are respectively connected.
In light of the foregoing, the conversion system of the invention is of the “fluid” and “volumetric” type.
Other innovative features of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and mentioned in the dependent claims.
According to an aspect of the invention, said side wall of said first cylinder constrains said first piston to translate in said cavity of said first cylinder in a first direction, said side wall of said second cylinder constraining said second piston to translate in said cavity of said second cylinder in a second direction, said first and second directions being mutually parallel.
According to another aspect of the invention, said first stem extends in length in said first direction, said second stem extending in length in said second direction.
According to another aspect of the invention, the stroke of said first piston (intended as measurement of the movement of said first piston between said first and second positions) is equal to the stroke of said second piston.
According to another aspect of the invention, said first ballast weighs as much as said second ballast.
According to another aspect of the invention, said second conversion means coincide with said fourth conversion means.
If, by way of explanation, the first and third conversion means include two rotary thrust linkages, respectively (one for each stem), according to this aspect of the invention, the two linkages are, for example, connected to each other by means of a crankshaft. Thereby, the first and second piston, translating in alternating manner, concur to placing the shaft itself into rotation. The rotary motion of the latter is converted into electricity by the second conversion means, coincident with the fourth conversion means. Alternatively to the foregoing and again by way of explanation, the first and third conversion means comprise two racks and two gear wheels meshing therewith, respectively. The gear wheels are rotatable around the axes thereof, respectively, integrally with a same rotation shaft, by means of two freewheel mechanisms. By suitably arranging the two freewheel mechanisms, the two gear wheels, while each performing an alternating rotary motion (forced, by means of the rack with which it meshes, by the alternating translational motion of the respective piston), place the aforesaid shaft into rotation in the same direction. The rotary motion of the shaft is converted into electricity by the second conversion means, coincident with the fourth conversion means.
Another object of the invention is a method for using the aforesaid system comprising the following steps: a) orienting said system so that said first and second ballasts vertically translate with a translation of said first and second pistons in said cavity of said first and second cylinders, respectively, and placing:
• said first piston in said first position and
• said second piston in said second position; b) applying, to said first operating member, a force:
• tending to move said first piston away from said first position;
• until said first piston reaches said second position, and consequently until said second piston reaches said first position;
• such that when added to the weight force acting on said first operating member, it is equal to the weight force acting on said first ballast; c) applying, to said second operating member, a force:
• tending to move said second piston away from said first position;
• until said second piston reaches said second position, and consequently until said first piston reaches said first position;
• such that when added to the weight force acting on said second operating member, it is equal to the weight force acting on said second ballast.
According to an aspect of the method invention, said method comprises a fur- ther step d) consisting in returning to step b).
Brief description of the drawings
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings, merely given by way of non-limiting explanation, in which:
- Figure 1 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, a system according to the present invention in a first configuration in which the first piston, and consequently also the second piston, is in an intermediate position between the upper end stop and the lower end stop (corresponding to the aforementioned first and second positions, respectively);
- Figure 2 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, the system in Figure 1 in a second configuration in which the first piston is at the upper end stop and consequently, the second piston is at the lower end stop;
Figure 3 shows, in partial and schematic cross-section, the system in Figure 1 in a third configuration in which the first piston is at the lower end stop and consequently, the second piston is at the upper end stop.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
Hereinafter in the present description, a figure can also be shown with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but indicated in other figures instead. The scale and proportions of the various depicted elements do not necessarily correspond to the real ones.
Figure 1 shows a system 1 comprising at least a first, preferably substantially cylindrical, piston 2 and therefore, including a first base 3, arranged below in the drawing, a second base 4, opposite to base 3, parallel to the latter and arranged above in the drawing, and a side face 5 interposed orthogonally between the bases 3 and 4. System 1 also comprises a first cylinder 6 including a cavity 7 at least partially delimited by a base 8, arranged below in the drawing, and by a side wall 9. Cylinder 6 further comprises a first opening 10 for accessing cavity 7, opposite (said opening 10) to base 8 and delimited by wall 9. A second opening 11 is preferably made in base 8 and a third opening 12 is preferably made in wall 9 closer to base 8 than to opening 10. In the drawing, system 1 is oriented so that the axis of cylinder 6 is arranged vertically and therefore, so that base 8 is arranged horizontally.
Piston 2 is at least partially housed in cavity 7 so as to be opposite to base 8. More precisely, the base 3 of piston 2 opposes base 8 and is parallel to the latter, while base 4 lies on the opposite side to the one where base 8 lies with respect to base 3. Face 5, at least at a portion thereof and preferably completely, opposes a portion of wall 9 so that a portion 13 of cavity 7 is delimited by piston 2, by base 8 and by the stretch of (side) wall 9 extending from piston 2 to base 8. The axis of piston 2 coincides with the axis of cylinder 6. Wall 9 constrains piston 2 to translate in cavity 7 in a direction indicated above as “first direction” and coincident with the axis of cylinder 6. Piston 2 is translatable in cavity 7, with respect to wall 9 and with face 5 remaining opposing part of wall 9 and therefore, with the axis thereof remaining coincident with the axis of cylinder 6, between at least a first position corresponding to the upper end stop, shown in Figure 2 and in which piston 2 hermetically occludes opening 10 (so that the volume of portion 13 is maximum), and a second position corresponding to the lower end stop, shown in Figure 3 and in which piston 2 is in an intermediate position between opening 10 and base 8 (so that, in said intermediate position, the volume of portion 13 is less than the volume of portion 13 when piston 2 is in the aforesaid first position).
Whatever the position occupied by piston 2 in cavity 7, face 5 and the portion of wall 9 opposed by face 5 hermetically match so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between wall 9 and piston 2 both when the latter is stationary with respect to wall 9 and during a translation of piston 2 in cavity 7.
As can be seen in Figure 2 and in Figure 3, the openings 11 and 12 are in respective positions such as to never be occluded by piston 2.
System 1 comprises a first, preferably rectilinear, stem 14 crossing base 8 at opening 11 so as to occlude the latter hermetically. Stem 14 is connected to piston 2 at a first end 15 thereof, and to a first ballast 17 at a second end 16 thereof, opposite to end 15. In light of the foregoing, stem 14 and ballast 17 are translatable, with respect to wall 9, integrally to piston 2. Stem 14 slides in opening 11 so as to keep the latter hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between stem 14 and a delimiting edge of opening 11 , i.e., between stem 14 and base 8, with a translation of piston 2 between the aforesaid first and second positions. Incidentally, if cylinder 6 is oriented so that piston 2 always lies above ballast 17, the latter tends to translate piston 2, together with stem 14, from the aforesaid first position to the aforesaid second position. The axis of stem 14 coincides preferably with the axis of cylinder 6 and piston 2. Stem 14 is therefore preferably arranged orthogonally to piston 2 and base 8, and further extends in length in the same direction in which wall 9 constrains piston 2 to translate in cavity 7. Cylinder 6 is preferably oriented so that the axis of stem 14 is arranged vertically and piston 2 lies always above ballast 17.
Stem 14 is connected to a mechanism 18 suitable for converting a translational motion of stem 14 into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of piston 2. Mechanism 18, belonging to the aforesaid “first conversion means’’, consists of, by way of explanation, a rotary thrust linkage (also known as “rodcrank mechanism”). Linkage 18 is connected to a device 19 suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which linkage 18 converts a translational motion of piston 2. Device 19, belonging to the aforesaid “second conversion means”, consists of, by way of explanation, an alternator or a dynamo.
System 1 comprises a first pressure operating member 20 preferably shaped as a rectilinear shank 21 and connected orthogonally and preferably integrally with a discoidal element 22 at a first end 23 thereof, and with piston 2, at base 4 of the latter, at a second end 24 thereof, opposite to end 23. The operating member 20 lies therefore at least partially, with respect to piston 2, on the side opposite to the one where base 8 (of cylinder 6) lies so that piston 2 is interposed between the operating member 20 and base 8. Shank 21 is connected to piston 2 preferably so that the axis of shank 21 coincides with the axis of cylinder 6. Shank 21 is long enough so that (i.e., the operating member 20 is shaped so that and is connected to piston 2 so that) the discoidal element 22, when piston 2 is in the aforesaid first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity 7 in sufficient measure so that by pressing the discoidal element 22 (i.e., the operating member 20) so as to translate piston 2 towards the aforesaid second position, the discoidal element 22, when piston 2 reaches the second position, still partially lies outside cavity 7 (as shown in Figure 3) or it is at opening 10 so that the operating member 20 is pressable, at the discoidal element 22, so as to translate piston 2 towards said second position when piston 2 is not in the second position. The discoidal element 22 has a diameter in length preferably greater than the one of the diameter of cavity 7 (i.e. , the one of the inner diameter of cylinder 6). Incidentally, given that shank 21 is connected preferably integrally both with piston 2 and with the discoidal element 22, the operating member 20 is translatable integrally with piston 2.
System 1 also comprises at least a second, preferably substantially cylindrical, piston 32 and therefore including a first base 33, arranged below in the drawing, a second base 34, opposite to base 33, parallel to the latter and arranged above in the drawing, and a side face 35 interposed orthogonally between the bases 33 and 34. Piston 32 is preferably identical to piston 2. System 1 also comprises a second cylinder 36 including a cavity 37 at least partially delimited by a base 38, arranged below in the drawing, and by a side wall 39. Cylinder 36 further comprises a first opening 40 for accessing cavity 37, opposite (said opening 40) to base 38 and delimited by wall 39. A second opening 41 is preferably made in base 38 and a third opening 42 is preferably made in wall 39 closer to base 38 than to opening 40. Cylinder 36 is preferably identical to cylinder 6. The axis of cylinder 36 is also preferably parallel to the axis of cylinder 6. The cylinders 6 and 36 are therefore preferably arranged so that if system 1 is oriented so that the axis of cylinder 6 is arranged vertically (and therefore, so that base 8 is arranged horizontally), as shown in the drawings, also the axis of cylinder 36 is arranged vertically (and therefore, so that base 38 is arranged horizontally).
Piston 32 is at least partially housed in cavity 37 so as to be opposite to base 38. More precisely, the base 33 of piston 32 opposes base 38 and is parallel to the latter, while base 34 lies on the opposite side with respect to the one where base 38 lies with respect to base 33. Face 35, at least at a portion thereof and preferably completely, opposes a portion of wall 39 so that a portion 43 of cavity 37 is delimited by piston 32, by base 38 and by the stretch of (side) wall 39 extending from piston 32 to base 38. The axis of piston 32 coincides with the axis of cylinder 36. Wall 39 constrains piston 32 to translate in cavity 37 in a direction indicated above as “second direction” and coincident with the axis of cylinder 36. The direction in which wall 39 constrains piston 32 to translate in cavity 37 is parallel to the direction in which wall 9 constrains piston 2 to translate in cavity 7. Piston 32 is translatable in cavity 37, with respect to wall 39 and with face 35 remaining opposing part of wall 39 and therefore, with the axis thereof remaining coincident with the axis of cylinder 36, between at least a first position corresponding to the upper end stop, shown in Figure 3 and in which piston 32 hermetically occludes opening 40 (so that the volume of portion 43 is maximum), and a second position corresponding to the lower end stop, shown in Figure 2 and in which piston 32 is in an intermediate position between opening 40 and base 38 (so that, in said intermediate position, the volume of portion 43 is less than the volume of portion 43 when piston 32 is in the aforesaid first position).
Preferably, the stroke of piston 37 (intended as the measurement of the movement of piston 37 between the aforesaid first and second positions) is equal to the stroke of piston 7.
Whatever the position occupied by piston 32 in cavity 37, face 35 and the portion of wall 39 opposed by face 35 hermetically match so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between wall 39 and piston 32 both when the latter is stationary with respect to wall 39 and during a translation of piston 32 in cavity 37.
As can be seen in Figure 2 and in Figure 3, the openings 41 and 42 are in respective positions such as to never be occluded by piston 32. In addition, cavity 7 of cylinder 6 and cavity 37 of cylinder 36 communicate with each other at the openings 12 and 42.
System 1 comprises a second, preferably rectilinear, stem 44 crossing base 38 at opening 41 so as to occlude the latter hermetically. Stem 44 is connected to piston 32 at a first end 45 thereof, and to a second ballast 47 at a second end 46 thereof, opposite to end 45. In light of the foregoing, stem 44 and ballast 47 are translatable, with respect to wall 39, integrally to piston 32. Stem 44 slides in opening 41 so as to keep the latter hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid cannot occur between stem 44 and a delimiting edge of opening 41 , i.e., between stem 44 and base 38, with a translation of piston 32 between the aforesaid first and second positions. Incidentally, if cylinder 36 is oriented so that piston 32 always lies above ballast 47, the latter tends to translate piston 32, together with stem 44, from the aforesaid first position to the aforesaid second position.
The axis of stem 44 coincides preferably with the axis of cylinder 36 and piston 32. Stem 44 is therefore preferably arranged orthogonally to piston 32 and base 38, and further extends in length in the same direction in which wall 39 constrains piston 32 to translate in cavity 37. Cylinder 36 is preferably oriented so that the axis of stem 44 is arranged vertically and piston 32 lies always above ballast 47.
Stem 44 is preferably equal to stem 14 and ballast 47 is preferably equal to ballast 17.
Stem 44 is connected to a mechanism 48 suitable for converting a translational motion of stem 44 into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of piston 32. Mechanism 48, belonging to the aforesaid “third conversion means’’, consists of, by way of explanation and preferably equal to mechanism 18, a rotary thrust linkage. Linkage 48 is connected to a device 49 suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which linkage 48 converts a translational motion of piston 32. Device 49, belonging to the aforesaid “fourth conversion means”, consists of, by way of explanation and preferably equal to device 19, an alternator or a dynamo.
System 1 comprises a second pressure operating member 50 preferably shaped as a rectilinear shank 51 connected orthogonally and preferably integrally with a discoidal element 52 at a first end 53 thereof, and with piston 32, at base 34 of the latter, at a second end 54 thereof, opposite to end 53. The operating member 50 lies therefore at least partially, with respect to piston 32, on the side opposite the one where base 38 (of cylinder 36) lies so that piston 32 is interposed between the operating member 50 and base 38. Shank 51 is connected to piston 32 preferably so that the axis of shank 51 coincides with the axis of cylinder 36. Shank 51 is long enough so that (i.e. , the operating member 50 is shaped so that and is connected to piston 32 so that) the discoidal ele- merit 52, when piston 32 is in the aforesaid first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity 37 in sufficient measure so that by pressing the discoidal element 52 (i.e. , the operating member 50) so as to translate piston 32 towards the aforesaid second position, the discoidal element 52, when piston 32 reaches the second position, still partially lies outside cavity 37 (as shown in Figure 2) or it is at opening 40 so that the operating member 50 is pressable, at the discoidal element 52, so as to translate piston 32 towards said second position when piston 32 is not in the second position. The discoidal element 52 has a diameter in length preferably greater than the one of the diameter of cavity 37 (i.e., the one of the inner diameter of cylinder 36). Incidentally, given that shank 51 is connected preferably integrally both with piston 32 and with the discoidal element 52, the operating member 50 is translatable integrally with piston 32. The operating member 50 is preferably equal to the operating member 20.
A substantially incompressible fluid 60, i.e., a liquid such as, for example, water or oil, is housed in the cavities 7 and 37. As mentioned above, the latter communicate with each other at the openings 12 and 42. More precisely, the cavities 7 and 37 communicate with each other at the openings 12 and 42, hermetically with respect to an environment external to system 1 , so that a force acting on piston 2 and tending to move away the latter, together with the operating member 20, from the first position, and consequently, tending to near piston 2 to the second position, tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 7 into cavity 37 and consequently, tends to translate piston 32, together with the operating member 50, towards the first position and consequently, away from the second position. Similarly, a force acting on piston 32 and tending to move the latter, together with the operating member 50, away from the first position, and consequently tending to near piston 32 to the second position, tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 37 into cavity 7 and consequently, tends to translate piston 2, together with the operating member 20, towards the first position and consequently, away from said second position. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, pistons 2 and 32 and cylinders 6 and 36 are shaped so that, and fluid 60 is included in system 1 in such a quantity that, when piston 2 is in the first position, piston 32 is in the second position, and when piston 2 is in the second position, piston 32 is in the first position.
In light of the foregoing, a force acting on the operating member 20 and tending to near the discoidal element 22 to base 8 (and therefore, tending to move piston 2 away from the first position) tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 7 into cavity 37 and consequently, to move the discoidal element 52 of the operating member 50 away from base 38 (and therefore, to move piston 32 away from the second position). Similarly, a force acting on the operating member 50 and tending to near the discoidal element 52 to base 38 (and therefore, tending to move piston 32 away from the first position) tends to cause fluid 60 to flow from cavity 37 into cavity 7 and consequently, to move the discoidal element 22 of the operating member 20 away from base 8 (and therefore, to move piston 2 away from the second position).
To generate electricity using system 1 , the pistons 2 and 32 need to be alternatively pushed, by means of the respective operating members 20 and 50, from the first position to the second position. Since a translation of piston 2 from the first position to the second position determines a translation of piston 32 from the second position to the first position and, vice versa, a translation of piston 32 from the first position to the second position determines a translation of piston 2 from the second position to the first position, the pushing alternatively of pistons 2 and 32 from the first position to the second position translates into alternating translational motion of each of the two pistons 2 and 32 and, with the latter, of the two stems 14 and 44 and of the two ballasts 17 and 47. The alternating translational motion of each of the two stems 14 and 44 is converted by the linkages 18 and 48 into a rotary motion. The rotary motions in which the linkages 18 and 48 convert the alternating translational motions of the pistons 2 and 32, respectively, are converted into electricity by the devices 19 and 49, respectively. In light of the foregoing, system 1 is of the “fluid” and “volumetric” type.
Alternatively to the foregoing, the linkages 18 and 48 may be connected to each other by means of a crankshaft. In this case, the pistons 2 and 32, translating in alternating manner, concur to placing the shaft itself into rotation. The rotary motion of the latter is converted into electricity by a single conversion device (corresponding to device 19 coincident, in this case, with device 49).
System 1 , when actuated, is preferably and as specified above, oriented so that the ballasts 17 and 37 translate vertically with a translation of the pistons 2 and 32 in the cavities 7 and 37, respectively. System 1 is further preferably actuated so that, starting from a configuration in which piston 1 is in the first position and piston 2 is in the second position, there is applied, on the discoidal element 22, a force which, when added to the weight force acting on the operating member 20, is equal to the weight force acting on ballast 17, which tends to move piston 2 away from the first position and which is applied up to piston 2 reaching the second position, and subsequently there is applied, on the discoidal element 52, a force which, when added to the weight force acting on the operating member 50, is equal to the weight force acting on ballast 47 (preferably equal to the force weight acting on ballast 17), which tends to move piston 32 away from the first position and which is applied up to piston 32 reaching the second position. These two operations may be repeated several times.
System 1 may be actuated by exploiting the winds or the motion of water, as occurs today for hydroelectric turbines or wind blades. This is widely within the grasp of a skilled technician. However, by actuating system 1 as illustrated above, said system 1 has a strongly higher performance than current systems based on hydroelectric turbines or wind blades.
Based on the description provided for a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that some changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A system (1 ) comprising:
• at least a first piston (2) including at least one side face (5);
• at least a first cylinder (6) including:
- a cavity (7);
- at least one base (8) and a side wall (9) at least partially delimiting said cavity (7);
- a first opening (10) for accessing said cavity (7), said first opening (10) being opposite to said base (8) and delimited by said side wall (9);
- a second and a third opening (11 , 12) for accessing said cavity (7), said second opening (11 ) being made in said base (8), said third opening (12) being made in said base (8) or in said side wall (9), said first piston (2) being at least partially housed in said cavity (7) so as to be opposite to said base (8) and so that said side face (5), at least at a portion thereof, opposes a portion of said side wall (9) so that a portion (13) of said cavity (7) is delimited by said first piston (2), by said base (8) and by the stretch of said side wall (9) extending from said first piston (2) to said base (8), said side wall (9) constraining said first piston (2) to translate in said cavity (7), said first piston (2) being translatable, in said cavity (7), with respect to said side wall (9) and with said side face (5) which, at least at said portion thereof, remains opposing part of said side wall (9); between at least:
- a first position at which said first piston (2) hermetically occludes said first opening (10) so that the volume of said portion (13) of cavity (7) is maximum when said first piston (2) is in said first position;
- a second position at which said first piston (2) is in an intermediate position between said first opening (10) and said base (8) so that the volume of said portion (13) of cavity (7), when said first piston (2) is in said second position, is less than the volume of said portion (13) of cavity (7) when said first piston (2) is in said first position, said side face (5) and said side wall (9), both when said first piston (2) is stationary with respect to said side wall (9) and during a translation of said first piston (2) in said cavity (7), hermetically matching at the mutually opposing portions thereof so that a passage of fluid (60) cannot occur between said first piston (2) and said side wall (9), each of said second and third openings (11 , 12) being in such a position as to never be occluded by said first piston (2), said system being characterized in that it further comprises:
• at least a first ballast (17);
• a first stem (14) connected to said first piston (2) at a first end (15) thereof, and to said first ballast (17) at a second end (16) thereof, opposite to said first end (15), both said first stem (1 ) and said first ballast (17), the latter by means of said first stem (14), being translatable integrally with said first piston (2), said first stem (14) crossing said base (8) at said second opening (11 ) so as to occlude the latter hermetically, said first stem (14) sliding in said second opening (11 ) so as to keep said second opening (11 ) hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid (60) cannot occur between said first stem (14) and said base (8) with a translation of said first piston (2) between said first and second positions, if said first cylinder (6) is oriented so that said first piston (2), when the latter is in said first position, when said first piston (2) is in said second position and when it is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions, lies above said first ballast (17), the later tending to translate said first piston (2), together with said first stem (14), away from said first position towards said second position;
• first conversion means (18) suitable for converting a translational motion of said first stem (14) into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said first piston (2);
• second conversion means (19) suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity wherein said first conversion means (18) convert a translational motion of said first piston (2); • a first pressure operating member (20) connected to said first piston (2) and at least partially lying with respect to the latter on the side opposite to the one where said base (8) lies so that said first piston (2) is at least partially interposed between said first operating member (20) and said base (8), said first operating member (20) being shaped so that and being connected to said first piston (2) so that said first operating member (20), when said first piston (2) is in said first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity (7) in sufficient measure so that by pressing said first operating member (20) so as to translate said first piston (2) towards said second position, said first operating member (20), when said first piston (2) reaches said second position, still partially lies outside said cavity (7) or is at said first opening (10) so that said first operating member (20) is pressable so as to translate said first piston (2) towards said second position when said first piston (2) is not in said second position;
• at least a second piston (32) including at least one side face (35);
• at least a second cylinder (36) including:
- a cavity (37);
- at least one base (38) and a side wall (39) at least partially delimiting said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36);
- a first opening (40) for accessing said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36), said first opening (40) of said second cylinder (36) being opposite to said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) and being delimited by said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36);
- a second and a third opening (41 , 42) for accessing said cavity of said second cylinder (36), said second opening (41 ) of said second cylinder (36) being made in said base (38) of said second cylinder (36), said third opening (42) of said second cylinder (36) being made in said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) or in said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36), said second piston (32) being at least partially housed in said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) so as to be opposite to said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) and so that said side face (35) of said second piston (32), at least at a portion thereof, opposes a portion of said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) so that a portion (43) of said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) is delimited by said second piston (32), by said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) and by the stretch of said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) extending from said second piston (32) to said base (38) of said second cylinder (36), said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) constraining said second piston (32) to translate in said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36), said second piston (32) being translatable, in said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36), with respect to said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) and with the side face (35) thereof which, at least at said portion thereof, remains opposing part of said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36), between at least:
- a first position at which said second piston (32) hermetically occludes said first opening (40) of said second cylinder (36) so that the volume of said portion (43) of cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) is maximum when said second piston (32) is in said first position;
- a second position at which said second piston (32) is in an intermediate position between said first opening (40) of said second cylinder (36) and said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) so that the volume of said portion (43) of cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36), when said second piston (32) is in said second position, is less than the volume of said portion (43) of cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) when said second piston (32) is in said first position, said side face (35) of said second piston (32) and said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36), both when said second piston (32) is stationary with respect to said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) and during a translation of said second piston (32) in said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36), hermetically matching at mutually opposing portions thereof so that a passage of fluid (60) cannot occur between said second piston (32) and said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36), each of said second and third openings (41 , 42) of said second cylinder (36) being in such a position as to never be occluded by said second piston (32), said cavity (7) of said first cylinder (6) and said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) communicating with each other at the respective third openings (12, 42);
• at least a second ballast (47);
• a second stem (44) connected to said second piston (32) at a first end (45) thereof, and to said second ballast (47) at a second end (46) thereof, opposite to said first end (45) of said second stem (44), both said second stem (44) and said second ballast (47), the latter by means of said second stem (44), being translatable integrally with said second piston (32), said second stem (44) crossing said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) at said second opening (41 ) of said second cylinder (36) so as to hermetically occlude the latter, said second stem (44) sliding in said second opening (41 ) of said second cylinder (36) so as to keep the latter hermetically occluded so that a passage of fluid (60) may not occur between said second stem (44) and said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) with a translation of said second piston (32) between said first and second positions, if said second cylinder (36) is oriented so that said second piston (32), when the latter is in said first position, when said second piston (32) is in said second position and when it is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions, lies above said second ballast (47), the later tending to translate said second piston (32), together with said second stem (44), away from said first position towards said second position;
• third conversion means (48) suitable for converting a translational motion of said second stem (44) into a rotary motion consequent to a translational motion of said second piston (32);
• fourth conversion means (49) suitable for converting a rotary motion into electricity in which said third conversion means (48) convert a translational motion of said second piston (32);
• a second pressure operating member (50) connected to said second piston (32) and at least partially lying with respect to the latter on the side opposite to the one where said base (38) of said second cylinder (36) lies so that said second piston (32) is at least partially interposed between said second operating member (50) and said base (38) of said second cylinder (36), said second operating member (50) being shaped so that and being connected to said second piston (32) so that said second operating member (50), when said second piston (32) is in said first position, lies at least partially outside said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) in sufficient measure so that by pressing said second operating member (50) so as to translate said second piston (32) towards said second position, said second operating member (50), when said second piston (32) reaches said second position, still partially lies outside said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) or is at said first opening (40) of said second cylinder (36) so that said second operating member (50) is pressable so as to translate said second piston (32) towards said second position when said second piston (32) is not in said second position;
• a substantially incompressible fluid (60) housed in said cavities (7, 37) of said first and second cylinders (6, 36), said cavity (7) of said first cylinder (6) and said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) communicating with each other
- not only at the respective third openings (12, 42)
- but also hermetically with respect to an environment external to said system (1 ), so that:
- a force acting on said first piston (2) and tending to move said first piston (2), together with said first operating member (20), away from said first position, and consequently tending to near said first piston (2) to said second position, tends to cause said fluid to flow from said cavity (7) of said first cylinder (6) into said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) and consequently, tends to translate said second piston (32), together with said sec- ond operating member (50), towards said first position and consequently, away from said second position, and
- a force acting on said second piston (32) and tending to move said second piston (32), together with said second operating member (50), away from said first position, and consequently tending to near said second piston (32) to said second position, tends to cause said fluid (60) to flow from said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) into said cavity (7) of said first cylinder (6) and consequently, tends to translate said first piston (2), together with said first operating member (20), towards said first position and consequently, away from said second position, said first and second pistons (2, 32) and said first and second cylinders (6, 36) being shaped so that, and said fluid (60) being included in said system (1 ) in such a quantity that:
- when said first piston (2) is in said first position, said second piston (32) is in said second position, and
- when said first piston (2) is in said second position, said second piston (32) is in said first position.
2. A system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said side wall (9) of said first cylinder (6) constrains said first piston (2) to translate in said cavity (7) of said first cylinder (6) in a first direction, said side wall (39) of said second cylinder (36) constraining said second piston (32) to translate in said cavity (37) of said second cylinder (36) in a second direction, said first and second directions being mutually parallel.
3. A system (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that said first stem (14) extends in length in said first direction, said second stem (44) extending in length in said second direction.
4. A system (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the stroke of said first piston (2) is equal to the stroke of said second piston (32).
5. A system (1 ) according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, charac- terized in that said first ballast (17) weighs as much as said second ballast (47).
6. A system (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second conversion means (19) coincide with said fourth conversion means (49).
7. A method of using a system (1) according to claim 5 or according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) orienting said system (1) so that said first and second ballasts (17, 47) vertically translate with a translation of said first and second pistons (2, 32) in said cavity (7, 37) of said first and second cylinders (6, 36), respectively, and placing:
• said first piston (2) in said first position, and
• said second piston (32) in said second position; b) applying, to said first operating member (20), a force:
• tending to move said first piston (2) away from said first position;
• until said first piston (2) reaches said second position, and consequently until said second piston (32) reaches said first position;
• such that when added to the weight force acting on said first operating member (20), is equal to the weight force acting on said first ballast (17); c) applying, to said second operating member (50), a force:
• tending to move said second piston (32) away from said first position;
• until said second piston (32) reaches said second position, and consequently until said first piston (2) reaches said first position;
• such that when added to the weight force acting on said second operating member (50), is equal to the weight force acting on said second ballast (47).
8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a further step d) consisting in returning to step b).
PCT/IT2024/050229 2024-02-28 2024-11-13 Volumetric fluid system for converting mechanical energy into electricity Pending WO2025181839A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209990A (en) * 1978-04-18 1980-07-01 Shelton and Ostrowski Incorporated Gravity flow hydraulic device
EP2518298A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2012-10-31 Yongshun Yang Stirling engine
KR20140033924A (en) * 2012-09-11 2014-03-19 이형우 Generation system using passage of vehicle

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209990A (en) * 1978-04-18 1980-07-01 Shelton and Ostrowski Incorporated Gravity flow hydraulic device
EP2518298A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2012-10-31 Yongshun Yang Stirling engine
KR20140033924A (en) * 2012-09-11 2014-03-19 이형우 Generation system using passage of vehicle

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