Apparatus for generating electricity through oscillatory motion
View Patent ↗Disclosed is an apparatus and method for generating energy through oscillatory motion requiring little input. Oscillatory motion is generated using a substantially circular trough containing a liquid, inflatable bags positioned below the trough and a movable weight. The trough is pivotally connected to a central point about which it oscillates. Sustained oscillatory motion is encouraged by inflating and deflating the bags in coordination with the movable weight within the trough and a biased member upon which the bags reside. The oscillatory motion may be captured and transferred to rotary motion which may be used to drive a generator.
1. An apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion using a liquid comprising:
a substantially circular trough for containing the liquid therein;
a plurality of inflatable bags fluidly connected to at least one other bag, the inflatable bags distributed underneath the trough;
a pivot assembly pivotally attached to a center of the trough;
a movable weight positioned within the trough,
a biased member operatively aligned with the inflatable bags whereby the biased member in combination with the trough compresses the bag as the weight travels about the trough and encourages a portion of the trough towards the biased member; and
a drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion.
2. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the biased member includes a guide rail comprising a substantially circular rail operatively aligned with and positioned below the trough to limit the degree of oscillation by the trough.
3. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion includes a plurality of push rods attached to the outer periphery of the trough.
4. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion includes a rod having a first end connected to the movable weight within the trough and a second end connected to a rotary shaft positioned at the center of the trough.
5. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the movable weight includes a weighted ball.
6. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , further including an electrical generator operatively connected to the drive mechanism.
7. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , further including a computing device for controlling the oscillation of the trough wherein the computing device directs the flow of fluid between the bags.
8. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting essentially of water, oils and combinations thereof.
9. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the fluid filling the inflatable bags is air.
10. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 1 , wherein the trough comprises a closed cylindrical tube.
11. An apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion using a liquid comprising:
a substantially circular trough for containing the liquid therein,
a plurality of inflatable bags fluidly connected to at least one other bag, the inflatable bags distributed beneath the trough;
a computing device for controlling the oscillation of the trough wherein the computing device directs the flow of fluid between the bags;
a pivot assembly pivotally attached to a center of the trough;
a movable weight positioned within the trough;
a biased member operatively aligned with the inflatable bags whereby the biased member in combination with the trough compresses the bag as the weight travels about the trough and encourages a portion of the trough towards the biased member; and
a drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion.
12. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 11 , wherein the biased member comprises a substantially circular rail operatively aligned with and positioned below the trough to limit the degree of oscillation by the trough and to provide a biased surface for compressing the bags.
13. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 11 , wherein the movable weight is selected from the group consisting essentially of a weighted ball, a carriage assembly and combinations thereof.
14. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion includes a plurality of push rods attached to the outer periphery of the trough.
15. The apparatus for generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism for transferring the oscillatory motion to rotary motion includes a rod having a first end connected to the movable weight within the trough and a second end connected to a rotary shaft positioned at the center of the trough.
16. A method of generating energy through oscillatory motion comprising the steps of:
filling a substantially circular trough with a liquid;
setting in oscillatory motion the substantially circular trough;
revolving a movable weight positioned within the trough about the periphery the trough;
deflating and inflating a plurality of inflatable bags underneath the trough; and
transferring the oscillatory motion of the trough to rotary motion.
17. The method of generating energy through oscillatory motion of claim 16 , furthering including directing the deflating and inflating the plurality of inflatable bags within the trough as to encourage continued oscillatory motion.