Water driven mechanical power plant
View Patent ↗A water powered unit design produces clean electricity, moves and lifts water, generates compressed air and can be adapted to several types of mechanical systems to produce energy. The device uses gravitational potential energy and a unique rocking motion to achieve these functionalities. The water powered units can use a rocking motion to lift water above the entry point. The units can produce mechanical energy to generate clean electricity, can create compressed air, can create mechanical energy for other purposes, and can lift water, for example. The units can use flowing water and gravity to produce a completely environmentally safe energy. The units can be located near any gravity fed water source. Once the system is fully charged with water, the units use and reuse the water. Thus, the units use very little water to maintain themselves.
1. A water driven power plant unit comprising:
a frame;
a holding tank receiving flowing water;
a first container receiving flowing water from the holding tank through a fill pipe;
a second container receiving flowing water from the first container through a main pipe after the first container is filled, the main pipe connecting the first container with the second container;
wherein the main pipe is pivotally connected to the frame and operable to permit the first container and the second container to pivot;
one or more mechanical devices driven by the pivoting of the first and second containers, wherein
the second container is releasably retained to an underside of the frame until a predetermined amount of water flows into the second container, causing the first and second containers to pivot and the first container to spill to an elevated location above the water driven power plant unit.
2. The water driven power plant unit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more mechanical devices includes at least one of an electric generator, a hydraulic pump and an air compressor.
3. The water driven power plant unit of claim 1 , further comprising a catch plate operable to retain water in the second container during pivoting of the first and second containers.
4. The water driven power plant unit of claim 1 , further comprising a leaf spring disposed to catch the main pipe at a pivot of the first and second containers.
5. The water driven power plant unit of claim 1 , further comprising at least one flywheel turning operable to keep power output of an electric generator connected thereto constant.