Inventors:
Jean Peloquin - Anaheim CA, US
International Classification:
H02P009/04
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for generating energy, and in particular electrical energy, using fluid supported bodies, each disposed in one of a plurality of chambers filled with a fluid. The fluid, which issues from a fluid source, has a density which is greater than the body so that the bodies are all buoyant, and therefore float, in the fluid. A rotatable shaft is supported above the chambers, with each of said bodies being coupled to the shaft through a clutch mechanism for driving the shaft in rotation. An electrical energy-generating device may be coupled to the shaft for generating electrical energy when the shaft rotates. Conduits interconnect the chambers with the fluid source, and fluid level sensors and valve means communicating with the conduit means and the chambers for regulating ingress and egress of fluid from the chambers. The fluid in each of the chambers is selectively evacuated whenever the body in the respective chamber has been lifted to a preselected height within the chamber. The rate of evacuation of the fluid is greater than the rate of descent of the body so that after the fluid has been evacuated from the chamber, the body experiences “controlled” free fall and in so doing it turns the rotatable shaft. The series of bodies falling in the chambers is timed so that at any time, there is at least one body experiencing “controlled” free fall in free space.