Pneumatically operated power system

Abstract

A pneumatic operating power system includes a shaft base unit, a rotating unit pivotally mounted on the shaft base unit, multiple actuation and displacement units mounted on the rotating unit, a drive unit connected to the actuation and displacement units, and multiple circulation units respectively disposed on the actuation and displacement units. The rotating unit includes a rotating wheel and multiple eccentrically extending supports. Each actuation and displacement unit includes a linear guide rail and a mass body disposed on the linear guide rail. The drive unit includes multiple pneumatic cylinders, a gas source connected to the pneumatic cylinders, and a controller that controls the pneumatic cylinders to drive the mass body to move eccentrically. Each circulation unit has two gas compressors disposed at one end of a corresponding support; each gas compressor, due to the actuation of its corresponding mass body, outputs gas and returns it to the gas source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power system, and more particularly to a pneumatically operated power system. Background Technology

[0002] The conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy is a fundamental principle used in many power systems. The kinetic energy converted by the conversion system can then be used to drive downstream loads. Especially if the conversion system can be driven by aerodynamic forces, which are readily available in the environment, it further embodies the sustainable development concept of increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the future. Furthermore, eccentric potential energy operation is a mode of coordinated operation of the entire mechanism that utilizes the distribution of the center of gravity. Compared to coaxial rotation, it can generate additional torque, thereby increasing the kinetic energy of specific areas during overall rotation. Therefore, combining aerodynamic drive with eccentric operation mechanisms, allowing for coordinated integration of various units, and applying this to power systems that convert potential energy into kinetic energy, should further optimize the performance of the power system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pneumatically driven power system.

[0004] The pneumatic operating power system of the present invention includes a shaft base unit, a rotating unit pivotally mounted on the shaft base unit, a plurality of actuating displacement units mounted on the rotating unit, a driving unit connected to the actuating displacement units, and a plurality of circulating units respectively disposed on the actuating displacement units.

[0005] The rotating unit includes a wheel that can rotate on a laterally extending axis relative to the shaft base unit, a plurality of supports that extend outward from the wheel in an eccentric direction, and a plurality of housings that surround the wheel and define a plurality of internal spaces for accommodating the supports.

[0006] The actuation and displacement units are respectively mounted on the brackets. Each actuation and displacement unit includes at least one linear guide mounted on the corresponding bracket and extending away from the rotating shaft, and a mass body disposed on the at least one linear guide and capable of reciprocating on the at least one linear guide. Each mass body is hollow and defines an oil reservoir lubrication area for storing lubricating oil, and has multiple oil drip holes communicating with the oil reservoir lubrication area and facing the at least one linear guide for replenishing lubricating oil to the at least one linear guide.

[0007] The drive unit includes multiple pneumatic cylinders connected to the mass body, at least one air source connected to the pneumatic cylinders, and a controller connected to the pneumatic cylinders and used to control the pneumatic cylinders to drive the mass body to move on the linear rails respectively, so as to form an overall eccentricity and cause the rotating unit to rotate.

[0008] Each circulation unit has two gas compressors spaced apart from each other at one end of a corresponding support and connected to at least one gas source of the drive unit. Each gas compressor is compressed due to the positional movement of the corresponding mass body, and the output gas is guided back to the at least one gas source for reuse.

[0009] The objectives of this invention and the technical problems it addresses can be further achieved by the following technical measures.

[0010] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, each gas compressor has a body, a push rod extending from the body toward a corresponding mass body, a contact member disposed at the end of the push rod, and a spring sleeved on the push rod with its two ends respectively abutting against the contact member and the body, and used to accumulate elastic restoring force when the push rod is pushed and compressed.

[0011] Preferably, the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system further includes an auxiliary unit surrounding the housing of the rotating unit and connected to the circulation unit. The auxiliary unit includes a plurality of gas storage pipes connected to the gas compressor and the at least one gas source, and a plurality of exhaust pipes respectively connected between adjacent gas storage pipes and connected to the gas compressor.

[0012] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, the mass body of each actuating displacement unit further has an oil injection hole connected to the oil storage and lubrication area, and a cap that can be opened to close the oil injection hole.

[0013] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, each actuation displacement unit further includes at least one counterweight detachably attached to the mass body.

[0014] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, each housing of the rotating unit has at least one position corresponding to the mass body and a maintenance door for opening and adjusting the at least one counterweight.

[0015] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, each housing of the rotating unit has a window made of a transparent material located on the side away from the rotating wheel.

[0016] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, the rotating unit includes an odd number of supports that are equidistant from each other and spaced apart, and an odd number of housings equal in number to the supports.

[0017] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, the rotating unit includes nine supports and nine housings.

[0018] Preferably, in the aforementioned pneumatic operating power system, the mass body of each actuating displacement unit further has an outwardly protruding slider portion for engaging with the corresponding linear guide.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by properly controlling the timing of the movement of the pneumatic cylinder and the mass body on the linear track by the controller, the rotating unit can be rotated due to the overall eccentricity. As the mass body moves, it can compress the gas compressor to output gas and guide the output gas back to the at least one gas source for the pneumatic cylinder to use in the next cycle of driving process. This effectively achieves the purpose of using pneumatic regenerative energy to drive the eccentric movement energy operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front-view schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the pneumatic operating power system of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating one of the plurality of actuating displacement units in the embodiment described;

[0022] Figure 3 It is one and Figure 2 Different sectional views illustrate a mass body of one of the moving displacement elements;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a side view schematic diagram illustrating a driving unit of the embodiment described;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram, in conjunction with Figure 4 Explain the operation of the multiple pneumatic cylinders of the drive unit;

[0025] Figure 6 This is an incomplete cross-sectional view illustrating a loop unit of the described embodiment;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the embodiment by generating eccentricity through multiple mass bodies of the actuation displacement unit, and presenting the operation cycle from a reference angle;

[0027] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram illustrating that one of the mass bodies is disposed on the linear rail of the rotating unit, and that lubricating oil is provided to the linear rail through multiple oil drip holes of the mass body;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the two gas compressors of the circulation unit, and the compression of the gas compressors by the mass body; and

[0029] Figure 10 It is a block diagram illustrating the situation in which gas can be recycled by passing through the circulation unit in conjunction with an auxiliary unit of the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0031] See Figures 1 to 3 This is an embodiment of the pneumatic operating power system of the present invention. This embodiment includes a shaft base unit 1, a rotating unit 2 pivotally mounted on the shaft base unit 1, nine actuating displacement units 3 mounted on the rotating unit 2, a drive unit 4 connected to the actuating displacement units 3, multiple circulating units 5 respectively disposed on the actuating displacement units 3, and an auxiliary unit 6 surrounding the rotating unit 2 and connected to the circulating units 5. The shaft base unit 1 is preferably located in a stable location to stably support the rotating unit 2 and the actuating displacement units 3 of the embodiment, preventing swaying from affecting the overall operation. Depending on the scale of the construction, a foundation can also be provided to further ensure stability.

[0032] The rotating unit 2 includes a rotating wheel 21 that can rotate relative to the shaft base unit 1 about a laterally extending axis, nine supports 22 extending outward from the rotating wheel 21 in an eccentric direction (away from the axis of rotation), and nine housings 23 surrounding the rotating wheel 21 and defining multiple internal spaces 230 for accommodating the supports 22. The nine supports 22 are arranged at 40-degree intervals with reference to a 360-degree rotation of the rotating wheel 21, and the number of housings 23 corresponds to the number of supports 22. This arrangement utilizes the characteristic of an odd number of housings to easily create an overall eccentricity, optimizing the performance of the rotating unit 2 due to eccentric displacement. Figure 2 As shown, each housing 23 has an openable maintenance door 231 and a window 232 made of transparent material located on the side away from the wheel 21.

[0033] The actuation displacement units 3 are respectively installed on the brackets 22. Each actuation displacement unit 3 includes a linear rail 30 installed on the corresponding bracket 22 and extending away from the rotating shaft, a mass body 31 disposed on the corresponding linear rail 30 and capable of reciprocating on the linear rail 30, and a plurality of counterweights 33 detachably attached to the mass body 31. The position of the counterweights 33 corresponds to the maintenance door 231, so the maintenance door 231 can be opened directly to adjust the counterweights 33. Each mass body 31 is hollow and defines an oil storage lubrication area 310 for storing lubricating oil, and has an oil drip hole 311 communicating with the oil storage lubrication area 310 and facing the linear rail 30, an oil filling hole 312 communicating with the oil storage lubrication area 310, a cap 313 that can be opened to close the oil filling hole 312, and a slider part 319 protruding outward and thereby used to engage with the corresponding linear rail 30. The lubricating oil stored in the oil storage and lubrication zone 310 can be applied to the linear guide 30 through the oil drip hole 311. When the lubricating oil in the oil storage and lubrication zone 310 needs to be replenished due to reduction or deterioration, it can be conveniently replenished or replaced by directly opening the cover 313 and applying it through the oil filling hole 312.

[0034] See Figures 4 to 6 The drive unit 4 includes multiple pneumatic cylinders 41 connected to the mass body 31, an air source 42 connected to the pneumatic cylinders 41, and a controller 43 connected to the pneumatic cylinders 41 and used to control the pneumatic cylinders 41 to drive the mass body 31 to move on the linear guide 30 respectively, so as to form an overall eccentricity and cause the rotating unit 2 to rotate. In this embodiment, the operation adopts a method of simultaneously introducing gas and lubricating oil into the circulation. The air source 42 is designed to store enough air to operate the pneumatic cylinders 41, and is equipped with an air compressor 81 to provide power to supply the gas stored in the air source 42 to the pneumatic cylinders 41 when it is necessary to replenish the air volume of the pneumatic cylinders 41. It is also equipped with an air conditioning assembly 94 to ensure that the gas and lubricating oil can form an appropriate ratio and be properly introduced into the circulation. In addition, this embodiment uses a solenoid valve 82 to control the opening and closing of the pneumatic cylinder 41 and uses a DC power supply, which has the advantage of shortening the control response time and improving the response speed. This is beneficial for accurately responding to the driving timing for the mass body 31 and ensuring the smooth operation of the whole.

[0035] It is worth noting that, since the pneumatic cylinder 41 must rotate together with the rotary wheel 21, to prevent the gas guide pipes from becoming entangled during rotation, the drive unit 4 uses a rotary joint 83 to configure the gas flow path of the pneumatic cylinder 41. The rotary joint 83 includes a stator 831 suitable for connecting to the gas source 42, and a rotor 832 mounted on the rotary wheel 21 and rotatable relative to the stator 831, having multiple gas outlets 830 for outputting gas. The rotary joint 83 is mounted on the shaft of the rotary wheel 21 using a rotor mounting base 84. The rotor mounting base 84 is generally annular and has multiple radially penetrating wiring holes 840 for powering the wires 91 connected to the solenoid valve 82. Furthermore, the controller 43 is connected to the rotary joint 83 via a power line 92 to control the gas flow between the stator 831 and the air source 42, and transmits the gas output from the air source 42 via the air conditioning assembly 94 through a pressure line 93 connected to the stator 831. The pipeline for guiding the gas to the pressure cylinder 41, simply by being installed on the air port 830 of the rotor 832, allows the configured pipeline to rotate in tandem with the rotor 832 in coordination with the pressure cylinder 41 when the rotor 21 rotates, ensuring a stable supply of gas to the pressure cylinder 41 without the pipelines becoming entangled.

[0036] See Figure 6 and cooperate Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each circulation unit 5 has two gas compressors 51 spaced apart from each other at one end of a corresponding bracket 22 and connected to the gas source 42 of the drive unit 4. Each gas compressor 51 has a body 511, a push rod 512 extending from the body 511 toward a corresponding mass 31, a contact member 513 disposed at the end of the push rod 512, and a spring 514 disposed on the push rod 512, with both ends abutting against the contact member 513 and the body 511 respectively, and used to accumulate elastic restoring force when the push rod 512 is pushed. The gas compressors 51 located at the same end are positioned corresponding to the mass 31. When the mass 31 moves on the corresponding linear guide 30, the contact member 513 is pushed by the mass 31, and the push rod 512 pushes the piston inside the body 511 to output gas. At this time, the spring 514 will accumulate the elastic restoring force, providing the power for the contact member 513 and the push rod 512 to move in opposite directions and draw in air. Additionally, at least one buffer 52 is preferably configured on the opposite side of the gas compressor 51 relative to the mass body 31. Figure 6(Two examples are shown in the figure), and mechanisms such as springs, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, and damping can be used to prevent the mass body 31 from directly impacting the corresponding air cylinder 41 when it moves away from the gas compressor 51.

[0037] The auxiliary unit 6 includes multiple gas storage pipes 61 connected to the gas compressor 51 and the gas source 42, and multiple exhaust pipes 62 respectively connected between adjacent gas storage pipes 61 and connected to the gas compressor 51. The gas storage pipes 61 mainly receive the gas output from the gas compressor 51, while the exhaust pipes 62 are for the gas compressor 51's intake needs. Therefore, the unidirectional transmission requirement needs to be considered in the circulation configuration, so a gas-induced check valve 63 can be configured to properly control the gas flow direction. Specifically, the gas storage pipes 61 and the exhaust pipes 62 can be arranged around the outside of the housing 23 to form a complete ring, which can directly utilize the housing 23 for support, thereby balancing the outward extension of the housing 23 and stabilizing the overall structure.

[0038] See Figures 5 to 7 Since each mass 31 can move back and forth along its corresponding track 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, when any mass 31 is subjected to an external force, the actuation displacement unit 3 will lose its original balance and become eccentric. For one cycle of operation of a single actuation displacement unit 3, a circle is defined as 0 to 360 degrees, with 0 degrees being the highest and 180 degrees the lowest, to illustrate the position and actuation cycle of the actuation displacement unit 3. To accurately identify the position of the actuation displacement unit 3, it is preferable to use an infrared detector, which can be detected by the controller 43 (see...). Figure 4 The pre-written control flow is used to execute corresponding control in conjunction with the position of the actuation displacement unit 3.

[0039] When any of the actuation displacement units 3 reaches a position of 340 degrees as the rotating wheel 21 rotates, it will start controlling the opening of the solenoid valve 82 of the corresponding pneumatic cylinder 41, causing the pneumatic cylinder 41 to operate. During the process of the actuation displacement unit 3 moving to a position of 30 degrees, the corresponding mass body 31 will move on the linear guide 30. As the rotating wheel 21 continues to rotate, gradually rotating from a position of 30 degrees to a position of 160 degrees, the mass body 31 will continuously move in position in coordination with the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 41, exhibiting a continuous stroke. Until the actuation displacement unit 3 reaches a position of 210 degrees as the rotating wheel 21 rotates, the corresponding mass body 31, due to the positional movement, the driving force provided by the pneumatic cylinder 41, and the tilting posture of the support 22 as it rotates halfway down towards the rotating wheel 21, along with the gravity it receives, is subjected to, so that the mass body 31 completes the expected positional movement at the position of 210 degrees. Then, as the rotating wheel 21 continues to rotate due to the eccentricity caused by the mass body 31, the mass body 31 will gradually move towards the rotating wheel 21 as it moves from the position of 210 degrees back to the position of 30 degrees due to the centripetal force and the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 41. This movement is also continuous, thus completing a complete cycle.

[0040] See also Figure 8 and Figure 9 and cooperate Figure 2To ensure that the mass body 31 can smoothly move along the linear guide 30 for extended periods, a lubrication mechanism must be provided that can withstand long-term use and reduce maintenance frequency. This not only ensures the normal operation of the actuation displacement unit 3 but also reduces the frequency of shutdowns for maintenance. In addition to the lubricating oil originally applied to the linear guide 30, lubricating oil is also stored in the oil storage lubrication area 310 of the mass body 31 of the actuation displacement unit 3. An appropriate amount of lubricating oil in the oil storage lubrication area 310, provided the oil filling hole 312 is properly sealed to ensure airtightness, allows the lubricating oil to seep out as the actuation displacement unit 3 rotates with the wheel 21, and when the drip hole 311 faces downwards. This provides lubrication to the linear guide 30 and the slider part 319, naturally lubricating the linear guide 30 and the slider part 319 through the natural actuation and rotation mechanism, ensuring the normal operation of the actuation displacement unit 3 and reducing the frequency of manual maintenance requiring shutdown. Similarly, some of the lubricating oil on the linear guide 30 can also seep back into the oil storage lubrication area 310 due to gravity when the mass body 31 rotates to the point where the oil drip hole 311 faces upward. It should also be noted that the window 232 of each outer casing 23 allows observation of the corresponding inner space 230, thereby indicating whether there is an abnormal amount of lubricating oil leakage. This facilitates timely shutdown to eliminate possible faults when maintenance is needed, ensuring the normal operation of this embodiment.

[0041] See also Figure 9 and Figure 10 and cooperate Figure 2 When each mass 31 moves on its corresponding linear guide 30, the gas compressor 51 located at the end of the linear guide 30 furthest from the rotary wheel 21 is compressed during one rotation of the rotary wheel 21. When the gas compressor 51 is compressed due to the positional movement of the corresponding mass 31, it outputs gas and guides it back to the gas storage pipe 61, and then returns to the gas source 42 via the rotor 832 and the stator 831. Thus, the gas from the gas source 42 can be supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 41 again via the air conditioning assembly 94, the stator 831, and the rotor 832, in conjunction with the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 82, to meet subsequent driving requirements. Simultaneously, since the exhaust pipe 62 is also connected to the gas compressor 51, the gas discharged from the exhaust pipe 62 due to the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 41 can be used again to meet the gas requirements of the gas compressor 51 during operation, thereby ensuring continuous normal operation of this embodiment. It should be noted that the gas source 42 can also be additionally connected to multiple gas storage cylinders 420 ( Figure 10 (Only one is shown in the figure as a representative example) to meet the needs of gas storage or retrieval.

Claims

1. A pneumatic operating power system, comprising a shaft base unit; characterized in that: The pneumatic operating power system also includes: The rotating unit is pivotally mounted on the shaft base unit and includes a rotating wheel that can rotate relative to the shaft base unit with a laterally extending shaft, a plurality of supports that extend outward from the rotating wheel in an eccentric direction, and a plurality of housings that surround the rotating wheel and define a plurality of inner spaces for accommodating the supports. Multiple actuation and displacement units are respectively mounted on the bracket of the rotating unit. Each actuation and displacement unit includes a linear rail mounted on the corresponding bracket and extending away from the rotating axis, and a mass body disposed on the linear rail and capable of reciprocating on the linear rail. Each mass body is hollow and defines an oil storage and lubrication area for storing lubricating oil, and has multiple oil drip holes connected to the oil storage and lubrication area and facing the linear rail for replenishing lubricating oil to the linear rail. A drive unit is connected to the actuation displacement unit and includes multiple pneumatic cylinders linked to the mass body, at least one air source connected to the pneumatic cylinders, and a controller connected to the pneumatic cylinders and used to control the pneumatic cylinders to drive the mass body to move on the linear rails respectively, so as to form an overall eccentricity and cause the rotating unit to rotate. and Multiple circulation units are respectively configured in the actuation displacement unit. Each circulation unit has two gas compressors that are spaced apart from each other and disposed at one end of a corresponding support and are connected to at least one gas source of the drive unit. Each gas compressor is compressed due to the positional movement of the corresponding mass body, and the output gas is guided back to the at least one gas source for reuse.

2. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each gas compressor has a body, a push rod extending from the body toward a corresponding mass body, a contact at the end of the push rod, and a spring sleeved on the push rod with its two ends abutting against the contact and the body respectively, for accumulating elastic restoring force when the push rod is pushed and compressed.

3. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pneumatic operating power system further includes an auxiliary unit surrounding the housing of the rotating unit and connected to the circulation unit. The auxiliary unit includes a plurality of gas storage pipes connected to the gas compressor and the at least one gas source, and a plurality of exhaust pipes respectively connected between adjacent gas storage pipes and connected to the gas compressor.

4. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each actuating displacement unit's mass body also has an oil injection hole connected to the oil storage and lubrication zone, and a cap that can be opened to close the oil injection hole.

5. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each actuation displacement unit also includes at least one counterweight that is detachably attached to the mass body.

6. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each housing of the rotating unit has at least one position corresponding to the mass body and a maintenance door for opening and adjusting the at least one counterweight.

7. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each housing of the rotating unit has a window made of transparent material located on the side away from the rotating wheel.

8. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating unit includes an odd number of supports that are equidistant from each other and spaced apart, and an odd number of housings equal in number to the supports.

9. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The rotating unit includes nine supports and nine housings.

10. The pneumatic operating power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each actuating displacement unit's mass body also has an outwardly protruding slider portion for engaging with the corresponding linear guide.

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