Gravity driven generator

Abstract

An apparatus and method for generating mechanical energy using gravity and a lever. In one aspect of the invention, a power plant having one or more gravity driven units is adapted to generate mechanical energy, which can be captured and used as mechanical energy, or converted to electrical energy for local or remote use. The energy may be stored for later use, for example, in the form of electrical energy, fluid flow energy, hydraulic energy, compressed air or fluid, or a combination thereof. The energy may be stored in any suitable storage medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to devices and related methods for generating mechanical energy using gravity-driven levers, which can be converted into electrical energy or captured and stored for later use. Background Art

[0002] Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, mainly in the form of coal, crude oil, and natural gas. These fuels are formed from the remains of dead animals and plants over thousands of years. Therefore, the fuel supply derived from fossil fuels is limited. The principles of supply and demand economics indicate that as the supply of hydrocarbons decreases, the cost of such supplies will increase. Therefore, based on economic laws, there is an incentive to find alternative energy sources.

[0003] In addition, it is well known that the combustion of fossil fuels produces air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals. Moreover, the combustion of fossil fuels also produces radioactive substances such as uranium and thorium. Environmental regulations use various methods to limit emissions. However, the best solution is to develop alternative energy sources that can mitigate or eliminate the combustion of fossil fuels.

[0004] In recent years, power plants have been studied and developed to provide energy for residential and commercial consumers without the need for fossil fuels, or at least to reduce the amount of fossil fuels required for power plant operation. For example, wind farms have been planned and / or implemented, which utilize arrays of windmills to apply natural wind currents and convert the natural wind currents into electrical energy. One problem is that these windmills need to be placed in limited geographical locations with sufficient natural wind currents, which may be impractical or undesirable.

[0005] Currently, we need improved technologies to produce clean electrical energy using alternative energy sources, supply the clean electrical energy to residential and commercial consumers, and be unrestricted by specific geographical locations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The devices and methods disclosed herein can meet these and other needs. Those of ordinary skill in the art can recognize other improvements and advantages after studying the present disclosure.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for generating mechanical energy using gravity and levers. In one aspect of the invention, a power plant having one or more gravity-driven units is adapted to generate mechanical energy, which can be captured and used as mechanical energy, or converted into electrical energy for local or remote use. The energy can be stored for later use, for example, in the form of electrical energy, fluid flow energy, hydraulic energy, compressed air, or fluid, or a combination thereof. The energy can be stored in any suitable storage medium.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a device is provided with at least one rotatable element mounted on a support member. The rotatable element is adapted to rotate about an axis of mounting of the support member. At least one lever arm is pivotally mounted on the support member at its proximal end, the lever arm including a fulcrum at its proximal end and one or more weights at its distal end. Along the length of the lever arm, preferably at its distal end, a lifting device is provided, which is operable to raise the lever arm at the end of its operating cycle. The rotatable element is preferably a rotatable gear connected to another rotatable gear (e.g., a gear ratio of 1:1) or a gearbox, and in turn is connected to a generator. When the lever and the weights act on the distal end of the lever arm, gravity causes the lever arm to move downward, and the lever arm is connected to the rotatable element through an engagement member (e.g., a ratchet device), thereby causing the rotatable element to rotate, generating mechanical energy, which can be utilized or converted into electrical energy and stored or transmitted to a remote location, such as a power grid or off-grid application, or a combination thereof.

[0009] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the device is provided with a linear gear mounted on a vertical support member. At least one lever arm is pivotally mounted on the vertical support member at its proximal end, the lever arm including a fulcrum at its proximal end and one or more weights at its distal end. Along the length of the lever arm, preferably at the midpoint, a lifting device is provided, which is operable to raise the lever arm at the end of its operating cycle. The lever arm includes a rotatable engagement member (pinion) for engaging with the linear gear at a position near the proximal end at the fulcrum. The generator is mechanically connected to the rotatable engagement member. When the lever and the weights act on the distal end of the lever arm, gravity causes the lever arm to move downward, and the lever arm is connected to the linear gear through the rotatable engagement member. When the lever arm descends from the raised position to the lowered position, the engagement member rotates while engaging with the linear gear. As the engagement member rotates, mechanical energy is generated, which can be utilized or converted into electrical energy and stored or transmitted to a remote location, such as a power grid or off-grid application, or a combination thereof.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the device is provided with a rotatable belt assembly mounted on a vertical support member. At least one lever arm is pivotally mounted at its proximal end on the vertical support member, the lever arm including a pivot point at its proximal end and one or more weights at its distal end. Along the length of the lever arm, preferably at the midpoint, a lifting device is provided which is operable to raise the lever arm at the end of its operating cycle. The lever arm includes a fixed engagement member near its proximal end for engaging the rotatable belt of the belt assembly in a grasping manner at the pivot point. A generator is mechanically connected to the rotatable belt assembly. When the lever and the weights are applied to the distal end of the lever arm, gravity causes the lever arm to move downward and is connected to the rotatable belt through the fixed engagement member. When the lever arm is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the belt rotates while engaging the fixed engagement member. As the belt rotates, mechanical energy is generated, and this mechanical energy can be utilized or converted into electrical energy and stored or transmitted to a remote location, such as a power grid or off-grid application, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed herein.

[0011] This Summary is intended to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the devices and methods disclosed herein as a prelude to the detailed description below. Accordingly, this Summary is not intended to identify key elements of the devices or methods disclosed herein or to delineate their scope. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 Side view of an exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0013] Figure 2 Side view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0014] Figure 3 Front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0015] Figure 4 Side perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0016] Figure 5 Side view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0017] Figure 6 Side view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0018] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Partial front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of

[0019] Figure 8 Side view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity-driven generator.

[0020] Figure 9 For Figure 8 Partial side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of

[0021] Figure 10 Side view of another exemplary embodiment of a gravity - driven generator.

[0022] The accompanying drawings are only examples, and the embodiments shown in the figures are for reference only for the purpose of explanation. The number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the elements constituting the various embodiments described herein, as well as the dimensions and dimensional ratios that meet specific force, weight, strength, flow rate, and similar requirements, have been explained herein or will be understood by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. In each figure, the same numerals represent the same or similar elements. Additionally, when terms such as "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "front", "rear", "first", "second", "inner", "outer", etc. are used, they should be understood with reference to the orientation of the embodiments shown in the drawings and are used for ease of description. Relative terms used herein (such as generally, approximately, nearly, essentially) may represent engineering, manufacturing, or scientific tolerances or other such tolerances, which will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art after studying this disclosure. Detailed Description

[0023] This application claims the priority and benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 407,274, filed on September 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] This disclosure relates to devices and methods for generating mechanical energy using gravity and levers. Figure 1-10 Exemplary embodiments of gravity - driven power generation devices 10, 100, 200 are shown.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the device 10 includes a controller 11 for managing the operation of the device, such as a computer. The device 10 also includes a support member 12 preferably having a mounting shaft 13. One or more rotatable members 14 are mounted on the mounting shaft 13 for rotation about it. Each rotatable member 14 is preferably a rotatable disk 15 having an outer annular surface 16, and the rotatable disk 15 is provided with a plurality of teeth 17. A gearbox 20 is preferably mechanically connected to the rotatable disk 15, and the gearbox 20 is adapted to receive mechanical energy from the rotatable disk 15. A generator 25 is preferably mechanically connected to the gearbox 20, and the generator 25 is adapted to receive mechanical energy from the gearbox 20 and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The controller 11 is operable to provide the power from the generator 25 to meet local power demands or to provide the power from the generator 25 to a remote location such as a power grid.

[0026] The lever arm 30 has a proximal end 31 pivotally mounted on a support member 12 (preferably mounted on a mounting shaft 13) and a distal end 32 extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end 31. The distal end 32 of the lever arm is pivotable between a raised position R and a lowered position L. The distal end 32 preferably includes one or more weight members 33 attached thereto to facilitate pivoting of the distal end 32 from the raised position R to the lowered position L. The lever arm 30 is adjustable in length and is preferably telescopic. The lever arm 30 has an engagement member 34 near the proximal end 31 of the lever arm for engaging the outer annular surface 16 of the rotatable disk at a fulcrum 35.

[0027] The lifting member 40 is mechanically connected to the distal end 32 of the lever arm. The lifting member 40 is adapted to lift the distal end 32 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The controller 11 is operable to supply power to the lifting member 40 to actuate the lifting member 40 to lift the distal end 32 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The power supplied may be electrical power from the generator 25. The lifting member 40 may include a hydraulic cylinder 41 (see Figure 1 ), a vertical linear gear assembly 49 (see Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 ) or other lifting mechanisms, or various combinations thereof.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the vertical linear gear assembly 49 (see Figure 2 ), the vertical linear gear assembly 49 includes a vertically disposed linear gear 42 having a free top end 43 and a pivotally mounted bottom end 44. A coupling member 45 is connected to the distal end 32 of the lever arm. The coupling member 45 preferably includes a motor-driven circular gear 46 for engaging the linear gear 42 and an L-shaped bracket 47 having rollers 48 for maintaining engagement of the linear gear 42 with the circular gear 46. The controller 11 is operable to supply power to the motor-driven circular gear 46 to actuate the circular gear 46 to rotate upward relative to the linear gear 42, thereby lifting the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The power supplied may be electrical power from the generator 25. The pivotally mounted bottom end 44 allows the linear gear 42 to pivot back and forth as needed to accommodate the arcuate movement of the distal end 32 of the lever arm.

[0029] In the vertical linear gear assembly 49 (see Figure 5) In another exemplary embodiment, the linear gear 42 includes an unconnected top end 43 and an unconnected bottom end 44, and the lever arm 30 is telescopic. The controller 11 is operable to power the motor-driven circular gear 46 to actuate the circular gear 46 to rotate downward relative to the linear gear 42, thereby lifting the linear gear 42 off the ground and then extending / retracting the distal end 32 of the lever arm. The power provided can be electrical power from the generator 25. Since the linear gear 42 is not fixed in place, it moves with the distal end 32 of the lever arm. The controller 11 is operable to actuate the circular gear 46 to rotate upward relative to the linear gear 42. As the circular gear 46 rotates upward, the linear gear 42 moves downward until it contacts the ground. Thereafter, the continued rotation of the circular gear 46 lifts the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the lowered position L to the raised position R.

[0030] may include an optional rotatable flywheel 50 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 ), in which case the flywheel 50 is preferably mechanically connected to the rotatable disk 15, and the flywheel 50 is adapted to receive and store mechanical energy from the rotatable disk 15. In this embodiment, the gearbox 20 is preferably mechanically connected to the flywheel 50, and the gearbox 20 is adapted to receive mechanical energy from the flywheel 50 rather than directly from the rotatable disk 15.

[0031] In operation, the controller 11 is operable to release the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the raised position R. After the distal end 32 of the lever arm is released from the raised position R, gravity is operable to pivot the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the raised position R to the lowered position L. When the distal end 32 of the lever arm pivots from the raised position R to the lowered position L, the engaging member 34 of the lever arm is operable to engage with the outer annular surface 16 of the rotatable disk and rotate the rotatable disk 15. As the rotatable disk 15 rotates, the rotatable disk 15 is operable to directly transfer mechanical energy to the gearbox 20 or indirectly through the flywheel 50 (if present), where the gearbox 20 is operable to transfer mechanical energy to the generator 25 (or other device), and the generator 25 is operable to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The controller 11 is operable to actuate the lifting member 40 to lift the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the lowered position L to the raised position R, preparing the device 10 to restart the cycle.

[0032] The device 10 can be used as a battery when the power demand is high. In this case, the lever arm 30 remains in the raised position R until power is needed (see Figure 4)。The controller 11 can be actuated to release the lever arm 30 such that gravity drives the lever arm 30 to the lowered position L as described above, thereby generating electricity that can be accessed by, for example, a remote power grid. During periods of low electricity demand, electricity from the remote power grid can be used to actuate the lifting member 40 to lift the distal end 32 of the lever arm from the lowered position L to the raised position R, preparing the device 10 to restart the cycle.

[0033] In Figures 6 to 7 In another embodiment shown, the device 100 includes a controller for managing the operation of the device, such as controller 11. The device 100 also includes at least one vertical support member 112 and at least one horizontal support member 114. A linear gear 115 is fixedly mounted on the vertical support member 112, and the linear gear 115 has a plurality of teeth 117. The lever arm 130 includes a proximal end 131 pivotally mounted on the vertical support member 112; a distal end 132 extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end 131; and a rotatable engagement member 134, such as a pinion, proximate the proximal end 131 for engaging the linear gear 115 at a fulcrum 135. The lever arm 130 is telescopically adjustable in length. A weight member 133 may be mounted on the distal end 132 of the lever arm to facilitate lowering of the distal end from the raised position R to the lowered position L. A generator 125 is mechanically connected to the engagement member 134. The controller is operable to provide electricity from the generator 125 to meet local electricity demand or to provide electricity from the generator 125 to a remote location such as a power grid.

[0034] The lever arm 130 is pivotally mounted on the vertical support member 112 by a mounting shaft 113, which in turn is fixedly mounted on a movable mounting plate 120 having a plurality of roller elements, such as rotatable wheels 121, to facilitate vertical travel of the mounting plate 120 within a vertically disposed track 123. The lever arm 130 is adapted to pivot between an upper pivot position UP and a lower pivot position DP, for example, pivot between about 5 - 10 degrees, wherein in the upper pivot position UP, the rotatable engagement member 134 is disengaged from the linear gear 115, and in the lower pivot position DP, the rotatable engagement member 134 is engaged with the linear gear 115.

[0035] A lifting member 140 is mechanically connected to the lever arm 130 and is adapted to lift the lever arm 130 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The lifting member 140 may include a hydraulic cylinder, such as Figure 10As shown, the hydraulic cylinder is installed below the lever arm 130, preferably between the midpoint and the distal end 132 of the lever arm 130. The lifting member 140 may include a winch 145 mounted on the horizontal support member 114 above the lever arm 130. The winch 145 includes a cable or chain 146. The first end of the cable or chain 146 is mounted on the winch 145, and the second end is mounted on the lever arm 130, preferably between the midpoint and the distal end 132 of the lever arm 130. The winch 145 may be adapted to travel along the horizontal support member 114 in various embodiments, such as in embodiments having a telescoping lever arm 130. In embodiments where the lifting member 140 is completely located below the lever arm 130, such as the hydraulic cylinder 141, the horizontal support 114 may be omitted.

[0036] In operation, the controller may release the lever arm 130 from the raised position R. After the lever arm 130 is released from the raised position R, gravity may operate to lower the lever arm 130 from the raised position R to the lowered position L. When the lever arm 130 is lowered from the raised position R to the lowered position L, the mounting plate 120 travels downward in the track 123. After the lever arm 130 is released from the raised position R, the lever arm 130 is adapted to pivot to the lower pivot position DP. When the lever arm 130 pivots to the lower pivot position DP, the engaging member 134 is adapted to engage with the linear gear 115. When the lever arm 130 is lowered from the raised position R to the lowered position L, the engaging member 134 rotates while engaging with the linear gear 115. As the engaging member rotates, the engaging member 134 transfers mechanical energy to the generator 125, and the generator 125 may be operable to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The controller may be operable to actuate the lifting member 140 to lift the lever arm 130 from the lowered position L to the raised position R, so that the device 100 is ready to restart the cycle. When the lever arm 130 is lifted from the lowered position L to the raised position R, the mounting plate 120 travels upward in the track 123. When the lever arm 130 is lifted toward the raised position R, the lever arm 130 pivots to the upper pivot position UP. When the lever arm 130 pivots to the upper pivot position UP, the engaging member 134 disengages from the linear gear 115, and the engaging member 134 remains disengaged from the linear gear 115 when the lever arm 130 is lifted toward the raised position R. The controller may be operable to supply power to the lifting member 140 to actuate the lifting member 140 to lift the lever arm 130 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The power supplied to the lifting member 140 may be the power from the generator 125. The controller may be operable to supply the power from the generator 125 to a remote location.

[0037] In Figures 8 to 10In other embodiments shown, the apparatus 200 includes a controller for managing the operation of the apparatus, such as controller 11. The apparatus 200 also includes at least one vertical support member 212 and at least one horizontal support member 214. A belt assembly 215 is mounted on the vertical support member 212. The belt assembly 215 has a belt, cable, chain, etc. (collectively referred to as "belt" 216), which is wound around a first rotating member 218 and a second rotating member 219. The belt 216 may have teeth 217, or may be a metal chain, and the rotating members 218 and 219 may be pulleys or sprockets adapted to engage with the belt 216.

[0038] The lever arm 230 includes a proximal end 231 pivotally mounted on the vertical support member 212; a distal end 232 extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end 231; and a rigid engagement member 234, such as a ratchet member, proximate to the proximal end 231 for engaging the belt 216 in a grasping manner at a fulcrum 235. The lever arm 230 may be telescopic in length. A weight member 233 may be connected to the distal end 232 of the lever arm to urge the distal end to move from a raised position R to a lowered position L. A generator 225 is mechanically connected to the belt assembly 215. The controller is operable to provide power from the generator 225 to meet local power demands, or to provide power from the generator 225 to a remote location such as the power grid.

[0039] The lever arm 230 is pivotally mounted on the vertical support member 212 by a mounting shaft 213, and the mounting shaft 213 is in turn fixedly mounted on a movable mounting plate 220 having a plurality of roller elements, such as rotatable wheels 221, to facilitate vertical travel of the mounting plate 220 within a vertically disposed track 223. The lever arm 230 is adapted to pivot between an upper pivot position UP and a lower pivot position DP, for example, pivot between about 5 - 10 degrees, wherein in the upper pivot position UP, the rigid engagement member 234 disengages from the belt 216, and in the lower pivot position DP, the rigid engagement member 234 engages the belt 216.

[0040] A lifting member 240 is mechanically connected to the lever arm 230. The lifting member 240 is adapted to lift the lever arm 230 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The lifting member 240 may include a hydraulic cylinder 241, as Figure 10As shown, the hydraulic cylinder is installed below the lever arm 230, preferably between the midpoint and the distal end 232 of the lever arm 230. The lifting member 240 may include a winch 245 mounted on the horizontal support member 214 above the lever arm 230. The winch 245 includes a cable 246. The first end of the cable 246 is mounted on the winch 245, and the second end is mounted on the lever arm 230, preferably between the midpoint and the distal end 232 of the lever arm 230. The winch 245 can be adapted to travel along the horizontal support member 214 in various embodiments, such as in embodiments having a telescoping lever arm 230. In embodiments where the lifting member 240 is entirely located below the lever arm 230, such as the hydraulic cylinder 241, the horizontal support 214 can be omitted.

[0041] In operation, the controller can release the lever arm 230 from the raised position R. After the lever arm 230 is released from the raised position R, gravity can operate to lower the lever arm 230 from the raised position R to the lowered position L. When the lever arm 230 is lowered from the raised position R to the lowered position L, the mounting plate 220 travels downward in the track 223. After the lever arm 230 is released from the raised position R, the lever arm 230 is adapted to pivot to the lower pivot position DP. When the lever arm 230 pivots to the lower pivot position DP, the engaging member 234 is adapted to engage the belt 216 in a gripping manner. As the lever arm 230 is lowered from the raised position R to the lowered position L, the engaging member 234 causes the belt 216 to rotate around the rotating members 218 and 219 while engaging the belt 216 in a gripping manner. As the belt 216 rotates, the belt assembly 215 is adapted to transfer mechanical energy to the generator 225, where the generator 225 can operate to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The controller can operate to actuate the lifting member 240 to lift the lever arm 230 from the lowered position L to the raised position R, thereby preparing the device 200 to restart the cycle. When the lever arm 230 is lifted from the lowered position L to the raised position R, the mounting plate 220 travels upward in the track 223. When the lever arm 230 is lifted toward the raised position R, the lever arm 230 pivots to the upper pivot position UP. When the lever arm 230 pivots to the upper pivot position UP, the engaging member 234 disengages from the belt 216, and the engaging member 234 remains disengaged from the belt 216 as the lever arm 230 is lifted toward the raised position R. The controller can operate to supply power to the lifting member 240 to actuate the lifting member 240 to lift the lever arm 230 from the lowered position L to the raised position R. The power supplied to the lifting member 240 can be power from the generator 225. The controller can operate to supply power from the generator 225 to a remote location.

[0042] The foregoing discussion and the accompanying drawings disclose and describe various exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of coverage, but rather to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and the claims. For example, it should be understood that any device capable of receiving and utilizing the mechanical energy from the gravity-driven lever arm can be replaced. Thus, the gearbox and / or the generator can be replaced with other devices that can capture, use, or store the mechanical energy generated by the downward movement of the gravity-driven lever arm, including, for example, fluid pumps, compressed air compressors, etc. Additionally, the stored energy can be electrical energy, fluid flow energy, hydraulic energy, compressed air or fluid, or a combination of these forms, and the stored energy can be stored in any suitable storage medium.

[0043] The abstract is not intended to identify the key elements of the devices and methods disclosed herein or to delineate their scope. After studying this disclosure and its exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art can readily recognize that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gravity - driven power generation device, comprising: a. A controller for managing the operation of the device; b. A vertical support member; c. A horizontal support member; d. A linear gear mounted on the vertical support member; e. A lever arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatable engagement member, the proximal end being pivotally mounted on the vertical support member, the distal end extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end, and the engagement member being near the proximal end for engaging with the linear gear, the lever arm being adapted to pivot between an upper pivot position and a lower pivot position; f. A lifting member mechanically connected to the lever arm, the lifting member being adapted to lift the lever arm from a lowered position to a raised position; And g. A generator mechanically connected to the engagement member; h. Wherein the controller is operable to release the lever arm from the raised position, and wherein after the lever arm is released from the raised position, gravity is operable to lower the lever arm from the raised position to the lowered position; i. Wherein after the lever arm is released from the raised position, the lever arm is adapted to pivot to the lower pivot position, and wherein when the lever arm pivots to the lower pivot position, the engagement member is adapted to engage with the linear gear, and wherein when the lever arm is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the engagement member rotates while engaging with the linear gear, and wherein as the engagement member rotates, the engagement member is adapted to transfer mechanical energy to the generator, and wherein the generator is operable to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy; j. Wherein the controller is operable to actuate the lifting member to lift the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position; k. Wherein when the lever arm is raised to the raised position, the lever arm is adapted to pivot to the upper pivot position, and wherein when the lever arm pivots to the upper pivot position, the engagement member is adapted to disengage from the linear gear, and wherein when the lever arm is raised to the raised position, the engagement member disengages from the linear gear.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The lever arm is telescopic in length.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a weighting member connected to the distal end of the lever arm to facilitate the lowering of the distal end from the raised position to the lowered position.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The lifting member comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted below the lever arm.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The lifting member comprises a winch mounted on the horizontal member above the lever arm, and a cable having a first end mounted on the winch and a second end mounted on the lever arm.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to the lifting member to actuate the lifting member to lift the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to a remote location.

8. A gravity - driven power generation device, comprising: a. A controller for managing the operation of the device; b. A vertical support member; c. A horizontal support member; d. A belt assembly mounted on the vertical support member, the belt assembly having a first rotating member, a second rotating member, and a belt rotatably mounted about the first rotating member and the second rotating member; e. A lever arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a rigid engagement member, the proximal end pivotally mounted on the vertical support member, the distal end extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end, and the rigid engagement member being adjacent to the proximal end for engaging with the belt, the lever arm being adapted to pivot between an upper pivot position and a lower pivot position; f. A lifting member mechanically connected to the lever arm, the lifting member being adapted to lift the lever arm from a lowered position to a raised position; and g. A generator mechanically connected to the belt assembly; h. Wherein the controller is operable to release the lever arm from the raised position, and wherein after the lever arm is released from the raised position, gravity is operable to lower the lever arm from the raised position to the lowered position; i. Wherein after the lever arm is released from the raised position, the lever arm is adapted to pivot to the lower pivot position, and wherein when the lever arm pivots to the lower pivot position, the engagement member is adapted to engage with the belt in a grasping manner, and wherein when the lever arm is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the engagement member is adapted to rotate the belt about the first rotating member and the second rotating member while engaging with the belt in a grasping manner, and wherein as the belt rotates, the belt assembly is adapted to transfer mechanical energy to the generator, and wherein the generator is operable to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy; j. Wherein the controller is operable to actuate the lifting member to lift the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position; k. Wherein when the lever arm is raised to the raised position, the lever arm is adapted to pivot to the upper pivot position, and wherein when the lever arm pivots to the upper pivot position, the engagement member is adapted to disengage from the belt, and wherein when the lever arm is raised to the raised position, the engagement member disengages from the belt.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The first rotating member and the second rotating member are sprockets, and the belt is a metal chain.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The lever arm is telescopic in length.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a weight member connected to the distal end of the lever arm to facilitate lowering of the distal end from the raised position to the lowered position.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The lifting member includes a hydraulic cylinder mounted below the lever arm.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The lifting member includes a winch mounted on the horizontal member above the lever arm, and a cable having a first end mounted on the winch and a second end mounted on the lever arm.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to the lifting member to actuate the lifting member to lift the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to a remote location.

16. A gravity-driven power generation device, comprising: a. A controller for managing the operation of the device; b. A support member; c. A rotatable disk having an outer annular surface, the rotatable disk being rotatably mounted on the support member; d. A gearbox mechanically connected to the rotatable disk, the gearbox being adapted to receive mechanical energy from the rotatable disk; e. A generator mechanically connected to the gearbox, the generator being adapted to receive mechanical energy from the gearbox and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy; f. A lever arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and an engaging member, the proximal end being pivotally mounted on the support member, the distal end extending a predetermined distance from the proximal end, and the engaging member being adjacent to the proximal end of the lever arm for engaging with the outer annular surface of the rotatable disk, the distal end of the lever arm being adapted to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position; And g. A lifting member mechanically connected to the lever arm, the lifting member being adapted to lift the distal end of the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position; h. Wherein the controller is operable to release the distal end of the lever arm from the raised position, and wherein, after the distal end of the lever arm is released from the raised position, gravity is operable to pivot the distal end of the lever arm from the raised position to the lowered position; i. Wherein, when the distal end of the lever arm pivots from the raised position to the lowered position, the engaging member of the lever arm is operable to engage with the outer annular surface of the rotatable disk and rotate the rotatable disk, and wherein, as the rotatable disk rotates, the rotatable disk is operable to transfer mechanical energy to the gearbox, wherein the gearbox is operable to transfer mechanical energy to the generator, and wherein the generator is operable to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy; j. Wherein the controller is operable to actuate the lifting member to lift the distal end of the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The lever arm is telescopically adjustable in length.

18. The device according to claim 16, further comprising a weighting member connected to the distal end of the lever arm to facilitate pivoting of the distal end of the lever arm from the raised position to the lowered position.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The lifting member comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein The lifting member comprises a vertical linear gear assembly.

21. The device according to claim 16, further comprising a flywheel mechanically connected to the rotatable disk, the flywheel being adapted to receive and store mechanical energy from the rotatable disk.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein The gearbox is mechanically connected to the flywheel, the gearbox being adapted to receive mechanical energy from the flywheel.

23. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to the lifting member to actuate the lifting member to lift the distal end of the lever arm from the lowered position to the raised position.

24. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The controller is operable to supply power from the generator to a remote location.

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