Hydromechanical installation that transforms potential energy into kinetic energy

Description

Hydromechanical installation that transforms potential energy into kinetic energy OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a hydromechanical device consisting of an ascending coil arranged in a zigzag pattern, partially filled with fluid, provided with floating spheres that ascend between levels by means of one-way gates. The coil is mounted on a pivoting fulcrum that allows for alternating tilting. At the lower ends of each section, pivots are arranged connected to a connecting rod-crank mechanism, so that the rocking of the serpentine is transformed into continuous rotation of a common axis. The system is configured as a closed circuit: the spheres that reach the top return to the beginning of the coil through a ball return gate. The assembly allows the conversion of alternating motion into rotary motion. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the field of fluid mechanics applied to energy conversion systems, particularly in hydromechanical devices capable of transforming alternating or tilting movements into continuous rotary motion through the combined action of internal moving masses and simple mechanical elements. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various devices are known that use valves, coils, or lever mechanisms for fluid displacement and motion generation. However, none of them combine into a single set: • An ascending serpentine with one-way gates that guide floating spheres between levels. • An automatic balancing system in response to internal mass displacement. • A mechanism of pivots, connecting rods and cranks that transforms that rocking into rotation. • And a closed sphere recirculation circuit. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention develops a new energy transformation system that harnesses both positive potential energy (generated by weight) and negative potential energy (generated by buoyancy) into kinetic energy. To this end, and more specifically, the installation of the invention is made up of an ascending serpentine composed of several horizontal tubular sections connected by vertical sections arranged alternately to the left and right, forming a zigzag path that ascends progressively. Each vertical section has a one-way gate that allows the passage of fluid and spheres only in an upward direction. The coil is filled with fluid except for its upper section, preferably water, and contains inside several hollow spheres or spheres of lower density than water, of any suitable material, with a diameter smaller than that of the tubular body of the coil. The assembly is mounted on a tilting support with a central fulcrum that allows it to oscillate laterally under the action of the weight of the fluid and the spheres. Thus, depending on the feeding of the spheres in the coil through its lower end, as well as their position due to their buoyancy, the assembly will become unbalanced in one direction or the other, causing an alternating rocking motion. This movement is harnessed by means of a mechanism of connecting rods or tilting levers that are activated when the corresponding end descends due to the tilting of the coil. Each pivot transmits its movement to a connecting rod, which drives a piston or plunger that transforms the vertical displacement into a linear stroke. This stroke is converted into rotary motion by means of a crank attached to an output shaft. The shaft has a one-way clutch and a flywheel, which allows the alternating movements of the pivots (left / right) to combine into a continuous and cumulative rotation without backlash. Returning to the coil, it describes a closed circuit, so that at the top of the coil there is an outlet or return mouth that communicates with a descending channel or drop tube devoid of fluid, and through which the spheres fall by gravity, a column provided at its lower end with a ball return gate or sphere valve, which allows the re-entry of the spheres into the lower section of the coil. In this way, the spheres that ascend along the coil are automatically returned to the initial part, establishing a continuous cycle of ascent, return and new ascent. In the middle section of the upper part of the coil, a complementary ball valve will be installed, delimiting the "dry" zone from the "wet" zone of the circuit. Finally, it should be noted that the closed circuit may include a compensation tank or level chamber that ensures the stability of the fluid and the correct immersion of the spheres when restarting their journey. The system thus described will have minimal electrical consumption with regard to the operation of the check valve, which, being a ball valve, operated by rotation, is subjected to a much lower pressure than any gate system, as are the water losses in said valve body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a drawing is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a hydromechanical installation made in accordance with the object of the present invention in its equilibrium position. Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the installation appears unbalanced to one side, specifically to the left, the initial start-up position, after which, by controlling the feeding of the spheres in the coil, it is possible to achieve continuous balancing of the coil. Figure 3 shows a view similar to that of Figure 2, but in which the serpentine appears unbalanced towards the opposite side. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures described, it can be observed how the proposed installation includes a serpentine (1) composed of several horizontal tubular sections (2) connected by vertical sections (3) arranged alternately to the left and right, forming a zigzag path that ascends progressively. Each vertical section (3) is assisted by two one-way gates (5) arranged in correspondence with each of its two ends, allowing the passage of a series of spheres (4) with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe that makes up the coil (1), spheres (4) that may be of any suitable material that has a density lower than that of the fluid contained in the coil, and with a sufficient weight to be able to be displaced by their own gravity when said spheres access the dry area of ​​the installation, such as the upper section (2) and the descending column (6) that communicates with said upper section. The one-way gates (5) can be of the butterfly, flap or sphere type, ensuring a one-way flow of the spheres (4). The fluid used in the coil can be water, oil, or a glycolic mixture for density regulation. The descending column (6) that determines the return channel of the spheres (4) can be visible or internal, with level control of spheres accumulated in it. For their part, the spheres (4) can incorporate air cores, foam or materialize in hollow capsules to adjust their buoyancy, presenting in any case a sufficient weight to be able to move by gravity in the inclined and dry section that is defined at the upper end of the coil. According to another feature of the invention, the coil (1) is mounted on a tilting support (7) that allows its lateral oscillation under the action of the fluid's own weight and the lesser weight of the spheres that move through it, varying the center of gravity of the assembly by virtue of said displacement. The spheres (4) are fed from below into the coil (1) through a ball valve (8) associated with the lower end of the vertical column (6), which communicates with the lower end of the coil (1). Thus, depending on the feeding of the spheres in the coil through its lower end, as well as their position due to their buoyancy, the assembly will become unbalanced in one direction or another, causing an alternating rocking motion on the tilting support (7). In this sense, the serpentine (1) will include at its lower end and on both sides of the tilting support (7) some pivots (9) that act alternately on two pistons (10) associated with a connecting rod (11) that is articulated at its other end and in an off-center manner on a main wheel (12) associated with an output shaft (13). The shaft or axle (13) has a one-way clutch and a flywheel, which allows the alternating movements of the pivots (left / right) to combine into a continuous and cumulative rotation without backlash. As for the coil, it will have valves that connect to a compensation tank or level chamber that guarantees the stability of the fluid and the correct immersion of the spheres when restarting their journey. In this sense, a ball valve (8) will be established in the upper section of the circuit, limiting the dry zone to the wet zone. Based on this structure, the operation of the installation is as follows: a) In an initial position, the coil (1) is tilted to one side, as shown in Figure 2. b) The spheres (4) inside move by buoyancy towards the highest end and ascend to the next level through the one-way gates (5). c) This displacement alters the center of gravity, causing the coil to tilt towards the opposite side, as shown in figure 3. d) The tilting moves the pivots (9), generating a useful stroke which, through the connecting rods and cranks, produces rotation in the output shaft or axle (13). e) Upon reaching the top, the spheres (4) reach the dry zone of the installation after passing through the second ball valve (8), descending by gravity through the inclined section and the vertical down column (6) and re-enter the first section of the coil through the ball valve (8). f) The cycle restarts, with alternating tilting and rotary movement on the output shaft. It only remains to point out finally that the invention could also work by means of air bubbles strategically injected through the lower end of the coil, replacing the spheres (4), and acting in the same way, due to their lower weight, which would allow the elimination of the entire recirculation circuit associated with the upper end of the coil, as well as eliminating one-way gates (5) and butterfly valves (8-8). The following advantages are derived from the described structure. • Low maintenance and structural simplicity. • Modularity: expandable in number of sections and levels. • Educational and experimental applications. • Low environmental impact: The system could be installed in wells or pipes that would have a limited impact on the environment. • Urban adaptability: The pipes could be placed next to buildings or in urban areas. • Scalability: The system is adaptable, allowing the installation of anything from a single unit to hundreds, of different sizes depending on the needs. • Zero waste: It does not generate any type of waste during its operation. • Applicable to any location: The system operates under the same physical laws anywhere on the planet, even in cold areas (underground, water would take longer to freeze). • Low cost: It requires few materials and its assembly is simple, which reduces production costs.

Claims

1. A hydromechanical installation that transforms potential energy into kinetic energy, characterized in that it is constituted from a coil (1) composed of several horizontal tubular sections (2) connected by vertical sections (3) arranged alternately to the left and right, forming an ascending zigzag path, where each vertical section (3) is assisted by two unidirectional gates (5) arranged in correspondence with each of its two ends, the coil (1) being filled with a fluid, except for its upper section (2'), and within which a series of spheres (4) of lower density than the fluid contained in said coil are movable, it being provided that the upper and dry section of the coil, which is defined from a ball valve (8'), is connected with a descending return column (6) that closes the circuit,and which communicates at its lower end with the lower section of the coil (1) by means of a ball valve (8) that feeds the spheres (4), with the particularity that the coil (1) is mounted on a tilting support (7) on each side of which said coil includes pivots (9) that act alternately on respective pistons (10) associated with respective connecting rods (11) that are articulated at their other end and in an off-center manner on a main wheel (12) associated with an output shaft (13).

2. Hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the one-way gates (5) are of the butterfly type.

3. Hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the one-way gates (5) are of the flap type.

4. Hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1,characterized in that the one-way gates (5) are spherical.

5. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid used in the coil is water.

6. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid used in the coil is oil.

7. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid used in the coil is a glycol mixture.

8. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical column (6) that defines the return channel of the spheres (4) includes means for controlling the level of spheres (4) accumulated within it.

9. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy,10. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the spheres (4) include an air core.

11. A hydromechanical installation for transforming potential energy into kinetic energy, according to claim 1, characterized in that the spheres (4) include a foam core.

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