Tower Mass Displacement Generator With Pulley-Controlled Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass displacement electricity generation systems require significant effort to drill and maintain deep shafts, which can be aesthetically and environmentally disruptive, and lack efficient methods to vary electricity output.
Innovation Solution
A mass displacement electricity generator using a tower with a pulley arrangement and winch system that drives a flywheel for consistent energy generation, allowing the number of pulleys and masses to be adjusted to control the speed of the falling mass and output, with a flywheel ensuring constant rotational energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a deep shaft is drilled into the ground for mass displacement electricity generation, then the system can be ground-based and minimize aesthetic disturbance, but significant effort and cost are required to drill and maintain the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the mass displacement system underground in a drilled shaft, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the entire system above ground on a tower structure. The tower supports the pulley system and flywheel, eliminating the need for deep shaft drilling while achieving the same mass displacement electricity generation function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of pulleys is increased to control falling mass speed, then electricity output can be varied, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pulley arrangement where the number of pulleys can be adjusted or configured in different patterns. This allows the system to vary the mechanical advantage and control the falling mass speed dynamically, enabling electricity output variability while managing device complexity through flexible design.
3Reliability
If a flywheel is added to ensure constant rotational energy delivery, then electricity generation consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flywheel to store rotational energy and deliver it consistently to the electricity generator. The flywheel's moment of inertia and rotational speed are carefully selected to smooth out variations in energy delivery from the falling mass, ensuring consistent electricity generation. This parameter optimization achieves reliability while managing the added complexity of the flywheel component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable, consistent electricity generation with minimal environmental impact and the ability to vary output, suitable for both small and large-scale operations, and can be compactly installed in urban or rural settings.
Implementation Method 1
a mass suspended by the tower for falling and lifting
Implementation Method 2
a pulley arrangement comprising a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the mass
Implementation Method 3
a flywheel so that as the mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate
Implementation Method 4
the flywheel being in driving connection with a generator so that rotation of the flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A mass displacement electricity generator, having a tower and a first mass suspended by the tower for falling and lifting. The first mass is suspended by a pulley arrangement including a first set of pulleys fixed to the tower above the first mass and a second set of pulleys fixed to the first mass. A cable extends through the first and second sets of pulleys and one end of the cable is fixed to one of the tower or to the first mass. A winch includes a barrel about which the cable winds off as the first mass falls and winds on as the first mass lifts. The winch is in driving connection with a flywheel so that as the first mass falls, the cable winds off the barrel and barrel rotation drives the flywheel to rotate. The flywheel is in driving connection with a generator so that rotation of the flywheel drives the generator for generating electrical energy.