Method for producing energy and an apparatus producing energy

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing energy, in such a way that the apparatus is based on weights ( 4 ) and floats ( 3 ), and in which the weights/floats are situated, for example, on arms set to rotate on bearings around a pivot point ( 1 ), so that at least one weight ( 4 ) can be moved in an essentially radial direction. The arm ( 2 ), to which the weight ( 4 ) is attached and locked in a position moved towards the axle ( 1 ), is moved from a position deviating from a vertical position, locked there, and the weight ( 4 ) is released, so that it carries out work, such as pumping the liquid. The arm ( 2 ) being released to return to its initial position, so that the means ( 5, 6 ) connected to the weight, returns the weight ( 4 ) by resting against a counter-surface ( 7 ) with a diminishing radius.

1 . A method for producing energy by means of an apparatus operating in water, which is based on weights ( 4 ) and floats ( 3 ), which are situated at, or near to the outer ends of arms set to rotate on bearings around a pivot point ( 1 ), and in which the weights/floats are set to move in such a way that at least one weight ( 4 ) can be moved, characterized in that the arm ( 2 ) and the arrangement of the float ( 3 ) and the weight ( 4 ) are moved from one position to the other principally with the aid of the buoyancy effect of the float ( 3 ), in which arrangement the weight ( 4 ) is moved to a position extending the lever arm, or the weight is allowed to descend from the said position to a lower level carrying out work and is returned to the initial situation by moving the weight back to its initial position.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the weight ( 4 ) is returned to its initial position with the aid of means ( 5 ,  6 ) connected to the weight, by resting against a counter-surface ( 7 ) with a diminishing radius.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the weight ( 4 ) is connected to the piston rod ( 8 ) of a piston pump ( 9 ,  10 ) in a second position differing from the initial vertical position of the arm ( 2 ), pumping being achieved by the pressure of the released weight ( 4 ) on the piston rod ( 8 ).  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the movement of the weight ( 4 ) takes place along a rail arrangement ( 14 ) or similar.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus operating under water for producing energy, based on weights ( 4 ) and floats ( 3 ), which are situated at, or near to the outer ends of arms set to rotate on bearings around a pivot point ( 1 ), in such a way that at least one weight ( 4 ) is movable, characterized in that in the apparatus there are means ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) for recovering energy from the vertical movement of the weight ( 4 ) and/or means (e.g.  14 ) for moving the weight ( 4 ) more or less horizontally and thus for altering the torque acting on the arm ( 2 ).  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the means ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) comprises a pump construction, a combination of a rack and a pinion, or a corresponding device.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the pump construction is an integral part of the weight and float arrangement.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the float ( 3 ) forms the cylinder of the pump and the weight ( 4 ) forms the piston of it.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the pump is connected to an external channel ( 11 ) for leading liquid to it for pumping.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to any of the above claims  5 - 9 , characterized in that it includes means ( 12 ,  12 ′,  13 ) for holding the path of the weight ( 4 ) in the desired position.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to any of the above claims  5 - 10 , characterized in that it also includes means ( 14 ,  15 ) for moving the weight ( 4 ) in a direction more or less deviating from the vertical direction.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterized in that it also includes means ( 14 ,  15 ) for moving the weight ( 4 ) in an essentially horizontal direction.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to any of claims  5 - 12 , characterized in that the weight ( 4 ) is situated in a sleeve-like member ( 16 ), inside which the weight can move.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the means for moving and tilting the weight ( 4 ) are means for moving and tilting the sleeve-like member ( 16 ).  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that it includes rail-like components ( 14 ) for moving the weight ( 4 ) laterally.