Fluid flexible container pump

Abstract

System for converting mechanical energy such as ocean power into fluid power which is directed to energy conversion systems or other purposes. Included are fluid inflatable containers arranged to receive mechanical energy from a plunger mounted on a shaft, such that the flexible wall of the container forms a rolling lobe in response to changes in volume, enclosed within a drum, said shaft running axially through the drum and coupled to the drum by bearings so that the drum and shaft may move in relation to one another, a vane runs longitudinally on the drum and extending radially from an attachment point at the inner surface of the drum to the surface of the shaft. The mechanical energy is connected directly or indirectly to either the shaft or to the drum. Mechanical forces cause the plunger to press into the fluid inflatable container expelling fluid and creating fluid flow.

1 . A method for deriving energy from an object in motion by converting mechanical energy to fluid movement using non-linear motion comprising:
 receiving a mechanical input;   moving an arced plunger into a first flexible fluid filled container, wherein the first flexible fluid filled container is comprised of one of elastomers, coated fabrics, and multi-ply composites, and wherein fluid is contained within the flexible fluid filled container;   rolling a portion of the first flexible fluid filled container along an outer surface of the arced plunger;   pushing fluid out of the first flexible fluid filled container;   directing the pushed fluid to a generator;   generating electricity using the directed fluid and the generator;   allowing the electricity to travel away from the generator along an electrical line; and   directing the fluid into a second inflatable fluid container wherein the fluid at least partially fills the second inflatable container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second inflatable container is operably connected to an opposing plunger and the opposing plunger is connected through a vane to the arced plunger, further comprising suctioning to draw directed fluid into the second inflatable container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 accumulating fluid in an accumulator. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 diverting the pushed fluid using a diverter. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the pushed fluid uses a sensor, a computer and a valve to control the flow of the pushed fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a drum to constrain the first fluid filled container. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical input that moves the arced plunger is created from energy derived from fluid flow. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the received mechanical input is created from one of wave, current, tidal, and surf energy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of an energy force creating the mechanical input wherein the energy force is linear. 
     
     
         10 . A non-linear system for use in generating electricity from mechanical energy comprising:
 a non-linear plunger having a mid-portion with an arcuate shaped exterior surface wherein the non-linear plunger is operably connected to a mechanical energy source;   a flexible fluid filled container, operably connected to the non-linear plunger, wherein the first flexible fluid filled container is comprised of one of elastomers, coated fabrics, and multi-ply composites, and wherein fluid is contained within the flexible fluid filled container, wherein a portion of the flexible fluid filled container is rolled onto the arcuate shaped exterior surface of the non-linear plunger, such that the non-linear plunger plunging towards the fluid filled container causes a portion of the flexible fluid filled container to roll along the arcuate shaped exterior surface of the plunger;   fluid, wherein fluid is expelled from the flexible fluid filled container when the plunger is moved toward the flexible fluid filled container by the mechanical energy source; and   a generator to generate electricity using the expelled fluid.   
     
     
         11 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  wherein the mechanical energy source is derived from ocean power. 
     
     
         12 . The non-linear system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a device exerting an opposing force upon the plunger.   
     
     
         13 . The non-linear system of  claim 10 , further comprising a torsion spring, wherein the torsion spring exerts an opposing force upon the plunger. 
     
     
         14 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  further comprising a second plunger and a second fluid filled container wherein the second plunger is operably connected through a vane to the first plunger. 
     
     
         15 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  further comprising a diverter for diverting fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  further comprising a computer, having a processor, a memory and software, that changes velocity of the expelled fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  further comprising a drum wherein the flexible fluid filled container is located inside and constrained by the drum. 
     
     
         18 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  wherein the generator comprises a turbine, an alternator, a controller and an electrical output line. 
     
     
         19 . The non-linear system of  claim 10  wherein the fluid comprises hydraulic fluid and the non-linear system further comprises hydraulic fluid lines and an accumulator. 
     
     
         20 . A non-linear system for use in converting an objects movement into fluid movement comprising:
 a non-linear plunger having two ends and a mid-portion with an arcuate shaped exterior surface, the non-linear plunger operably connected to a moving object;   a fluid inflatable container having a flexible membrane engaging with the non-linear plunger, wherein the flexible membrane rolls onto the arcuate shaped exterior surface of the non-linear plunger, such that inflation of the fluid inflatable container causes a portion of the flexible membrane to unroll from the arcuate shaped exterior surface of the plunger;   an opposing plunger operably connected to one end of the non-linear plunger;   an opposing fluid container which engages the opposing plunger; and   a fluid communicator, wherein the fluid inflatable container and the opposing fluid container are in fluid communication, and   wherein the moving object causes the opposing plunger to plunge into the opposing fluid container causing the opposing fluid container to expel some of its content.   
     
     
         21 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising a volume of fluid, wherein the volume of fluid is dispersed in the fluid inflatable container, the opposing fluid container and the fluid communicator, wherein movement of the object forces fluid to travel through the fluid communicator. 
     
     
         22 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising an accumulator connected to the fluid communicator. 
     
     
         23 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising one of a uni-directional and bi-directional turbine wherein the turbine is turned by fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising an alternator. 
     
     
         25 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising a diverter valve connected to the fluid communicator. 
     
     
         26 . The non-linear system of  claim 20  further comprising a computer with software to monitor the fluid flow. 
     
     
         27 . The non-linear system of  claim 1  further comprising a drum which houses the non-linear plunger, opposing plunger, fluid inflatable container and opposing fluid inflatable container; wherein the drum is attached to one of a seabed or a first buoy. 
     
     
         28 . The non-linear system of  claim 27  further comprising a vane which is operably connected to one of a wall or a second buoy. 
     
     
         29 . The non-linear system of  claim 27  wherein the drum is in a horizontal orientation and the system further comprising a vertical drum operably connected to the horizontally oriented drum. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus comprising:
 a drum;   a shaft passing longitudinally through the drum;   two or more casters, operably connected to the drum and the shaft, wherein the shaft and the drum move relative to each other;   a non-linear plunger housed within the drum and connected to the shaft;   a first fluid inflatable container housed within the drum and operably connected to the plunger, wherein the first fluid inflatable container comprises a flexible membrane which rolls when deflated;   a second fluid inflatable container housed within the drum and in fluid communication with the first fluid container;   wherein relative motion between a shaft and the drum will cause non-linear movement of the non-linear plunger within the drum and, when the non-linear movement of the non-linear plunger is towards the first fluid inflatable container, the non-linear movement will cause fluid to move from the first fluid container to the second fluid container.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the second fluid inflatable container comprises a flexible membrane, the apparatus further comprising a second plunger connected to the non-linear plunger and operably connected to the second fluid inflatable container.