Gravitational Turbine Engine
Patent No. US11047359 (titled "Gravitational Turbine Engine") was filed by Jin Ye on Apr 15, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’359 is related to the field of renewable energy, specifically turbines designed to extract energy from static fluids. Conventional hydroelectric power relies on flowing water, which is geographically limited. This patent addresses the need for a turbine that can operate in static fluid environments, potentially enabling energy generation from any location with a fluid source.
The underlying idea behind ’359 is to create a rotor system with internal fluid chambers that experience differential forces due to gravity and buoyancy. By strategically shielding portions of the rotor from hydrostatic pressure, an imbalance is created, causing the rotor to rotate. This rotation can then be harnessed to generate electricity.
The claims of ’359 focus on an energy conversion device comprising a container filled with fluid, inclined support-guideway systems, shafts with turntables, a shielding device with rotating elements and lubricant , and a transmission device. The transmission device includes a rotor with fluid chambers, shafts, and an energy output shaft. The shielding device selectively blocks fluid pressure on the chambers, creating a rotational force.
In practice, the turbine operates by allowing fluid to enter chambers within the rotor. A shielding device, strategically positioned, prevents hydrostatic pressure from acting on certain chambers. This creates a difference in potential energy between the shielded and unshielded chambers, resulting in a net torque that drives the rotor. The use of rolling elements and lubricant in the shielding device minimizes friction, improving efficiency.
The design differentiates itself from prior art by utilizing a combination of gravity, buoyancy, and selective pressure shielding within a closed rotor system. Unlike traditional turbines that rely on fluid flow, this invention leverages the potential energy inherent in static fluids. The internal fluid chambers and the shielding mechanism are key to creating the necessary force imbalance for continuous rotation and energy generation.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’359 was filed, turbines were typically implemented using well-established designs and materials, at a time when computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was commonly relied upon for optimizing blade profiles and system performance, and when hardware or software constraints made real-time control of complex fluid dynamics non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were rejected in a non-final office action. The examiner objected to the drawings and rejected claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. 101 and 112. The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
The patent has 6 claims, with claim 1 being independent. Independent claim 1 is directed to an energy conversion device that converts fluid pressure energy into mechanical energy. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features and configurations of the fluid chamber and rotor within the energy conversion device described in the independent claim.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
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US11047359
- Application Number
- US16384875
- Filing Date
- Apr 15, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 15, 2039
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents