BACKGROUND SECTION OF THE INVENTION
An issue with engines that run on fuel is that they generate pollution. An alternative to an engine that runs on fuel is an engine that runs with pressurized air. A problem with pressurized air engines is that they quickly run out of pressurized air. There is a need in the art for an engine that can run on pressurized air for a relatively long period of time.
SUMMARY SECTION OF THE INVENTION
Provided is an apparatus for generation of a rotary motion comprising: a) an engine configured to be operated by air, the engine further configured to create a rotary motion; b) a first air tank in air communication with the engine; c) a second air tank in air communication with the engine; d) one or more one way valves that limit backflow of air to the engine; e) one or more conduits to allow for air communication between components of the apparatus; wherein the first air tank and the second air tank supply air to the engine through the one or more conduits, the air subsequently leaving the engine and entering the first and/or the second tank, the one way valve positioned between the engine and the tanks where direction of air flow is away from the engine; wherein passage of air through the engine creates a rotary motion. The apparatus can further comprise one or more breathers configured for exchange of air from inside and outside of the apparatus. The engine can have a plurality of pistons. The engine can be configured to operate with air from the first and/or the second tank. The engine can have a plurality of valves that regulate flow of air. The valves can be solenoid valves. The valves regulating airflow from one of the tanks can be open when the engine is in idle, and the valves regulating airflow from the other air tank can be closed when the engine is in idle. The valves regulating airflow from the first tank and the second tank can be open when the engine is generating the rotary motion. The one or more conduit leaving the engine that carry air both to the first tank and the second tank, and can have a plurality of one way valves and/or breathers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates the components and air connections of an apparatus that makes a rotary motion and is powered by air.
FIG. 2 illustrates the components and air connections of an apparatus that makes a rotary motion and is powered by air.
FIG. 3A illustrates a one way valve in an open position.
FIG. 3B it castrates a one way valve in a closed position.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cylinder.
FIG. 5 illustrates an engine block with solenoid valves regulating air flow into the engine.
FIG. 6A illustrates a solenoid valve in a closed position.
FIG. 6B illustrates a solenoid valve in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Provided is an apparatus that generates a rotary motion by force of pressurized air. The apparatus is designed to continue functioning for a long period of time without the need for pressurizing the air tank at short intervals. The generated rotary motion can be used for different purposes, such as for moving a vehicle, a toy, or generating electricity.
FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus with two tanks and an engine and a plurality of conduits for carrying air. Tank 1 containing pressurized air of about 150 PSI (pounds per square inch) at STP (standard temperature/pressure) supplies air to engine 3 through conduit 8 and intake 9. The pressurized air moves piston 23 inside of engine 3 and then exists through exhaust 10 to conduits 11. Two paths emerge from conduits 11, with conduit 12 going to tank 2 and conduit 13 going towards tank 1. Tank 2 is also kept in this embodiment at 150 PSI under STP. Before conduit 13 gets to tank 1, the air moves though a one way valve 4. Breathers 5 are placed immediately after and/or in proximity to one way valves 4. The openings 6 on breathers 5 are configured to allow for movement of air between inside of conduit 13 and the air outside of conduit 13. The breathers 5 positioning after one way valve 4 results in a pulsating air flow where air is moved from outside of the apparatus to inside of the apparatus in a pulsating (non-linear) fashion. By in-taking air through the breathers 5, the apparatus compensates for air that is lost and can continue operating for a longer period of time. After breather 5, conduit 13 splits into two, with conduit 14 going to air entry junction 7 and conduit 15 going to tank 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are four conduits 14, with all four conduits 14 merging in the air entry junction 7. Air entry junction can have one or more one way valves 4. Air from the air entry junction 7 then travels through conduit 16 to tank 2. Air leaves tank 2 through release valve 17 after tank 2 pressure reaches a predetermined level, such as about 150 PSI. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is pressure gauge 18 for measuring pressure inside the air tanks. Release valve 17 is configured to allow air to leave or enter the tanks, and compressor 19 (typically connected to a power source such as a DC battery or AC outlet) for pressurizing the tanks when needed. A single compressor 19 can be used for both tank 1 and tank 2.
FIG. 2 illustrates the same apparatus of FIG. 1 with a few modifications. In this embodiment, one way valve 4 is placed before and after breather 5. Also conduits 20 carry air from engine 3 to tank 2. As illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, one way valves 4 can be placed in proximity to the tank 1 or 2 wherever a conduit carries air to a tank.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a one way valve 4 that uses ball 20 and spring 21 to limit flow of air to a single direction. One way valves can be constructed by having one or more members that stop air flow 22 in one direction by blocking the opening from one end to another rand of the valve 4, but allowing air flow in the opposite direction.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cylinder 33 of the engine having two intakes 9 that are regulated by selenoid valve 24. The cylinder 33 also has two exhausts 10. When air enters through intakes 9, it pushes piston 23 which is connected to rod 27. Rod 27 causes crank 26 to rotate, and crank shaft 32 can then be used to transfer a rotary motion, such as to a wheel through one or more gears.
FIG. 5 illustrates an engine block 29 with 4 intake conduits, each being regulated by a solenoid valve 24. Relay switch 31 is in electronic communication with each solenoid valve 24, and turns on and off the solenoid valve 24. Relay switch 31 repeats the on and off cycle until disconnected from battery 28, which can be a 12 volt DC battery. The timing of rely switch 31 corresponds to the timing of the position of piston 23. Rely switch 31 has a member (in this case a button) that is compressed by a protrusion on fly wheel 30. The protrusion on fly wheel 30 presses on the button and turns on relay switch 31, which then sends a signal to the solenoid valves 24 to open.
FIG. 6A and 6B illustrated the internal mechanism of an exemplary solenoid valve 24. In FIG. 6A, the solenoid valve 24 is in a closed position 24A and no air can flow. In FIG. 6B, the solenoid valve 24 is in an open position 24B and air can flow. A solenoid valve is an electromechanically operated valve. The valve is controlled by an electric current through an electromagnet whose purpose is to generate a controlled magnetic field.
Conduits can be made from metal pipes. The pipes can be 0.75 inches in diameter.
Before starting the engine, compressor 19 can be used to fill up the air tanks. The relay switch 31 is turned on which then sends a signal to the selenoid valves 24 to open to allow air to enter cylinder 33. Relay switch 31 then sends a signal to the solenoid valves 24 at regular intervals.
1. Tank 1
2. Tank -2
3. Engine
4. One Way Valve
5. Breather
6. Opening on breather
7. Air Entry Junction
8. Conduit from tank 1 to Engine
9. Intake on engine
10. Engine exhaust
11. Conduit leaving the engine
12. Conduit to tank 2
13. Conduit that splits into conduit to tank 1 and conduit to air entry junction
14. Conduit to air entry junction
15. conduit to tank 1
16. conduit to tank 2 from air entry junction
17. Release air valve
18. Gauge
19. Compressor
20. Ball of one way valve
21. Spring of one way valve
22. air flow
23. Piston
24. Selenoid valve
24A. Selenoid valve in a closed position
24B. Selenoid valve in an open position
25. Electric wires
26. Crank
27. Rod
28. Battery
29. engine block
30. flywheel
31. Relay Switch
32. Crankshaft
33. Cylinder
Patent Application
20170101869
