초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for generating power in a demand responsive manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a controller monitoring power demand conditions to determine activation of an energy delivery system. The energy delivery system responds to the controller by providing rotational energy th

A method and apparatus for generating power in a demand responsive manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a controller monitoring power demand conditions to determine activation of an energy delivery system. The energy delivery system responds to the controller by providing rotational energy through release of a power transfer and brake unit, which permits descent of a suspended mass as a means for providing rotational energy. The rotational energy is transferred to a generator through a combining gear box and transmission communicating with the energy delivery system. The controller modulates the power transfer and brake unit to maintain the rate at which the mass descends to assure that a predetermined, substantially constant RPM of the generator is maintained for generation of power by steps for generating power.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: a controller monitoring power demand conditions placed on an energy delivery system to activate and deactivate power delivery by the energy delivery system; a first power transfer and one-way brake unit responsive to the controller providing rotationa

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: a controller monitoring power demand conditions placed on an energy delivery system to activate and deactivate power delivery by the energy delivery system; a first power transfer and one-way brake unit responsive to the controller providing rotational energy through release of a suspended mass operatively coupled to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit; and a combining gear box and transmission communicating with the first power transfer and one-way brake unit transferring the rotational energy to a generator for generation of power, wherein the controller modulates the first power transfer and one-way brake unit to maintain the rate of descent of the suspended mass to assure a substantially constant rotational speed of the generator during power generation a drive shaft supporting a rotational coupling means secured to suspended mass and a position sensor monitoring a direction of the shaft. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first clutch interposed between the drive shaft and the first power transfer and one-way brake unit, the first clutch transferring the rotational energy to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to a monitored rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction, and precluding transfer of the rotational energy to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to a monitored rotation of the drive shaft in a second direction. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a retrieval unit responsive to the controller for selectively returning the suspended mass to a full-up position relative to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit subsequent to release of the suspended mass; and a second clutch interposed between the retrieval unit and the drive shaft, the second clutch transferring mass retrieval energy to the drive shaft in response to activation of the retrieval unit, and precluding reverse rotation of the retrieval unit in response to a descent of the suspended mass. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a stationary rechargeable battery operably coupled to the controller; a power switch interposed between the stationary rechargeable battery and the retrieval unit; and an alternate power source communicating with the controller and the retrieval unit, in which the controller communicates with the power switch to charge the stationary rechargeable battery by calling upon an alternate power source. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a third clutch interposed between the combining gear box and transmission and the generator, the third clutch transferring rotational energy to the generator in response to a first rotational direction of the combining gear box and transmission while precluding reverse rotation of the generator in response to a second rotational direction of the combining gear box and transmission; and a combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor communicating with the third clutch providing control signals to the controller during operation of the combining gear box and transmission. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor communicating with the first clutch providing control signals to the controller during operation of the first power transfer and one-way brake unit. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a third combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor communicating with the second clutch providing control signals to the controller during operation of the retrieval unit. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the controller modulates the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to control signals provided by the first combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which the controller further modulates the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to control signals provided by the second combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which the controller modulates the retrieval unit in response to control signals provided by the third combination temperature and rotational velocity sensor. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second power transfer and one-way brake unit responsive to the controller providing additional rotational energy through release of a second suspended mass operatively coupled to the second power transfer and one-way brake unit, wherein the second power transfer and one-way brake unit transfers the rotational energy through the combining gear box and transmission to the generator for generation of power, wherein the controller modulates the second power transfer and one-way brake unit to maintain the rate of descent of the second suspended mass to assure the substantially constant rotational speed of the generator during power generation. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a second drive shaft supporting a second rotational coupling means secured to the second suspended mass; a second position sensor monitoring a direction of rotation of the second drive shaft; and a fourth clutch interposed between the second drive shaft and the second power transfer and one-way brake unit, the fourth clutch transferring the rotational energy to the second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to a monitored rotation of the second drive shaft in a first direction, and precluding transfer of the rotational energy to the second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to a monitored rotation of the second drive shaft in a second direction. 13. A method for generating power by steps comprising: sensing a power demand with a power interrupt sensor; activating a first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the sensed power loss; releasing a first suspended mass communicating with the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the activation of the first power transfer and one-way brake unit, the first suspended mass providing rotational energy through a first clutch to a combining gear box and transmission during descent of the first suspended mass; transferring the rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to an electrical energy generator; generating electricity with the electrical energy generator in response to the transferred rotational energy; monitoring during the generation of the electricity: an electrical load placed on the electrical energy generator; an amount of descent of the first suspended mass; a rotational speed of the combining gear box and transmission; and a temperature of the first clutch; and modulating the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the monitored load, amount of descent, rotational speed, and clutch temperature to control the level of electricity generated by the electrical energy generator. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising steps of: activating a second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the electrical load placed on the electrical energy generator during the generation of the electricity; releasing a second suspended mass communicating with the second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the activation of the second power transfer and one-way brake unit, the second suspended mass providing additional rotational energy through a second clutch to the combining gear box and transmission during descent of the second suspended mass; transferring the additional rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to the electrical energy generator; and generating additional electricity with the electrical energy generator in response to the electrical load placed on the electrical energy generator during the generation of the electricity. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising steps of: activating a second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the rotational speed of the combining gear box and transmission during the generation of the electricity; releasing a second suspended mass communicating with the second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the activation of the second power transfer and one-way brake unit, the second suspended mass providing additional rotational energy through a second clutch to the combining gear box and transmission during descent of the second suspended mass; transferring the additional rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to the electrical energy generator; and generating additional electricity with the electrical energy generator in response to the rotational speed of the combining gear box and transmission during the generation of the electricity. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising steps of: activating a second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the temperature of the first clutch during the generation of the electricity; releasing a second suspended mass communicating with the second power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the activation of the second power transfer and one-way brake unit, the second suspended mass providing additional rotational energy through a second clutch to the combining gear box and transmission during descent of the second suspended mass; transferring the additional rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to the electrical energy generator; and generating additional electricity with the electrical energy generator in response to the temperature of the first clutch during the generation of the electricity. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising steps of: halting the descent of the first suspended mass during the generation of the electricity; continuing the provision of the additional rotational energy through the second clutch to the combining gear box and transmission during descent of the second suspended mass; transferring the additional rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to the electrical energy generator; generating additional electricity with the electrical energy generator in response to the halt of the descent of the first suspended mass during the generation of the electricity; and activating a retrieval unit to return the first mass to a full-up position relative to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit. 18. A demand responsive power generation combination comprising: a controller monitoring power demand conditions; an energy delivery system responsive to the controller providing rotational energy by means for providing rotational energy; and a combining gear box and transmission communicating with the energy delivery system transferring the rotational energy to a generator for generation of power by steps for generating power. 19. The combination of claim 18, in which the means for providing rotational energy comprising: a first power transfer and one-way brake unit responsive to the controller providing rotational energy through release of a suspended mass operatively coupled to the first power transfer and one-way brake unit; and a second power transfer and one-way brake unit responsive to the controller providing additional rotational energy through release of a second suspended mass operatively coupled to the second power transfer and one-way brake unit. 20. The combination of claim 19, in which the steps for generating power comprises: sensing a power demand with a power interrupt sensor; activating a first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the sensed power loss; releasing a first suspended mass communicating with the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the activation of the first power transfer and one-way brake unit, the first suspended mass providing rotational energy through a clutch to the combining gear box and transmission during descent of the first suspended mass; transferring the rotational energy from the combining gear box and transmission to the generator; generating electricity with the generator in response to the transferred rotational energy; monitoring during the generation of the electricity: an electrical load placed on the generator; an amount of descent of the first suspended mass; a rotational speed of the combining gear box and transmission; and a temperature of the clutch; and modulating the first power transfer and one-way brake unit in response to the monitored load, amount of descent, rotational speed, and clutch temperature to control the level of electricity generated by the generator.