Gravity line power generation system
OwnerRussell Wayne Crawfordinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power generation system for the production of electric power or the accomplishment of other work objectives utilizes kinetic energy derived from the action of the force of gravity on a vehicle that is allowed to move along a power generation path having a downward grade. A tether cable connects the vehicle to a tether member that moves along a downhill line in response to the movement of the vehicle along the path, and the movement of the tether member operates a gearing mechanism that operates a machine to accomplish the work objective.
Claims20
A power generation system, comprising:
- a power generation path having a downward grade;
- and
- a power transfer mechanism, configured to engage with a vehicle while the vehicle moves downwardly along the power generation path from a first position to a second position and to transfer at least a portion of kinetic energy generated by the downward movement of the vehicle to a machine operatively connected to the power transfer mechanism, wherein the at least a portion of the kinetic energy powers the machine to accomplish a work objective.
A power generation system, comprising:
- a power generation path having a downward grade;
- an overhead trolley mechanism, comprising (i) a tether cable configured to releasably interconnect to a vehicle while the vehicle moves downwardly along the power generation path from a first position to a second position, the downward movement of the vehicle generating kinetic energy, and (ii) a tether member configured to be moveably connected to a downhill line, wherein the tether cable interconnects the vehicle and the tether member, wherein the tether member is configured to move along the downhill line from the first position to the second position and thereby operate a gearing mechanism operatively connected to a machine to accomplish a work objective;
- and
- a releasable connecting mechanism, configured to releasably interconnect the tether cable to the vehicle.
A method for generating power, comprising:
- a) connecting a tether cable to a vehicle at a tether station, wherein the tether cable is interconnected to a tether member moveably disposed on an overhead trolley mechanism and the tether member is interconnected to a machine;
- b) allowing the vehicle to move downwardly, due to the weight of the vehicle, along a power generation path from a first position at a starting point of the power generation path, wherein the power generation path has a downward grade;
- c) as a result of the downward motion of the vehicle, pulling the tether member to operate the machine and thereby accomplish a work objective;
- and
- d) disconnecting the tether cable from the vehicle at a second position at an ending point of the power generation path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.