Device for enhancing rotational movement

• US 5,894,757 A
• Filed: 07/25/1997
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Emile Sully
• Original Assignee: Paul Emile Sully
• Inventors: Sully, Paul Emile
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Joyce, William C.
• Application Number:
  US08/900,316
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 185/4, 185/29, 74/572, 74/43
• US Class Current: 74/43
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 33/02 Rotary transmissions with mechanical accumulators, e.g. weights, springs, intermittently-connected flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/182 Multiple levers

Abstract

A device employing multiple counterweights for enhancing rotation movement. The device employs a horizontally disposed counterweight coupled to a vertically offset second counterweight by an adjacent sprocket. The sprocket times the counteracting weights to provide a single rotational direction whose inertia is maintained by a flywheel. The device has a 6:3:1 ratio resulting in a near continuous rotational movement upon the operational movement of the first and second counterweight. A generator may be coupled to the device providing a ancillary source of power.

Claims

1. A rotational movement enhancing device comprising:

a first counterweight formed from a substantially-cylindrical shaped mass of material, said first counterweight rotatable about a horizontally-disposed axis;

a second counterweight formed from a substantially cylindrical shaped mass of material, said second counterweight rotatable about a vertically-offset axis;

a sprocket formed from a circular disk having a crank arm placed along a first side surface and an opposing positioned crank arm placed along an opposite second side surface, said sprocket positioned a predetermined distance between said first and second counterweight;

connecting rod means for coupling said first and second counterweights to said sprocket;

a flywheel; and

a means for coupling said flywheel to said sprocket;

wherein movement of said first counterweight in a clockwise rotation will cause an enlarged portion of said first counterweight to travel along an arc bisected by a vertical plane, said vertical plane containing said horizontally-disposed axis a reciprocal rotation of said second counterweight through directional rotation of said sprocket, with said flywheel providing momentum whereby said device may be used to enhance rotational movement of a rotatable object.

2. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said first counterweight is approximately twice the mass of said second counterweight.

3. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said second counterweight is approximately three times the mass of said flywheel.

4. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said first counterweight has a first and second triangular cut-out disposed along a longitudinal length of a first portion of said first counterweight and a third triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a second portion of said first counterweight, said first portion being diametrically opposed from said second portion.

5. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 4 wherein a portion of an outer circumference of said first counterweight is enlarged providing an off-set mass to said first portion of said first counterweight.

6. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said second counterweight has a first and second triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a first portion of said second counterweight and a third triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a second portion of said second counterweight, said first portion being diametrically opposed from said second portion.

7. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 6 wherein a portion of an outer circumference of said second counterweight is enlarged providing an off-set mass to said first portion of said second counterweight.

8. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said vertically off-set axis is oriented between 15 and 40 degrees from vertical.

9. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 1 wherein said first counterweight is positioned above said sprocket and said second counterweight and said flywheel are positioned adjacent to said sprocket.

10. A rotational movement enhancing device comprising:

a first counterweight formed from a substantially-cylindrical shaped mass of material, said first counterweight rotatable about a horizontally disposed axis, said first counterweight having a first and second triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a first portion of said first counterweight and a third triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a second portion of said first counterweight, said first portion being diametrically opposed from said second portion;

a second counterweight formed from a substantially cylindrical shaped mass of material, said counterweight rotatable about a vertically-offset axis, said second counterweight having a first and second triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a first portion of said second counterweight and a third triangular cut-out placed along a longitudinal length of a second portion of said second counterweight, said first portion being diametrically opposed from said second portion;

a sprocket formed from a circular disk having a crank arm placed along one side surface and an diametrically opposed crank arm placed along an opposite side surface, said sprocket positioned a predetermined distance between said first and second counterweights;

connecting rod means for coupling said first and second counterweights to said sprocket;

a flywheel; and

means for coupling said flywheel to said sprocket;

wherein rotation of said first counterweight will cause an reciprocal rotation of said second counterweight and rotation of said sprocket with said flywheel providing a continuous momentum of inertia whereby said device may be used to enhance rotational movement of a rotatable object.

11. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 10 wherein said first counterweight and said second counterweight and said flywheel have a 6:

3;

1 mass ratio.

12. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 10 wherein a portion of an outer diameter of said first counterweight is enlarged providing an off-set mass to said first portion of said first counterweight.

13. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 10 wherein a portion of an outer diameter of said second counterweight is enlarged providing an off-set mass to said first portion of said second counterweight.

14. The rotational movement enhancing device according to claim 10 wherein said means for coupling said flywheel to said sprocket is a flexible chain.