Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Discrete power converter

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This primary mover device can be used as alternative mechanical power source in the less developed countries because of simplicity and low cost price.

A new patented mechanical compound machine is proposed for converting the energy of the falling under gravity force flow of water (or another free-flowing mass) directly in the energy of reciprocating motion (simultaneously in vertical and horizontal plane) of the linkage of machine. Due to mechanical feedbacks the mechanism is switching between lower and higher position as sequence of discrete actions, so that it operates in free-running mode.

The DPC is powered by gravity force of raised water (similar to a water wheel). The machine is capable to accumulate periodically the working mass into levering up capacities and to multiply (as mechanical advantage) the gravity force (as effort) during of each discrete stroke in accordance to law of the lever.

The kinematic scheme of DPC (or Kornich machine) is represented on Fig.1 DPC is invented by the author of this solution, Alexander Kornich, and is designed as symmetrical system which consist of an equal-arm beam 3 (as first-class lever), which is tightly connected with the lower shaft 6 (as fulcrum) in the bearing supports relatively to the vertical post 5. At the ends of the beam the identical storage capacities 1 (as left) and 15 (as right) of a special shape and size (as bucket) are located, in which the flow of the fluid or free-flowing mass 11 is accumulated.

When DPC operates, each arm of the beam 3 can alternately occupy one of the two limiting positions relatively to the horizontal basis (level of pedestal 2) - the lower or the upper one. The difference in height (h) between these two limiting positions (set by two limiters 8) is the work performed by the converter, which is proportional to the mass of accumulated in the upper capacity 15.