AU2018100812A4

AU2018100812A4 - Foot steps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generator

Info

Publication number: AU2018100812A4
Application number: AU2018100812A
Authority: AU
Inventors: S. P. Chandra; Maurizio Cirrincione; R. N. Deo; F M Rabiul Islam; Kabir Mamun
Original assignee: Islam F M Rabiul Dr; Mamun Kabir Dr
Current assignee: Islam F M Rabiul Dr; Mamun Kabir Dr
Priority date: 2018-06-18
Filing date: 2018-06-18
Publication date: 2018-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-18

Abstract

Rapid increase in energy demand is one of the major challenges for the economic development of a country. There are numerous ways of power generation which are mainly two sources based: renewable and non renewable. The conventional renewable energy based generation technologies are solar PV and wind energy generation. This invention is based on a non-conventional renewable energy generation technology known as footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators. Walking is one of the most common forms of activity performed by an individual throughout the globe by which a person losses energy in the form of vibration, sound and pressure. This waste energy (kinetic energy) can be converted into useable source of electrical energy. Few devices and systems have been used and under investigation by various researches to harvest this form of energy but unfortunately most of those devices are either expensive or inefficient. In this work a novel concept of converting kinetic energy to electrical energy through circulated fluid/liquid/water flow has been introduced for footsteps waste energy harvesting system. In order to obtain optimum performance, the system has been designed on two tiles structure suitable for installation at place where frequent human movements are available. A single unit of this system consists of two fluid/liquid/water bags connected through flow control mechanisms including unidirectional valves and mini hydro generators. It also comprises of energy storage unit or battery to store the energy. Battery charging and discharging system using a charge control circuit has been implemented. Finally, the implementation of such system can change the power generation techniques available for low powered devices.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INOVATION PATENT

FOOT STEPS WASTE ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM USING HYDRO GENERATOR

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it Known to me.

FOOT STEPS WASTE ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM USING HYDRO GENERATOR

Depending on fossil fuel for power is becoming expensive and also have negative impacts on the environment. It gives out gases which polluting our surroundings in the process of burning this fossil fuel. In respond to this, different renewable energy sources or solutions have been evolved over the past years to reduce the disadvantages and negative impacts on environment when relying on fossil fuel.

Mechanical waste energies usually can be harvested by using vibration-to-electricity conversion and considered one of the renewable energy sources. The most distinguished characteristic of this kind of waste energy harvesting is initially identified for low power generations. Therefore, one of the targeted applications is to power small electronic devices but not limited due to the recent technological improvement. Vibration-to-electricity conversion can be realized through three basic mechanisms, including electromagnetic, electrostatic, and piezoelectric transductions.

One of those renewable energy solutions is converting the energy from human footsteps which can be stored and used to power other devices that required less power input. This solution is at its best when the device to convert energy from footsteps is installed in places that usually crowded. People walk up to 150 million footsteps in their lifetime, and we can convert the energy from every single person walking at a busy place into a meaningful amount of power. Footfall harvesting technology -- a deflecting pad covered with the type of soft ground surface commonly found in playgrounds - can produce up to 7 watts of energy with each step.

The proposed design is a unique and innovative method of converting kinetic energy to electrical energy through fluid (i.e. water) circulation due to the pressure exerted from the human footsteps. The weight of the people (as pressure) is used to circulate the fluid through a circular pipe connected with a hydro generator to harvest energy. This is accomplished by using the energy in the flowing fluid to propel the blades of a micro hydro generator which as a consequence produces electricity. The system is designed as tile structured platform where the two bags (container made from flexible material) are placed in it and filled with fluid (i.e. water). The water bags are connected with the mini hydro generator and the unidirectional valve. The system works when the pressure is applied to the tile platform that is when a person walks over it. The water inside the bag will flow via the generator to the next bag. As the water flows through the generator consequently rotates the turbine thus producing the power and used to charge the battery which could be utilized to operate low powered devices such as lights. Its application ranges from places such as universities, airports to cinemas and schools (population dense areas). The functionality of the device includes powering city lights / street lights, Wi-Fi networks and supply of electricity in cases of power outages.

The main aim of this innovative design is to harvest the energy from the waste energy of footsteps. When viewed in perspective of sustainability and benefits, the device has numerous advantages. One of the key advantages is that when compared with other sources which require fuel input, energy is harvested with the simple act of walking. Other advantages include the fact that the system is eco-friendly and cost effective. Majority of the components of the device can be found locally and whilst operation, there is no waste production.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present teaching will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators with external parts and the co-acting position of the flexible pipes, enclosures, generators, fluid / water valves and top covers.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators (as shown in Figure 1) includes internal main components and the co-acting position of the fluid/ water bags and adopters.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators showing all components.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators of Figure 1 includes internal parts and the co-acting position of rechargeable battery and charge controllers.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the mini hydro generator used for the footsteps energy waste harvesting system showing generators blades and electrical output point.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The application will now be described with reference to some exemplary fluid based foot step energy generation unit which is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 there is provided a footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators which utilizes fluid/water flow created from the pressure exerted from the human footsteps to generate electricity. The basic principle of fluid flow is followed and exploration of this concept is applied for the design of a footsteps energy harvesting _system in this teaching. Circulated water flow technique used to provide_ the rotation to the mini generator turbine to produce electricity and stored to the energy storage system.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is provided a diagrammatic illustration of the enclosure 3 to contain the other sensitive electronics components protecting from the harsh environment. It is covered with two top paves (covers) 5, 6. The enclosure 3 further comprising of flexible pipes 4, mini hydro generators 2 and fluid / water valves 1.

Referring now to Figure 2 to Figure 4 are provided the diagrammatic illustration of the internal components of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system that includes two fluid/water bags 7 made up of butyl rubber, rechargeable battery 10 and charge controllers 11. The said flexible pipes 4 are used to connect the said bags through water valve 1 and mini hydro generator 2. For the safety of the system two water bags, Styrofoam 8 are placed between the said bags 7 and the enclosure 3 tops (paves 5, 6) are supported by four springs inside the corners of the enclosure. The said enclosure 3 contains fluid/water bags 7 which are connected with the flexible pipes 4 with adaptors 9.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system showing all components of hydro generators, namely turbine 12 and electrical output port 13.

While the exemplary teaching will be described with reference to the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators, it will be appreciated that this system 1 to 13 in accordance with the present teaching, may be used with a variety of different dimensions and indeed whole or part of individual components. It is not intended to limit the fluid based foot step energy generation to any particular shape or size and components materials.

The footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as described in the present application provides a low cost, renewable and waste energy generation technique with compact characteristic and can be used for energy generation on the foot path or any place where human being will make a continuous movement.

It will be understood that what has been described herein is exemplary of a footsteps energy harvesting system using hydro generators. While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary arrangements, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the teaching of the present application to such arrangements as modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Similarly the words comprises/comprising when used in the specification are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A footsteps waste energy harvesting system in accordance with this invention comprises two enclosures (i.e. containers) assembly made of a tile structure and also includes two mini hydro generators with two unidirectional valves.
2. Said enclosures of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as claimed in claim 1 further comprise a top cover using spring loaded pave of different materials (i.e. Wood, Steel, Rubber, sheet metal).
3. The footsteps waste energy harvesting system further comprising a set of fluid/ water containers/bags in one in each enclosure as claimed in claim 1 and 2.
4. The fluid (i.e. water) containers/bags of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as claimed in claim 3 is formed using flexible rubber (i.e. Butyl rubber).
5. The fluid (i.e. water) containers/bags of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as claimed in claim 3 where the footsteps energy absorber connected with flexible pipe for the fluid flow through the generators as claimed in 1.
6. The fluid (i.e. water) containers/bags of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising two unidirectional valves to control the liquid flow.
7. The fluid (i.e. water) containers/bags of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system using hydro generators as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a charge controllers and a set of rechargeable battery for energy storage.
8. The said top of the footsteps waste energy harvesting system as claimed in claim 1 and 2; thereof the cover can be removed to allow the enclosures to be access equipment as claimed in any preceding claim.