CA2916664A1 - Road bump electricity generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to creating road/energy bumps that could be used to produce electricity by harnessing energy derived from the weight and motion from the hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks on our roadways each day. These energy bumps would have an electricity generator mechanism located within the housing of these bumps that would have power provided to these mechanisms as the result of the weight and motion of vehicles passing over the unit. There will be a number of embodiments discussed throughout this application including variations on the way the housing is presented and how it harnesses the energy transferred to the unit along with variations on contemplated electricity generating mechanisms themselves. One of the best embodiments would be to have two ramp metal plates12 facing each other and attached on the underside of the plates by way of a cable20 or other material ensuring that the two plates work in unison when opening and closing. These two metal plates would be open in their neutral position with springs14 attached to the underside of these plates. There would be a trench which runs the width of the roadway or shorter underneath these metal plates allowing a space for the electricity generator mechanism to be housed. The best embodiment would be to have a metal shaft sitting and supported within the trench in a way that allows the shaft to spin freely. This shaft would be engaged and spin when the plate12 is closed due to a vehicle passing over the plate12. The spinning of this shaft would allow the electricity generator mechanism to use this spinning motion to generate electricity.
This electricity could be used to feed back into the grid or used in a private sector setting such as a shopping mall in which the electricity could illuminate signs or additional lighting around the space or in another way. The electricity could also be pooled and saved in large permanently placed or movable battery compartments to be used later.

Description

Road Bump Electricity Generating System Brief summary of various embodiments of the invention Some of the contemplated embodiments but not limited to would be to have two angled ramp plates12 much like that described within the best embodiment however in this case instead of having a spinning shaft there would be a pump electricity generator mechanism that uses the force of the downward action of the closing platel2 to engage and provide power to this pump mechanism.
Another contemplated embodiment would be to have two flat plates covering a trench or opening in the roadway where the electricity generating mechanism is housed below the roadway.
The two plates would have a gap between them just big enough for a vehicle tire to be able to pass over without the progression of the vehicle being slowed. There would be a shaft possibly in the shape of a triangular prism but not limited to being this shape partly projected out from underneath the roadway between the gap in the plates and perpendicular to the road. This projected shaft would spin as the tire passes over it therefore providing the housed electricity generating mechanism the power needed to create electricity.
In another variation on the above embodiment the perpendicular shaft that the vehicle is rolling over could have a spring attached to it so as the vehicle rolls over and flattens the perpendicular triangular shaped shaft (but not limited to this shape) to become even with the road the spring is stretched to its maximum. When the tires pass by the spring and plate it will allow the spring to snap back into its perpendicular position with force. This force is used to turn a shaft or other device in order to help create electricity.
Another embodiment would be to have a flat plate with slits in the plate allowing the plate to collapse inward and down with pressure into a bowl shape. This flat collapsible plate would be even with the road in its neutral position. This plate would be covering a crevice much like a reverse speed bump opening underneath. The weight of the vehicle on top of the plate would push down the plate and transfer this energy through to the pumps, arms or other parts of the electricity generating mechanism underneath and within this road/energy bump housing therefore enabling electricity to be created.

Another variation that could be applied to all of the embodiments could be to place a small regular speed bump just before the road energy bump system. This would cause the tires to slightly elevate and then come down after this regular speed bump and engage the electricity generating system in a more favorable and optimal position.
Another embodiment of this invention would be to have a movable road/energy system that could be transported to temporary locations in order to provide an energy source during temporary events such as fairs, concerts and other events that are being held in remote locations.
Another embodiment that could be applied to all of the contemplated embodiments as well as the best embodiment could be to have the road energy bumps split into two sections where the tires could roll over these energy bumps independently as this would provide a middle area of the roadway not affected allowing a motorcycle to pass through without going over the road energy bumps.
Another embodiment could be to have multiple road energy bump systems within close proximity of each other allowing for more electricity to be generated from that one particular area.

It is also contemplated to have as the makeup of the electricity generating system multiple spinning wheels of different sizes or the same sizes that would allow the initial pushing down from the passing vehicle at the -activation point" to trigger a domino effect within the mechanism so the speed and spinning of the wheels increase as the motion transfers from one wheel to another. The end wheel would therefore be spinning the fastest allowing this last wheel to be attached to a shaft that could then be attached to a generator and other necessary devices such as those in a windmill scenario which harnesses this spinning to create electricity.

Reference numerals in the drawings - road 12- ramp plates 14- springs 16 ¨ pedal arm 18 ¨ sprocket chain axle 20 ¨ arched ramp plates Brief description of the several views of the drawings FIG.1 is a cross section view of a road / energy bump system in the open position. Shown in this figure is the road10, arched movable plates12, springs14, pedal arm 16, sprocket chain axle18, and connecting cable20.
FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the road / energy system in the closed position. Shown is the plates12 and compressed springs14.

Detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention Some examples of the various embodiments but not limited to would be to have one or two angled ramp plates12 that are open in their neutral position due to springs14 attached to the underside of the plates12. Also attached to the underside of the plates12 there would be a pump or pumps so when the plates12 are slammed down as a result of the weight of the vehicle rolling over the plates12 the pumps would activate and absorb the energy and force of this action. This would send a charge of either air or liquid through the pump or pumps enabling this discharge of air to be used in the same way a wind mill uses air to generate electricity however in this case on a smaller scale. In a liquid discharge scenario the liquid would be used the way rushing water in a dam uses water to create electricity however on a smaller scale. In this liquid case the springs14 opening direction of the plates12 would be using this energy to activate the appropriate pumps such as centrifugal pumps or positive displacement pump or other type of pump and or devices needed to suck in the expelled liquid enabling the pump electricity generating system to be liquid loaded and ready for the next cycle. In both these cases for liquid and air all the necessary parts such as turbines, gears, hose, shafts and other contemplated types of pumps such as nash pumps, pressure pumps and other relevant devices could be used in order to achieve the goal of creating electricity initiated by the weight of a vehicle transferring energy through to the electricity generating system. In the air version of this embodiment the output air could be used to either move parts within the generating system such as a turning shaft which is connected to other parts such as a turbine and generator in order to create electricity or be stored in compressed tanks to be used later as an output for creating electricity.
The embodiment with the triangular prism shaped shaft but not limited to this shape sitting on a spindle would have as indicated the shaft partly below the roadway inside a trench with part of the shaft perpendicular and above the roadway. Two flat plates with a space in between the plates would provide the space for the projecting spindle to protrude up from beneath the plates. The weight of this shaft would be heavy enough to optimize the effect of the spinning motion in order to create electricity. This spinning shaft would act as the blades of a windmill and therefore would attach to a gearbox in order to optimize the spinning motion if needed and convert the speed to higher rpm's needed to power the connected generator in order produce electricity. Other parts such as alternators, flywheels, and regulators and other devices could be used in order to be used to harness this spinning motion and create electricity much like a wind mill uses the wind to turn a shaft and create electricity. In this embodiment the speed of the vehicle is not hindered or slowed down so the higher speeds of the vehicles will cause the plate to spin even faster.

The shapes, angle and weight of the plate could vary in order to optimize the effect of the vehicle rolling over the plate.
In the embodiment with the perpendicular shaft that the vehicle is rolling over there could be a spring attached to the shaft so as the vehicle rolls over and flattens the perpendicular shaft to become even with the road the spring is stretched to its maximum. When the tires pass by, the spring and plate snap back into its perpendicular position with force. This force is used to turn a shaft or other device in order to help create electricity providing power to the moving parts within the electricity generating system as mentioned throughout this application and in the previous contemplated embodiment involving the spinning shaft and references to a windmill.
The embodiment of splitting the road energy bumps into two different bumps would allow the middle area of the roadway to be untouched and allow motorcycles to pass by with having to go over the road bump. Underneath the roadway there would be one shaft for example connected to the two separated ramps or have the option of having each ramp being able to send out electricity current from each ramp independently with two separate electricity generating mechanisms in place.

Another embodiment would be to have a flat plate with slits in the plate allowing the plate to collapse inward and down with pressure into a bowl shape. This flat collapsible plate would be even with the road in its neutral position. Underneath this collapsible plate would be a trench that would be used to house an electricity generating system such as those mentioned in the spinning shaft embodiment or the best embodiment or other embodiment mentioned throughout this application. The pressure and weight of the vehicle collapsing the bowl shaped plate would transfer this energy through to the activated first section of the pump electricity generating system, pedal arms system, spinning shaft mechanism, spring loaded electricity system or other relevant electricity generating system. The housing in this embodiment would be made in a way that provides the tires a way up out of the bowl shaped plate after the weight of the vehicle collapses into the bowl shape crevice as there would be a permanent ramp just beyond the collapsed plate. To summarize this plate would be covering a crevice much like a reverse speed bump opening underneath. The weight of the vehicle on top of the plate would push down the plate and transfer this energy through to the pumps, arms or other parts of the electricity generating mechanism underneath and within this road/energy bump housing therefore enabling electricity to be created.

Another variation that could be applied to all of the embodiments could be to place a small regular speed bump just before the road energy bump system. This would cause the tires to slightly elevate and then come down after this regular speed bump and engage the electricity generating system in a more favorable and optimal position. The weight of the vehicle in this case would be able to be optimized due to the lifting slightly of the tires and coming down after the regular bump. This regular bump may work better with certain types of road / energy bumps however this regular bump should be considered when putting in a road/ energy bump system.
It is also contemplated that this smaller regular speed bump could be a different shape than the typical round bump if needed to optimize the effect of the vehicle going over the regular bump and landing in a more favorable position at the impact point of the road/ energy bump system. A shape considered but not limited to would be a roundish regular front to the regular speed bump but at the top of the bump at the maximum height of the speed bump there would be a straight drop off so the inside of the speed bump would be flat and perpendicular to the road.

In the embodiment of the movable road / energy systems it is contemplated to be able to move these units by truck to remote locations for fairs, outdoor concerts and other events. The units could be transported by truck as one attached unit or have the road/energy system be transported in pieces and re-assembled on site. Large ramps could be used to sit on the natural ground in order to create a space underneath to allow the set up and placement of the needed electricity generator mechanisms as the plates for the road energy system could be placed on top of these ramps or have the ramps themselves be customized to provide the vehicle engagement area as well as providing a space between the natural ground that would be needed to hook up the electricity generator system. All variations of the road energy system is to be considered to have an additional movable variation model. The idea of having large energy storing battery type devices parked on top of flat truck trailers or on the ground in these temporary energy bump locations or in permanent energy bump locations in order to gather and store the generated electricity is contemplated. These storage devices could be moved when full and replaced by empty battery type units to gather and store the ongoing electricity generated by the energy bumps.

In the multiple spinning wheel mechanism the first wheel and its axel would be attached to a pedal arm that would be also attached to the underside of an elevated ramp plate as mentioned in the best embodiment. In this embodiment the difference would be that the medal arm that is pushed down as a result of the car rolling over the ramp would initiate the spinning of the first wheel much like when a pedal arm is pushed down and forward to start a bicycle tire to spin. This arm could be directly attached to the wheel or be attached to a chain that is fitted around the teeth of the first wheel.
Either way this pushing down of the pedal arm as a result of a vehicle rolling over the ramp would cause the first wheel to spin and then transferring this energy onto the second wheel and then the third wheel and so on with the spinning speed increasing as the energy transfers through the system. The number of wheels in this mechanism could vary depending on what works best. The increased speed would then be transferred to a shaft or other device which eventually would be turned into electricity with the help of all relevant devices such as those but not limited to found in a windmill scenario where the turning of a shaft moves through a generator and eventually to an electricity output.

Steps would be taken to add hardware if necessary throughout the embodiments named within this application in order to maintain a steady flow of electricity due to the difference in vehicle weight and frequency of the vehicles rolling over the plates. Some of this hardware may be but not limited to proper alternators, rpm regulators, flywheels etc. In expanding on all embodiments of this invention there is also the option of having multiple -energy bump" mechanisms in close proximity of each other therefore allowing the energy from each bump to be pooled as one electricity output source. Also the option of having one or more large shaft and turbine, generators and other relevant pumps and devices to be connected to multiple energy bumps so each energy bump helps to contribute to the movement of these larger devices.
In all embodiments the end result of the converted electricity is that the electricity could either be stored possibly in a large battery form to be used when needed but not limited to storing the electricity in this way or connecting directly to the national / city energy grid or using the output electricity to be used in a private energy grid belonging to a shopping mall, transportation depot or other private sector area.

In the case of the embodiment providing air pressure as an output the idea of having the air being stored as compressed air in appropriate tanks is contemplated. The compressed air could then be hooked up and released through the relevant generators or other relevant pumps or devices needed to convert the output from the air pressure tanks into electricity.

Detailed description of the best embodiment of the invention This best embodiment would be to have two angled ramp type plates12 that would be angled above the roadway10 facing each other with a small gap in the middle. Underneath the two plates12 there would be a connecting chain20 or other device used so both ramp plates12 would work in unison when opening and closing.
Both ramp plates12 would be open in their neutral position with springs14 attached to the underside of these plates12. There would be a trench which runs the width of the roadway10 or shorter underneath these metal plates12 allowing a space for the chosen electricity generator mechanism to be housed. An example of an energy generating mechanism that could be used with this best embodiment housing would be having a metal shaft sitting and supported within the trench in a way that allows the shaft to spin freely. Hooked up and attached to the underside of one of the plates12 or both would be a pedal arm16 or arms much like that on a bicycle. The other end of the pedal arm16 or arms would be connected to the ends of the shaft where a chain and teeth18 much like that of how a chain is connected around the teeth of a back bicycle tire. The pedal arm16 or arms may also be attached to a chain that is then attached to the ends of the shaft. In both cases the closing of the metal plates12 would cause the pedal arm16 or arms to engage the shaft to spin freely while disengaging and not hindering the rotation and momentum of the shaft when transitioning into the open position and then engaging and supplying energy and causing the shaft to turn during the downward movement of the arm16 much like a bicycle is powered by the movement of a pedal or a ratchet tool engages when tightening and disengages while on the upswing. Therefore the forced down motion and closing of the plates12 as a result of the vehicle rolling over the road energy bump would engage the pedal arm16 and cause the shaft to turn. The shaft would then be connected to the necessary generator, fly wheel rpm regulator, alternator and all necessary relevant devices needed to enable this shaft turning to create electricity. This connection of the arm16 on the underside of the arched platel2 could be connected but not limited to connecting in this way by the arm16 sliding down within a slider housing to the front of the underside of the ramp platel2 when the plates12 are in the closed position and slides to the back of the underside of the ramp platel2 position where both plates12 come together. Therefore the ramp platel2 and spring14 or springs14 would pull up the arm16 extension when retuning to the open neutral position and push down the extension arm16 in the closed position as a result of a vehicle passing over and closing the platel2. Due to the intermittent timing of the cars passing over the platel2 it is contemplated to have a gearbox or other type of regulating mechanism attached to an end of the shaft to optimize each time the platel2 is closed due to a vehicle passing over much like the way a bicycle is switched to a higher gear and a lower gear when needed. The gears of the bike will change to match up with the speed of the tires turning.
It is contemplated to have an additional plate that would be above and parallel with the road in between the two plate ramps12 that would also act in unison with the two ramps12 as the vehicle engages and push the ramps plates12 down.