EP3238788B1 - Apparatus for generating electric energy provided with a device for controlling the generated power - Google Patents

Description

1. Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing electrical energy configured to be able to inject directly into an electrical distribution network energy generated by a physical effort produced by a user. A production apparatus according to the invention is furthermore equipped with a device for controlling the power supplied to the distribution network.

2. Technological background

The need for electric energy is becoming more and more important in everyday life. At the same time, the search for so-called green energy appears as an unavoidable necessity to limit as much as possible the use of the most polluting energies.

There is therefore a need to optimize the forms of production of electrical energy, and in particular to provide inexhaustible means of production that use as basic energy, human activity.

As such, the applicant has already proposed in the application FR 1 454 460 an electricity generating infrastructure comprising an electric power distribution column, called the infrastructure backbone, adapted to convey electrical energy to a network for using this energy, such as a distribution network of electrical energy, and a plurality of electrical power generating devices connected to the spine and adapted to inject directly onto the spine at least a portion of the generated energy, each apparatus being configured to produce electrical energy from a physical mechanical effort exerted by an animated being.

Such an infrastructure therefore makes it possible to combine on the same electric power distribution column all the energies produced by a plurality of production apparatus. Each apparatus is configured to produce electrical energy from a physical mechanical effort produced by an animated being, such as a human. This infrastructure thus makes it possible to produce so-called green energy by transforming the energy provided by an animated being, such as a human, especially an athlete, into electrical energy.

The infrastructure is also remarkable in that each energy production device is adapted to directly inject a portion of the energy produced on the spine, and therefore on the electrical energy distribution network.

An apparatus for producing electrical energy from a physical mechanical force produced by an animated being typically comprises a current generator and means for actuating the generator. These actuating means are mechanical means which ensure, for example, the rotation of the generator by a physical mechanical effort exerted by a human being. In the case of a bicycle, these actuating means are for example a pedal adapted to drive in rotation a wheel, front or rear, itself connected to the generator. In another variant, the pedal directly drives the generator by a mechanical coupling between the pedal and the drive shaft of the generator.

Another apparatus for producing electrical energy according to the state of the art is known from the document WO-2009/120604 which describes a plurality of fitness equipment each connected to a generator, itself connected to a device for measuring the electrical energy produced.

The applicant has sought to improve the proposed infrastructure to be able to control and manage the power produced by each generating device. In addition, the applicant has sought to develop a device that can retrieve production data and share it with other users of identical or similar devices.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention aims to provide an apparatus for producing electrical energy from a physical effort produced by a user.

The invention aims in particular to provide a ready-to-use electrical power generation apparatus ( plug & play in English denomination) which can be directly connected to an electrical distribution network.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a production device whose electrical power supplied by the device can be controlled remotely.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a production apparatus that allows a sharing of power generation performance between several users.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a production device that allows sharing of information related to the use of the device.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a production device that allows a visualization of production performance.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a production device that allows a display of information related to the use of the device.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, such a production apparatus which can contribute to improving the functional and / or physical rehabilitation of a user of the apparatus, and / or to improve the sports performance of a user and / or provide a fun activity to the user.

4. Presentation of the invention

To do this, the invention relates to an electric power generation apparatus comprising a generator connected to a drive mechanism of this generator by a physical effort produced by a user, and an inverter adapted to be directly connected to a network. electrical distribution system for injecting electrical energy produced by said generator.

The power generation apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a device for controlling a target power to be supplied to said inverter by said generator and resulting from said physical effort produced by said user.

An apparatus according to the invention therefore comprises a control device configured to be able to impose on the generator a set power to be supplied to the inverter. The generator being driven by a physical effort produced by the user, the set power imposed on the generator leads to impose on the user a certain physical effort to produce to reach this target power. In particular, if the target power increases, the user perceives a hardening of the effort to produce. If the target power decreases, the user perceives a relief of the effort to provide.

• un contrôleur de puissance agencé entre ladite génératrice et ledit onduleur et configuré pour pouvoir mesurer une tension U de sortie aux bornes de la génératrice et imposer un courant I en sortie de génératrice de sorte que le produit UxI soit égal à ladite puissance de consigne à fournir audit onduleur,
• un dispositif mobile relié audit contrôleur de puissance par un réseau de communication, ledit dispositif mobile étant adapté pour transmettre audit contrôleur de puissance une valeur de consigne représentative de ladite puissance de consigne à fournir audit onduleur par ladite génératrice et résultant dudit effort physique produit par ledit utilisateur.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said control device comprises:

• a power controller arranged between said generator and said inverter and configured to be able to measure an output voltage U across the generator and impose a current I at the output of the generator so that the UxI product is equal to said set power to be supplied inverter audit,
• a mobile device connected to said power controller by a communication network, said mobile device being adapted to transmit to said power controller a setpoint value representative of said target power to be supplied to said inverter by said generator and resulting from said physical effort produced by said user.

According to this advantageous variant, the control device comprises two entities that cooperate together: a power controller arranged between the generator and the inverter and configured to measure the output voltage of the generator and control the current thereof so that the UxI product corresponds to the set power to be supplied to the inverter, and a mobile device configured to send the controller the information of the target power.

Thus, if the output voltage of the generator decreases, the controller will increase the output current thereof for the UxI product corresponds to the desired power derived from the set value transmitted by the mobile device. Conversely, if the output voltage of the generator increases, the controller will decrease the output current of it for the product UxI corresponds to the target power derived from the set value transmitted by the mobile device.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said mobile device is connected to said power controller by a wireless communication network.

Such a wireless communication network is for example a WiFi network, a HiperLAN2 network, a Bluetooth network, a Zigbee network and generally any wireless network for exchanging data between two terminals (in this case between power controller and mobile device).

The mobile device can be of any type. It can be a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, a dedicated device, etc.

According to another variant of the invention, the mobile device is connected to said power controller by a wired link. According to this variant, and advantageously, the apparatus comprises a receiving base of the mobile device, this receiving base being connected by wire means to the power controller.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said mobile device hosts a computer application adapted to supply said power controller with said setpoint value representative of said target power.

In this advantageous mode, the mobile device, for example a mobile phone, hosts a dedicated computer application to communicate with the controller and provide a setpoint representative of the desired power.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said computer application comprises an interface configured to enable said user of the apparatus and of the mobile device to define said reference value representative of the set power to be supplied to said inverter by said generator and resulting from said physical effort. produced by said user.

According to this variant, the user can define, via an interface, the nominal value representative of the set power to be supplied to the user. the inverter. It is therefore the user who controls the level of power to be produced and injected on the distribution network. The user modifies the effort to be made by modifying the instructions that are sent to the power controller via the interface of the computer application hosted on his mobile device.

For example, in the case of a production device in the form of a fitness bike comprising a current generator mounted on the front wheel or rear of the bike whose training is provided by a pedal, the user can control directly, from the interface of the computer application hosted by the mobile device, which is for example his mobile phone, the hardness of the effort to provide according to the set value he selects.

In the case of an electric power generating conveyor belt comprising a generator connected to a belt driven in rotation by a user running on the carpet, the user can drive directly from the interface of the computer application hosted on his computer. mobile phone, the speed of the carpet and therefore the power supplied to the inverter.

According to another advantageous variant, said computer application is configured to be able to automatically supply said power controller with said reference value representative of said target power to be supplied to said inverter by said generator and resulting from said physical effort produced by said user.

According to this variant, it is not the user who determines the nominal value representative of the set power to be supplied to the inverter, but the computer application hosted by the mobile device. Thus, the computer application automatically checks the hardness of the device by sending the setpoints to the power controller.

For example, the computer application is configured to provide a set value that varies over time based on a predetermined goal associated with said user of the device.

This predetermined objective associated with said user is for example a goal of sport performance of the user who plans to develop a certain power in a predetermined period of time. For example, according to one variant, the application uses a cyclist who travels on hilly roads. Depending on the slope of the road encountered, the power setpoint increases or decreases, which increases or reduces the hardness of the generator.

According to another variant, the hosted computer application aims to program a specific training with phases of effort and recovery phases. During the effort phases, the physical power produced by the user is greater, which increases the electrical power transmitted to the inverter and therefore that injected into the distribution network. During the recovery phases, the power produced is lower and the electrical power transmitted to the inverter is reduced proportionally.

An interest of a device according to this variant is that an athlete who trains on a fitness bike can not only set his training through the computer application, but especially participate in the production of electrical energy clean while training. An apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to combine two activities which had, a priori, no links between them.

According to another variant, the hosted computer application has therapeutic virtues by allowing a physical rehabilitation of the user. Such an application makes it possible to accompany a user in the re-education phase following an injury. In particular, the application generates a precise program of effort and recovery phases by modifying the setpoint value transmitted to the power controller. This rehabilitation program is always accompanied by a production of electrical energy to be reinjected on the distribution network. Another interest of this application is not only to combine the functional rehabilitation of a user and the production of electrical energy, but also to give additional motivation to the user being rehabilitated by the satisfaction of producing the clean energy, and secondarily to be able to reduce its electricity bill.

According to another variant, the hosted computer application modifies regularly the levels of effort to be provided by the user to be able to form a stress test.

According to another variant, the computer application is fun and aims for example to produce as much electrical energy as possible, for example in the context of a contest between several users. According to another variant, the fun application aims to discover a region of the world, for example by bike by projecting a film on a screen, the speed of movement of the images on the screen being directly related to the efforts produced by the on the bike. It may also be to simulate a stage of the Tour de France for example, for which the efforts to be produced by the user of the application and the device are directly proportional to the elevation of the step projected on the screen . It can also be a treasure hunt in a predetermined place where the effort on the device can progress in the scenario of treasure hunting. Other objectives for essentially playful purpose are also possible with an apparatus according to the invention. According to these fun variants, the production of electrical energy is no longer the main goal. The production of energy is an accessory element of the use of the device.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said computer application is downloadable on the Internet from a dedicated server.

This variant is particularly advantageous insofar as the downloading of the applications makes it possible to update the production apparatus without having to access the power generating organs of the apparatus (generator, power controller and inverter). In other words, the intelligence of the device is deported in the computer application hosted on the mobile device and the latter can be updated by downloading a new application. This download makes it possible to install on the mobile device the application corresponding to the objective targeted by the user.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the power controller is configured to communicate to said mobile device an information representative of the power effectively reinjected on said network of electrical distribution and resulting from the physical effort produced by said user.

According to this variant, the apparatus comprises sensors adapted to recover information related to the average power produced, the instantaneous power produced, the speed of rotation of the wheels (in the case of a device in the form of a bicycle fitness), etc.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said information representative of the power actually produced by said user and intended to be fed back to the electrical distribution network is shared on the Internet.

According to this variant, each user can share, on social networks for example, information on the amount of electrical energy produced. This allows for example to exchange within a community of users of these devices performance of each other. Sports competitions can be organized to determine who has produced the most energy in a predetermined period of time. In the case of the use of a fun computer application, this variant makes it possible to share the results of each user and to determine for example the one that has produced the most electricity for a predetermined period of time (on a day, a day). month, year, etc.) or one that has reached a predetermined goal by the application (stage of the tour de France carried out, treasure hunt ended, etc.)

According to one variant, the various parameters retrieved by the mobile device are hosted on a platform dedicated to the desired objective.

The mobile device according to the invention has a dual function. It allows on the one hand to control the power controller and on the other hand to recover the production data to allow their sharing on the Internet.

Other applications can be imagined without departing from the scope of the invention which is to be able to control, preferably via a mobile device and a power controller, the electrical power produced by a user of a device of energy production from a physical effort.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing energy characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above or below.

5. List of figures

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique du principe de fonctionnement d'un appareil de production d'énergie électrique selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique des principaux organes d'un appareil de production d'énergie électrique selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de l'énergie produite par un utilisateur d'un appareil de production d'énergie électrique selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention suivant un profil d'entrainement prédéterminé,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un contrôleur de puissance d'un appareil de production d'énergie électrique selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique d'une utilisation d'un appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given solely by way of non-limiting example and which refers to the appended figures in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of the operating principle of an electric power generation apparatus according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a schematic view of the main organs of an electric power generation apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 3 is a schematic view of the energy produced by a user of an electric power generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention according to a predetermined driving profile,
• the figure 4 is a schematic view of a power controller of an electric power generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 5 is a schematic view of a use of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

6. Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

Figures, scales and proportions are not strictly adhered to for the purpose of illustration and clarity.

Identical, similar or similar elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

The figure 1 schematically represents a fitness bike 10 forming an apparatus for producing electrical energy.

This bicycle 10 comprises as shown schematically on the figure 2 a generator 4 connected to a drive mechanism of this generator by a physical effort produced by a user. This drive mechanism is shown schematically by a pedal 13 connected to the generator 4. Thus, when the user operates the pedal, it sets in motion the generator that produces electrical energy. The means for producing such a generator are well known to those skilled in the art and are not described here in detail.

The bicycle 10 also comprises an inverter 6 adapted to be directly connected to a power distribution network 9 for injecting the electrical energy produced by the generator 4.

This distribution network 9 is shown schematically by an electrical socket in the figures. According to one embodiment, this distribution network 9 is a network internal to the building in which the bicycle is installed. Thus, the production of energy by the bicycle is used for the specific needs of the building. According to another embodiment, the network is the public electricity distribution network. It can also be a network of energy storage batteries for later reuse of this energy produced.

An apparatus according to the invention further comprises a device 7 for controlling a reference power Po to be supplied to the inverter 6 by the generator 4 and resulting from the physical effort produced by the user.

This control device 7 comprises two distinct entities that cooperate together: a power controller 5 which is arranged between the generator 4 and the inverter 6, and a mobile device 8 connected to the power controller 5 by a wireless communication network and adapted to provide a setpoint representative of the set power Po to provide to the inverter 6 by the generator 4 and resulting from the physical effort produced by the user.

The controller 5 is configured to be able to measure an output voltage U at the terminals of the generator 4 and to impose a generator output current I so that the product UxI is equal to the set power Po to be supplied to the inverter 6 .

The figure 4 schematically illustrates the architecture of the controller 5 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The controller 5 comprises a current sensor 21 for measuring the current in the input controller 5 and 22 voltage sensor for measuring the input voltage Ue . It is considered as a first approximation that the measurement of current does not generate a voltage drop across the current sensor 21.

The input voltage Ue corresponds to the voltage from the generator 4 which results from the physical activity performed by the user of the apparatus according to the invention. In the case of an alternating generator 4, this voltage Ue is continuous following the passage through a rectifier 15 and a filtering. The input current corresponds to the current supplied by the generator 4.

The voltage Ue therefore depends on the speed of rotation of the generator that results from the physical activity of the user of the apparatus. For example, in the case of a bicycle equipped with a pedal 13 connected to the generator 4, the voltage Ue is directly related to the pedaling of the user.

The controller components are chosen so that, as a first approximation, the controller generates no power loss. Also, the average power produced by the generator Pe is equal to the power Ps outputted to the inverter 6.

The role of the controller 5 is to regulate the current in real time to the power Pe of the resulting product stream Ie and the voltage Ue is equal to the target power Po imposed by the mobile device 8.

A control module 23 controls the opening / closing of a switch h arranged at the input of the controller 5. This switch h , which is a transistor according to one embodiment of the invention, is considered perfect so that the voltage Uh at its terminals is zero when closed. Α denotes the duty cycle of the switch.

This control module 23 comprises a multiplier 24 which gives an image of the power Pe. The control module 23 drives the switch h and therefore the current the by a function f dependent on Pe according to the equation, α = f ( Pe )

In stationary mode, the current Is at the output of the controller and at the input of the inverter is continuous and smoothed by an inductance L , and constant because imposed by a regulation voltage Ureg at the terminals of a shunt having an impedance R schunt. This voltage Ureg obtained for example by a Zener diode is sufficiently small to be neglected with respect to the output voltage Us. The voltage Ureg imposed by a Zener diode according to the embodiment of the present invention . figure 4 can be obtained by other means. For example, according to another variant not shown in the figures, the voltage Ureg is obtained by an electrical sub-circuit configured to be able to maintain a constant and parameterizable Ureg voltage so as to be able to parameterize the output current Is.

In addition, the controller comprises an output capacitor C2 which is dimensioned so that the voltage Uc at its terminals can be considered as continuous. In other words, the ripple across the capacitor C2 is considered to be zero so that the output voltage Us is considered as continuous.

The current Is is thus obtained by the following equation: $$\mathit{is}=\mathit{ureg}/\mathit{Rschunt}$$

In steady state, the voltage Us is governed by the following equation: $$\mathit{Us}=\alpha .\mathit{Ue}$$

As indicated previously, the power being kept by the controller 5, the following equations are respected: $$\mathit{Pe}=\mathit{Ue}.\mathit{Ie}=\mathit{Us}.\mathit{is}=\mathit{Po}$$

The order is defined by: $$\alpha =\mathit{Po}/\mathit{Ue}.\mathit{is}$$

To maintain Pe constant and equal to the setpoint Po , and since the current Is is constant, then the duty cycle α must increase or decrease inversely proportional to Ue.

For example, if the set power Po imposed by the mobile device to the generator is 100 watts, the controller must provide 100 watts of power regardless of the user's pedaling, and therefore regardless of the voltage Ue supplied by the generator .

If at an instant t1, the pedaling motion is such that the voltage Ue is equal to 25 volts, the controller must impose the current of 4 amps. Considering that the current Is is equal to 8 amperes, then, we obtain a value of α of 0.5.

If at a time t2, the user increases his effort so that the voltage Ue is 33 volts, the controller must reduce the current Ie to 3 amperes. Current Is still being 8 amps, we obtain a value of α of 0.38.

The mobile device 8 is for example a mobile phone adapted to host a computer application.

As shown schematically on the figure 2 the mobile device is adapted to communicate with the power controller via a wireless communication network (or wired according to another variant). This wireless communication network can be of all types. This may be for example a Bluetooth network or a WiFi network.

The wireless communication network enables the mobile device 8 to transmit a setpoint value representative of the setpoint power to be supplied by the generator 4 to the inverter 6. The communication network also enables the transmission of data Di by the power controller 5 to the mobile device 8. These data Di are for example information on the instantaneous power developed by the user, the developed average power, the speed of rotation of the wheels, the voltage at the terminals of the generator, the current supplied to the inverter 6 , and in general all types of operating parameters of the apparatus.

This data Di can be compiled by the mobile device and transmitted to a dedicated server on the Internet network 11 as schematically represented by the figure 1 .

The mobile device 8 is adapted to house one or more computer applications for controlling the production apparatus.

The computer application is adapted to provide the power controller 5 with the nominal value representative of the set power Po to be supplied to the inverter 6 by the generator 4.

This application can be downloaded from the Internet 11 as represented on the figure 1 .

According to an embodiment shown on the figure 3 , the computer application is configured to be able to alternate phases of effort during which the user of the bike 10 of fitness produces a significant effort, to produce a large amount of electricity and recovery phases during which the user of the bike 11 produces less effort so that it produces less 'electricity.

An example of phase successions driven by a computer application is given by the figure 3 in connection with the Po instruction corresponding to each phase. A first phase A of 10 minutes is programmed so that the user produces 200 W. A second phase B of 5 minutes is programmed by imposing a generated power of 300 W. The setpoint transmitted by the mobile device to the power controller 5 therefore modifies the hardness of the device and the user must provide a significant physical effort to produce the required power within the defined time. A next phase C of 10 minutes is programmed by imposing a power output of 200 W. The next phase D of 5 minutes imposes a power output of 100W. The next phase E of 10 minutes imposes a power output of 250 W. Finally, the last phase F of 20 minutes imposes a power output of 150 W.

Such a sports program therefore allows the user, while improving his physical condition, to produce about 200 Wh which are reinjected on the distribution network 9.

Of course, any type of program can be implemented within the computer application hosted by the mobile device. Each application can be set to achieve a predetermined goal. As previously stated, these goals may be solely sports performance goals, or therapeutically-based goals, or merely playful goals, or a combination of one or more of these goals.

The figure 5 illustrates a community use of apparatuses 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The production performance of a plurality of users is displayed on a screen 40. The users can be anywhere in the world and the performance is shared through the communication networks. Thus, users can compare their production performance both with respect to users physically present in the same room as they (for example in the case of a device installation in a fitness center) and compared to users geographically distant from them.

In general, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the figures and other applications may implement one or more electrical power generation apparatus according to the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Device for producing electrical energy, comprising a generator (4) which is connected to a mechanism (13) for driving said generator (4) by a physical force produced by a user, and an inverter (6) suitable for being able to be connected directly to an electrical distribution network (9) in order to inject the electrical energy produced by means of said generator (4) into said network, characterised in that said device further comprises an apparatus (7) for controlling a target power (Po) which is to be provided to said inverter (6) by means of said generator (4) and results from said physical force produced by said user.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said control apparatus (7) comprises:

   - a power controller (5) which is arranged between said generator (4) and said inverter (6) and is designed to be able to measure an output voltage U at the terminals of the generator (4) and to apply an output current I of the generator (4) such that the product U x I is equal to said target power (Po) to be provided to said inverter (6),

   - a mobile apparatus (8) connected to said power controller (5) via a communication network, said mobile apparatus (8) being suitable for providing said power controller (5) with a set value representing said target power (Po) which is to be provided to said inverter (6) by means of said generator (4) and results from said physical force produced by said user.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that said mobile apparatus (8) is connected to said power controller (5) via a wireless communication network.
4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said mobile apparatus (8) hosts a software application suitable for providing said power controller (5) with said set value representing said target power (Po).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that said software application can be downloaded from a dedicated server via the Internet (11).
6. Device according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that said software application comprises an interface designed to allow said user of the device and the mobile apparatus to fix said set value representing the target power (Po) which is to be provided to said inverter (6) by means of said generator (4) and results from said physical force produced by said user.
7. Device according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that said software application is designed to be able to automatically provide said power controller (5) with said set value representing said target power (Po) which is to be provided to said inverter (6) by means of said generator (4) and results from said physical force produced by said user.
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that said software application is designed to be able to provide a set value which varies over time depending on a predetermined goal associated with said user of the device.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that said predetermined goal associated with said user is selected from the group comprising a sports performance goal of said user, a physical rehabilitation goal of said user, and a recreational goal determined by said user.
10. Device according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that said power controller is designed to communicate to said mobile apparatus (8) information representing the power which has actually been reinjected into said electrical distribution network and results from the physical force produced by said user.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that said information representing the power which has actually been produced by said user and is intended for being reinjected into the electrical distribution network (9) is shared via the Internet (11).

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