GB1602275A

GB1602275A - Apparatus for deriving energy from traffic

Info

Publication number: GB1602275A
Application number: GB3177677A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-11-11

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO APPARATUS AND FOR DERIVING ENERGY FROM TRAFFIC (71) 1, ROBERT DIXON, a British Subject, of Railmould House, Acorn Street, Hunsdon, Ware, Herts SG12 8PF (formerly of Well House, Ware, Herts) do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for deriving energy from traffic.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for deriving energy from traffic comprising one or more platforms disposed in the path of traffic to form part of the surface over which the traffic travels, the or each platform being mounted for downward movement from a rest position under the weight of the traffic, means for biassing the or each platform towards its rest position and pump means for converting the movement of the or each platform in at least one direction into storable energy in the form of a pressure difference between gas contained in a container and atmospheric pressure.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for deriving energy in the form of a vacuum and pressurised air; and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the movement of the platforms and plates of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows apparatus for deriving energy in the form of a partial vacuum and pressurised air from road traffic. It will be appreciated that any land traffic can be used to provide the initial energy, for example pedestrian traffic.

Figure 1 shows a plurality of platforms 59, which are arranged to form a part of a road surface or lay by surface. The platforms 59 are pivotally mounted, at one end, on a support 60. The other end of each platform 59 is connected with a respective piston 61 of a vacuum pump 62.

Each platform 59 is biased upwardly by a spring diagrammatically shown at 63', each spring 63' preferably being arranged to cause the platforms 59 to project above the surrounding road surface such that the platforms are upwardly inclined in the direction of travel of the vehicles travelling over the road surface. The gap between each platform is covered by an elongate plate 63, which can tilt with the abutting pair of platforms 59, but is held generally in position by parallel stops 60 which extend across the width of respective plat-forms 59. Alternatively the gap can be covered by a suitably flexible cover, which can tilt.

Each pump 62 has an inlet 65 through which air can be drawn in and an outlet 66 through which air can be exhausted. Each of the inlets 65 is connected by a respective non return valve 67 to a reservoir containing air below atmospheric pressure (not shown)! Each outlet 66 is connected by a respective non return valve 68 to a pressurised air reservoir 69. The air reservoir 69 has a pressure release valve 70 and an outlet valve 71, which can be opened when ever pressurised air is required.

When traffic passes over the platforms 59 they are initially depressed by the weight of the traffic causing piston 61 to be driven downwardly and thence feeding compressed air into reservoir 69. As the traffic leaves the platforms 59 they are urged upwardly by means of springs 63, causing piston 61 to be raised and hence exhausting air from the reservoir containing air below atmospheric pressure.

Figure 2 shows the limits of movement of platforms 59 and plates 63.

Preferably the platforms 59 should be positioned where traffic is slow moving such as in lay-bys.

In the case of pedestrian traffic the platforms 59 may form the surface of pavements or walk-ways or the treads of a staircase.

The vacuum pumps 62 may be replaced by flexible bags having appropriate air inlets and outlets.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for deriving energy from traffic comprising one or more platforms disposed in the path of traffic to form part of the surface over which the traffic travels, the or each platform being mounted for downward movement from a rest position under the weight of the traffic, means for biassing the or each platform towards its rest position and pump means for converting the movement of the or each platform in at least one direction into storable energy in the form of a pressure difference between gas contained in a container and atmospheric pressure.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pump means includes a vacuum pump.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the vacuum pump includes a piston and cylinder and is connected via a nonreturn valve to the container, the pump having a pressure outlet, including a nonreturn valve arranged in the opposite sense to that in the vacuum connection, for pumping air, the arrangement being such that on one stroke of the pump air is drawn from the container, and on the reverse stroke air is urged through the pressure outlet.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pump means includes an air pump.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the pump is constituted by at least one flexible bag having an air outlet and an air inlet, the flexible bag or bags being mounted underneath one or more platforms for compression thereby.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each platform is pivotably mounted at one end.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein there is a plurality of platforms, the platforms being disposed end to end.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each abutting pair of platform ends is bridged by a plate slidably located between the platforms it bridges.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each abutting pair of platform ends is bridged by a tiltable flexible cover.

10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

traffic comprising one or more platforms disposed in the path of traffic to form part of the surface over which the traffic travels, the or each platform being mounted for downward movement from a rest position under the weight of the traffic, means for biassing the or each platform towards its rest position and pump means for converting the movement of the or each platform in at least one direction into storable energy in the form of a pressure difference between gas contained in a container and atmospheric pressure.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pump means includes a vacuum pump.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the vacuum pump includes a piston and cylinder and is connected via a nonreturn valve to the container, the pump having a pressure outlet, including a nonreturn valve arranged in the opposite sense to that in the vacuum connection, for pumping air, the arrangement being such that on one stroke of the pump air is drawn from the container, and on the reverse stroke air is urged through the pressure outlet.
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pump means includes an air pump.
5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the pump is constituted by at least one flexible bag having an air outlet and an air inlet, the flexible bag or bags being mounted underneath one or more platforms for compression thereby.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each platform is pivotably mounted at one end.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein there is a plurality of platforms, the platforms being disposed end to end.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each abutting pair of platform ends is bridged by a plate slidably located between the platforms it bridges.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each abutting pair of platform ends is bridged by a tiltable flexible cover.
10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.