GB2127902A - Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2127902A
GB2127902A GB08227585A GB8227585A GB2127902A GB 2127902 A GB2127902 A GB 2127902A GB 08227585 A GB08227585 A GB 08227585A GB 8227585 A GB8227585 A GB 8227585A GB 2127902 A GB2127902 A GB 2127902A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
energy
exploitation
humans
present
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08227585A
Inventor
Evangelos Konstantakakis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08227585A priority Critical patent/GB2127902A/en
Publication of GB2127902A publication Critical patent/GB2127902A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/08—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
    • F03G7/081—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine recovering energy from moving road or rail vehicles, e.g. collecting vehicle vibrations in the vehicle tyres or shock absorbers
    • F03G7/083—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine recovering energy from moving road or rail vehicles, e.g. collecting vehicle vibrations in the vehicle tyres or shock absorbers using devices on streets or on rails
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/08—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G5/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy
    • F03G5/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy other than of endless-walk type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G5/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy
    • F03G5/06—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy other than of endless-walk type
    • F03G5/062—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy other than of endless-walk type driven by humans
    • F03G5/063—Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy other than of endless-walk type driven by humans operated by the leg or foot

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)

Abstract

Exploitation of otherwise wasted energy of humans, vehicles, aircraft and the like is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, when the step of a staircase 1 is stepped upon a spring 2 is compressed and the hereby produced mechanical energy is sensed by an instrument 3 and transferred to a transducer 6 where it is converted into an electrical output which is supplied either for direct usage or for storage e.g. in batteries. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for the exploitation of the up today unused energy of humans or other moving objects such as vehicles, aircrafts, etc.
The present invention relates to a method with which the dynamic energy inherent in the up today unused energy of humans or other moving objects is exploited.
The prior art has not invented a similar object. Thus there are a lot of cases where in the usual movements and daily activities of people, such as the going up and mainly down of a staircase (of a block of flats, school or bus), the holding of the handles in a bus, the walking on a road or a pavement, the opening of a substantially heavy gate of a block of flats, provide a substantially high and exploitable energy, equivalent to the dynamic energy consumed for the performance of these movements. The hereby provided energy remains unused.
Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a method for the most effective exploitation of the energy produced in this way. These and other advantages of the present invention will be made clear in the analytical description below.
The present invention will be understood more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows an illustrative and not limiting embodiment of the invention.
The figure shows an illustrative arrangement for the application of the method of the invention, which comprises a system for the collection of mechanical energy, a system for the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy and a control system (storageconsumption).
The illustrated arrangement for the embodiment of the method of the invention comprises a step (1) which is made in such a manner that the friction losses are reduced to a minimum and is provided with a spring (2) which is compressed every time a man or a group of people steps onto the step (1). Thus the dynamic energy consumed by the men is converted into energy of compression of the spring.
Following that, the sensor (3) senses the compression of the spring and transmits the mechanical signal of deformation of the spring to the transducer (6) which converts this mechanical signal to an electrical one. This electrical signal is transmitted to the control unit, where this energy is used to charge one or a series of batteries.
The control unit provides two outputs (8) and (9), where the output (8) provides electrical energy for consumption, whereas the output (9) is connected to a feedback system (5), which is activated by the control signal of the output (2) which is supplied to the assembler (7), thereby regulating the operation of the system, so that the discharge or overcharge of the batteries is avoided and a continuous satisfactory operation is obtained.
The energy which can be produced using the above arrangement and the way in which it is used vary depending on the application.
For example, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads and pavements respectively or the landing of aircrafts above an underground tube station could provide the necessary energy for the electrical installations and the air conditioning of the station.
It is obvious that a specific study is required in each particular case for the exploitation of the present invention, which needs an estimate of the required energy and calculation of the energy that can be produced using the above method, and a specific technical-economic study which includes the selection of the system, of the materials and of the construction as well as an estimation of the paying back period. It is believed that the present invention can substantially contribute towards the solution of the energy crisis which is continuously growing.
It must hereby be noted that the invention can be applied by using other designs and accessories, and the reference to the specific arrangement described above has merely the meaning of an illustrative example. Thus whatever change in the shape, size or dimensions of the proposed arrangement, as well as whatever change or amendment which does not comprise a new inventive step does not limit the rights of the present invention, which are summarized in the claims below:
CLAIMS 1. Method of storage and exploitation of the dynamic energy resulting from the up today unused energy of humans (movement on staircases, pavements, etc.) or of other moving objects such as vehicles, aircrafts, etc., comprising the usage of an apparatus for the conversion of the said dynamic energy to mechanical energy of compression of a spring and following this to electrical energy.
2. Apparatus for the storage and exploitation of the dynamic energy resulting from the up today unused energy of humans or of other moving objects, where the method of claim (1) is used, characterised by that it relates to the construction of a staircase, pavement, etc. in a manner such that the friction losses are reduced and each step onto the said staircase compresses one or a series of springs placed underneath the said staircase, where the mechanical signal due to the compression of the said springs is sensed by a sensor, is transmitted to a transducer where it is converted to electric signal and following that the said electric signal is transmitted to a control unit, which comprises a series of chargeable batteries and provides two outputs,
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for the exploitation of the up today unused energy of humans or other moving objects such as vehicles, aircrafts, etc. The present invention relates to a method with which the dynamic energy inherent in the up today unused energy of humans or other moving objects is exploited. The prior art has not invented a similar object. Thus there are a lot of cases where in the usual movements and daily activities of people, such as the going up and mainly down of a staircase (of a block of flats, school or bus), the holding of the handles in a bus, the walking on a road or a pavement, the opening of a substantially heavy gate of a block of flats, provide a substantially high and exploitable energy, equivalent to the dynamic energy consumed for the performance of these movements. The hereby provided energy remains unused. Thus the object of the present invention is to provide a method for the most effective exploitation of the energy produced in this way. These and other advantages of the present invention will be made clear in the analytical description below. The present invention will be understood more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows an illustrative and not limiting embodiment of the invention. The figure shows an illustrative arrangement for the application of the method of the invention, which comprises a system for the collection of mechanical energy, a system for the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy and a control system (storageconsumption). The illustrated arrangement for the embodiment of the method of the invention comprises a step (1) which is made in such a manner that the friction losses are reduced to a minimum and is provided with a spring (2) which is compressed every time a man or a group of people steps onto the step (1). Thus the dynamic energy consumed by the men is converted into energy of compression of the spring. Following that, the sensor (3) senses the compression of the spring and transmits the mechanical signal of deformation of the spring to the transducer (6) which converts this mechanical signal to an electrical one. This electrical signal is transmitted to the control unit, where this energy is used to charge one or a series of batteries. The control unit provides two outputs (8) and (9), where the output (8) provides electrical energy for consumption, whereas the output (9) is connected to a feedback system (5), which is activated by the control signal of the output (2) which is supplied to the assembler (7), thereby regulating the operation of the system, so that the discharge or overcharge of the batteries is avoided and a continuous satisfactory operation is obtained. The energy which can be produced using the above arrangement and the way in which it is used vary depending on the application. For example, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads and pavements respectively or the landing of aircrafts above an underground tube station could provide the necessary energy for the electrical installations and the air conditioning of the station. It is obvious that a specific study is required in each particular case for the exploitation of the present invention, which needs an estimate of the required energy and calculation of the energy that can be produced using the above method, and a specific technical-economic study which includes the selection of the system, of the materials and of the construction as well as an estimation of the paying back period. It is believed that the present invention can substantially contribute towards the solution of the energy crisis which is continuously growing. It must hereby be noted that the invention can be applied by using other designs and accessories, and the reference to the specific arrangement described above has merely the meaning of an illustrative example. Thus whatever change in the shape, size or dimensions of the proposed arrangement, as well as whatever change or amendment which does not comprise a new inventive step does not limit the rights of the present invention, which are summarized in the claims below: CLAIMS
1. Method of storage and exploitation of the dynamic energy resulting from the up today unused energy of humans (movement on staircases, pavements, etc.) or of other moving objects such as vehicles, aircrafts, etc., comprising the usage of an apparatus for the conversion of the said dynamic energy to mechanical energy of compression of a spring and following this to electrical energy.
2. Apparatus for the storage and exploitation of the dynamic energy resulting from the up today unused energy of humans or of other moving objects, where the method of claim (1) is used, characterised by that it relates to the construction of a staircase, pavement, etc. in a manner such that the friction losses are reduced and each step onto the said staircase compresses one or a series of springs placed underneath the said staircase, where the mechanical signal due to the compression of the said springs is sensed by a sensor, is transmitted to a transducer where it is converted to electric signal and following that the said electric signal is transmitted to a control unit, which comprises a series of chargeable batteries and provides two outputs, where one of the said outputs provides electric energy for consumption and the other said output provides a control signal to a feedback system, which analyzes the said control signal and transfers it to an assembler at the entrance of the said control system, so that the operation of the said control system can be controlled and the overcharge or discharge of the said series of batteries be avoided.
GB08227585A 1982-09-28 1982-09-28 Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects Withdrawn GB2127902A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08227585A GB2127902A (en) 1982-09-28 1982-09-28 Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08227585A GB2127902A (en) 1982-09-28 1982-09-28 Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2127902A true GB2127902A (en) 1984-04-18

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GB08227585A Withdrawn GB2127902A (en) 1982-09-28 1982-09-28 Method and apparatus for the exploitation of unused energy of humans or other moving objects

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2127902A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004067850A1 (en) * 2003-01-28 2004-08-12 Peter Neville Hughes Apparatus for converting kinetic energy
WO2009100900A1 (en) * 2008-02-12 2009-08-20 Intertechnique Sa Oxygen breathing device
EP2168635A1 (en) * 2008-09-26 2010-03-31 Intertechnique SA Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
GB2471658A (en) * 2009-07-06 2011-01-12 Facility Innovate Ltd Energy harvesting system using hydraulic circuit
EP2351600A3 (en) * 2008-09-26 2011-11-09 Intertechnique Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
US8261744B2 (en) 2008-09-26 2012-09-11 Intertechnique, S.A. Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1916873A (en) * 1931-04-13 1933-07-04 Earl B Wiggins Apparatus for converting inertia of moving vehicles into power
GB1332202A (en) * 1971-03-05 1973-10-03 Pedrick A P Inclined ramps for engagement by vehicles to generate electricity
US3944855A (en) * 1974-12-12 1976-03-16 Van Allyn, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating electricity by vehicle and pedestrian weight force
GB2065983A (en) * 1979-11-26 1981-07-01 Machakaire T S Apparatus for Generating Electricity
GB2072432A (en) * 1980-02-26 1981-09-30 Jimenez M P An energy source
GB1602275A (en) * 1978-05-30 1981-11-11 Dixon R Apparatus for deriving energy from traffic

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1916873A (en) * 1931-04-13 1933-07-04 Earl B Wiggins Apparatus for converting inertia of moving vehicles into power
GB1332202A (en) * 1971-03-05 1973-10-03 Pedrick A P Inclined ramps for engagement by vehicles to generate electricity
US3944855A (en) * 1974-12-12 1976-03-16 Van Allyn, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating electricity by vehicle and pedestrian weight force
GB1602275A (en) * 1978-05-30 1981-11-11 Dixon R Apparatus for deriving energy from traffic
GB2065983A (en) * 1979-11-26 1981-07-01 Machakaire T S Apparatus for Generating Electricity
GB2072432A (en) * 1980-02-26 1981-09-30 Jimenez M P An energy source

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004067850A1 (en) * 2003-01-28 2004-08-12 Peter Neville Hughes Apparatus for converting kinetic energy
WO2009100900A1 (en) * 2008-02-12 2009-08-20 Intertechnique Sa Oxygen breathing device
EP2168635A1 (en) * 2008-09-26 2010-03-31 Intertechnique SA Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
EP2351600A3 (en) * 2008-09-26 2011-11-09 Intertechnique Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
US8261744B2 (en) 2008-09-26 2012-09-11 Intertechnique, S.A. Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
US8967537B2 (en) 2008-09-26 2015-03-03 Zodiac Aerotechnics Oxygen breathing device with redundant signal transmission
GB2471658A (en) * 2009-07-06 2011-01-12 Facility Innovate Ltd Energy harvesting system using hydraulic circuit

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)