GB2275828A

GB2275828A - Secondary electric generation using weight of moving vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2275828A
Application number: GB9304432A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Francis Mcdonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-04
Filing date: 1993-03-04
Publication date: 1994-09-07
Also published as: GB9304432D0

Abstract

A secondary method of generating electricity using the weight of moving road and rail vehicles. The vehicles supplying an intermittent downward force to strategically ground sited bar plungers 1, sitting on springs 4 located in a number of carefully spaced stationary plunger housings 3. A plunger force transmitted by ground sited pivot lever systems and tie rods attached to two twin type forked main lever systems 7, twin forked drive plates 12 which are arranged to drive two cog and gearwheel systems 13 - 15. A twin system which then drives a single generator shaft gearwheel and produces electricity via a standard type generator. Lever system 10 - 11 allows each set of linkings to provide a common rotation direction at the generator input. The smooth and efficient generation of electricity is effected by the forked drive plates driving incidental, relatively small cogwheels, fitted on the shafts of the main gearwheels driving each side of the generator drive shaft geartrains. The bar plunger ground stand-out heights, may be adjusted by using the plunger control bracket adjusting bolts. <IMAGE>

Description

SECONDARY ELECTRIC GENERATION This invention indicates a secondary method of generating electricity.

Intended to complement those well known wind, water and wave alternative methods of generating electricity. Belatedly this invention stems from my student days, when after the fuel to a gas engine was switched off, If discovered at a chosen speed of rotation, simply by giving a tangential pat with the palm of my hand to the still rotating engine flywheel. A steady flywheel speed of rotation could be easily maintained. Knowledge I've used as the basis of this application.

In operation my invention uses the weight of road or rail moving vehicles to generate electricity. A generation effected by using two or more ground sited bar plungers, sitting on springs and located in individual, stationary housings. To transmit an intermittent but relatively smooth turning force via tie rods, forked levers, forked drive plates and gearwheels to a generator drive shaft gearwheel.

Road and rail vehicle electric generation differs physically only in one main practical aspen, Namely, that whilst road vehicles press directly upon the ground sited bar plungers, rail vehicles do not. Rail vehicles therefore require their rails to be modified and reinforced to accomodate a force transitional distance piece. A means of transmitting their downward force to the ground bar plungers. Moreover because rail vehicles posses a greater number of wheels, to generate a given power, fewer ground bar plungers will be required.

An essential feature of my invention is that although all of ground bar plungers supply on a downward force. To supply a relatively constant turning force to the generator drive shaft via the gearwheels. The force transmission tie rods must supply a downward force on one side of the generator drive shaft. And utilizing a ground fulcrum lever arrangement, supply an upward force to the other side of the generator drive shaft.

Whatismore since road or rail vehicles can supply the force to generate electricity via either one or two separate generators, from vehicles moving in the same or two different directions.

To obtain a similar generator rotation from vehicles moving in different directions. The force transmission tie rod fulcrum levers must be operated from differently located ground bar plungers ie:- they must be handed.

An invention more clearly explained, if refering to Figs 1 to 6 in conjunction the equipment nomenclature. Fig 1 shows the part plan view of a two generator road installation. In operation the moving vehicles press upon the bar plungers 1, compress the housing springs 4, and by forcing down the tie rods 6 & 11, either pull down or push up the main forked levers 7. An action causing the forked drive plates 12 to rotate the incidental cogwheels 13 and main gearwheels 14. Which then drive the generator shaft gearwheels 15 and generate electricity. Fig 2 indicates a part from elevation of the same installation, including a part detail of two ground bar housings 3, a tie rod in tension 6, and another in compression 11, together with it's fulcrum bracket 10, and lever system. An alternative, and or, additional motor drive location 25, is also depicted. Fig 3 shows the part plan view of a two generator rail system, together with provision for a gearbox, if required. Fig 4 is a bar plunger detail, it's housing and plunger main control bracket.

5/9. The latter itme made to accomodate an automatic control cylinder, is thus longer than a standard bracket. Fig 5 indicates a force transitional distance piece for a rail vehicle, including a typical support spring and rail reinforcing. An arrangement providing the necessary rail cushioning and strengthening for efficient operation. Fig 6 shows a plunger housing ground cover suitable for larger plunger stand-out heights than those depicted in Figs 1 to 5, ie smooth surface conditions and small plunger stand-outs.

NOTE: Lacking space and for clarity, I have shown only a single gear reduction and three plunger housings on either side of the drive shafts in Figs 1 and 3. But my investigations suggest that for the best results, more than one gear reduction and three ground sited housings on either side of the drive shafts is the better design.

EQUIPMENT NOMENCLATURE 1. Bar plunger 2. Plunger housing cover 3. Plunger ground housing 4. Plunger return spring 5. Control bracket body 6. Main tie rod 7. Main forked lever and bearing housing 8. Control bracket top plate 9. Main control bracket top plate 10. Fulcrum lever bearing bracket 11. Fulcrum lever tie rod 12. Cogwheel forked drive plate and return spring 13. Cogwheel 14. Main gearwheel 15. Generator drive shaft gearwheel 16. Bearing pedestal 17. Flywheel 18. Gearbox, if required 19. Generator 20. Clutch 21. Motor 22. Rail sleeper 23. Rail 24. Rail vehicle force transitional distance piece 25. Alternative, and or, additional motor position. If additional, used for intermittent low speed purposes 26. Electric solenoid or air cylinder for automatic bar plunger control 27. Plunger housing ground cover 28. Ground cover location plate

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A secondary method of generating electricity using the weight of moving road and rail vehicles.

The vehicles supplying an intermittent downward force to stratigically ground sited bar plungers, sitting on springs located in a number of carefully spaced stationary plunger housings.

A plunger force transmitted by ground sited pivot lever systems and tie rods attached to two twin type forked main lever systems. Housing twin forked drive plates which are arranged to drive two cog and gearwheel systems.

A twin system which then drives a single generator shaft gearwheel and produces electricity via a standard type generator.
2. An electric generation effected in the case of road vehicles, by their wheels pressing directly upon the bar plungers. And for rail vehicles by their wheels pressing indirectly on the plungers via force transitional distance pieces. Both type methods applicable as in Claim 1.
3. The smooth and efficient generation of electricity as in Claims 1 and 2 being effected by the forked drive plates driving incidental, relatively small cogwheels, fitted on the shafts of the main gearwheels driving each side of the generator drive shaft geartrains. And by careful adjustment of the bar plunger ground stand-out heights, using the plunger control bracket adjusting bolts provided.
4. A secondary electric generation achieved substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings numbered Figs 1 to 6.