GB2457895A

GB2457895A - Sliding roadway energy conversion apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2457895A
Application number: GB0803519A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Smith; Edward James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-27
Filing date: 2008-02-27
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Also published as: GB0803519D0

Abstract

An energy conversion device has a plate 8 which forms part of a surface 4 (road) on which a vehicle 2 travels. The force exerted by the vehicle through friction as the vehicle 2 accelerates or brakes causes the plate 8 to slide horizontally, and energy is extracted from this movement by conversion arrangement 10. The plate 8 may be mounted on rollers (fig 5A).

Description

ENERGY CONVERTING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an energy converting device. In particular, the present invention relates to an energy converting device for converting the kinetic energy of vehicles into, for example, electrical energy.

As our demand for energy, and in particular electrical energy, grows, so does our demand for new sources of energy. In more recent times, it has become less acceptable to rely on the traditional use of fossil-fuelled power stations to supply our energy needs.

More ecologically sound alternatives to energy generation are now been researched and provided. Such more ecological alternatives to energy generation range from large scale tidal barrages to individual wind turbines for individual houses.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a new or alternative energy converting device and method.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device arranged to form part of a surface on which a vehicle is configured to travel, the device comprising: a moveable surface upon which a vehicle may travel and cause movement of the moveable surface; an energy conversion arrangement in connection with the moveable surface, the energy conversion arrangement being configured to convert movement of the moveable surface into energy. The surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel will generally be fixed in position, the moveable surface being moveable relative to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.

The moveable surface may be arranged to be moveable in a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel. The moveable surface may be arranged to be moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.

The energy conversion arrangement may be configured to convert movement of the moveable surface into electrical energy, kinetic energy, or potential energy.

The energy conversion arrangement may comprise a turbine. The moveable surface may, upon movement, be arranged to force fluid through or past the turbine The energy conversion arrangement may comprises a dynamo or alternator. The moveable surface may, upon movement, be arranged to cause movement of at least a part of the dynamo or alternator.

The energy conversion arrangement may comprise a coil and a magnet. The moveable surface may, upon movement, be arranged to cause relative movement between the magnet and the coil.

The device may comprise one or more roller bars upon which the moveable surface is arranged to move. The device may comprise one or more rails or guides along which the moveable surface is arranged to move. The moveable surface may be biased by a biasing means. The biasing means may be arranged to bias the moveable surface to an equilibrium position. The biasing means may be a spring. The moveable surface may have a plate-like shape. At least a part of the moveable surface may comprise a material which the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel also comprises. A part of the moveable surface may be provided with a coating which is formed from substantially the same material as that of the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.

The surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel may be fixed in position. The surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel may be a road, rail or path.

The moveable surface may be arranged to move when the vehicle decelerates or accelerates while on the moveable surface. The moveable surface may be arranged to move when the vehicle moves onto the moveable surface.

The device may be provided with a plurality of energy conversion arrangements.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of converting energy, the method comprising: converting movement of a moveable surface into energy; the moveable surface forming part of a surface on which a vehicle is configured to travel. The surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel will generally be fixed in position, the moveable surface being moveable relative to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure la schematically depicts a vehicle travelling at a constant speed along a surface; Figure lb schematically depicts the vehicle shown in Figure la decelerating on the surface on which the vehicle is travelling; Figure 2 schematically depicts an energy converting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, shown in conjunction with a vehicle decelerating on a surface; Figures 3a and 3b schematically depict details of an example of the energy converting device shown in Figure 2; Figures 4a to 4c schematically depict details of another example of the energy converting device shown in Figure 2; and Figures 5a and 5b schematically depict further operating principles of embodiments of the present invention.

Figure la schematically depicts a vehicle 2 (in this case a car 2) travelling along a road surface 4. The car 2 is travelling at a constant speed along the road surface 4. This means that the driving forces FDRI and resistive forces FRES are substantially equal to one another.

Figure lb shows the same car 2 as shown in Figure Ia, but when the car 2 is decelerating. The car 2 decelerates with a decelerating force FDEC which is substantially equal and opposite to a reaction force FREA acting through the wheels 6 of the car 2 on the road surface 4. It has been found that the reaction force FREA can be taken advantage of, such that the kinetic energy of the car 2 as it decelerates can be converted into other forms of energy. For example, the kinetic energy of the car 2 be converted into electrical energy, potential energy, or kinetic energy of an object other than the car 2 itself.

Figure 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the present invention. The road surface 4 on which the car 2 is configured to move is provided with a moveable surface 8. The moveable surface 8 has a plate-like shape. Preferably an upper surface of the moveable surface 8 is substantially flush with (i.e. level with) an upper surface of the road surface 4 such that there is no discernable effect to the car 2 or users of the car 2 when the car 2 travels between the moveable surface 8 and the road surface 4.

The moveable surface 8 may be or comprise the same material as the road surface 4.

Alternatively, the moveable surface could be formed from metal, or concrete, and/or be provided with a coating on its upper surface which is similar or identical to material which forms the road surface 4.

The moveable surface 8 is moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface 4 and in substantially a direction parallel to the direction in which the car 2 is configured to travel on the road surface 4 in normal use. For example, the moveable surface 8 may be moveable in a direction parallel to the direction of normal traffic flow on a road.

The moveable surface 8 is in connection with an energy conversion arrangement 10.

The moveable surface 8 is located within or below the road surface 4, and may be accessible using a cover or grill or the like provided in the road surface. The energy conversion arrangement 10 may be any suitable arrangement, as will be described in more detail below.

In use, the car 2 decelerates, for example when the car 2 approaches a junction, traffic lights, a pedestrian crossing, or the like. The moveable surface 8 is located in an area in which the car 2 is expected to decelerate, for example adjacent to a junction, traffic lights, a pedestrian crossing, or the like. The deceleration force FDEC of the car 2 is imparted to the moveable surface 8 as the reaction force FREA. The reaction force FREA causes the moveable surface 8 to move in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the car 2. The energy conversion arrangement 10 is configured to convert movement of the moveable surface 8 (i.e. kinetic energy of the moveable surface 8) into energy, for example electrical energy, potential energy, or kinetic energy of another object. This converted energy may be extracted, accessed or used via the output 12.

The converted (or in other words generated or extracted) energy may be, in particular, electrical energy. The electrical energy may be used to power apparatus in the vicinity of the moveable plate 8, for example, traffic lights, streetlights, illuminated road signs, etc. Alternatively, the electrical energy may be transferred to a power supply system, such as a local, regional, or national power supply system.

The energy conversion arrangement 10 may be any suitable arrangement which is able to convert movement of the moveable surface 8 into energy. For example, the energy conversion arrangement 10 may be or comprise a coil and a magnet, a dynamo, a turbine, an alternator, a compressed air configuration or the like. Specific examples of the energy conversion arrangement 10 will now be described in more detail.

Figure 3a schematically depicts an example of the energy conversion arrangement 10 depicted in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 3a, the energy conversion arrangement comprises a magnet 14 and a coil 16. The moveable surface 8 is attached to the magnet 14 via a connector 18 (for example, a bracket, welding, fixing etc). The magnet 14 is moveable within the coil 16. The coil 16 is connected to the output 12.

When the moveable surface 8 moves, the magnet 14 also moves, due to its connection to the moveable surface 8. It can be seen that the magnet 14 moves into and through the coil 16 until the majority of the magnet 12 is within the coil 16, as shown in Figure 3b.

Movement of the magnet 14 through the coil 16 allows electrical energy (or more generically, electricity) to be generated in the coil 14, which is then connected to output 12 for further use. Such a method of generating electrical energy, whereby a moving magnetic field is used to induce a current flow in a conductive coil, is well known in the art and will not be described in more detail here.

Figures 4a to 4c schematically depict another example of the energy conversion arrangement 10 shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 4a, the energy conversion arrangement comprises a turbine 20 (which may be any configuration able to generate electricity from a fluid flow) and a reservoir 22 in fluid connection with the turbine 20 via a channel 24. The turbine 20 is also in fluid communication with the reservoir 22 via a feedback line 26.

The reservoir 22 is provided with a plunger 28 moveable through the reservoir 22. The plunger 28 is connected to the moveable surface 8 via a connecter 30, which may be for example a bracket, welding, fixing, etc. The reservoir 22, channel 24, turbine 20, and feedback line 26 are all filled with fluid 32.

In use, movement of the moveable surface 8 causes movement of the plunger 28 through the reservoir 22. Figure 4b shows the effect of movement of the plunger 28 through the fluid filled reservoir 22. It can be seen that the fluid 32 is forced from the reservoir 22, through the channel 24 and into the turbine 20. When the fluid 32 is forced through the turbine 20, it causes the turbine 20 to turn and generate electricity which is conducted to the output 12. The fluid 32 which has been forced through the turbine 20 is then forced back to the reservoir 22 via the feedback line 26.

Figure 4c shows how the plunger 28 can be configured to easily move in the opposite direction through the fluid 32 in the reservoir 22 when the moveable surface 8 moves in an opposite direction to that shown in Figure 4a. It can be seen that parts of the plunger 28 are collapsible when the plunger is moved in the direction shown in Figure 4c, such that the resistance to the fluid 32 is reduced.

It will be appreciated that Figures 4a to 4c show only one example of how a fluid based energy conversion arrangement may work. Other fluid and/or turbine based arrangements are possible. For instance, it may not be necessary to incorporate a feedback line. Instead, the fluid which is passed through the turbine may be pumped back to a reservoir. Furthermore, it may not be necessary to incorporate a plunger. Any suitable configuration for forcing fluid through or past the turbine may be used.

In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, movement of the moveable surface is shown in only a single direction, and energy conversion is also explained only when the moveable surface moves in this single direction. However, energy can be converted when a moveable surface moves in the opposite direction as well, for example when in Figure 3 the solenoid or the magnet is moved out of the coil, or in Figure 4 when movement of the plunger is arranged to cause fluid flow in the opposite direction through the turbine.

Although this may have an effect on, for example, the waveform or polarity of electricity generated, these changes can be taken into account either with electrical arrangements with which the energy conversion arrangement is provided, or with separate electrical arrangements.

In the above embodiments, movement of the moveable surface has been described substantially in the plane of a surface on which a vehicle is arranged to move. However, it will be appreciated that the same principles may be applied to a moveable surface which moves in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel. For example, the moveable surface may move into the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel. This means that the kinetic energy of the vehicle moving downwards due to gravity may be converted into, for example, electrical energy.

However, more kinetic energy may be available in the direction of movement of the vehicle than from the vehicle as it falls due to gravity, meaning that energy conversion from a moveable surface which moves substantially in the plane of a surface on which a vehicle is arranged to move may be preferable.

The above embodiments generate energy (for example, electrical energy) in a clean manner in that no pollutants are generated in the conversion of the energy (other than that of the vehicle, which will should increase substantially or at all when using the present invention). Having consideration to the weight of most road vehicles, even if the distance moved by the moveable surface is small, the forces generated are considerable. For example, it is estimated that an average size truck when decelerating (i.e. braking) on a moveable surface may generate in the region of 160,000 Newtons.

Such large forces can be used to move large objects in the energy conversion arrangement, or move objects or fluids at high pressure or velocity. This means that large amounts of energy may be generated with only small movements of the moveable surface. It will further be appreciated that movement of the moveable surface may be repeated tens, hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of times within a relatively short period of time, for example a day or a week, if the moveable surface is located in a suitable area of traffic flow. This means that even if the amount of energy which is converted (or in other words generated or extracted) is small, large amounts of energy can be converted due to repeated movement of the moveable surface and repeated conversion of energy by the energy conversion arrangement.

The moveable surface described above may move in any appropriate manner. Figure 5a shows that the moveable surface 8 may move across roller bars 34. The moveable surface 8 may be biased by biasing means 36, for example one or more springs or the like. The biasing means 36 may be provided to bias the moveable surface 8 into or back into an equilibrium position so that the moveable surface 8 is again moveable when another vehicle decelerates on the moveable surface.

Figure 5b shows that in addition to, or in the alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 5a, the moveable surface 8 may be moveable along rails or guides 38 provided in or beneath the road surface 4.

In the above embodiments, the conversion of movement of the moveable surface into electrical energy has been described. It will be appreciated that movement of the moveable surface can be converted into other forms of invention, for example, kinetic, potential, chemical etc. For instance, movement of the moveable surface may be configured to cause activation of a pump which compresses a fluid such as air or the like.

The compressed fluid will have a certain amount of potential energy associated with it.

This potential energy can be taken advantage of by, for example, allowing some or all of the compressed fluid to escape, for example through a turbine or the like in order to generated electricity on demand.

It will be appreciated that more than one moveable surface may be provided, for example one in each lane of a dual carriage way. It will be appreciated that one or more moveable surfaces may be provided with one or more energy conversion arrangements.

In the above embodiments, the vehicle has been described as a car, and the surface on which the vehicle has been described as being configured to travel has been described as a road surface. This is not essential. The vehicle could be any vehicle, such as a lorry, truck, train, bicycle, motorcycle etc. The surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel will depend on the vehicle, but may be, for example, a road, a path, or a railway.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only. Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments, and indeed embodiments not described, without departing from the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device arranged to form part of a surface on which a vehicle is configured to travel, the device comprising: a moveable surface upon which a vehicle may travel and cause movement of the moveable surface; an energy conversion arrangement in connection with the moveable surface, the energy conversion arrangement being configured to convert movement of the moveable surface into energy.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moveable surface is arranged to be moveable in a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moveable surface is arranged to be moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.
4. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the energy conversion arrangement is configured to convert movement of the moveable surface into electrical energy, kinetic energy, or potential energy.
5. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the energy conversion arrangement comprises a turbine.
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the moveable surface is, upon movement, arranged to force fluid through or past the turbine
7. The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the energy conversion arrangement comprises a dynamo or alternator.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the moveable surface is, upon movement, arranged to cause movement of at least a part of the dynamo or alternator.
9. The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the energy conversion arrangement comprises a coil and a magnet.
10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the moveable surface is, upon movement, arranged to cause relative movement between the magnet and the coil.
11. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more roller bars upon which the moveable surface is arranged to move.
12. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more rails or guides along which the moveable surface is arranged to move.
13. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moveable surface is biased by a biasing means.
14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the biasing means is arranged to bias the moveable surface to an equilibrium position.
15. The device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the biasing means is a spring.
16. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moveable surface has a plate-like shape.
17. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the moveable surface comprises a material which the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel also comprises.
18. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a part of the moveable surface is provided with a coating which is formed from substantially the same material as that of the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel.
19. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface on which the vehicle is configured to travel is a road, rail or path.
20. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moveable surface is arranged to move when the vehicle decelerates or accelerates while on the moveable surface.
21. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moveable surface is arranged to move when the vehicle moves onto the moveable surface.
22. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is provided with a plurality of energy conversion arrangements.
23. A method of converting energy, the method comprising: converting movement of a moveable surface into energy; the moveable surface forming part of a surface on which a vehicle is configured to travel.