WO2008062230A2

WO2008062230A2 - Electrical energy generation and storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2008062230A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050707
Authority: WO
Inventors: Humayun Akhter Mughal
Original assignee: Akhter Group Plc
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2007-11-22
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: GB2444116B; GB2444116A; GB0623457D0; WO2008062230A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for electrical energy generation, storage and use. The system includes a pedal powered vehicle (10) such as a bicycle, having a generator (12) that generates electrical energy as the vehicle is pedalled from one place to another. It further includes a battery (14) adapted to store the generated electrical energy, and an electrical output port (18) on the vehicle. The system yet further includes an electrical input port (20) adapted for connection to the electrical output port of the pedal powered vehicle when that vehicle is parked. This allows the transfer of electrical energy from the battery to an electrical distribution system (22) such as that found in a domestic dwelling.

Description

Electrical Energy Generation and Storage System

The present invention relates to a system for the generation, storage and, to a degree, use of electrical energy. In places where there is no connection to mains electrical supply, homes and other buildings need to generate electricity by other means. Additional electrical generation is also used to supplement mains power if that is unreliable or expensive. Often this generator may include a engine powered generator, but this is reliant on fuel so is expensive and also has high environmental impact. Other forms of generator can include wind or solar generators, but again these are not reliable as they depend on wind or sunlight to generate electricity. Static pedal powered generators have been provided, and these comprise a pedal operated wheel that is linked to a generator so that as the wheel is turned by a user's legs electricity is generated. Whilst this can provide a small amount of back-up electrical power on demand, it is time consuming and tiring to generate.

In contrast to these the present invention provides a system by which electricity can be generated during use of a pedal powered vehicle as it travels around and then stored for subsequent introduction into an electrical system for use by electrical components.

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical energy generation, storage and use system comprising: a pedal powered vehicle having a generator adapted to generate electrical energy as the vehicle is pedalled from one place to another, a battery adapted to store generated electrical energy, and an electrical output port; and an electrical input port adapted for connection to the electrical output port of the pedal powered vehicle when that vehicle is parked thereby to transfer electrical energy from the battery to an electrical distribution system.

A significant advantage of the present invention is that a person may use a pedal powered vehicle normally to travel from place to place, and whilst doing so capture energy and storing it in electrical form. Travelling by such self powered transport is healthy, as it is good exercise, and is also better for the environment. Highly preferably the pedal powered vehicle of the present invention is a bicycle or tricycle. Clearly the additional energy captured from the motion of the vehicle will require the input of additional energy from the person riding the bike. However the additional input is not significant at most times and in some situations, such as when going down a slope, there is ample energy to spare from potential energy converting to kinetic energy. It could be desirable to provide a user-operable switch to suspend generation at times when the maximum power for locomotion is needed.

The generator may take a variety of forms as long as it is able to generate power as a result of the vehicle's movement - by converting kinetic energy to electrical energy. Preferably the generator is a hub or sidewall mounted dynamo in which the movement of a wire through a magnetic field induces an electrical current in the wire.

The electricity energy is stored in a battery, and could be used in any situation where power is required. Often the electrical distribution system to which the energy from the battery is supplied is part of a building or dwelling. However the electricity could be used to power a small portable electrical system such as might be used by a person travelling on the vehicle and camping. It is possible that from time to time a person may require more power, even after that in the battery is exhausted. This could be achieved by taking the vehicle out and riding it around, but may also be acquired simply by pedalling the vehicle when stationary as more energy goes to generation in such a system. To aid this there is advantageously further provided a stand on which the pedal powered vehicle may be stood when the electrical input and output ports are connected, in order that a person may turn the pedals and the wheel to which the generator is attached so to generate electrical energy for use in the distribution system. Such a stand need only support the powered wheel or wheels of the vehicle just off the ground, but could support all wheels off the ground.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a simplified view of a pedal powered vehicle for use in the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a stylised view of that pedal powered vehicle connected to an electrical distribution and use system. Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of pedal powered vehicle, namely a bicycle generally indicated 10. On the hub of the rear wheel 1 1 there is mounted a generator 12. Such hub-mounted generators are well known for use in powering bicycle lights, and comprise a stator fixed to the axle and chassis, and a rotor connected to the spokes of the wheel 11. As the wheel 1 1 rotates the rotor moves around the stator generating electrical current. This electrical current is carried by wire 13 to a battery 14 where it is converted to chemical energy and stored. As a person 16 rides the bicycle 10 over the surface 17 by turning the pedals 15, the person is both transported in their desired direction as well as generating electrical energy that is stored within the battery 14. Obviously the rate of charging will depend on the amount of work done by the rider and the speed at which the bicycle is travelling. An electrical output port in the form of a socket 18 is also electrically connected to the battery 14.

Figure 2 shows the bicycle 10 when not in use. In this representation the socket 18 is connected to an input port in the form of a plug 20 that is wired by flexible lead 21 to a distribution system 22 within a house 19. A house battery 23 is connected to the distribution system 22, and this stores surplus energy from the bicycle battery 14 if it is not instantaneously required for distribution. Otherwise the distribution system 22 distributes electricity as required either from the battery 14 or from the house battery 23 to electrically powered items in the house 19, such as light bulb 25. In this way electrical power generated and stored during cycling of the bicycle may be transferred into a power system such as may be arranged in a dwelling for use of that power as required. The battery 23 in the house 19 may be used to quickly take up the energy from the bicycle 10 before the bike is used again. For example if the bicycle is ridden early in the morning less power is likely to be needed in the house until the evening, but the bicycle battery 14 may be at full capacity. By transferring the power to the house battery 23 energy generated later in the - A -

day may still be captured. The house battery 23 could be part of other generation systems such as those using solar or wind power.

As shown in Figure 2 the rear axle of the bike is supported on a cradle 30. This cradle holds the rear wheel 1 1 off the ground and permits a rider 16 to sit upon the bicycle and pedal the wheel to generate electricity without moving the bicycle. This could be used to top up a system that required more power than had been generated and stored. Further, it could be used in situations of inclement weather when use of the bicycle as a form of transport may have proved impossible and consequently power may be required yet not have been generated by normal use of the bicycle.

The present invention provides several distinct advantages in terms of the convenient collection of potentially surplus energy from the use of pedal powered vehicles such as a bicycle so that it may be subsequently used. Further, it encourages the use of such self-motivated transport which improves fitness and health as well as reducing carbon emissions by generating electricity from a renewable source.

Claims

1. An electrical energy generation, storage and use system comprising: a pedal powered vehicle having a generator adapted to generate electrical energy as the vehicle is pedalled from one place to another, a battery adapted to store generated electrical energy, and an electrical output port; and an electrical input port adapted for connection to the electrical output port of the pedal powered vehicle when that vehicle is parked thereby to transfer electrical energy from the battery to an electrical distribution system.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pedal powered vehicle is a bicycle or tricycle.

3. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the generator is a hub or rim mounted dynamo.

4. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the energy from the battery is supplied to an electrical distribution system in a domestic building.

5. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there is further provided a stand on which the pedal powered vehicle, may be stood when the electrical input and output ports are connected, in order that a person may pedal the vehicle to generate electrical energy for use in the distribution system.

6. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical distribution system includes a second battery to store energy transferred from the vehicle battery before it is used.

7. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is provided with a switch to control when electricity is generated and stored in the vehicle battery.