WO2009037559A2

WO2009037559A2 - Vehicular hump for electric energy production

Info

Publication number: WO2009037559A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/002452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo Callegari
Original assignee: Lorenzo Callegari
Priority date: 2007-09-19
Filing date: 2008-09-19
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: ITPD20070298A1; WO2009037559A3

Abstract

A vehicle speed break (1), which exploits the need to slow down the road traffic in order to produce electrical energy, comprises a mobile cover (2) in the form of a footboard or road hump, a front ramp (3) and a rear ramp (3) to facilitate the passage of the vehicles over the mobile cover (2) and a top (4) of the mobile cover (2) connected to linear actuators, which may comprise oleodynamic cylinders (7), each oleodynamic cylinder (7) having inside a chamber (8) filled with hydraulic fluid or oil and a piston (6) which is lowered, together with the mobile cover (2), as the vehicles pass over it in order to pump fluid or oil under pressure to an oleodynamic motor (9), in turn connected to an electrical current generator (10), to produce electrical energy.

Description

VEHICULAR HUMP FOR ELECTRIC ENERGY PRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problem of the exploitation of energy has in the past few years led to the need to develop new elements or mechanisms that can be used as sources of energy, which can partially of wholly lie beyond the resources that are commonly used and which are subject to exhaustion. This invention falls within this field, which relates to an apparatus which takes the shape of a platform or bump or speed break, which is positioned on the road surface.

Said speed break is able to produce electrical energy by exploiting the need to slow down the flow of vehicles transiting on the road, in particularly critical areas or those with a high density of traffic.

In fact, in this way, the vehicles that pass over the platform or speed break are slowed down, and the kinetic energy that would otherwise be dissipated in the form of brake heat, is transformed into a type of energy that can be further exploited for various uses, e.g. electrical energy. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One object of this invention is to improve the prior art.

A further object of this invention is to develop an apparatus that exploits vehicle traffic to produce energy, in particular electrical energy.

A further object of this invention is to slow vehicles that transit over it and in this way avoid the waste of energy that is dissipated in the form of brake heat. A further object of this invention is to combine the production of electrical energy from the transit of the vehicles to the function of slowing vehicle speeds .

A further object of this invention is to develop a device that can be placed simply on the road surface without the need for excavations.

A further object of this invention is the possibility to use, as mobile covers, footboards, road humps, platforms or other structures that slow the speed of vehicle traffic.

A further object of this invention is to be able to connect several mobile covers together in order to increase the production of electrical energy by exploiting the flow of traffic. In compliance with one aspect of the invention, a vehicle speed break for the production of electrical energy is envisaged according to the independent claim 1.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more evident from the description of the embodiments of a vehicle speed break for the production of electrical energy, illustrated indicatively by way of non limiting example, in the attached drawings wherein:

Figure 1 offers a schematic side view of a vehicle speed break for the production of electrical energy by exploiting the passage of vehicles along a road according to this invention;

Figure 2 shows a wider schematic side view of the vehicle speed break as shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the mobile cover of a vehicle speed break as shown in the previous figures;

Figure 4 shows a diagram of the fluid or oil circulation system relative to this invention shown in the previous figures; Figure 5 shows an enlargement of the diagram shown in figure 4 representing an oleodynamic cylinder located in the vehicle speed break according to this invention;

Figure 6 shows a diagram of a part of an alternative fluid or oil circulation system according to this invention;

Figure 7 shows a side perspective view from above of the vehicle speed break as shown in the previous figures; Figure 8 shows a side perspective view from above of the inside of the vehicle speed break as shown in the previous figures.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, by 1 is indicated in its entirety a vehicle speed break for the production of electrical energy by exploiting the passage of vehicles along a road.

The vehicle speed break 1 comprises one or more mobile covers 2 positioned on the road surface transversally to the direction of the flow of traffic.

The mobile cover 2 is raised compared to the height of the road surface (position A, figure 1) .

This mobile cover 2 may have a pyramid shape and at the front and the rear, as can be seen in figures 2 and 6, has ramps 3 which facilitate the passage of vehicles over the cover 3 and prevent the wheels of the vehicles from being damaged when crossing the mobile cover 2. As can be seen in figures 3 and 7, the mobile cover 2 comprises two parts 13, which are slightly- angled to the road surface and which protrude towards the outside.

The parts 13 present a top 4 (figures 1 and 2) along which there is an operating bar 14 on which the two parts 13 of the mobile cover 2 rest.

In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the bar 14 has an upturned V shape, while in figures 6 and 7 the bar 14 has a U shape inside which there is a tubular cylindrical element.

The bar 14 may have other variants, and in any case it is very rigid, as its purpose is to control all the linear actuators in the speed break at the same time, as described in more detail below. The two parts 13 of the mobile cover 2 rest on the bar 14 and have a plurality of portions 15 which intersect, e.g., with a complementary profile with rectangular teeth, right above the bar 14 in such a way that both parts 13 act on said bar 14. Each of the two parts 13 also have safety means, e.g. restraining cables (not illustrated) which prevent the parts 13 from lifting accidentally.

The weight of the vehicles transiting over the speed break 1 determines a movement of the mobile cover 2 downwards, therefore the two parts 13 are pushed down and the bar 14 placed on the top 4 moves downwards correspondingly.

Consequently, the mobile cover 2 is placed in a horizontal position parallel to the road surface level (position B) . The bar 14 ends its stroke by resting on an end-of-stroke limiting bar 27, positioned corresponding to and below the bar 14.

The bar 14 is in turn connected to linear actuators, which e.g. may have the form of oleodynamic cylinders 7. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, there are three oleodynamic cylinders 7, but this does not establish or limit the number of cylinders that may be positioned in this invention. The number and size of the cylinders are chosen according to the width of the mobile cover, i.e. depending on the width of the road and the weight of the vehicles transiting thereon.

In one embodiment of this invention, the oleodynamic cylinders 7 comprise a rod 5 connected to the top 4 of the mobile cover 2 and on the other end a piston or plunger 6.

The piston 6 slides inside the cylinder 7 in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the road axis. The piston 6 is placed in motion by the bar 14 which, as vehicles pass over, is moved downwards and transmits its downwards movement to the rod 5 and the piston 6. Inside the oleodynamic cylinder 7 there is a chamber 8, visible in figure 4, which is filled by fluid or oil when the vehicle speed break 1 is in the initial position (position A), i.e. when the mobile cover 2 is in the raised position.

The cylinder 7 has a head 16 placed at the lower end of the cylinder 7 and the chamber 8. Said head 16 has holes that allow the flow inwards and outwards of the fluid or oil which is then placed under pressure by the downwards movement of the piston 6. The mobile cover 2 is also fitted with elastic return means, comprising e.g. one or more helicoidal springs 12 placed under the bar 14 and at intervals with the cylinders 7.

The springs 12 therefore produce an upwards return movement of the bar 14 which allows the mobile cover 2 and, therefore, the vehicle speed break 1, to return from the horizontal position parallel to the road surface (position B) , to its original position (position A) once the vehicle has passed over it.

When the piston has been made to return to its original position (position A) , inside the chamber 8 a negative pressure is created that suctions more fluid from a tank 21 placed at the side of the carriageway and which is filled with fluid. This tank is connected to the chamber 8 by an oleodynamic circuit .

The head 16 of each cylinder 7 has at least two single-acting valves 17 that let in the fluid or oil from the tank 21 into the chamber 8 and then feed the fluid or oil out from the chamber 8 towards a hydraulic or oleodynamic motor 9.

In this way, the initial conditions are restored, with the mobile cover 2 and the piston 6 in their initial position (position A) , the chamber 8 filled with fluid or oil and the vehicle speed break 1 ready for the passage of another vehicle.

With reference to figure 4, the fluid or oil is placed under pressure by lowering of the piston 6. The fluid or oil is pumped through an oleodynamic circuit 18 towards the oleodynamic motor 9 which is therefore operated by the fluid or oil itself.

In one embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic motor 9 is volumetric, and e.g. it may be an oleodynamic gear motor, or an oleodynamic motor with trocoidal rotor, or an oleodynamic motor with axial or radial pistons, etc.

After having operated the oleodynamic motor 9, the fluid or oil is drained into the tank 21, so that it can be reused once more to fill the cylinders 7.

The oleodynamic motor 9 is connected to a current generator 10, through a coupling to a rotating shaft that may also comprise an elastic joint for damping any torsional vibrations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the generator 10 is an alternate current generator. According to another embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the sinusoidal alternate current is converted into direct current by a current rectifier 11 and then stored in an electrical accumulator 19.

The electrical accumulator 19 may e.g. be a lead accumulator, similar to vehicle starter batteries, or other types of accumulator may also be used, e.g. nickel-hydride metal, nickel-cadmium or lithium-ion (Li-Ion) accumulators.

In order to be transmitted to the mains power supply 26, the direct current collected in the electrical accumulator 19 is then reconverted into alternate current by means of an inverter 20, i.e. an electronic apparatus that converts direct current into alternate current, which apparatus generates a single or three-phase alternate current that can then be sent into the mains power supply 26. In an alternative embodiment, represented in figure 5 and used above all in areas of high traffic where many vehicle pass over the mobile cover 2 by squashing it and triggering the pressurised fluid or oil circulation mechanism, this invention may have an oleodynamic pressure accumulator 22. This oleodynamic pressure accumulator 22 is placed between the piston 6 and the oleodynamic motor 9 and is used to assure the constant pressure of the fluid or oil, which is then constantly delivered to the oleodynamic motor 9.

In this way, the oleodynamic motor 9 turns at a constant rpm and can also make the alternate current generator 10 turn at a constant rpm, so that the latter directly produces alternate current to be distributed to the mains power supply 26. Also in this case, the electrical circuit may be fitted with an accumulator, as described above.

Said devices for the generation and storage of electricity may be placed to one side of the carriageway and may be partially or completely submerged or buried in order to reduce their bulk.

Said devices for the generation and storage of electricity are furthermore only exemplary of the functions that are carried out and may be replaced with other energy storage means.

The mobile cover 2 is usually made of metal, but it may also be covered by a flexible membrane, possibly in rubber, to reduce the difference in materials, simulate the consistency of the asphalt and facilitate the passage of vehicles.

The presented invention may vary according to the size of the road, the intensity of traffic along the road itself and according to the yield required of the vehicle speed break 1. In particular, the vehicle speed break 1 in this invention may have the conformation of a repeatable module, positionable on the road surface without the need for any excavation works on the road itself; the number of modules may vary according to the characteristics of the road, and in particular according to the width of the road or carriageway.

To improve the hold of the vehicles passing over the vehicle speed break, covers (not illustrated) may be placed over the speed break and in particular over the cover 2. These covers may be made from appropriate materials with a high friction coefficient, similar to road asphalt, e.g. synthetic rubber, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) , etc. Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the use on roads or in relation to vehicle traffic, but may also be adapted to many other situations in which means pass over a surface on which such means exert a pressure or weight. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variants, all of which falling within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. Vehicle speed break (1), of the type that uses the slowing of vehicles along a road for the production of electrical energy, characterised by the fact that it comprises : a mobile cover (2) that can be lowered by the weight of the vehicles that pass over it, said mobile cover having two parts (13) that protrude, and which can be placed on the road surface without requiring excavations or any other works; linear actuators, connected to the mobile cover (2), comprising one or more oleodynamic cylinders (7 ), said oleodynamic cylinders having a chamber (8) filled with fluid or oil that is forced out of the chamber (8) by the movement of the mobile cover (2) being lowered; at least one oleodynamic motor (9) hydraulically connected to said oleodynamic cylinders (7) and able to mechanically rotate a shaft following the flow of fluid or oil coming from said oleodynamic cylinders; means for the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.

2. Speed break according to claim 1, comprising a tank (21) connected through an oleodynamic circuit (18), to the oleodynamic cylinders (7) in order to supply said oleodynamic cylinders (7) with fluid or oil.

3. Speed break according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said mobile cover (2) may comprise footboards, road humps, platforms, etc. on the road surface that slow down the speed of the vehicles passing over them.

4. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, comprising ramp means (3) placed to the front and the rear of the mobile cover (2) and aiming to facilitate the passage of the vehicles over said cover (2) .

5. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mobile cover (2) may be connected to other mobile covers positioned along the same road surface.

6. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mobile cover (2) is essentially roof-shaped protruding towards the outside of the road surface.

7. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mobile cover (2) is covered with appropriate materials with a high friction coefficient similar to road asphalt, e.g. synthetic rubber, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) , etc.

8. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mobile cover (2) is composed of two parts (13) which are angled to the road surface.

9. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said parts (13) of the mobile cover (2) have a plurality of portions (15) that intersect, e.g. with a complementary profile with rectangular teeth.

10. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said parts (13) of the mobile cover (2) have a top (4) along which there is an operating bar (14) on which the parts (13) of the mobile cover (2) rest.

11. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said operating bar (14) rests on a further support element (27) when the bar reaches its end-of-stroke position.

12. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said speed break (1) comprises ramp means (3) placed to the front and the rear of the mobile cover (2) .

13. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile cover (2) moves from an initial position (position A) which protrudes outwards, to a horizontal position that is parallel to the road surface level (position B) .

14. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said linear actuators are positioned below the mobile cover (2) and are connected to said operating bar (14) .

15. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said oleodynamic cylinders (7) comprise a rod (5) each of which is connected to the top (4) of the mobile cover (2), a piston or plunger (6) connected to said rod

(5), a chamber (8) and a head (16) situated on the lower end of the cylinder (7) with holes to allow the passage of the fluid or oil.

16. Speed break according to claim 15, wherein said rods (5) are connected to said operating bar (14) .

17. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (8) is positioned inside the cylinder (7) and under the piston (6) and may be filled with fluid or oil under pressure .

18. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said piston or plunger (6) slides inside the cylinder (7) in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the road axis.

19. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said speed break (1) comprises one or more oleodynamic cylinders (7) .

20. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mobile cover (2) , when a vehicle passes over, lowers the piston (6) in the cylinder (7) and pumps the fluid or oil from the inside of the chamber (8) towards said at least one oleodynamic motor (9) .

21. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid or oil is pressurised by the piston (6) which is lowered and is pushed out of the chamber (8) through an oleodynamic circuit (18) .

22. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile cover (2) comprises elastic return means (12) which assure the return of the mobile cover (2) to its original position, after the vehicles have passed over the road surface.

23. Speed break according to claim 19, wherein said elastic return means comprise at least one spring (12) connected to said operating bar (14) .

24. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said oleodynamic motor (9) is mechanically connected to a current generator

(10) .

25. Speed break according to claim 21, wherein said current generator is an alternate current generator (10) .

26. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said alternate current generator (10) is connected to a current rectifier (11) and therefore to a direct current accumulator (19) .

27. Speed break according to claim 26, wherein said direct current generator (19) is connected to an inverter (20) that converts the direct current into alternate current in order to deliver it to the mains power supply (26) .

28. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tank container (21) receives the fluid or oil that comes from the oleodynamic motor (9).

29. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oleodynamic circuit means (18) have single-acting valves (17) to allow the fluid to circulate in only one direction.

30. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims , wherein the single-acting non-return valves are positioned on the head (16) of the cylinder (7 ) .

31. Speed break according to any of the preceding claims, wherein between the oleodynamic cylinders (7) and the oleodynamic motor (9) there is an oleodynamic pressure accumulator

(22) which maintains the oleodynamic circuit (18) under pressure in order to assure a constant feed to the oleodynamic motor (9) .