WO2010097791A1 - Power generation apparatus - Google Patents

Power generation apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010097791A1
WO2010097791A1 PCT/IL2010/000152 IL2010000152W WO2010097791A1 WO 2010097791 A1 WO2010097791 A1 WO 2010097791A1 IL 2010000152 W IL2010000152 W IL 2010000152W WO 2010097791 A1 WO2010097791 A1 WO 2010097791A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
inlet
motor
wheels
electric power
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2010/000152
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Biran
Original Assignee
Daniel Biran
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 Daniel Biran filed Critical Daniel Biran
Publication of WO2010097791A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010097791A1/en

Links

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
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
    • H02K7/18—Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g. with turbines
    • H02K7/1807—Rotary generators
    • H02K7/1853—Rotary generators driven by intermittent forces
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F03G7/085—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 hydraulic or pneumatic devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the capture of waste energy from vehicular, or the like, traffic. More particularly, the invention provides a static device making brief contact with the wheels of passing vehicles or pedestrians in order to generate air pressure which then may drive a pneumatic motor.
  • vehicle refers to road or off-road vehicles, vehicles, railways, landing aircraft, or any other means which apply such pressure on the air pressure generating device.
  • Static devices disposed in a fixed location by the side of the road, rail track or airport, as seen in US Patents 6,767,161, 7,067,932 and others.
  • the present invention refers only to static devices.
  • Static devices can be further divided into those that a) contact the wheels of the passing vehicle; or b) collect wind energy generated in the rear of fast-moving traffic.
  • the present invention refers only to type a) devices.
  • Yet a further object of the invention is to reduce the capital cost of the device in order to produce power at lower cost than power produced by previously known devices.
  • the present invention achieves the above objects by providing a static power generation apparatus for generating power from the wheels of passing vehicles comprising
  • a rail or a longitudinal element being arranged for installation partially projecting the above surface supporting said wheeled vehicles in a manner whereby a portion of said element is in direct contact with wheels of a vehicle crossing said element, said element being connected to an air pump (compressor)
  • said air pump may be connected to a compressed air vessel via one way valve.
  • said air vessel may be connected to an air motor having an inlet and an outlet port, the inlet of said air motor being operationally connected by a belt or the like to an electric power generating unit., such as a dynamo or alternator.
  • an electric power accumulator may be connected to said power generator.
  • an apparatus further provided with an electric rechargeable storage battery and with a transformer-rectifier electrically installed between said generator and said battery.
  • the apparatus described is suitable for all powered vehicles including motor cycles, tracked vehicles, steam rollers, airplanes and passenger and goods trains.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the longitudinal element embedded in a road surface.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematically illustration of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • a rail or similar longitudinal element 10 is embedded within a road
  • the upper part of said element being rounded to ease the crossing of the wheels of the vehicle.
  • Said element 10 is installed perpendicular to the road.
  • FIG 2 there is seen in a schematically illustration the arrangement according to the invention.
  • an air pump 30 (compressor). Subject to passing vehicles element 10 will move down pressing piston 32 down, consequently the air within chamber 34 will be directed via one-way valve 36 and inlet pipe 38 into compressed air vessel 40.
  • Spring 12 installed intermediate element 10 and piston 32 will ensure the "up" movement of element 10.
  • Chamber 34 is further provided with one-way inlet port 37 thus air is sucked in during the "up" movement of piston 32.
  • Outlet pipe 42 is connected to an air motor 50 intermediate vessel 40 and air motor 50 there may be provided a pressure release valve 42. Said air motor 50 is provided with inlet port 52 and air outlet port 54 to release the air from said motor.
  • the rotating movement achieved by air motor 50 is being transferred by means of belt or chain transmission 56 to an electric power generating devise 60.
  • the electric generator 60 (being a dynamo or an alternator) is connected to a rechargeable electric storage battery 62, a rectifier 64, and if necessary a transformer (not shown) are disposed between a generator 60 and the battery 62 to provide DC voltage to the battery 62.
  • a transformer not shown
  • the electric generator 60 operationally coupled to the outlet shaft of the air motor 50.
  • a (transformer-) rectifier 66 electrically installed to the electric storage battery 62, which is connectable to a user supply line 68.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to the capture of waste energy from vehicular, or the like, traffic. The invention provides a static device making brief contact with the wheels of passing vehicles or pedestrians in order to generate air pressure which then may drive a pneumatic motor. The device comprises, a rail or a longitudinal element being arranged for installation partially projecting above the surface supporting the wheeled vehicles in a manner whereby a portion of the element is in direct contact with wheels of a vehicle crossing the element. The element being connected to an air pump (compressor). The air pump may be connected to a compressed air vessel via one way valve, and the air vessel may be connected to an air motor having an inlet and an outlet port, the inlet of the air motor being operationally connected by a belt or the like to an electric power generating unit., such as a dynamo or alternator. An electric power accumulator may be connected to the power generator.

Description

POWER GENERATION APPARATUS
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the capture of waste energy from vehicular, or the like, traffic. More particularly, the invention provides a static device making brief contact with the wheels of passing vehicles or pedestrians in order to generate air pressure which then may drive a pneumatic motor.
The word "vehicle" as used in the present text refers to road or off-road vehicles, vehicles, railways, landing aircraft, or any other means which apply such pressure on the air pressure generating device.
With the unstable oil prices and energy problems and pollution many energy-generating projects which were considered in the past to be uneconomic are now being given serious consideration, even more so green energy. One of these ideas is the collection of power wasted during the operation of vehicles and particularly during the braking thereof. Such devices can be categorized as
1) Dynamic devices, meaning that they are carried on board the vehicle, for example as seen in US Patents 6,793,029 and in 7,201,095; and
2) Static devices, disposed in a fixed location by the side of the road, rail track or airport, as seen in US Patents 6,767,161, 7,067,932 and others. The present invention refers only to static devices.
Static devices can be further divided into those that a) contact the wheels of the passing vehicle; or b) collect wind energy generated in the rear of fast-moving traffic. The present invention refers only to type a) devices.
The state of the art can be fairly assessed by review of the following recent US Patents.
The power generator described by Calvo et al. which appears in US P 6,767,161 has a typewriter-style mechanism and requires a deactivating action operated by a sensor to allow for the safe passage of motorcycles. The mechanism requires a large road excavation and is too complex to operate reliably or to be manufactured economically. In US P 7,067,932 Ghassemi discloses a ramp seen as higher than the pick-up truck which the passing vehicle is to transverse. The sharp drop to the road from the top of the ramp would make the vehicle airborne if driven fast. If driven slowly the peak of the ramp will stop the vehicle by entering the space between the front and rear wheels and causing damage to the underside of the vehicle.
A more reasonable arrangement is seen in US P 7,239,031 to Ricketts a multiple line of hydraulic cylinders being depressed by passing vehicles. A problem, aside from high cost, is the high inertia of the multiple pistons which need to accelerate very fast in addition to overcoming fluid resistance. Thus the vehicle passing thereover would be shaken while the pistons would be unable to complete their stroke and there would be little output therefrom.
An arrangement overcoming these difficulties is seen in US P 7,315,088 to Erriu. His proposal is a rocking plate connected at the forward and the rear edge, each to its own hydraulic cylinder. The length of the plate gives time for the actuation of said cylinders. The device appears workable, but due to the large road excavation required and due to the cost of the proposed structure the device seen is probably not economically viable.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Given this state of the prior art it is now one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art static devices and to provide an energy collection device which eliminates most of the inertia resistance which is detrimental to prior art devices.
It is a further object of the present invention to minimize the volume of under-the-road excavation needed by prior art devices.
Yet a further object of the invention is to reduce the capital cost of the device in order to produce power at lower cost than power produced by previously known devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a static power generation apparatus for generating power from the wheels of passing vehicles comprising
a) a rail or a longitudinal element being arranged for installation partially projecting the above surface supporting said wheeled vehicles in a manner whereby a portion of said element is in direct contact with wheels of a vehicle crossing said element, said element being connected to an air pump (compressor)
b) said air pump may be connected to a compressed air vessel via one way valve.
c) said air vessel may be connected to an air motor having an inlet and an outlet port, the inlet of said air motor being operationally connected by a belt or the like to an electric power generating unit., such as a dynamo or alternator.
d) an electric power accumulator may be connected to said power generator.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a pressure release value on the compressed air vessel.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there may be provided an apparatus further provided with an electric rechargeable storage battery and with a transformer-rectifier electrically installed between said generator and said battery.
It should be further understood that optimum results as well as lowest costs are achieved when multiple devices are installed in the path of the moving vehicles. Firstly, only one air motor and generator is required for several neighboring projecting elements. Secondly the element will be depressed at random intervals, and thus help to even out spikes in the pressure/flow rates as received by the air motor.
The apparatus described is suitable for all powered vehicles including motor cycles, tracked vehicles, steam rollers, airplanes and passenger and goods trains.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent by example preferred embodiments of the invention. Structural details are shown only as far as necessary for a fundamental understanding thereof. The described examples, together with the drawings, will make apparent to those skilled in the art how further forms of the invention may be realized. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the longitudinal element embedded in a road surface.
FIG. 2 is a schematically illustration of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
As can be seen in FIG. 1 a rail or similar longitudinal element 10 is embedded within a road
20 partially projecting form the upper surface of the road. Preferably the upper part of said element being rounded to ease the crossing of the wheels of the vehicle.
Said element 10 is installed perpendicular to the road.
It is quite apparent that a crossing vehicle will press down said element 20. By means of spring 12, it will return to its upper position (see in FIG 2).
Referring now to FIG 2, there is seen in a schematically illustration the arrangement according to the invention.
Underneath element 10 and connected there to is an air pump 30 (compressor). Subject to passing vehicles element 10 will move down pressing piston 32 down, consequently the air within chamber 34 will be directed via one-way valve 36 and inlet pipe 38 into compressed air vessel 40. Spring 12 installed intermediate element 10 and piston 32 will ensure the "up" movement of element 10. Chamber 34 is further provided with one-way inlet port 37 thus air is sucked in during the "up" movement of piston 32. Outlet pipe 42 is connected to an air motor 50 intermediate vessel 40 and air motor 50 there may be provided a pressure release valve 42. Said air motor 50 is provided with inlet port 52 and air outlet port 54 to release the air from said motor.
The rotating movement achieved by air motor 50 is being transferred by means of belt or chain transmission 56 to an electric power generating devise 60.
The electric generator 60 (being a dynamo or an alternator) is connected to a rechargeable electric storage battery 62, a rectifier 64, and if necessary a transformer (not shown) are disposed between a generator 60 and the battery 62 to provide DC voltage to the battery 62. Thus during daytime when traffic may be heavy the battery is charged and at night time the battery 38 provides power as needed.
As described the electric generator 60 operationally coupled to the outlet shaft of the air motor 50. There is further provided a (transformer-) rectifier 66, electrically installed to the electric storage battery 62, which is connectable to a user supply line 68.
The scope of the described invention is intended to include all embodiments coming within the meaning of the following claims. The foregoing examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, but are not to be considered as limiting its scope, as those skilled in the art will be aware that additional variants and modifications of the invention can readily be formulated without departing from the meaning of the following claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. a) a rail or a longitudinal element being arranged for installation partially projecting the above surface supporting said wheeled vehicles in a manner whereby a portion of said element is in direct contact with wheels of a vehicle crossing said element, said element being connected to an air pump (compressor)
b) said air pump may be connected to a compressed air vessel via one way valve.
c) said air vessel may be connected to an air motor having an inlet and an outlet port, the inlet of said air motor being operationally connected by a belt or the like to an electric power generating unit, such as a dynamo or alternator.
d) an electric power accumulator may be connected to said power generator.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further provided with an electric generator operationally coupled to the outlet shaft of said air motor.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further provided a transformer-rectifier, electrically installed between said generator and an electric storage battery.
PCT/IL2010/000152 2009-02-25 2010-02-23 Power generation apparatus WO2010097791A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL197256 2009-02-25
IL197256A IL197256A0 (en) 2009-02-25 2009-02-25 Power generation apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010097791A1 true WO2010097791A1 (en) 2010-09-02

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012155860A1 (en) 2011-05-18 2012-11-22 Chih-Yang Lee On-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus
LU91853B1 (en) * 2011-08-04 2013-02-05 Gerrit Theodor Henrie Leon Spaas System for harvesting energy from moving vehicles
FR3081941A1 (en) * 2018-05-29 2019-12-06 Arturo Tavernari MODULAR DEVICE THAT CAN BE USED AS A RETARDER, PRODUCING COMPRESSED AIR AND 100% CLEAN ELECTRICAL ENERGY, WITH THE PASSAGE OF VEHICLES

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7164211B1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-01-16 Tafoya Craig A Vehicle assisted power generator
US20080224477A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2008-09-18 Alternative Energy Sources Technologies, Inc. System And Method For Electrical Power Generation Utilizing Vehicle Traffic On Roadways
US20100072758A1 (en) * 2008-09-20 2010-03-25 Hung-Wei Chang On-Road Energy Conversion and Vibration Absorber Apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7164211B1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-01-16 Tafoya Craig A Vehicle assisted power generator
US20080224477A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2008-09-18 Alternative Energy Sources Technologies, Inc. System And Method For Electrical Power Generation Utilizing Vehicle Traffic On Roadways
US20100072758A1 (en) * 2008-09-20 2010-03-25 Hung-Wei Chang On-Road Energy Conversion and Vibration Absorber Apparatus

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012155860A1 (en) 2011-05-18 2012-11-22 Chih-Yang Lee On-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus
EP2710262A4 (en) * 2011-05-18 2015-07-08 Lee Chih Yang On-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus
CN103717893B (en) * 2011-05-18 2016-06-29 李志洋 Road energy conversion buffer device
LU91853B1 (en) * 2011-08-04 2013-02-05 Gerrit Theodor Henrie Leon Spaas System for harvesting energy from moving vehicles
FR3081941A1 (en) * 2018-05-29 2019-12-06 Arturo Tavernari MODULAR DEVICE THAT CAN BE USED AS A RETARDER, PRODUCING COMPRESSED AIR AND 100% CLEAN ELECTRICAL ENERGY, WITH THE PASSAGE OF VEHICLES

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL197256A0 (en) 2009-12-24

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