WO2010112664A1

WO2010112664A1 - Telecommunications coverage expansion

Info

Publication number: WO2010112664A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harri Paloheimo; Markku Tahkokorpi; Michael Omidiora; Sini Veuro; Philip Trevelyan; Simon Vaitkevicius
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2009-03-30
Filing date: 2009-03-30
Publication date: 2010-10-07

Abstract

Telecommunication networks are expanded to rural areas without electric grid using pneumatic power distribution units. The pneumatic power distribution units comprise pressurized air tanks, micro turbines and micro generators for converting pneumatic power into electricity and a mobile phone powering circuitry for adapting produced electricity into suitable form for mobile phones so as to enable mobile communication over extended periods in areas without electricity network.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE EXPANSION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to expanding of telecommunications networks. The invention relates in particular, though not exclusively, to energy distribution for telecommunications in areas without electricity distribution networks.

BACKGROUND ART

Mobile telecommunications has rapidly extended around the world and provides connectivity virtually everywhere. At present state, mobile telecommunications connections are more economical to provide than landline connections in rural areas. Hence, developing world is finally becoming connected, which greatly helps in boosting local economy. However, there are still large areas without electricity that would be needed for daily use of mobile phones and without sufficient resources to extend electricity distribution network to everyone in demand of electricity. It is possible to build power stations in villages or towns based on fossil or renewable energy sources, but such power stations may still be too expensive, or simply nearest villages may be too far for maintaining mobile phones recharged. It is also known that individual mobile phones may be energized by solar energy, but such equipment may be relatively expensive and prone for breaking in extreme conditions. Moreover, the need for telecommunications becomes more pressing in extreme natural conditions e.g. during long rains and floods and then there may be insufficient sunshine.

SUMMARY

According to a first exemplary aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a pressurized air container; a pneumatic electricity generator comprising an electricity output; a pressure connector configured to provide pressurized air from the pressurized air container to the pneumatic electricity generator; an alternating current / direct current transformer functionally connected to the electricity output, comprising a direct current output; and a regulator functionally connected to the direct current output and comprising a connector connectable to an auxiliary mobile phone for charging the mobile phone.

The apparatus may be configured as a portable apparatus.

The pressure connector may be releasably connectable to the pressurized air container. The apparatus may be configured to enable a user to mount and dismount the pressurized air container. The apparatus may further be configured to enable a user to mount and dismount the pressurized air container by hand (without use of tools).

The apparatus may further comprise an air pump for pressurizing the pressurized air container. The pump may be powered by a user; by an animal; by wind power; by solar power; by rain water; by stream water; by wave power; by tidal power; by steam power; by a combustion engine; or by any combination thereof.

The apparatus may comprise a heat absorption element configured to heat the pressurized air container in order to increase pressure in the container. The heat absorption element may comprise a sun light absorbing surface on the container. The heat absorption element may be configured to enable selectively heating the container so that the heating is terminated before air is pumped to the tank.

The heat absorption element may comprise a heat reservoir in thermal connection with the pressurized air container. The heat reservoir may be configured to hold fire heated material such as ash, sand or stones.

The apparatus may further comprise an electric lantern. The electric lantern may comprise an electric low-power light source such as a light emitting diode. The generator may comprise a conversion element comprising a uniform conversion part configured, wherein the conversion element is configured to convert changes within structure of a uniform conversion part into electricity.

The generator may comprise a piezoelectric vibrator configured to vibrate in an air flow and responsively produce electric current.

The generator may comprise a nano-scale structure configured to convert changes in the nano-scale structure into electricity.

The vibrator may be configured to move in air flow based on vortex forces.

The apparatus may comprise a cooling conduit configured to cool the light source by air released from the pressurized air container.

The apparatus may comprise a thermostat configured to control release of pressurized air from the container.

The apparatus may further comprise a cold storage configured to cool by the cooling conduit, for storing food and/or medical supplies.

The apparatus may further comprise an air exhaust configured to output air from the pneumatic electricity generator to desired direction or field. The air exhaust may be configured to operate as a cooler.

The air exhaust may comprise a jet.

The air exhaust may comprise a direction adjustment device. The direction adjustment device may be configured to oscillate the air exhaust between different directions. The direction adjustment device may be configured to draw power from the pressurized air container. The apparatus may comprise a holder configured to receive an object for cooling with the air exhaust.

According to a second exemplary aspect there is provided a method comprising: storing pressurized air in a container; generating electricity by a generator from pressurized air in the container and providing electricity to an electricity output; rectifying electricity provided to the electricity output; and regulating rectified electricity and providing regulated and rectified electricity for charging an auxiliary mobile phone.

According to a third exemplary aspect there is provided a system comprising: a plurality of apparatuses of the first aspect; and a pressurizing network with at least one air pressurizing station each comprising at least one air compressor; wherein the pressurizing stations each comprise one or more pressurized air outlets configured to enable inserting pressurized air into pressurized air containers of the apparatuses of the first aspect.

According to a fourth exemplary aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for containing pressurized air; pneumatic electricity generation means comprising an electricity output; means for providing pressurized air from the means for containing pressurized air to the pneumatic electricity generation means; means for transforming alternating current to direct current connected to the electricity output, comprising a direct current output means; and means for regulating functionally connected to the direct current output means and comprising connector means connectable to an auxiliary mobile phone for charging the mobile phone.

Different non-binding exemplary aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain exemplary aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other exemplary aspects as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of a pneumatic power distribution unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows example of a micro generator with a piezoelectric vibrator configured to vibrate in air flow and produce electricity, together with simplified mobile phone powering circuitry; Fig. 3 shows an example of a mobile telecommunications network expansion system comprising a number of pump stations and pneumatic power distribution units; Fig. 4 shows a schematic picture of a pneumatic power distribution unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 5 shows an example of a bicycle mounted pneumatic power distribution unit according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like numbers denote like elements.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of a pneumatic power distribution unit 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The unit 100 exemplifies also various optional further functions that may be provided by the power distribution unit (e.g. illumination and cooling). The unit may comprise a housing 110, a handle 115, a compressed air reservoir 120 or a tank in short, a heat reservoir 125, an inlet 130 to the tank with an inlet valve 135, an outlet 140 from the tank with an outlet valve 142 to enable letting compressed air out from the tank through the outlet 140, an actuator 144 for operating the outlet valve, a micro turbine 150, an exhaust pipe 152 from the micro turbine 150 to outside of the unit 100, a cooling storage 154, a thermostat 156, a micro generator 160 in connection with the micro turbine 150, phone charger circuitry 170, a phone connector 172, and a charging switch 174. The unit 100 may further comprise a lamp 180 such as a light emitting diode (LED), lamp switch 185, and a light distributor 190 comprising a light refraction element 192 and a light reflection element 194.

In effect, the outlet 140 may be seen as a pressure connector configured to provide pressurized air from the tank 120 to a pneumatic electricity generator.

The actuator 144 may comprise electric and/or pneumatic circuitry configured to close the outlet valve 142 when the need for electricity has subsided (for instance, when the lamp 180 and the charger circuitry are both switched off).

The micro turbine and the micro generator may be in part integrated as may be understood when looking in Fig. 2 that presents an example turbine that has a piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate in air flow and produce electricity (see Fig. 2) and that has phone charger circuitry 170. Hence, in some embodiments, there is no rotating element for pneumatic electricity conversion. However, it simpler to first explain an embodiment with a micro turbine and a generator, hence Fig. 1 presents a cascading turbine and generator.

When electricity is needed outside electricity grid i.e. mains electricity network, compressed air is released from the tank 120 by opening the outlet valve 145. A flow of pressurized air then passes through the outlet valve 145, the micro turbine 150 rotates in air flow and causes a resonating motion in the membrane. Kinetic rotation energy is then converted into electricity by the micro generator 160 and provided to the lamp 180 and to the phone charger circuitry 170.

It is appreciated that pumping air into the tank 120 causes heating of the tank and that the pressure of air is a function of temperature in the tank (when measured as of absolute zero). The expansion of the tank itself is insignificant in comparison. For instance, if the tank heats by 70 degrees Celsius, the pressure in the tank increases roughly by 25 %. At the same time, the volume of the tank may increase less than 1 %. This effect may be also made use to advantage. To this end, a heat absorption element 125 may be provided. The heat absorption element may comprise, for example, a dark cloth for covering the tank 120 so as to heat the tank when in sun shine or near strong infra red heat source such as open fire. The heat absorption element may alternatively or additionally comprise a reservoir for holding sand, stone or ash. In one use case, the tank is submerged to water or covered by soil before and/or while the tank is being pressurized in order to lead heat out of the tank and reduce the work needed to pressurize the tank. Then, the heat absorption element 125 is used to heat the tank 120 so as to increase pressure available for production of electricity. It is appreciated that ash may produce heat for hours or even days while some slow burning occurs. In order to avoid carbon monoxide, suitable ventilation has to be taken care of.

In comparison, a piezoelectric generator as shown in Fig. 2 may operate by simply vibrating in the air flow and thereby generating an alternating current. Yet alternatively, the micro generator may comprise a strip of flexible material such as cloth, paper, plastics, metal or fiber material connected to an electric induction part. The electric field induction part may comprise a magnet or coil. In effect, a strip based micro generator may be provided with a magnet or coil configured to cause current in a coil or induce current from movement in a magnetic field.

The unit 100 may be built as a sealed and compact system. The piezoelectric generator may comprise a single membrane or a number of membranes configured to vibrate in passing air. Alternatively, or additionally, the micro turbine may comprise an elongated structure or a tube where the inner walls comprise nano-scale piezoelectric fibers protruding from the inner wall. Such a structure may enable providing a relatively high number of resonating fibers in the volume that the air passes through.

The unit 100 may be usable as a cooling system for storing food and/or medicine. For instance, some vaccines and other medical supplies have to be stored in cold. For this function, the unit 100 may comprise a thermostat 156 configured to release pressurized air though the exhaust pipe 152. The pressure drop causes temperature drop which can be used for cooling the cooling storage 154.

The lamp switch 185 may be provided in order to switch the lamp on and off. The lamp switch may be operated manually by the user. The lamp switch 185 may further or alternatively comprise an automation circuitry configured to switch off the lamp after based on time or ambient light, for instance.

It is appreciated that the unit 100 comprises a number of elements which may be dispensed with but which are presented in order to show one structure according to which these elements are connectable together. For instance, the unit 100 may lack illumination capabilities and there may be no charger switch. The charging may simply be stopped by closing the outlet valve 142.

In general, the unit 100 and the charging circuitry may be designed to charge all types of mobile phones in personal, family or community scale.

The unit 100 may be configured such that large part of the operating noise is relative high in the ultrasound range (»20 kHz) so that the unit would not be perceived disturbing and the noise would be easy to dampen so as to also avoid disturbance to animals in the proximity of the unit 100.

The micro turbine may comprise a plurality of cascading elements in order to enhance energy transfer from the air flow to electricity.

The unit 100 may comprise an air filter. The air filter may be provided in connection with the inlet 130. Air filtering may be particularly useful in case that micro mechanical parts are exposed to the pressurized air. Alternatively, air filtering may be provided at a pressurizing station such that the pressurized air is readily purified. It is appreciated that the unit 100 may enable expansion of telecommunication networks to areas without electricity grid in ecological manner. While electrochemical batteries may have better efficiency, it may be difficult to arrange reliable recycling in developing areas. Batteries should not be disposed in nature to avoid environmental pollution and batteries should never be exposed to fire, either. Pressurized air units such as the unit 100 may require relatively small amount of energy and scarce metals. The unit 100 may enable expansion of telecommunication networks virtually everywhere. It is also appreciated that a pressure tank typically has a very long life time in comparison to chemical batteries and pressure tanks are simple recycle or reuse in other functions such as storing water if the unit 100 has become obsolete. It is also possible to reuse old existing pressure tanks and it may even be possible to use natural organic vessels such as particular large hollow species of plants (e.g. calabash) depending on the pressure applied. In case of natural vessels, the unit may be formed such that there is a safety device such as a strong bag around the pressure tank in order to protect users should the tank be overloaded.

The tank 120 may also or alternatively be buried into ground. By using a submerged container, the tank temperature may be substantially stabilized such that the pressure will not significantly increase because of temperature rise during pumping of air into the tank. Moreover, soil surrounding the tank helps to avoid personal and material damages. Further still, burying of the tank may help to conceal the tank and may also protect against stealing of the tank.

In one alternative embodiment, the tank is formed of a bag that is buried into ground so that the ground provides surrounding support and thus reinforces the tank. For instance, the tank may be produced of rubber or plastics so that it is light to transport and easy to store. When the tank is to be taken into use, the tank is filled with a light pressure and buried into ground, with a hose passing between the tank and the surface of the ground. The depth into which the tank is submerged may be chosen such that the weight of the soil layer covering the tank is sufficient to prevent the tank from excessively expanding upwards when pressurized. It is appreciated that compressed air may be obtained from renewable energy sources and/or from human or animal power. This may make the use of the unit 100 inexpensive, benign, viable and sustainable to our environment.

The unit 100 may have lower running costs than the existing technologies suited for energizing telecommunication networks outside electricity grid.

Compressed air can be sourced to the tank through different means including man-power pumps such as hand pumps and foot pumps, renewable energy operated pumps such as solar power pumps, water power pumps and wind power pumps.

The tank 120 may be made of various different materials such as metals, plastics or carbon-fiber based materials. Carbon-fiber tanks may be rugged and easy to transport and thus well-suited for use in villages. Steel tanks may be efficient in terms of manufacturing. Local or natural materials may also be employed in some embodiments.

In an embodiment of the invention, a combination of micro turbine and micro generator based on silicon wafer weighs merely 0.066kg and measures only 10mm. Such a device may be suited to produce electric power up to 100W.

The lamp 180 may be based on super bright and energy efficient LED with an illumination range of 360 degree about the lamp. The LED may last 100,000 hours. LED's typically produce more light per watt than incandescent bulbs.

The reflection element or reflector 194 may enhance distribution of light from the lamp 180 in order to enhance illumination by the lamp without increasing required electric power draw.

The mobile phone charger circuitry 170 may enable charging a mobile phone in both ON and OFF state of the lamp 180. The phone charger circuitry 170 may be capable of charging two or more mobile phones. The unit 100 may be used in a wide variety of applications including but not limited to:

• General purpose lighting: lighting, hunting, camping, hiking, boating; traffic emergency light; earthquake and hurricane emergency kits

• Home lighting: power outage backup lighting, reading light

• Phone charge: charge all types of mobile phones

- For lighting and charging of mobile phone, no fuel or chemical battery is needed, air can be scavenged from human power of which bicycle pedaling and foot- pumping proved to be more advantageous in terms of the substantial power (in comparison to the power needed for charging mobile phones) which can be harvested from footfalls.

In one embodiment, the unit 100 is used in connection with a mobile phone without an operable battery. In such a case, the unit 100 powers the mobile phone during its use and the electrifying of the mobile phone is terminated when the need for communication has subsided.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a subassembly 200 comprising a combined micro turbine and micro generator as a piezoelectric vibrator 210 configured to vibrate in air flow and produce electricity, together with simplified mobile phone powering circuitry. The phone powering circuitry comprises a switch 220 and has a rectifier for converting alternating current produced by the piezoelectric vibrator 210 to direct current. The rectified direct current is smoothed and adjusted by suitable components such as capacitors 240 and resistors 250 in order to provide desired voltage of direct current to phone connecting interface 260 (that may be directly coupled to the phone connector 172 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a mobile telecommunications network expansion system 300 comprising a number of pump stations (PS) 310, pneumatic power distribution units (PPDU) 100, one or more base transceiver stations 320 and a plurality of mobile telephones 330. The mobile telecommunication network may be a terrestrial or satellite network; in the latter case, a single base transceiver station 320 may cover the entire network. The pump stations 310 may be provided in locations with existing power stations. Some pump stations 310 are personal pump stations (e.g. used by hand or foot) and at users' homes and/or carried along by the users.

Pump stations 310 may be provided by one or more telecommunication network operator and/or by telecommunication network operator independent merchants. The pneumatic power distribution units 100 may be sold, rented or bundled to a mobile subscription. The pump stations 310 and/or the units 100 may be modular i.e. made of replaceable modules. The modules may be replaceable without tools so as to enable replacement of wearing parts. For instance, the micro turbine may, depending on implementation, be exposed to wearing or jamming by dirt while a module comprising a replacement micro turbine (and optionally also the micro generator) may be light to carry along as a spare part.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a system comprising a mobile phone 330 and a pneumatic power distribution unit 400 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the power distribution unit 400 comprises a piezoelectric micro generator and mobile phone powering system 200 as shown in Fig. 2, a pressurized air tank 120 and inlets and outlets for filling the tank and leading air from the tank to the micro generator. The pneumatic power distribution unit 400 of Fig. 4 is drawn to be connected to a mobile phone 330 for charging.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a bicycle mounted pneumatic power distribution unit or modified bicycle 500 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The body of the bicycle is used as a pressurized air tank. Fig. 5 specifically shows a main body 510 and saddle support 520 which are enlarged to provide an air tank of some tens of liters. The bicycle 500 further comprises a pneumatic generator such as the pneumatic generator 200 shown in Fig. 2 connectable to the air tank with a pressure air outlet 530. The bicycle 500 further has a cool box 540 behind the saddle and configured to use the cooling effect of the pneumatic generator 200 and/or to release air from the air tank in order to maintain the contents of the cool box 540 at desired temperature. A pneumatic pump and/or motor 550 may further be provided in order to pressurize the air tank by pedaling the bicycle or to rotate the rear wheel of the bicycle in order to assist riding by the bicycle 500. The pump/motor 550 is configured such that a variable number of pistons move as a function of the rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle 500 so as to change operation mode between pumping and motorizing the bicycle 500. The pump/motor may comprise a clutch in order to enable selective connecting of the pump/motor for use and disconnecting when not used.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments of the invention a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented above, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the features of the above-disclosed embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus comprising: a pressurized air container; a pneumatic electricity generator comprising an electricity output; a pressure connector configured to provide pressurized air from the pressurized air container to the pneumatic electricity generator; an alternating current / direct current transformer functionally connected to the electricity output, comprising a direct current output; and a regulator functionally connected to the direct current output and comprising a connector connectable to an auxiliary mobile phone for charging the mobile phone.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured as a portable apparatus.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure connector is releasably connectable to the pressurized air container.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable a user to mount and dismount the pressurized air container.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises an air pump for pressurizing the pressurized air container.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises an electric lantern.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator comprises a piezoelectric vibrator configured to vibrate in an air flow and responsively produce electric current.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the vibrator is configured to move in air flow based on vortex forces.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a cooling conduit configured to cool the light source by air released from the pressurized air container.

10.An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises an air exhaust configured to output air from the pneumatic electricity generator to desired direction or field.

11.An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the air exhaust may be configured to operate as a cooler.

12.An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises a bicycle.

13.A method comprising: storing pressurized air in a container; generating electricity by a generator from pressurized air in the container and providing electricity to an electricity output; rectifying electricity provided to the electricity output; and regulating rectified electricity and providing regulated and rectified electricity for charging an auxiliary mobile phone.

14.A system comprising: a plurality of apparatuses of the first aspect; and a pressurizing network with at least one air pressurizing station each comprising at least one air compressor; wherein the pressurizing stations each comprise one or more pressurized air outlets configured to enable inserting pressurized air into pressurized air containers of the apparatuses of the first aspect.

15.An apparatus comprising: means for containing pressurized air; pneumatic electricity generation means comprising an electricity output; means for providing pressurized air from the means for containing pressurized air to the pneumatic electricity generation means; means for transforming alternating current to direct current connected to the electricity output, comprising a direct current output means; and means for regulating functionally connected to the direct current output means and comprising connector means connectable to an auxiliary mobile phone for charging the mobile phone.