Prime-mover dynamo plants – Miscellaneous – Drive gearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-09
2001-01-09
Ponomarenko, Nicholas (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Miscellaneous
Drive gearing
C290S00100C, C310S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172426
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to electrical energy generation and more particularly to the generation of electrical energy from the existing motion and weight of a moving vehicle.
Currently fossil fuels or hydrocarbons are the main source of fuel for electrical energy generation. However, these fuels are non-renewable and eventually their supply will be exhausted. Therefore, in order to make the supply of non-renewable fossil fuels last longer, alternative energy sources have been and are being developed.
However, such alternative energy sources have not met with widespread acceptance because of their complexity and/or associated high costs. For example, solar or ocean power generation of electricity produces a clean and constant source of electricity yet is expensive and costly to develop.
Geothermal energy is also a clean and low cost source of energy that has been used in small amounts for centuries. The technology has been developed to utilize geothermal energy such that it is economical to use. However, the main drawback to geothermal energy is that it is dependent upon location and not available throughout the world.
A major supplier of renewable energy is harnessing the power of streams and dams to thereby generate electricity. However, the future of this type of electrical power generation depends on overcoming a number of environmental, regulatory and political obstacles. In this respect, a number of federal laws restrict the development of dams and electrical power generating facilities that would destroy the natural character of a region. Therefore, construction of new dams and power generating facilities face governmental and regulatory agency scrutiny that currently curtail development.
Another source of alternative energy has been the wind which has been used as a source of power generation for centuries. Generation of power from the wind reached its peak in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, however it is still not a significant source of energy. A primary reason for the lack of development of using wind as an energy source is due to the inconsistency of the wind and the need to store the electricity produced therefrom until there is a sufficient demand.
In addition to the above mentioned sources of alternative energy, nuclear power is also used for the generation of electricity. However, nuclear power is controversial due to the radioactive nuclear waste produced as a by-product from the generation of electricity and the problems associated with its disposal. Similarly, even the production of electricity from fossil fuels is controversial because of the waste and smog produced from the burning of hydrocarbons.
Therefore there exists a need for an electrical power generating system that can produce energy in a clean and efficient manner and yet does not further deplete the diminishing source of hydrocarbon based fuels. The present invention addresses the above-mentioned deficiencies by utilizing the untapped and free movement of already moving vehicles to thereby produce electrical energy.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electrical energy producing platform system to generate electrical energy from the weight of a moving vehicle. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a fluid bed or deformable bladder for containing a volume of hydraulic fluid that is compressible by the weight of a vehicle driven thereon to thereby force the hydraulic fluid therefrom. In fluid communication with the bladder is a circulation assembly for receiving the hydraulic fluid forced from the bladder and to feed the hydraulic fluid back into the bladder. Additionally, the circulation assembly is operable to translate the energy of the hydraulic fluid circulated therethrough into mechanical energy. Accordingly, a generator is cooperatively engaged to the circulation assembly to thereby generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy produced in the circulation assembly. In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the bladder can be either placed on top of or embedded into the roadway. Therefore with this system, the motion and weight of vehicular traffic is used to initiate a fluid pumping action to thereby generate electricity.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the circulation assembly comprises an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder for receiving the hydraulic fluid forced from the bladder and releasing the hydraulic fluid at a prescribed pressure level. Additionally, a hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the accumulator and mechanically coupled to the generator to produce the mechanical energy necessary to power the generator. In order to facilitate the circulation of the hydraulic fluid, there is provided a reservoir in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump and the bladder to return the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the bladder. It will be recognized that the bladder (i.e., fluid bed) can contain any type of compressible fluid, not necessarily hydraulic fluid, to convert the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy.
The bladder in the first embodiment of the present invention may comprise a plurality of cells that divide the bladder into individual chambers. Each chamber of the bladder is connected to a manifold in communication with the accumulator. Alternatively, the system may comprise a plurality of bladders wherein each individual bladder is connected to the manifold. In either case, the plurality of bladders or cells collectively function to circulate the hydraulic fluid through the circulation assembly.
The electrical generator may be a linear generator operative to generate electrical current through the movement thereof. Accordingly, the linear generator may be mechanically coupled to the pump such that the pump reciprocally moves the linear generator. The linear generator comprises an elongate cylinder having a hollow interior. Disposed about the exterior of the cylinder is a coil. Inserted within the interior of the cylinder is an elongate rod and magnet. The magnet is slidably coupled to the rod and disposed within the interior of the cylinder. Accordingly, as the cylinder is moved, the magnet is moved within the interior thereof. The movement of the magnet produces an electrical current within the coil such that electrical energy is produced by the linear generator.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the energy producing platform system comprises at least one rigid movable beam depressible by the weight of a moving vehicle driven thereover. The beam is cooperatively engaged with a deformable bladder containing hydraulic fluid such that the depression of the beam compresses the bladder to thereby force the hydraulic fluid therefrom. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the bladder is in fluid communication with a circulation assembly for receiving the hydraulic fluid from the bladder and translating the energy of the hydraulic fluid circulated therethrough into mechanical energy. As previously described in the first embodiment, a generator, such as a linear generator, is cooperatively engaged to the circulation assembly to thereby convert the mechanical energy of the circulation assembly into mechanical energy. Additionally, the beam may be formed with a generally V-shaped appendage that is receivable into a generally V-shaped channel of the bladder in order to aid in compression of the bladder. Similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the circulation assembly of the second embodiment comprises an accumulator, a hydraulic pump and a reservoir to produce mechanical energy from the circulation of the hydraulic fluid. In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, at least one pilot pin and a spring maintain the beam in horizontal position and also bias the beam upward and away from the roadway.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the electrical ene
Ponomarenko Nicholas
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
LandOfFree
Electrical energy producing platform and method of use does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical energy producing platform and method of use, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical energy producing platform and method of use will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448525