U.S. patent application number 11/128452 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for system for generating electricity by using gravitational mass and/or momentum of moving vehicle.
Invention is credited to Faramarz Frank Ghassemi.
Application Number | 20060152008 11/128452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36600459 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060152008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ghassemi; Faramarz Frank |
July 13, 2006 |
SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY USING GRAVITATIONAL MASS
AND/OR MOMENTUM OF MOVING VEHICLE
Abstract
A mechano-electrical energy generation system generates
electrical energy from the passage of a vehicle over an inclined
ramp assembly. This assembly includes an incline ramp that is
rotatable about an axis proximate a vehicle roadway surface, and a
safety decline ramp hinged with and rotatable with the incline
ramp. The incline ramp is coupled via a roller assembly to a
gravity wheel that drives a flywheel coupled to an electrical
generator. As a result, passage of the vehicle over the incline
ramp rotates the wheel via the roller assembly and drives the
flywheel so that the electrical generator outputs electrical
energy. When the vehicle exits the safety decline ramp, a
counterweight rotates the wheel in a reverse direction, so as to
bring the incline ramp and safety decline ramp to back to their
original inclined positions above the roadway surface.
Inventors: |
Ghassemi; Faramarz Frank;
(Alameda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHNECK & SCHNECK
P.O. BOX 2-E
SAN JOSE
CA
95109-0005
US
|
Family ID: |
36600459 |
Appl. No.: |
11/128452 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60642953 |
Jan 7, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03G 7/08 20130101; H02K
7/1853 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/001.00R |
International
Class: |
H02K 7/18 20060101
H02K007/18; F03G 7/08 20060101 F03G007/08; F02B 63/04 20060101
F02B063/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy from the passage
of a vehicle thereover comprising: a rotatable incline ramp that is
rotatable about an incline axis of rotation proximate a roadway
surface on which said vehicle travels; a rotatable decline ramp
having a first portion that is rotatably hinged to said rotatable
incline ramp and second portion that is arranged to travel in a
direction generally parallel to said roadway surface; a rotatable
wheel that is rotatable about a wheel axis generally parallel to
said incline axis of rotation; a roller assembly that is coupled to
a bottom surface of said incline ramp and is joined with a first
portion of said wheel; a counterweight that is joined with a second
portion of said wheel, and is operative to urge said roller
assembly into contact with said bottom surface of said incline
ramp, and rotate said wheel so as to bring said inclined ramp and
said decline ramp to inclined positions above said roadway surface
in the absence of the passage of said vehicle over said incline
ramp, but allowing passage of said vehicle over said incline ramp
to cause said roller assembly to rotate said wheel about said wheel
axis and reduce inclinations of said incline ramp and said decline
ramp above said roadway surface; and an electrical generator
coupled to said wheel and being operative to generate electricity
in response to rotation of said wheel about said wheel axis.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable
incline ramp and said rotatable decline ramp are operative to
rotate into positions generally parallel to said roadway surface,
in response to the passage of a vehicle over said rotatable incline
ramp and said rotatable decline ramp, and to remain generally
parallel to said roadway surface until said vehicle has departed
said rotatable decline surface, whereupon said counterweight is
operative to return said incline ramp and said decline ramp to
inclined positions above said roadway surface with the decline ramp
sliding along the roadway surface so as to safely clear said
vehicle.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical
generator is driven by a flywheel that is coupled to and
rotationally driven by said wheel.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said flywheel is
rotatable about a crankshaft having a ratchet mechanism that is
operative to allow said flywheel to rotate in a prescribed
rotational direction.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said flywheel
crankshaft is coupled by a closed loop web to said wheel.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said roller assembly
includes roller bearings supported by a shaft that is coupled to
said first portion of said wheel.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said roadway surface
is a downhill roadway surface.
8. A system for generating electrical energy from the passage of a
vehicle thereover comprising a plurality of electrical generator
assemblies sequentially arranged along a road, so as to be
sequentially engaged by a vehicle traveling along said road, a
respective electrical generator assembly including: a rotatable
incline ramp that is rotatable about an incline axis of rotation
proximate a roadway surface on which said vehicle travels; a
rotatable decline ramp having a first portion that is rotatably
hinged to said rotatable incline ramp and second portion that is
arranged to travel in a direction generally parallel to said
roadway surface; a rotatable wheel that is rotatable about a wheel
axis generally parallel to said incline axis of rotation; a roller
assembly that is urged against and rotationally slides along a
bottom surface of said incline ramp and is joined with a first
portion of said wheel; a counterweight that is joined with a second
portion of said wheel, and is operative to urge said roller
assembly into contact with said bottom surface of said incline
ramp, and rotate said wheel so as to bring said inclined ramp and
said decline ramp to inclined positions above said roadway surface
in the absence of the passage of said vehicle over said incline
ramp, but allowing passage of said vehicle over said incline ramp
to cause said roller assembly to rotate said wheel about said wheel
axis and reduce inclinations of said incline ramp and said decline
ramp above said roadway surface; and an electrical generator
coupled to said wheel and being operative to generate electricity
in response to rotation of said wheel about said wheel axis.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said roadway surface is
a downhill roadway surface.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said rotatable
incline ramp and said rotatable decline ramp are operative to
rotate into positions generally parallel to said roadway surface,
in response to the passage of said vehicle over said rotatable
incline ramp and said rotatable decline ramp, and to remain
generally parallel to said roadway surface until said vehicle has
departed said rotatable decline surface, whereupon said
counterweight is operative to return said incline ramp and said
decline ramp to inclined positions above said roadway surface.
11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said electrical
generator is driven by a flywheel that is coupled to and
rotationally driven by said wheel.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said flywheel is
rotatable about a crankshaft having a ratchet mechanism that is
operative to allow said flywheel to rotate in a prescribed
rotational direction.
13. The system according to claim 12, further including a closed
loop web coupled between said flywheel crankshaft and said
wheel.
14. The system according to claim 8, wherein said roller assembly
includes roller bearings supported by shaft that is coupled to said
first portion of said wheel.
15. A method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps
of: (a) providing an electrical generator that includes a inclined
first ramp that is rotatable about an incline axis of rotation
proximate a roadway surface on which a vehicle travels, a declined
second ramp having a first portion that is rotatably hinged to said
inclined first ramp and second portion that is arranged to travel
in a direction generally parallel to said roadway surface, a
rotatable wheel that is rotatable about a wheel axis generally
parallel to said incline axis of rotation, a roller assembly that
is coupled to a bottom surface of said first ramp and is joined
with a first portion of said wheel, a counterweight that is joined
with a second portion of said wheel, and is operative to urge said
roller assembly into contact with said bottom surface of said
incline ramp, and rotate said wheel so as to bring said inclined
ramp and said decline ramp to inclined positions above said roadway
surface in the absence of the passage of said vehicle over said
incline ramp, but allowing passage of said vehicle over said
incline ramp to cause said roller assembly to rotate said wheel
about said wheel axis and reduce inclinations of said incline ramp
and said decline ramp above said roadway surface, and an electrical
generator coupled to said wheel and being operative to generate
electricity in response to rotation of said wheel about said wheel
axis; and (b) in response to said vehicle traveling over said first
ramp, causing said roller assembly to rotate said wheel about said
wheel axis and thereby cause said electrical generator to generate
electricity.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said roadway surface
is a downhill roadway surface.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said rotatable
incline ramp and said rotatable decline ramp are operative to
rotate into positions generally parallel to said roadway surface,
in response to the passage of said vehicle over said rotatable
incline ramp and said rotatable decline ramp, and to remain
generally parallel to said roadway surface until said vehicle has
departed said rotatable decline surface, whereupon said
counterweight returns said incline ramp and said decline ramp to
inclined positions above said roadway surface.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said electrical
generator is driven by a flywheel that is coupled to and
rotationally driven by said wheel.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said flywheel is
rotatable about a crankshaft having a ratchet mechanism that is
operative to allow said flywheel to rotate in a prescribed
rotational direction and rotate in a freewheeling manner when said
rotatable wheel is rotated in an opposite direction.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said roller assembly
includes roller bearings supported by shaft that is coupled to said
first portion of said wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of co-pending
U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/642,953, by F. Ghassemi et al,
entitled: "Energy Recovery System," filed Jan. 7, 2005, and the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates in general to
mechano-electrical energy generation systems, and is particularly
directed to a `kinetic energy/gravity power plant` (KGPP) method
and apparatus for generating electrical energy from the passage of
a vehicle over an inclined and rotatable ramp assembly. The ramp
assembly includes an incline ramp that is rotatable about an axis
proximate a roadway surface on which the vehicle travels, and a
safety decline ramp hinged with and rotatable with the incline
ramp. The incline ramp is coupled via a roller assembly to a
gravity or `G` wheel that drives a flywheel coupled to an
electrical generator. As a result, passage of the vehicle over the
incline ramp causes the roller assembly to rotate the wheel and
reduce inclinations of the incline ramp and the safety decline ramp
above the roadway surface. As the incline ramp is rotated
downwardly toward the road, it rotates the wheel to drive the
flywheel and cause the electrical generator to produce electrical
energy. Once the vehicle exits the safety decline ramp, a
counterweight coupled to the wheel urges the roller assembly
against the bottom surface of the incline ramp, and rotates the
wheel in a reverse direction, so as to bring the incline ramp and
safety decline ramp to back to their original inclined positions
above the roadway surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The consumption of electrical power has undergone a
relatively rapid increase in recent years. For example, in the
United States and in developed countries, the increase in the
application and usage of computers, as well as hybrid/electric
cars, has created a demand for more electric power plants. The
present invention is considered to fall into the general category
of renewable electric power sources, such as, but not limited to,
wind-power systems, hydro-electric power systems and solar-power
generation systems, and gravity-based power plants, where the
source of energy is basically free. In the context of
mechano-electric power systems, the gravitational mass and kinetic
energy/momentum of moving road vehicles (e.g., automobiles and
trucks) constitute a free source of energy, especially on downhill
slopes where cars and trucks are urged in the downhill direction by
their gravitationally pulled masses. The basic concept involved in
kinetic energy/gravitational power plant (KGPP) or kinetic
energy/gravitational electricity generation involves the
translation of a moving mass that is pulled by gravity into
mechanical and rotational motion, which is used to drive a standard
electrical generator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, advantage is taken
of the components of kinetic energy/gravitational electricity
generation; in particular, the kinetic energy/momentum and
gravitational mass of a moving vehicle are used to create a linear
or semi-linear mechanical motion. This motion, in turn, is
translated into rotation, which turns an electrical generator, the
output of which is electrical power. More particularly, as
described briefly above, the present invention is directed to a
mechano-electrical energy generation system for generating
electrical energy from the passage of a vehicle over a ramp
assembly, that is mechanically biased to be inclined above the
roadway as it is approached by a moving vehicle. The ramp assembly
includes an incline ramp that is rotatable about an axis proximate
a roadway surface on which the vehicle travels, and a safety
decline ramp hinged with the incline ramp. The incline ramp is
coupled via a roller-bearing assembly to a wheel, such that passage
(weight and movement) of a vehicle onto and over the inclined ramp
causes the ramp to rotate downwardly, and rotate the wheel in a
direction that drives a flywheel coupled to an electrical
generator. This action continues until the inclinations of the
incline ramp and the safety decline ramp above the roadway surface
have decreased such that the ramp assembly is essentially parallel
to the roadway surface. Once the vehicle exits the safety decline
ramp, a counterweight coupled to the wheel urges the roller
assembly against the bottom surface of the incline ramp, and
rotates the wheel in a reverse direction, so as to bring the
incline ramp and safety decline ramp to back to their inclined
positions above the roadway surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the condition of a ramp
assembly employed in the kinetic energy/momentum/gravity based
mechano-electrical energy generation system in accordance with the
present invention prior to being engaged by a vehicle;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows the condition of a ramp assembly of the
invention, wherein a vehicle has driven completely onto the ramp
assembly;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a vehicle just departing the safety decline
ramp of a ramp assembly of the invention and proceeding onto a
roadway;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a wheel assembly that is employed in accordance
with the present invention to bias the ramp assembly of FIGS. 1-3
into its `up` orientation in the absence of a vehicle on the ramp
assembly, and to allow the ramp assembly to rotate the wheel when
the inclined ramp is engaged by a vehicle;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows the orientation of a wheel of the system of the
invention, where incline and decline ramps have been rotated so as
to be generally parallel to the roadway surface;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a flywheel having a crankshaft and gear
assembly that is coupled to the wheel of the system of the
invention by way of a closed loop drive web member;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the
overall kinetic energy/gravity-based, mechano-electrical energy
generation system of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the installation of the
system of the present invention at multiple locations of a downhill
grade;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a
component-intercoupling arrangement and reciprocating motion
assembly that may be used in the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment wherein
an opposite ends of the wheel shaft are coupled to by means of
connecting rods to a bearing assembly and a counter-weight
[0015] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment wherein the bearing
assembly is supported on a shaft that engages the wheel at a first
location and is coupled to the wheel shaft via a coupling
joint;
[0016] FIG. 12 shows a roller bearing assembly coupled to a first
location of the wheel and extending generally parallel to the wheel
axis, the roller bearing assembly being arranged to engage a bottom
surface of the incline ramp in response to the wheel being rotated
in a counter-clockwise direction; and
[0017] FIG. 13 shows the case where multiple wheels are
respectively rotatable about axes provided on opposite sides of the
ramp so a to provide additional support for the bearings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Attention is initially directed to FIG. 1, which
diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of a ramp assembly 10
employed in the kinetic energy/momentum/gravity based
mechano-electrical energy generation system in accordance with the
present invention. As shown therein, the ramp assembly 10 includes
a rotatable incline ramp 11, having a first end 13 coupled to a
hinge 15, that is proximate the surface 21 of a roadway 20, upon
which a vehicle 23 (such as but not limited to a truck) travels (in
a left to right direction as viewed in the Figure). The ramp
assembly further includes a safety decline ramp 30 having a first
end 32, that is rotatably hinged at 34 to the incline ramp 11, and
a second end 36 provided with a set of roller bearings 38 that are
arranged to travel upon generally flat surface 40, which is
parallel to and slightly below than the roadway surface by the
thickness of the decline ramp 30. The roller bearings are
preferably confined in a track system on opposite sides of the
roadway that prevents the second end 36 of the safety decline ramp
from lifting off the roadway surface, so that the vehicle exits the
ramp assembly safely without being struck by any part of the ramp
assembly. Instead, the roller bearings 38 at the second end 36 of
the safety decline ramp travel along the roadway in a direction
that is parallel to its surface so that the second end 36 of the
ramp assembly `safely` clears the vehicle. Preferably, the sum of
the lengths of the incline ramp 11 and the safety decline ramp 30
effectively corresponds to the distance between the hinge 15 at the
first end 13 of the incline ramp 11 and a location 22 of the
roadway surface 21 where the generally flat surface 40 adjoins the
roadway 20. In addition, the distance or length over which the
surface 40 extends from location 22 of the roadway surface 21 is
sufficient to underlie and support both the roller bearings 38 and
the hinge 34 between the incline ramp 11 and the safety decline
ramp 30, when the ramp assembly is rotated downwardly to its
generally flat orientation that is effectively parallel with the
roadway 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, for example. In the
diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 1, each of the incline ramp 11
and the safety decline ramp 30 are shown as being biased to a
prescribed `up` or uppermost angular orientation 17 of the incline
ramp 11 relative to the roadway surface, as the ramp assembly is
being approached by vehicle 23.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the condition of the ramp assembly 10, wherein
vehicle 23 has driven onto the ramp assembly, causing the incline
ramp 11 to have rotated clockwise about the axis of hinge 15 and
the safety decline ramp 30 to have rotated counter-clockwise
relative to hinge 34, with its bearing (38)-supported end 36 having
been translated horizontally so as to be immediately adjacent to
location 22 of the roadway 20 where the generally flat surface 40
adjoins the roadway surface. In particular, the incline ramp 11 has
been caused to rotate downwardly or clockwise as viewed in the
Figure, as a result of the inertial momentum of the vehicle upon
the incline ramp 11, as well as it's gravitational weight. Since
the second end 36 of the safety decline ramp 30 contains bearings
38 that roll on the surface 40, the safety decline ramp 30 has
moved forwardly and downwardly so that the incline ramp 11 and
decline ramp 30 are generally parallel to the roadway 20.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the vehicle 23 just departing the safety
decline ramp 30 and proceeding onto the roadway 20. Once the
vehicle leaves the decline ramp, the ramp assembly 10 is biased
back toward its original inclined orientation (as denoted by arrow
18) of FIG. 1, described above. In the course of this return action
of the ramp assembly, the second end 36 of the safety decline ramp
30 slides (to the left as viewed in FIG. 3) along the generally
flat surface 40 adjoining the roadway surface, so that the decline
ramp safely `clears` the vehicle. Namely, since the decline ramp 30
undergoes a sliding motion as it rotates about its hinge 34 with
the incline ramp 11, the back end of the vehicle will not be
impacted by the upward motion of the incline ramp (including hinge
34) or the upward and backsliding motion of the safety decline
ramp.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a wheel assembly that is employed in accordance
with the present invention to bias or urge the ramp assembly into
its inclined or `up` orientation (shown in FIG. 1), in the absence
of a vehicle on the ramp assembly, and to allow the ramp assembly
to rotate the wheel assembly when the inclined ramp is engaged by a
vehicle. In particular, FIG. 4 shows a gravity or `G` wheel 50
having a shaft 52 that is rotatable about a wheel axis 54, which is
generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge 15 about
which the incline ramp 11 rotates. As also shown in FIG. 12,
coupled to a first location 51 of the wheel 50 and extending
generally parallel to the wheel axis 54 is a roller (bearing)
assembly 60 that is arranged to be urged against and rotationally
slide along a bottom surface 12 of the incline ramp 11, in response
to the wheel being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (as
viewed in FIG. 4).
[0022] Coupled to a second location 53 of the wheel, that is
preferably generally diametrically opposed to the first location 51
(as shown by the lines 55 and 56), is a counter-weight bearing 70,
from which hangs a counter-weight 72. The effect of gravity on the
mass of the counter-weight 72 is sufficient to cause the wheel 50
and its associated roller assembly 60 to rotate in a
counter-clockwise direction and urge the roller assembly 60 into
contact with the bottom surface of the incline ramp 11, and rotate
the wheel so as to bring the incline ramp 11, and the safety
decline ramp 30 hinged thereto, to their respective inclined
positions above the roadway surface in the absence of a vehicle
engaging the ramp assembly. The counter-weight 72 comes to rest
against a stop 74, so that the ramp assembly cannot move higher
than a pre-designated `up` orientation. However, in response to
engagement of a vehicle 23 with the incline ramp 11, the
counter-weight 72 allows the roller assembly 60 to rotate the wheel
50 (clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4) about the wheel shaft axis 54,
thereby reducing inclinations of the incline ramp 11 and the
decline ramp 30 above the roadway surface.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows the orientation of the wheel 50, where the
respective incline and decline ramps 11 and 30 have been rotated so
as to be generally parallel to the roadway 20, as described above
with reference to FIG. 2, so as to cause the wheel 50 to have
rotated a circumferential distance `D` between positions 57 and 58.
It may be noted that the counter-weight 72 continues to impart an
upward bias against the wheel 50 that would rotate the wheel in a
counter-clockwise direction, but for the presence of a vehicle on
the ramp assembly.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a flywheel 80, which is used to store and
regulate rotational energy. The flywheel has a crankshaft and gear
assembly 82 that is coupled to the wheel 50 by way of a closed loop
web or belt member 84, which may be readily implemented by means of
a chain and sprocket arrangement. The circumference or perimeter 86
of the flywheel 80 is coupled to rotationally engage an electrical
generator 90. The crankshaft and gear assembly 82 of the flywheel
80 is such as to allow the flywheel to be driven in and rotated in
one direction only (e.g., clockwise, as viewed in the Figure), so
that rotation of the wheel 50 by the action (downward movement) of
the incline ramp, in response to a vehicle traversing the ramp
assembly, will cause rotation of the wheel 50 over a prescribed
arcuate distance `D` around the circumference thereof, thereby
rotating the closed loop 84 and driving the flywheel 80. Since the
flywheel 80 is rotationally engaged with the electrical generator
90, downward movement of the inclined ramp causes production of
electrical energy.
[0025] From the foregoing description of the various components of
the invention, operation of the overall energy conversion system is
straightforward. In the following discussion, attention may be
directed to the diagrammatic side views of FIGS. 1-6, described
above, which show respective portions of the vehicle passage
responsive, mechano-electrical generation system of the present
invention, as well as the plan view of FIG. 7 which is a
diagrammatic plan view of the overall system. As noted previously,
forward momentum of a vehicle engaging the ramp assembly 10 plus
the gravitational mass of the vehicle on the incline ramp 11 cause
the incline ramp itself and consequently the roller bearing
assembly 60 biased thereagainst by the counter-clockwise bias
rotation of the wheel 50 against the bottom of the ramp 11 to move
forward and downward. This motion of the roller bearing assembly 60
causes the wheel 50 to rotate in a the clockwise (forward)
direction by a distance `D`, which is proportional to the angle of
inclination of the incline ramp 11 and the radius of the wheel 50.
Namely, the arc distance `D` is the distance of the travel of a
point on the circumference of the wheel 50 from location 57, where
the wheel rotates from the `up` ramp assembly orientation (e.g.,
FIGS. 1 and 4) to a location 58 associated with a flat ramp
assembly orientation (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 5). FIGS. 3 and 5 show the
release of the ramp assembly just after the vehicle 23 leaves the
safety decline ramp 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the counter-weight 72
coupled to the counter-weight bearing 70 of the wheel 50 has been
translated from a ramp-lift position up to a ramp-flat position. As
the vehicle leaves the decline ramp, the gravitational attraction
of the counter-weight 72 in a vertically downward direction rotates
the wheel 50 counter-clockwise and, as a result, the roller bearing
assembly 60 of the wheel 50 pushes the ramp assembly back to its
`upmost` position. The counter-weight 72 comes to rest against the
stop 74, so that the ramp assembly cannot move higher than a
pre-designated inclination orientation. As another vehicle engages
and traverses the ramp assembly, as described above, the wheel 50
again rotates in clockwise direction by a distance D.
[0026] Repeated engagements with the ramp assembly by additional
vehicles will cause an oscillating (clockwise and
counter-clockwise) rotation of the wheel 50 which, in turn, results
in repeated (clockwise) rotation of the flywheel 80. As noted
above, the flywheel's crankshaft is at the center of a free wheel
hub mechanism where a ratchet gear system allows only forward
(clockwise) rotation of the flywheel. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 6
and 7, the loop 84 connects the wheel 50 to the crankshaft of the
flywheel, so that the flywheel will continue to rotate (clockwise)
in a freewheeling manner, when the wheel is driven
counter-clockwise by the action of the counter-weight, similar to
the action of the pedaling of a bicycle.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the distance D (arc motion distance) of
the conveyor belt or chain is several times larger than the
circumference of the gear of the flywheel. Therefore, each time
that the ramp assembly goes down as the result of the travel of a
vehicle over it, the flywheel rotates several turns in the forward
motion. When the ramp assembly goes up, i.e., when the wheel 50
rotates counter-clockwise, the flywheel 80 still rotates clockwise
due to the freewheeling mechanism. The flywheel makes the system
run more smoothly. This is due to the fact that when the ramp
assembly is not moving or there is a delay between vehicles, the
electric generator is still driven by the flywheel. Moreover, the
flywheel can contain an automatic gear system which will vary and
shift to higher or lower gears according to the speed of the
oscillating motion (rotation) of the wheel.
[0028] As described in the foregoing, the linear up-down motion of
the ramp assembly 10 results in an oscillating rotation of the
wheel 50. This oscillating rotation is transferred to flywheel 80
which has a ratchet and freewheeling hub system. The flywheel
rotates in clockwise motion which causes the electric generator to
spin rapidly and generate electricity. Deterministic calculation of
a ramp with an up inclination angle of seven degrees and a height
of ten feet shows that a constant flow of trucks on such ramp can
produce up to megawatts of power.
[0029] Non-limiting examples of locations for installing the
mechano-electrical conversion system of the present invention
include truck stops, where trucks are forced to slow down, go over
possible bumps and then go on a route off of the highway. The best
efficiency and most power are generated by installing the system on
a downward slope, although it is to be understood that the system
may alternatively be installed on a generally horizontal roadway.
For example, installing the system at multiple (e.g., ten to
twenty) locations as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8,
represented by locations KGPP1, KGPP2 and KGPP3, down the slopes of
the Grapevine in California, which has a seven degree grade over a
stretch of one-half mile, can generate megawatts of power. As is
well known, trucks are forced to slow down on downhill slopes.
Therefore, trucks going downhill and over the ramp assemblies of
multiple systems of the invention do not use any extra energy.
[0030] Once a truck driver has slowed down his truck, so that it
can go downhill, then, as the truck moves over the ramp assemblies,
the incline ramps are sequentially rotated downwardly with it, due
to the flatness of the road. Therefore, there is no danger or
possibility for the travel of the truck to be diverted by the edge
of the ramp assembly unless the ramp assembly is jammed in its up
orientation. The system of the invention is designed for ease of
use with trucks. Trucks need to be able to move smoothly on and
over the ramp assembly. FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 show that the sliding end
36 of the decline ramp at its flat orientation at location 22 has a
very modest and minimum gap to the flat part of the surface of the
road. This ensures that trucks will not feel a bump or drop as they
go over the ramp assembly.
[0031] It is recommended that safety measures be considered at each
installation of the invention. To this end, it is considered
expedient to have barriers installed on both sides of the system to
prevent people or animals form falling into gaps and free spaces of
the system. Again, it should be emphasized that with the invention,
a vehicle (e.g., truck) driver may not ever feel as though his
vehicle is going over a bump. When the vehicle goes over the ramp
assembly, because of the fact that the incline ramp rotates
downwardly to a flat position, the driver will feel as though he is
driving on smooth road. A ramp grade of seven degrees or a even a
few degrees higher or lower will provide a comfortable ride.
Although the design of the system prevents the ramp assembly from
jamming or getting stuck in its up position, warning signals may be
employed to prevent vehicles from falling off the ramp, in case the
ramp assembly becomes stuck in its up position.
[0032] It should be noted that component-intercoupling arrangements
and reciprocating motion assemblies other than those described
above may be used to translate the ramp assembly's up-down motion
into rotation, such as that shown in FIG. 9, which employs a
counter weight 72 attached to the wheel 50 and operates like an oil
well derrick. Here, as the wheel 50 rotates in the direction of
arrow 50A, the shaft 50S travels downwardly in the direction of
arrow 55A, so that the incline ramp follows the roller bearings 60.
With this design trucks may be regulated by a traffic light to go
completely over the ramp assembly and finish a full cycle of
rotation of the ramp assembly before the next truck traverses the
system. It should be noted that artifices for transferring motion
of a flywheel to an electric generator are common knowledge and
many forms are in use. This technology has advanced in trucks and
automobiles where the rotation of the crankshaft of the engine is
transferred by belts to alternators and by chains and gears,
gearbox, manual and automatic transmission systems to the wheels.
The use of the flywheel in accordance with the present invention is
a convenience for flexibility of truck arrivals on the ramp
assembly. As an alternative, the flywheel may be removed and the
rotation of the wheel may be directly transferred to the electric
generator by chains, gears, belts, and the like.
[0033] As will be appreciated from the foregoing description,
pursuant to the invention, the inertial energy of a moving vehicle
and the gravitational weight of a downwardly moving vehicle may be
readily converted into mechanical rotation which can turn an
electric generator. The primary functions of the system are those
of the ramp assembly where a moving vehicle causes a linear or
semi-linear motion. The linear motion is translated by a roller
assembly mechanism into a full rotation or a partial rotation of a
wheel. The rotation of the wheel is transferred to rotate an
electric generator by means of chains, belts and gears, and the
like.
[0034] To this end, FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates an
embodiment wherein an opposite ends of the wheel shaft are coupled
to by means of connecting rods to bearing assembly 60 and
counter-weight 72. Similarly, FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment
wherein the bearing assembly 60 is supported on a shaft 92 that
engages the wheel 50 at location 51 and is coupled to the wheel
shaft 52, via a coupling joint 94. FIG. 13 shows the case where
multiple wheels 50-1 and 50-2, respectively rotatable about axes
52-1 and 52-2 are provided on opposite sides of the ramp 11, so a
to provide additional support for the bearings 60.
[0035] While we have shown and described several embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that
the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible to numerous
changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art.
We therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
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