U.S. patent application number 11/186297 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for hydraulic roadbed electricity generating apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Sarah Adair.
Application Number | 20070020047 11/186297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37679192 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070020047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adair; Sarah |
January 25, 2007 |
Hydraulic roadbed electricity generating apparatus and method
Abstract
A roadbed generator provides a roadbed collector positioned
within a roadbed. The roadbed collector engages passing vehicles
collecting kinetic energy therefrom, which is converted to
electrical energy that is collected and passed to a load for use.
In one embodiment a roadbed collector is a piston positioned below
a hinged surface plate that forms part of the roadbed. Passing
vehicles drive the plate and piston down into a cylinder containing
hydraulic fluid, driving the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder to a
hydraulic generator. A return spring coupled to the surface plate
force the plate back into an elevated position after a vehicle has
passed on. In some embodiments an expansion tank interposed between
the cylinder and generator forces fluid back into the cylinder
causing the piston to move upwardly in preparation for engaging
another vehicle.
Inventors: |
Adair; Sarah; (Seattle,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Family ID: |
37679192 |
Appl. No.: |
11/186297 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/071 |
International
Class: |
E01C 7/00 20060101
E01C007/00 |
Claims
1. A generator for a roadbed having a driving surface comprising: a
surface element at least partially moveable relative to the
roadbed; a mechanical collector positioned below the driving
surface and being actutated by the surface element; and a generator
coupled to the mechanical collector to convert mechanical movement
of the mechanical collector into electrical energy.
2. The generator of claim 1, wherein the generator is electrically
coupled to a power grid.
3. The generator of claim 1, wherein the generator is electrically
coupled to an auxiliary roadway system.
4. The generator of claim 1, wherein the surface element comprises
a plate having a fixed end pivotally secured to the roadbed.
5. The generator of claim 4, wherein the plate comprises a free end
having a lip extending downwardly therefrom.
6. The generator of claim 4, wherein the mechanical collector
comprises a piston and cylinder, the piston being slidably
positioned within the cylinder and engaging the plate to be
actuated thereby, the generator comprising a hydraulic generator in
fluid communication with the cylinder.
7. The generator of claim 6, wherein a first channel connects the
cylinder to an inlet of the hydraulic generator, an expansion tank
being connected to the first channel.
8. The generator of claim 7, further comprising a reservoir in
fluid communication with an outlet of the hydraulic generator.
9. The generator of claim 8, wherein the reservoir is in fluid
communication with the cylinder having a first check valve
interposed therebetween permitting outward flow from the
reservoir.
10. The generator of claim 9, further comprising a second check
valve interposed between the cylinder and the expansion tank
permitting outward flow from the cylinder.
11. The generator of claim 1, wherein the surface element comprises
a domed structure having an uppermost portion thereof positionable
above the roadbed.
12. The generator of claim 10, wherein the mechanical collector
comprises a piston and cylinder, the piston being slidably
positioned within the cylinder and engaging the domed structure to
be actuated thereby, the generator comprising a hydraulic generator
in fluid communication with the cylinder.
13. A generator for a roadbed, comprising: a surface element
hingedly secured to the roadbed; a piston engaging the surface
element to be actuated thereby; a cylinder receiving a portion of
the piston, the piston being slidable within the cylinder; and a
hydraulic generator in fluid communication with the cylinder.
14. The generator of claim 13, wherein a first channel connects the
cylinder to an inlet of the generator, an expansion tank being
connected to the first channel.
15. The generator of claim 14, further comprising a reservoir in
fluid communication with an outlet of the generator.
16. The generator of claim 15, wherein the reservoir is in fluid
communication with the cylinder having a check valve interposed
therebetween permitting outward flow from the reservoir.
17. The generator of claim 16, further comprising a check valve
interposed between the cylinder and the expansion tank permitting
outward flow from the cylinder.
18. A method for collecting electricity from travel over a roadbed,
the method comprising: providing a roadbed collector positioned
within the roadbed; providing a generator coupled to the roadbed
collector to receive kinetic energy therefrom and convert the
kinetic energy to electrical energy; passing a vehicle over the
roadbed collector, the roadbed collector directly engaging a
portion of the vehicle; and actuating the generator to generate
electrical energy.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising supplying the
electrical energy to a power grid.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, supplying the
electrical energy to an auxiliary roadway system.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods
for generating electricity and, more specifically, to apparatus and
methods for generating electricity using hydraulic generators.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] The United States has over 2.4 million miles of paved roads
traveled daily by millions of automobiles. Typical automobiles
weigh over two tons and therefore contain large amounts of kinetic
energy as they move at high speed down the highway. At the same
time many auxiliary systems associated with the roadways require
electrical energy to operate. For example, many lighting systems
are involved, such as street lights, semaphores, warning lights,
construction lights, and the like. Other auxiliary systems are
services that are provided specifically to motorists, such as
emergency telephones, rest areas, weigh stations, and customs
inspection stations at State and international borders.
[0005] The nation's roads extend into many remote areas. In the
western United States, even highly traveled roads have long
stretches extending through undeveloped areas. In such regions, it
is costly and difficult to provide electrical power to provide
lighting and services that may be necessary or expected. Regardless
of the location of lighting systems or services, it is impossible
to directly charge those who benefit therefrom. The cost of
providing power to lighting systems and services must be born by
the government and paid for by the public at large.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the
art to provide a system for collecting kinetic energy from passing
vehicles and convert such energy to electrical energy for use in
powering auxiliary roadway systems or even the power grid of a
city.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention comprises a roadbed generator for
generating electricity from the kinetic energy of vehicles on a
roadway. A roadbed generator provides a roadbed collector
positioned within a roadbed. The roadbed collector typically
mechanically collects kinetic energy from passing vehicles and
transfers the kinetic energy to a generator. The generator converts
the kinetic energy to electrical energy, which is then collected
and passed to a load, such as a lighting system, emergency radio,
or a power grid.
[0008] In one embodiment, the roadbed collector is a piston
positioned below a hinged surface plate that directly engages
passing vehicles. The surface plate typically forms part of the
surface of the roadbed and the hinged edge is typically maintained
flush with the surface of the roadbed. A cylinder receives a
portion of the piston, such that as passing vehicles drive the
plate and piston down, hydraulic fluid is driven from the cylinder
and through a hydraulic generator, thereby creating electricity.
The electricity is then collected and passed to a load.
[0009] In some embodiments, a return spring coupled to the surface
plate forces the surface plate upward after a vehicle has passed on
in preparation for engaging another vehicle. In other embodiments,
an expansion tank having a spring-loaded diaphragm collects
hydraulic fluid and forces the fluid back into the cylinder after a
vehicle passes. Thus, the piston 60 is forced upwardly to a
position suitable for engaging another vehicle. In still other
embodiments, both an expansion tank and a return spring are used to
recover the surface plate and piston.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
following drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of a highway having roadbed
collectors, in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a roadbed collector, in
accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a roadbed collector and
associated electrical elements, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a hydraulic generator and
associated fluid handling structures, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is side view of an alternative embodiment of roadbed
collector, in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a general method for
using a roadbed collector, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a particular method for
using a roadbed collector, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side schematic of the roadbed collector of FIG.
1 in a sloped environment; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram or a method for using a
roadbed collector in a sloped environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, in a typical highway environment
vehicles 10 move along lanes 12, 14 headed in opposite directions
along a roadbed 20. In one embodiment of the present invention,
mechanical collectors, or roadbed collectors 30, are positioned
within the lanes 12 and 14 and mechanically collect kinetic energy
from the vehicles 10. Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of a
roadbed collector 30, a surface plate 40 mounts to the roadbed 20
by means of a hinge 50 and typically forms part of the surface over
which the vehicles 10 drive. The surface plate 40 and hinge 50 are
typically formed of steel and have sufficient strength to withstand
the impact of vehicles at high speeds. The hinge 50 is typically
positioned such that a vehicle will first encounter the hinged edge
of the surface plate 40 and then the free end. Inasmuch as the
surface plate 40 and hinge 50 form part of the surface of the
roadbed 20, the hinge 50 and hinged edge of the surface plate 40
are typically flush with the surface of the roadbed 20. A piston 60
is positioned below the surface plate 40 and is depressed by the
surface plate 40 as vehicles are driven thereover.
[0021] A cylinder 70 receiving the piston 60 contains hydraulic
fluid, or like fluid. As the piston 60 is depressed into the
cylinder, hydraulic fluid may be driven from the cylinder 70
through hydraulic lines 80 to a generator 90. The generator 90 may
derive electrical energy from the forced movement of the hydraulic
fluid. Hydraulic lines 80 may then carry the hydraulic fluid back
to the cylinder 70 for another iteration of the process. A return
spring 100 may couple the surface plate 40 to the roadbed 20 and
restore the free end of the surface plate 40 to a position elevated
above the roadbed 20 ready to be depressed by another passing
vehicle. Alternatively, the spring 100 may secure to the piston 60,
forcing the piston 60 upward, which will in turn force the surface
plate 40 upward to its original position.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, the generators 90 may receive
pressurized hydraulic fluid from multiple roadbed collectors 30
each with a corresponding piston 60 and cylinder 70. Check valves
connecting each cylinder 70 to the generator 90 may ensure that
backflow from one cylinder 70 to another does not occur. Electrical
cables 110 may couple multiple generators 90 to a collector 120.
The collector 120 may modulate the voltage from the various
generators 90 to provide a substantially constant voltage output on
an output line 130. A load 140 may connect to the output line 130
and make use of the electrical energy. The load 140 may be the
electrical power grid of a city, traffic or street lights, an
emergency satellite telephone, an emergency radio, or the like.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, hydraulic fluid driven from the
cylinder 70 by the piston 60 may pass through a check valve 200
permitting fluid flow only in direction 210 out of the cylinder 70.
The fluid may then pass by an expansion tank 220 before passing
through the hydraulic generator 90. A check valve 250 permitting
fluid flow only in direction 210 may be interposed between the
hydraulic generator 90 and cylinder 70 to ensure hydraulic fluid
only flows in one direction through the hydraulic generator 90.
[0024] In practice, a vehicle may quickly drive over the surface
plate 40 whereas the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid makes forcing
the fluid through the generator 90 a much slower process.
Accordingly, positioning the expansion tank 220 between the
cylinder 70 and generator 90 enables the fluid to quickly flow into
the expansion tank 220 from the cylinder 70 in response to a
passing vehicle. The diaphragm 230 and spring 240 may then force
the fluid through the hydraulic generator 90 and back into the
cylinder 70. In some embodiments, the spring 240 and diaphragm
forcing fluid into the cylinder 70 may also serve to recover the
piston 60 and surface plate 40, such that a return spring 100 is
not needed.
[0025] In some embodiments, a reservoir 400 may be interposed
between the check valve 250 and the hydraulic generator 90. The
piston 60 may draw fluid from the reservoir 260 whereas the
hydraulic generator 90 expels fluid into the reservoir 400. The
Piston 60 is typically in fluid communication with the lower
portion of the reservoir 400 such that hydraulic fluid, rather than
air will be drawn into the cylinder 70.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, various embodiments of the roadbed
collector 30 are possible. For example, the surface plate 40 may be
dome shaped to extract energy from traffic flowing in two different
directions. The surface plate 40, piston 60, cylinder 70 and return
spring 100 may likewise be mounted in a ramp 300 to provide a self
contained unit that may be positioned wherever needed, such as at a
construction project on a remote section of highway. It will be
noted that the slope 310 of the ramps is only an example. Shallower
slopes 310 may be used in applications where traffic is likely to
be traveling at high speeds.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, in one application a method 350 may be
used in conjunction with a roadbed collector 30. The method 350 may
include driving 360 a vehicle over a mechanical collector, such as
the roadbed collector 30 described hereinabove. Driving 360 the
vehicle over the mechanical collector may be an inadvertent act of
the driver who happens to drive over the mechanical collector.
Alternatively, driving 360 the vehicle over the mechanical
collector may be intentional in order to generate electricity to
operate an apparatus such as an emergency satellite telephone
powered by the roadbed collector 30.
[0028] The method 350 may also include converting 370 mechanical to
electrical energy. Various conversion means are contemplated by the
invention. For example, the surface plate 40 may be mechanically
coupled to permanent magnets such that depression of the surface
plate 40 causes the magnets to move through wire coils and thereby
generate electricity.
[0029] The method 350 may include collecting 380 electrical energy.
The energy may be collected in a battery, high capacity capacitor,
or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, collecting 380
electrical energy involves collecting energy from multiple roadbed
collectors 30, which are not all simultaneously active.
Accordingly, collecting 380 electrical energy may include blending
the output of the various roadbed collectors 30 to provide a
substantially constant voltage output.
[0030] The method 350 may include passing 390 electricity to a
load, such as lighting systems or an electrical power grid. Passing
390 may take place substantially simultaneously with generation of
the electricity or may be deferred. For example, the collecting
step 380 may include storing the energy to be retrieved when it is
needed. For example, a roadbed collector 30 may be coupled to an
emergency radio or phone that is only occasionally used.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 7, the method 350 may be embodied more
specifically as a method 400. The method 400 may include depressing
410 a surface plate 40 and piston 60, as by a vehicle driving
thereover. Depressing 410 the pistion 60 leads to forcing 420
hydraulic fluid flow. The method 400 may then include generating
430 electricity from the fluid flow, such as by a hydraulic
generator 90. The electrical energy may then be collected 380 and
passed 390 to a load as in the method 350 of FIG. 6. The method 400
may also include recovering 440 the piston 60 and surface plate 40.
Recovering 440 typically includes forcing hydraulic fluid back into
the cylinder 70 causing the piston 60 and surface plate 40 to move
to their original position prior to passage of a vehicle thereover.
In one embodiment, recovering 440 the piston may include moving the
piston 60 and surface plate 40 upwardly by a return spring 100 that
is compressed when the vehicle depresses the piston 60. As the
piston 60 moves upward, it may then draw hydraulic fluid back into
the cylinder 70 in preparation for another iteration of the method
400.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, a roadbed collector 30 may be used to
convert potential gravitational energy into electrical energy. As
vehicles descend hills, gravity typically powers movement of the
vehicle as opposed to the vehicle's engine. Accordingly, a roadbed
collector 30 may be used to harvest a portion of the kinetic energy
so generated as a clean source of energy. For example, the roadbed
collector 30 may be mounted in a roadbed 20 having a downward slope
500. The surface plate 40 may mount to the surface having its hinge
50 mounted uphill from the free end.
[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, a lip 501 may be
formed on or secured to the free end of the surface plate 40. The
lip 501 may serve to prevent tire damage to those driving over the
free end of the surface plate 40 first, rather than the fixed end.
The lip 501 may be planar or arcuate having a radius of curvature
approximating the distance between the fixed end of the surface
plate 40 and the free end.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 9, while still referring to FIG. 8, as a
vehicle descends the roadbed 20, a process 510 may occur. The
process 510 may include converting 520 the potential gravitational
energy of the vehicle to kinetic energy as the car moves down the
slope under the influence of gravity. The process 510 may then
include converting 530 a portion of the kinetic energy to
electrical energy by depressing the surface plate 40 and piston 60
and causing forced hydraulic fluid flow through the hydraulic
generator 90 as illustrated in the process 400. The electrical
energy from the hydraulic generator may then be collected 380 and
passed 390 to a load is in the methods 350 and 400 of FIGS. 6 and
7.
[0035] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the the
preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined
entirely to the claims that follow.
* * * * *