GB2484284A - Electrical energy generating device - Google Patents
Electrical energy generating device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2484284A GB2484284A GB1016668.4A GB201016668A GB2484284A GB 2484284 A GB2484284 A GB 2484284A GB 201016668 A GB201016668 A GB 201016668A GB 2484284 A GB2484284 A GB 2484284A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- energy conversion
- tubular member
- elastically
- hydraulic
- unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 102000004726 Connectin Human genes 0.000 claims 1
- 108010002947 Connectin Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001669679 Eleotris Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000632072 Rallus tenuirostris Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001914 calming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
- E01F9/50—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users
- E01F9/529—Road surface markings; Kerbs or road edgings, specially adapted for alerting road users specially adapted for signalling by sound or vibrations, e.g. rumble strips; specially adapted for enforcing reduced speed, e.g. speed bumps
-
- E01F9/047—
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
- F03G7/08—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K7/00—Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
- H02K7/18—Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g. with turbines
- H02K7/1807—Rotary generators
- H02K7/1853—Rotary generators driven by intermittent forces
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
- Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
The energy generating device comprises an elastically deformable tubular element 12 for locating in a roadway 11 or adjacent a railway track and which forms part of an hydraulic circuit that includes a hydraulically driven generator which can be driven by fluid flowing within the circuit whenever a vehicle compresses the tubular member. The tubular element may be contained within an open-topped metallic housing 10 locatable below a road s surface, with the housing including flanges 14 and being formed from a number of interlocking sections. When used in association with a railway, the tubular element may be positioned below a striker pad which is pivotally mounted at one end and resiliently mounted at the other. The hydraulic circuit preferably includes a number of uni-directional valves and may include a number of tubular elements installed in a spaced apart and parallel fashion. Also claimed is a method for generating electricity.
Description
I
ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATION DEVICE
The �reerit inventiOn relates to. a device for generating ek*ctrical energy frqm the passage of road traffic or the passage of trains.
At presentj: arious fO:rmsQf remwab!e*energy generating schemes are in use or under development iWhkh: seek tO reduce carbon entsibhs and reduce our rehance on fossil fuels The object of the present invention is to seek to provide a device which enables the generation of electricity from the passage of traffic over road surfaces or the passage of trains along rail tracks According to the present invention there is provided an energy conversiOn device/unit, comprising an elastically deformable tubular member for installatIon in a road surface or adjacent a rail of a railway track, said tubular membei forming part of an hydraulic circuit and an electrical generator p,roded. in said. hydraulic: circuit d:riv:abie by the, passage of hydraulic luid around said: hydraulic circuit, to geneate. electricity, wherein hydraulic fluid contained within said hydraulic circuit is caused to circulate bhV the action of vehicles or trains passing over the elastically deformable tubular member Preferably, several such t:u:hular members may be arranged in a parallel arrangement in a road surface to increase the flow of hydraulic fluid around the hydraulic: circuit Furthet, prCférably said hydraUlic' circuit includes uni-dfte.ctional valves to determine the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid around said hydraulic circuit.
The present invention wiM now be described further With reference to the accompanying drawings in Whith Figure 1 illustrates the installation of the tubular member within a existing road surface; Figure 2 iI1Ut.ratbS a tubular unit c:f tIle prësènt:i'hve:rition particularly this is more for use when constructing new road surfaces Figure 3 illustrates a suitable coupling arrangement for coupling together lengths a fa frame for hous,. ingthetub:uarrnember of the present iVtibh' Figure 4 illustrates a parallel arrangement of the device of the present invention fOr drivin.g an electrical generator; Figure.5 iHustrates the installation of the tubular member adjacent a. rail of. a railway tradk; afld Figure 61s a side view of the arrangement of Figure.5.
The concept of the present inSntic.n. is to utilise the passage cf traffic over the roads, or railway tracks, to generate electricity as they pass ovor one or more hydraulic units of the present invention In a first embodiment such a hydraulic unit, suitable for installation in existing road surfaces, is shown in Figure 1 and comprises an open-topped housing 10 suitably of metal, which is installed into an existing road surface 11, within which at elasticafly deformable tubfl.r membeT 12. is. installed, Wh'ibh tubular member contains a suitable hydraulic fluid 13 and forms part of a hydraulic circuit including an electricity generating device such as a dynamo, which is powered by the passage'.of hydraulic fluid. around. the hydraulic cIrcuit.
The deformable tubular member 12 may be of any suitable material, but.. is' preferably an elastiCally defb.n:hJe plastics material, o.r rubber, which when located within the housing 10 located in the road 11, protrudes slightly above the road surface, so that whcn a vehicle passes over the unit, the tubular member 1.2' is. depressed, causing the. hydraulic fluid 13 contained within the tubular member 12 to be. dispiädèd. around the hydraulic circUit. To ensure a consistent direction ct ftoi around the hycirauJib circtht, srn�ie uni direçtipnal VaJVeS: ?P be incorporated therein. The metal housing 10 and tubular members 12 would extend acrossthe fuilwidth otthe road surface, i.e. both carriageways to maxirnise. the* amount of traffic which: would pass over each tubular rrie:mber 12, to thereby maximte the amou n t* offluid floW and : cOflS*e4:Uefltiy.teiarflOuht 0 electricity Q:enei3ted.
Preferab!y, a plurality of bank of such units would be provided in the road sthiace, ccnnected in paralls]within'the hydraulic circuitto madmi.se the fluid flow round the. circuit, when ih use. Thus, each time a vehicle passes over the. bank of tubular members 12, the hydraulic would flow around the hydraukc.oircuit and generate.alectdcity..
It is envisaged, that, since the. deflection of these tubUlar menU hers 12 by.a vehicle Will be noticeable to a dhver., iii order to rrlinirn.is:ê any discomfort caused to a driver passirg over such Units, such woUld probaly only be utilised on roads having relatively: OW speed limits., and could., for example., be combined with traffic calming measures: already employed on the roads, which would encourage drivers to slow down' hen entering lower sp*eed lini.it areas thereby serving a d.ua.l purpose.
It is a SO envisaged that the units could be differently dimensioncIdI for different speed zones, with larger units being utilised in a 30mph zone, when compared to a 50mph zone, which. would require the use of. smaller diameter units. to minimise disruption or disturbance at higher speeds.. Ideally, sUch unfts would be installed to hgh volume commuter roads, or for example on the slip roads of mctorways, although it would probably.be inappropriate for use on motorways themselves,.
Ideally,, such units would. be installed as a retro-fit tO ex'iS.ting roads in accordance With the arrangement of Figure 1 but when new roads are being corructed, then a ubFt as Shown WI Figure 2 may be rre uth:bIó for sucti a purpc:se: Ill that the housing I 0! pf:svQ can additionally fric!uce metal flanges 14 to secure such beneath the madstrface Ii.
When retr&fitting to existihg roads, in: brdr to minimise. di*Sru�tidh, the hietal hOUsing. 10, 111 can be made in short Sections s habling such to be installed firstly on one side of the carriageway and then subsequently on the other sid:e, of the carriageway, so that the road would not need to be closed completely' during installation of the metal housing 10, 1ff, whilst the inst&lätibn of the tubular merrher 12 could be readily iAtrtoduced by feeding sUch through the housing 101 10 without any fUdherrieed tb close, the road or each. carriageway. An example of how the rretai housings 1:0, W could be interconnected by a suitable male and' female connection is shown In Figure 3. EquaUy1, such an arrangement would allow for thermal expansion, or contraction, durirg hot or cold periods.
nee installed in a road surface 11, 1 1', the hydraulic circuit, can be completed, possibly incorporating a mantfold for ronibining the outputs of a bank or array cf such units in parallel and coupling such: to an electrical generating device 15, e g a dynamo, which may be safely located a distance from the road. The oUtput ct the electrical genëratft'ig devibe 15 may be connected,, With other similar devices from other banks of units into an electric connection system; which could be connected into the: national grid.
Alternatively, the output from such units: could be utilised locally to power sp,ecifi:c items, for exarnp:le, to:pbwet street. lighting, or illuminate traffic signs or the Uke, or for charging batteries which may be utthsed for powering such.
items.
This, the arrangement of the present invention provides a means for the gene:ratior'of electricity by the: passage of traffic over roads, the effect of which would have, minirna.l impact on the environment and, after baic
S
irst&iatión arid materials:IOst have been covErsd, �rôvida for Otig.oki relatively low cost electricity generatfon Of course the resihent deformable tubular member 12 will require occasional maintenance and replacement due to wear and tear, but it is believed that the overall benefits achieved will nevertheless provide a usable...am.ourt:of electricity at reilatively low ccst.
In a second embodiment, afurtherapplicatien of the invention is envIsaged for use on the railways. For such an arrangement, as shown in Fig 5, a hydraulic unit. 20 can b.e attached adjacent to the railway tracks 21, located en sleeper 21' such that each time a wheel 22 tram. th.e train depresses the elastically detorrrab.iO, tubular member 12 of Unit 20, hydraulic fluid iS Would he fOrced along the elastically defoimable tubular member 12, so that an electro-magnetic dynamo or other output device would then convert this energy into electilcity.
It is envisaged that the hydraulic unit 20 Would be attached to an existing track., which would keep disruption to a minimum and.wpy!d also', keep the installation bath simple and relatively inexpensive Since trains are extremely heavy., interfering with the inte.g:rfty of the existing track wculd be. uflwIse. However, because 0115 shape: of the wheel.22 Of' a train, which is designed so that the train stays on the tracks, the locating inner flange 23 of the wheel 22 can be utihsed to depress the hydraulic unit 20 placed alongside the rail track 21, Referring now to Ag 6 the flange 23 wheel 22 of the train would, for example, run over a metal stdker pad 24, which WOuld be.pivoted at one end 24'. As the wheel depresses the striker pad 24, it' compresses the hydraulic u.. nit 20, thus displacing the hydraulic fluid. At the other end of the striker pad 24 would be.a biasing means, such as a resilient pad or spring 25, which would re-set the strike.'r.p.ad 24 Oflce the train. w:heel:22 h passed over it.
As With the road installations, it envisaged the hydraulic units would be grouped together, so that several units would supply one electro--magnetic dynemo.
Ohe Obvious advantage: tO harhessThg. this ënërgy is that. trains normally consist of ençines, which then pull several carriages or goods wagons, each having several wheel sets and the hydraulic units would be activated by each wheel That p..ts:sad pver it, thus gMng muJtipk. units of electricity.
Claims (7)
- CLAIMS1. An energy conversion device/u nit, comprising, an elastDcally deformable tubular member for nistallation n a road surface or adjacent a reV of a,. railway track;,, said tubular member forming part of an.hydraulic circuit. and an ehctIricat generator provided iii said hydraulic circuit drivable by the passage of hydraulic fluid arouhd said hyclraulic:circuit, to generate electricity.wherein hydrauIic fluid contained within said hydraulic circ:ui,t is. cased to circulate by the action of vehicles or trains passing over the elastically deformable tubular member.
- 2. An energy conversion deviceiunit as: timed in. cia im 1 in which the: elastically deft rmable tubular member is contained within an open-topped housing which is securely located within the road surface.
- 3. An energy conversioi dèvicC/Unit: as. claimed in claim 2 in which the hoUsinç construted of metal.
- 4. An energy conversion device/Unit as claimed in cia im 2 Or 3: in which the housing: includes flanges securely locatable below the road surface to secure the, housing within the rOad s.uth.rce.
- 5'. An energy conversion devicelUnit as claimed in claim 1, jri which the elastically d,eformable tubular member is positioned adjacent a rail of a railway track and: is deformable by the action of the. flange a. wheel of a train passing over the elastically.deform.able tubular member..
- 6. An energy conversion device/unit as claimed in claim 5, in which a striker pad is p.OSit[Qfled. ovrsai:elasticafl.y deformable. tObufar member, said striker pad heig pivotally mounted at one end, so that when a wheel of a train engages the striker pad, the striker pad depresses the elastically,deformable tubular memt.e:r,
- 7. An energy conversion device/unit: as claimed in claim 6, in Which the striker pad:SE resiliently mounted at its, other ed so as to e-setthestriker pad after each depression.8.. An energy conversion deviceiunIt as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elastically deformable tubular member is constructed of a resilien:t plasic:s m:ate al 0.1 rubber.9.. An energy conversion device/unit:.a' claimed in any preced:irg claim in Which said hydraulic bircuit incorporates one or hiore.,uni-directi:Onal Valves to determine the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic circuit 10.. An energy conversion device/unit as clainied in St1 preceding claim ib Which a plurality: of elastically defOrh able tubular members are provided, arranged in parallel in said hydraulic circuit and installed spaced-apart in said road svrface 11. In energy conversion devlbe/unit in which the output of said electrical generator 5: connected to a variety of loCal. electricity cohsunlers inCluding treet lighting, or. illumihatOd sign, Otto stora'e bàttehes:1: Ct intO the national grid.12! A device as claimed in any preceding claim., when. dependent on claim 2 in which the housing for said tubular member s provided as interlocking sections to enable such to. be installed in sections to avoid the. need for CIQSII1.g. the road during instaUation.11 n. energy conversion device/unit as: claimed in Claim: 12 in which the housing sections!nclude complementary couplihg regions tb interlock adjacent sections of the housing,. vh ich further provide for thermal expansion and contraction..14.: A. method for generating electdcity comprising installing an elastically deform able tubular member' in a road Surface.. Or adjacent a rail, of a railway track; connectin:g said deformable tubu'lar'rnembem into an hydraulic circuit; installing' äñ hydraulically-driven electrid.a'l generator iii said hydraulic circuit; and generating electricity by the flow, of hydraulic fluid around' Sd hydraulic circuits caused by the action of vehicles. Or trains passing over said elastically d.efo.'rniabl.e tUbular member in said road surface or adjacent Said. rail..f a railway track 15.. An energy conversion device/unit substantially as herein before described, with reference to th.e accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1016668.4A GB2484284A (en) | 2010-10-04 | 2010-10-04 | Electrical energy generating device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1016668.4A GB2484284A (en) | 2010-10-04 | 2010-10-04 | Electrical energy generating device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201016668D0 GB201016668D0 (en) | 2010-11-17 |
| GB2484284A true GB2484284A (en) | 2012-04-11 |
Family
ID=43243463
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1016668.4A Withdrawn GB2484284A (en) | 2010-10-04 | 2010-10-04 | Electrical energy generating device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2484284A (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4339920A (en) * | 1980-06-27 | 1982-07-20 | Le Van Wayne P | Method and apparatus utilizing the weight of moving traffic to produce useful work |
| US4409489A (en) * | 1980-09-26 | 1983-10-11 | Hayes Thomas J | Road traffic actuated generator |
| US4418542A (en) * | 1981-02-04 | 1983-12-06 | Ferrell Robert D | Vehicular thoroughfares for power generation |
| US4739179A (en) * | 1987-03-17 | 1988-04-19 | Stites Howard A | System for generating power by vehicle movement and methods of constructing and utilizing same |
| US6376925B1 (en) * | 1998-10-05 | 2002-04-23 | Thomas P. Galich | Force stand for electrical energy producing platform |
| GB2448364A (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2008-10-15 | Alan Kelly | Inflatable speed bump or sleeping policeman with detector such that the speed bump inflates if an approaching vehicle is travelling too fast |
-
2010
- 2010-10-04 GB GB1016668.4A patent/GB2484284A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4339920A (en) * | 1980-06-27 | 1982-07-20 | Le Van Wayne P | Method and apparatus utilizing the weight of moving traffic to produce useful work |
| US4409489A (en) * | 1980-09-26 | 1983-10-11 | Hayes Thomas J | Road traffic actuated generator |
| US4418542A (en) * | 1981-02-04 | 1983-12-06 | Ferrell Robert D | Vehicular thoroughfares for power generation |
| US4739179A (en) * | 1987-03-17 | 1988-04-19 | Stites Howard A | System for generating power by vehicle movement and methods of constructing and utilizing same |
| US6376925B1 (en) * | 1998-10-05 | 2002-04-23 | Thomas P. Galich | Force stand for electrical energy producing platform |
| GB2448364A (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2008-10-15 | Alan Kelly | Inflatable speed bump or sleeping policeman with detector such that the speed bump inflates if an approaching vehicle is travelling too fast |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201016668D0 (en) | 2010-11-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |