System and method for generating and storing wind-derived energy

Abstract

A system (1) for collecting wind energy from a passing vehicle (2), storing energy and generating electricity using the energy. The thrust of the wind originating from the passing vehicle (2) is captured by one or more individual sails, panels or blades (3) to produce a reciprocating motion. The reciprocating motion is used to actuate one or more pumps (4), whereby the pumps pump up the fluid, bringing the fluid into the upper reservoir (6), generating and storing potential energy. Fluid can be allowed to flow back to the lower reservoir (5) immediately or at a delayed time, and this flow can drive one or more turbines (7) or generate electricity. Wind generated by passing automobiles is stored as potential energy and used for generating electricity immediately or in a delayed time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of power generation, in particular to the field of power generation using wind power. Background Art

[0002] Harnessing wind to produce useful work is an old idea, much older than harnessing electricity to produce useful work. With the rise of electricity, a lot of thought has been given to harnessing wind to produce electricity, with mixed results. There are some fundamental problems. Natural winds occur irregularly, with varying strengths, from different directions, and are difficult to accurately predict for more than a few hours or days. Generally, days with high winds do not coincide with days with high electricity demand. In addition, people generally do not want to build large wind farms in residential areas because of noise and other considerations. Large wind farms can also kill birds. One way to address some of these issues is to build wind farms where there is naturally wind, such as offshore. However, this increases the cost of building a wind farm. Maintenance also becomes more difficult. In addition, the electricity must be transported over long distances, adding to the cost and maintenance of long cables.

[0003] Many of these problems can be avoided by not relying on naturally occurring wind, but instead using the airflow of cars passing through, preferably through a tunnel. The flow of cars through a tunnel varies, but is more regular and predictable than wind. People don't live in traffic tunnels, so no neighbors are disturbed by factories, and factories may make less noise than traffic. Traffic tunnels and other heavily trafficked roads are often located near or in densely populated areas, so the power doesn't need to be transported very far. Heavy trafficked roads are also easily accessible, reducing the cost of construction and maintenance.

[0004] However, some problems remain. High traffic density does not usually occur at the same time as high demand for electricity. Quite the contrary, when people are in their cars, they are off the grid and cannot consume electricity from the grid. What is needed is a solution that allows the wind energy generated by passing cars to be collected in some practical way combined with some form of energy storage, and to transmit this energy as electricity to the grid at a delayed time (perhaps several hours later). This storage method should have moderate cost and maintenance, be environmentally friendly (not only in a global sense, but also in the sense of not having adverse effects on the local environment), and generally more practical and economical than, for example, a bunch of batteries.

[0005] US9212653 is a device for generating electricity from wind power, for example at an airport runway, for powering a turbine driving a propeller, and having a generator which is actuated in response to wind originating from a vehicle such as an aircraft. This actuates a hydraulic cylinder which pumps hydraulic fluid under pressure and stores the hydraulic fluid in an accumulator reservoir. There is nothing in the invention about storing the collected energy unless it is required. Although the patent does mention "storage", it is in a different sense. As stated in

[0020] , "when an optimum pressure level is reached, a quantity of hydraulic fluid is released to power the hydraulic generator", i.e. in the context of the present invention, storage is for optimum efficiency of the device, not for storing energy to last for hours or days.

[0006] US7964984 is a power generation system for use in removal monitoring (such as a weather monitoring system). Therefore, the purpose of the system is not to generate electricity for the grid, but to generate electricity for self-generation. The patent does disclose a system that uses intermittent wind from passing vehicles to actuate a reciprocating device. In

[0009] it is described that "the system includes a power generation device carried by a frame, the power generation device being adapted to be actuated when the panel reciprocates, thereby generating electricity for use by a power consumption, storage or transmission device." However, other than mentioning batteries as a possibility in

[0038] , there is no description of a power storage device.

[0007] WO2014094680 is also a power generation system that solves the problem of generating power for a device, in particular a lamp, rather than for the grid. The patent discloses a system for utilizing wind from a passing train, and the patent also discloses a system for storing energy for use in a lamp, first as mechanical energy in a flywheel and then as electrical energy in a battery. The patent does not feature an energy storage system in the context of the present invention.

[0008] WO2014094672 is a power generation device for generating electricity, rather than for a specific device. The power generation device uses suction from a high-speed train to actuate reciprocating panels, suspending the liquid through a hydraulic motor driving a generator. However, there is no device for storing energy in the context of the current invention.

[0009] CN202645863U is a Chinese utility model that describes using wind from a passing vehicle to actuate a wing to reciprocate, which is then converted into rotational motion for power generation. No system for storing energy is mentioned.

[0010] CN207145144U is another Chinese utility model. This utility model describes a system for collecting electricity, storing electricity and generating electricity. The system is a wind turbine that causes a piston pump to pump water to a storage tower. The water can then be converted into electricity. However, the system uses natural wind and turbines instead of using an actuator and wind from a passing vehicle.

[0011] CN212155070U is another Chinese utility model. This utility model describes a water-lifting device driven by wind. However, the water-lifting device is not driven by wind from a passing vehicle, but by natural wind.

[0012] WO2020187211 is a pumping device that uses a windmill to drive a piston assembly to pump gas or liquid. The purpose of the pumping device is not to generate electricity. The pumping device uses a windmill that is a natural energy source, rather than a reciprocating device driven by a passing vehicle.

[0013] None of these inventions meet the need for a solution that allows for some practical, convenient and relatively inexpensive way to collect wind energy generated by passing cars combined with some form of energy storage and transmit that energy as electricity to the grid at a delayed time. Summary of the invention

[0014] The solution to this problem is to capture the wind generated by the passing vehicle with one or more separate sails, boards or blades. This causes a reciprocating motion in one or more separate sails, boards or blades. The actuating motion is used to actuate one or more pumps (4), which pump the fluid into the upper reservoir against gravity. This generates potential energy. The potential energy of the water can be released immediately or at a later time by allowing the fluid to flow back into the lower reservoir under the action of gravity. This flow can then be used to drive one or more turbines to generate electricity.

[0015] Benefits of this solution include:

[0016] This wind source is reliable and predictable compared to conventional wind turbines. Unlike conventional wind turbines, this solution works when there is little natural wind and also works when there is strong natural wind (conventional wind turbines need to shut down at winds of about 22m / s or more).

[0017] Furthermore, not relying on natural wind means that the solution does not need to be placed in windy locations. These locations are often difficult to reach, such as at height or at sea. The invention works best in easily accessible places with heavy traffic. Easy access means lower costs for building installation and maintenance, and less impact on the environment. According to various data published online by Wind Turbines, the maintenance cost of a single 2-4MW wind turbine is $42,000-48,000 per year. Furthermore, the sheer height of conventional turbines is itself a problem and a hazard. The present invention can be closer to the ground.

[0018] Unlike conventional wind turbines, the present invention is less likely to injure or kill birds because the present invention is placed in high traffic areas and does not move as quickly or with as much force as the blades of conventional wind turbines.

[0019] Energy storage systems can be made of environmentally friendly materials, especially when compared to large battery banks.

[0020] The storage system can store energy for long periods of time with little loss. If water is stored, there may be some loss due to evaporation, but this may be made up by rain or snow.

[0021] Pumping can be done over long distances (the turbines and the fluid pumping can also be at considerable heights relative to each other), thus avoiding transmission networks, which have high construction and maintenance costs, pose risks to the health of the living world, and the areas under and around the network become almost impossible to use.

[0022] Since the present invention has a modest initial investment and low maintenance cost compared to wind and solar energy, the present invention is expected to have a faster return on investment.

[0023] The system of the present invention is more reliable and produces approximately equal amounts of electricity in each season. This compares favorably with solar energy in temperate to cold climates, where solar energy is produced primarily in the summer and energy is required primarily in the winter for heating.

[0024] Space immediately adjacent to roads is generally not desirable for residential or living space, so unlike wind or solar power, space immediately adjacent to roads does not take up space needed for living, recreation, agriculture, or other purposes.

[0025] Unlike conventional wind turbines, the system of the present invention is less likely to be struck by lightning. The present invention can allow turbines and other power generation devices to be placed away from other components, increasing fire safety.

[0026] Existing natural lakes can also be used as reservoirs for the system of the present invention.

[0027] In areas where temperatures are often lower, antifreeze additives may be used, and some equipment may be installed underground or insulated to protect against freezing.

[0028] Brief description of the attached figure

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing wind from passing vehicles being collected for storage in an upper reservoir.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic but more detailed view showing how the actuation motion is performed to pump water which can be used to generate electricity.

[0031] Figure 3 An example of what a plate, blade or sail might look like that captures the wind from a passing vehicle and converts the captured wind into reciprocating motion is shown. Figure 3 The board, blade or sail in Figure 2 The same as the board, blade or sail in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Description of the accompanying drawings:

[0033] 1: System, the present invention as a whole

[0034] 2: Passing vehicles that generate wind

[0035] 3: A single sail, board, or blade (3) in reciprocating motion (as opposed to the multiple blades in a propeller or turbine)

[0036] 4: Pump for pumping fluid

[0037] 5: Lower reservoir for storing fluid

[0038] 6: Upper reservoir for storing fluid and potential energy

[0039] 7: Turbines for power generation

[0040] exist Figure 1In the diagram, we see how the boards or sails are suspended from above, one sail is placed directly above the vehicle and one sail is placed to the side. These boards or sails move under the influence of the airflow of the passing vehicle. The sails should be placed as close as possible to the movement of the vehicle in both of them (as close as traffic safety and traffic regulations allow). The width of the sails, boards or blades should be about 2.5-3m, about the width of the road, but it is best determined by aerodynamic experts, and should be built so as not to hinder the movement of traffic in the same or opposite direction of another lane. In summary, we can say: the force of the air during the movement of the vehicle hitting the sail must always be greater than the friction of the air in the rest of the sail behind it. The distance between the sails should be large enough not to hinder the mutual movement of the sails. The height of the sails should be installed where the wind force originating from the vehicle hits more strongly, and the size of the sails should be adapted to the area where the wind originating from the vehicle hits more strongly. Even for a roadside sail, which captures more wind from smaller vehicles (if placed in a lane to move small vehicles quickly, small vehicles are less efficient with a tall sail due to distance), a large vehicle can almost hit both sails, but not at the same time, and sails should not be placed on the same axis unless the vehicle is the same distance from the sail above and beside it, such as in a train.

[0041] In this embodiment, the pump may be a piston pump.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is also possible to run with a load small enough to hit the internal piston so that it rubs against its cylinder (gravity allows the sail to return to the vertical position after the impact), but the inlet-outlet connection of the fluid must be changed, and the load material can be made of recyclable heavy metals, discarded batteries or recyclable batteries (if the batteries do not cause pollution), concrete, etc. The water pipe can be made of recyclable plastic if it can withstand high pressure. The load should be semi-elliptical at the top.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In the diagram we show a sail, but it can also be a board or slab made of a lightweight material, alloy or plastic wrapped in a windproof material or similar. This structure is mechanically connected to a shaft moving in bearings, reciprocating, and on the other hand can be used to pump fluids by pulling a certain load in the direction opposite to gravity to pull the metal rope back and forth.

[0044] exist Figure 2 In the case of loads, if construction conditions permit, loads and pistons can be installed under the object. For example, if we have to install 5 pistons on both sides of an object (10 pistons), if we have space under the object, we can install only 5 of them, i.e. 50% fewer pistons. This form of load reduces investment costs.

[0045] If there are 2 or more high-raised posts and a wider sail can be placed on 2 or more spindles in the same direction, the width and height of the sail should be as large as possible.

[0046] The contact surface of the sail with the wind should be as large as possible, and the shape of the sail should be such that the friction between the sail and the wind is as great as possible. In order to catch as much wind as possible, the sail should be built as high as possible and at Figure 2 The two individual struts in the ' also have as large a surface area as possible between them, i.e. as large a width as possible. The materials used should be as light as possible, for which materials such as carbon fiber for the struts may be useful. The area between the struts may be of fabric material (which may even be recyclable). It is important that this area is impermeable to air. If technical conditions permit, the possibility of capturing wind direction should be considered. In order to save weight, the material should be as thin as possible without making the structure fragile and susceptible to wear. We can imagine Figure 2 The sail in a sloop is placed on a pivotable shaft to allow the sail to turn to catch wind from different directions.

[0047] In many ways, tunnels are the most suitable place to install the system, but we can easily imagine other places as well. Regular roads, roads without tunnels, are obvious alternatives. The system could perhaps be installed on large ferries (for the needs of ferries), since we always have water and possibly even strong winds, and the system could also be installed under bridges. Figure 2 An important aspect is that when the system is installed in areas where turbulent winds exceed 80km / h, or we should try to capture continuous winds at high altitudes in each area.

[0048] According to our proposed solution, the plate will perform a reciprocating movement even at low wind speeds. The movement must be performed at an angle so that the load allows us to turn the blade to its previous position, i.e. vertical position, where the wind hits the plate with greater force.

[0049] The amount of fluid that rises and its height depends on several factors:

[0050] Wind speed,

[0051] The blades are lightest but resistant to wind.

[0052] The blade surface in contact with the air is as large as possible,

[0053] the ratio between the height of the board and the short arm below the shaft to which the rope is tied,

[0054] The size of the piston and its shape (longer pistons are more efficient because the same load is used to pump a larger amount of fluid), etc.

[0055] These facilities are easy to build, have low cost, and can also be built from recyclable materials, which can be used in these components when possible. Natural lakes can be used to store water (potential energy) to be developed as needed, and the present invention operates using the same amount of water, and can also use rainwater or wastewater after treatment in corresponding factories.

[0056] The system can also be integrated with one or more electrically powered devices, such as those used in road tunnels. The device can be a night light, an emergency light, a data sharing beacon as part of a mesh network, an emergency signal beacon, a commercial display with lightning, a CO 2 Scavengers, air purifiers, wildlife cleaners (such as speakers), especially bird cleaners.

[0057] The term "fluid" as used in the claims means a flowing substance, i.e. a liquid or a gas. Water is the obvious choice of fluid, being cheap and readily available. However, other fluids are possible and may be advantageous, particularly in systems where fluid losses are small. Heavier fluids allow more energy to be stored. Fluids with lower freezing points eliminate or reduce the problem of water freezing at low temperatures. Even if water is used, it should not be assumed that this is just water. Additives may be useful, such as antifreeze, to prevent freezing below zero degrees Celsius.

[0058] As mentioned, with this idea you could pump everything that goes into the piston, possibly even gases like air, although this might not be practical except in special cases. One such special case might be from the coast in an area with strong winds or in an area with generally low winds to a reservoir below the turbine, then with the help of a device that would make the water rise under air pressure and store it as potential energy (if we don't convert it into potential energy of water, we can't save the air). The reason is that if it is a large amount of water that we already use for energy production, it would only be cost-effective to combine it with a river, ocean or something else and return to the place of pumping (if the distance is long), but pumping air over short distances is not worth implementing.

[0059] The word "individual" such as in "individual sails, panels or blades" should be interpreted as opposed to several blades in a turbine or propeller. The word should not be interpreted to mean that there can be only one sail, panel or blade. The phrase should also not be interpreted as the sails, panels or blades being physically completely separate (e.g., in separate spaces or far apart).

[0060] The phrase "pumping the fluid against gravity to generate potential energy" used in claim 1 should not be interpreted as meaning that the fluid moves only in an upward (against gravity) direction.

[0061] The words "immediately or at a delayed time allowing the fluid to flow out of the upper reservoir under the action of gravity" and the words "when the fluid flows from the upper reservoir (6) to the lower reservoir (5) under the action of gravity, it is driven to generate electricity by the flow of the fluid" in claim 1 should be interpreted as a choice of whether to generate electricity now or at a delayed time. This is an important feature of the present invention, namely the ability to generate electricity when needed at a delayed time. Of course, this choice is subject to practical limitations. If the upper reservoir is full, there may be a situation of "using the upper reservoir or removing the upper reservoir". In addition, the "selection" is not necessarily made directly by a person, and it is usually preferred to use some kind of automatic system.

[0062] The term "substantially water" as used in claim 3 means that it is mostly water, but may not be 100% pure. The water may contain some additives, such as antifreeze, and unintentional impurities may also be present.

[0063] Many different embodiments are disclosed herein in conjunction with the above description and the accompanying drawings. Features of these embodiments may be combined. It should be understood that literally describing and illustrating every combination and sub-combination of these embodiments is overly repetitive and confusing. Therefore, all embodiments may be combined in any manner and / or combination, and this specification including the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as supporting claims for any such combination or sub-combination.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described above. In addition, unless otherwise mentioned above, it should be noted that all drawings are not drawn to scale. Various modifications and variations may be made according to the above teachings without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (1) for capturing wind energy and storing the captured energy in the form of potential energy and generating electricity, characterized in that The system comprises: one or more separate sails, panels or blades (3) adapted to produce reciprocating motion using the thrust of wind from a passing vehicle (2), one or more pumps (4) adapted to utilize the reciprocating motion to actuate the pump to pump fluid against gravity, thereby generating potential energy, an upper reservoir (6) adapted to receive the fluid pumped against gravity and to store the fluid and to allow the fluid to flow out of the upper reservoir under the action of gravity either immediately or at a delayed time, a lower reservoir (5) adapted to store the fluid, to allow the fluid to be pumped from the lower reservoir against gravity, and to receive the fluid when, either immediately or at a later time, the fluid is allowed to flow back to the lower reservoir under the action of gravity, and One or more turbines (7) adapted to be driven by the flow of the fluid as it flows from the upper reservoir (6) to the lower reservoir (5) under the action of gravity to generate electricity.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fluid is a liquid.

3. The system (1) according to claim 2, further characterized in that the liquid is essentially water.

4. The system (1) according to claim 3, further characterized in that at least one of the lower reservoir (5) and the upper reservoir (6) is a reservoir for storing water, such as a natural lake or an artificial reservoir existing in situ before installing the system.

5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the one or more separate sails, panels or blades (3) is positioned substantially above the passing vehicle (2).

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the one or more separate sails, panels or blades (3) is positioned substantially alongside the passing vehicle (2).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The passing vehicle is located on one or more roads, the one or more roads having travel lanes and the travel lanes having boundaries, and at least one of the one or more individual sails, boards or blades (3) is substantially positioned so that the nearest boundary of the nearest travel lane is 2-4 meters away from the nearest part of the sail, board or blade (3).

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: There are at least two separate sails, boards or blades (3), and the at least two separate sails, boards or blades are not placed on the same rotating shaft.

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more individual sails, panels or blades (3) are positioned substantially within the road tunnel.

10. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pumped fluid flows in a pipe which is at least partially made of recyclable plastic, preferably wherein the weight percentage of recyclable material is at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, most preferably at least 50%.

11. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sail, board or blade (3) comprises a textile material, such as a textile material mounted on a frame made of a non-textile material.

12. The system (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The textile material is at least partially made of recycled material, preferably, wherein the weight percentage of recycled material in the textile material is at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, most preferably at least 50%.

13. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more pumps (4) are piston pumps.

14. A method for capturing and storing wind energy and generating electricity, characterized in that: The method uses a system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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