Energy harvesting system for collecting energy from transportation infrastructures

Abstract

An energy harvesting device comprises a system for installation on or in a structure for transferring kinetic energy from a load e.g. vehicle moving across the structure to a pneumatic or hydraulic sy

Claims

28 04 251. A device for installation within or on a structure for transferring kinetic energy from a load moving across the structure to a pneumatic or hydraulic system, the device comprising at least two adjacent rockers, each rocker having an upper surface for passage of the load with at least one cradle supporting the rockers within or on the structure, wherein each rocker is pivotally and slidably mounted to at least one of each other or the cradle, the at least one cradle housing at least one compressible pneumatic or hydraulic pipe disposed between the rockers and the at least one cradle, wherein application of a moving load to the upper surface of the rockers provide a rolling motion on the at least one compressible pneumatic or hydraulic pipe disposed between the rockers and the at least one cradle.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the rocker inclines upwardly in a direction of movement of the load.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rocker has substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, both being inclined upwardly in the intended direction of movement of the load, the rocker having at least one slot between the upper and lower surfaces for pivotal and slidable connection to the at least one cradle, with at least one pipe being provided below the lower surface.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rocker is substantially U-shaped comprising two substantially parallel legs connected by a body portion, the legs being separated by a recess and each having a vertical slot, the rocker having a rear member extending from the body portion, the rear member including a corresponding slot.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front recess is of a similar dimension to the rear member to enable the recess of one rocker to receive the rear member of an adjacent rocker, the slots of the legs of one rocker aligning with the slot through the rear member of an adjacent rocker.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein at least the upper, preferably the upper and lower surfaces of the legs, curve upwardly to provide a rocking or cam surface.

7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two rockers are pivotally connected to each other and slidably mounted to the cradle.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each rocker is configured to mate with the adjacent rocker and a pivot point is provided between the mating parts.28 04 259. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pivotally mounted mating parts each has an arcuate surface to aid rotation with respect to each other.

10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each rocker is separately slidably connected to the cradle.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a central slot is provided through each rocker for passage of a pin connected to the cradle, the slot allowing a predefined amount of vertical movement of the rocker with respect to the cradle.

12. The device as claimed in any one of claims 8to 11, wherein each rocker has a main body having an upper section, a base, side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the front wall is convex and includes a recess flanked by cylindrical arms with a bore extending through each of the arms, and the rear wall is concave and includes a substantially cylindrical central portion having a central bore, the recess and the central portion forming the mating parts of adjacent rockers.

13. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle has a base and side walls extending upwardly therefrom, preferably wherein the side walls are substantially parallel, the base supporting the at least one compressible pneumatic or hydraulic pipe and the side walls of the cradle providing a pivoting and / or sliding connection to the at least one rocker of the adjacent rockers.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each side wall of the cradle has a bore for receiving a pin that pivotally connects the rocker to the cradle.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein a vertical slot is provided in each side wall of the cradle and a pin is provided through the slots of the cradle and the rocker to enable slidable movement of the rocker with respect to the cradle.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the vertical slot is a height that is sufficient to provide enough compression of the pipe beneath, preferably being at least 25mm in length, more preferably wherein the length of the slot is substantially equal to the diameter of the pipe.

17. The device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the base of the cradle is configured to provide two parallel longitudinal troughs running along each side of the base for housing the compressible pipe.

18. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein multiple adjacent rockers are provided in a single or multiple cradles to provide a longitudinal surface track for passage of the load, the least one compressible pneumatic or hydraulic pipe being supported along the longitudinal surface beneath the rockers and wherein adjacent rockers are configured to interconnect to provide rolling compression of the pipe as the load travels along the longitudinal surface.

19. An energy harvesting system comprising at least one device according to any one of the preceding claims installed within a structure, the at least one compressible pneumatic or hydraulic pipe being connected to a turbine and generator.

20. The energy harvesting system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the structure is a road or pavement.

21. The energy harvesting system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the structure is a car park or entrance to a car park.28 04 25

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