Electrical generation device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical generation device. In particular, the invention relates to a generator system and a method of generating electrical power. The generator system includes rollers spaced apart to receive at least one driven wheel of a vehicle in circumferential contact with the rollers. An electrical generator is mechanically connected in direct drive to one of the rollers to generate electrical power from the rotation of the vehicle's wheel. The invention extends to a method of generating electrical power, which includes providing the generator system, installing at least one driven wheel onto the rollers, operating the vehicle to rotate the wheel and the rollers, and controlling the rotational speed of the driven wheel to achieve a predefined electrical output from the generator.

Description

[0001] ELECTRICAL GENERATION DEVICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to an electrical generation device. In particular, the invention relates to a generator system and a method of generating electrical power.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy is known and commonly applied to produce an alternative / renewable source of electricity. More specifically, the conversion of rotational motion of a vehicle’s driven wheels into electrical energy, which circumvents dependency on natural elements such as wind and sunlight, used for wind - and solar powered electrical generation, respectively.

[0006] The inventor is aware of existing techniques through which electrical energy is harvested from rotational kinetic energy of a vehicle’s wheels and has identified a novel and sustainable solution to optimize such techniques.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a generator system, which includes rollers spaced apart to receive at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels thereon, the vehicle's at least one wheel being in circumferential contact with the rollers; and an electrical generator, mechanically connected in direct drive fashion to one of the rollers.

[0009] The generator system may include a ratchet mechanism connected onto at least one of the rollers, in use to lock the at least one of the rollers in position to permit a vehicle to find traction on the rollers when the vehicle is to be removed from the rollers. The generator system may include friction reducing components onto which opposing ends of the rollers are connected, the arrangement defining a supporting structure for the rollers.

[0010] The friction reducing components may be in the form of any one of plumber blocks, bearings, or the like.

[0011] The generator system may include a controller connected to the electrical generator, operable to disconnect electrical power when any one of the voltage, the frequency and the current of alternating current electricity being generated by the electrical generator is outside of predefined limits.

[0012] The controller may be in the form of an electrical controller or mechanical controller.

[0013] The controller may include a monitoring module connected to the electrical generator, the monitoring module operable to monitoring either or both realtime data and historical data of the electrical generator. The data may include the voltage, the frequency and the current of alternating current electricity being generated by the electrical generator.

[0014] The monitoring module may include a wireless communication module operable to communicate with a remote device by transmitting monitored data to the remote device and to receive instructions from the remote device, the instructions including switching the electrical generator on or off.

[0015] The generator may include an automated voltage regulator connected to the electrical generator operable to control the output voltage from the generator system.

[0016] The generator system may include a shock absorption system connected between the at least one of the rollers and the electrical generator, in use to absorb a shock between a generator axis and at least one of the rollers. The surfaces of the rollers may be of a high friction formation or a high friction coating to restrict slippage between the vehicle's wheels and the rollers.

[0017] The generator system may include a safety mechanism operable to restrict inadvertent movement of the vehicle, when in use.

[0018] In one embodiment, the safety mechanism may be in the form of a bar or rope extending over a portion of the vehicle, in use. For example, the safety mechanism may be a bar or rope extending from the rollers upward over a vehicle to restrict inadvertent movement of the vehicle.

[0019] The safety mechanism may be rigid or adjustable.

[0020] The generator system may include a guide mechanism, which in use, is operable to align at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels at right angles relative to the rollers. The guide mechanism may be linearly disposed on opposing sides of the rollers.

[0021] In use, the generator system may be mobile or fixed to a surface.

[0022] The generator system may include a non-slippage means disposed on a bottom contact surface thereof, in order to prevent slippage between the electrical generator and an operating surface, when in use.

[0023] The invention extends to a method of generating electrical power, which includes providing a generator system as described; installing at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels onto the rollers of the generator; running the vehicle to drive the at least one driven wheels; and controlling the speed of the vehicle's at least one driven wheels to achieve a predefined output from the electrical generator. The predefined output of the electrical generator may be defined by the frequency, voltage, and current being generated by the electrical generator.

[0024] The step of providing the generator system may include connecting two or more electrical generators together, in either a parallel or series configuration.

[0025] The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures:

[0026] FIGURE(S)

[0027] In the figure(s):

[0028] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional right-side view of a generator in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional left-side view of the generator;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional detailed view of the generator;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional detailed view of a safety mechanism of the generator;

[0032] Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional detailed view of a shock absorption system of the generator, in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

[0033] Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional detailed view of a shock absorption system of the generator, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

[0034] Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional right-side view of the generator, in-use with a vehicle in the form of a car;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a front view of the in-use view of the generator, in use;

[0036] Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional left view of the generator, in use with a vehicle in the form of a scooter, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

[0037] Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional right view of the generator; and Figure 11 shows a three-dimensional detailed view of the generator.

[0038] In the figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the Figures reference numeral 10 refers to a generator system, which includes rollers (12, 14) spaced apart to receive a vehicle’s (16) driven wheels (16.1) thereon, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. In use, the vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1) are in circumferential contact with the rollers (12, 14), whereby a clockwise rotation of the wheels (16.1 ) results in the rollers (12, 14) to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction. In another example, not shown, a high friction belt is wrapped around the rollers (12, 14) to form a conveyor system. Furthermore, an electrical generator (18) is mechanically connected in direct drive fashion, in this example, on one side of the roller (12).

[0040] In the example of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, the vehicle (16) used is a Nissan Xtrail. In the example of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 11 , the vehicle (16) used is a Vespa scooter.

[0041] The surfaces (12, 14) of the rollers are provided with a high friction coating (12.1 , 14.1), respectively, to restrict slippage between the vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1 ) and the rollers (12, 14), when in use. Furthermore, two ramps (15) are provided to allows for the vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1) to be driven onto the rollers (12, 14).

[0042] The generator system (10) includes friction reducing components (20) onto which opposing ends of the rollers (12,14) are connected. This arrangement defines a supporting structure for the rollers (12,14). It is to be appreciated that, the supporting structure and the electrical generator (18) are disposed onto a rack (19).

[0043] In this example, the friction reducing components (20) includes a pair of plumber blocks (20.1 , 20.2, and 20.3, 20.4) connected to the opposing ends of the rollers (12, 14), of which each pair of plumber blocks (20.1 , 20.2 and 20.3, 20.4) are enclosed within housings (22, 24), respectively, disposed onto the rack (19). Furthermore, the friction reducing component (20) includes two bearings (20.5, 20.6) mounted onto the rack (19) at a midpoint of the rollers (12, 14), which bearings (20.5, 20.6) are enclosed with a housing (26). In use, the bearings (20.5, 20.6) eliminate resonance of the rollers (12, 14). The generator system (10) includes a non-slippage means (not shown) disposed on a bottom contact surface of the rack (19), in order to prevent slippage between the generator system (10) and an operating surface, when in use. In this example, the non-slippage means is in the form of a durable rubber mat.

[0044] The generator system (10) includes a ratchet mechanism operable to engage with the rear roller (12), which in use permits the wheels (16.1) to find traction on the rear roller (12) when the vehicle (16) is to be removed from the rollers (12, 14) by restricting rotation of the rear roller (12) in an opposite direction.

[0045] The rachet mechanism includes a lever (30) of which one end (30.1) is pivotably connected to the rack (19) and an opposing end (30.2) includes a handle (32) whereby an operator (not shown) ofthe generator system (10) can manually move the lever (30) between a disengaged and engaged position.

[0046] The lever (30) is in the form of a planar plate and is substantially V- shaped, of which a vertex portion (30.3) thereof is shaped and dimensioned to engage with a slot (12.2) disposed on the rear roller (12). In use, when the operator pulls the lever (30) backwards (disengaged orientation as shown in Figure 4), the roller (12) is operable to rotate freely, as shown in Figure 4, however, when the lever (30) is pushed forward and the vertex portion (30.3) is lodged within the slot (12.2) (engaged orientation) it would prevent the roller (12) from rotating. In use, the lever (30) is automatically engaged when the vehicle (16) is reversed, causing the rear roller (12) to turn in a clockwise direction.

[0047] It to be appreciated that, the engaged orientation allows for the vehicle (16) to be reversed from the rollers (12, 14) as a result of the roller (12) being locked and thereby providing traction for the wheels (16.1) of the vehicle (16).

[0048] The generator system (10) includes a shock absorption system connected between the rear roller (12) and the electrical generator (18), in use to absorb a shock between the electrical generator’s (18) axis (not shown) and the rear roller (12). In use, the shock absorption system will ensure that a shock imposed onto the rear roller (12) is absorbed, in order to prevent the vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1) from losing traction on the rollers (12, 14).

[0049] In one example, as shown in Figure 5, the shock absorption system includes a disk (40) and a plurality of tensions springs (42), of which one end of the springs (42) is attached to an outer periphery of the disk (40) and an opposing end thereof is attached to a nut shaped support (44). Resulting in the springs (42) to be radially arranged within the disk (40).

[0050] In another example, as shown in Figure 6, the shock absorption system includes a disk (46) and a flat spiral spring (48), of which a first end of the spring (48) is attached to a centrally portion of the disk (46), and a second end attached is to an outer periphery of the disk (46).

[0051] In use, when a high load electrical appliance is switched on, the immediate rotational resistance that the alternator experience, will induce a rotational shock on the rear roller. This might cause slippage of the vehicle’s wheels on the rear roller. The shock absorption system will reduce the immediate impact on the rear roller for at least 2 to 5 seconds for the wheels not to slip. The end result will be a normal controlling system which will first reduce this impact, then overcompensate by making the rear roller go a bit too fast for a short period and so on, until the control system is stable again. The AVR mechanism on the alternator is therefore required to manage these temporarily over- and under voltages

[0052] Furthermore, the generator system (10) includes a safety mechanism (50) operable to restrict the vehicle (16) from inadvertent movement, when in use. In this example, the safety mechanism (50) is adjustable and comprises of vertical bars (52, 54) extending from the housings (22, 24) upward and two spaced apart horizontal bars (56, 58) extending between the bars (52, 54) at a top end thereof.

[0053] For certain vehicle types, like the vehicle (16) shown in Figure 1 to 8, the bars (52, 54) include a height adjustment arrangement mechanism (52.1 , 54.1) through which the bars (56, 58) can be lowered or raised, in accordance with the allowable wheel travel. In use, the bars (56, 58) are raised to a height to allow for the vehicle’s (16) bonnet (16.2) to be positioned underneath the bar (56). Thereafter, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the bars (56, 58) are lowered until the bar (56) is in contact with the vehicle’s (16) bonnet (16.2), in order to restrict upward movement of the bonnet (16.2) exceeding the allowable wheel travel of the vehicle (16), when in use. It should be appreciated that the bar (56) Includes a protective sleeve (56.1), in the form of a sponge layer, capable of preventing the bar (56) from damaging (i.e., scratching) the bonnet (16.2).

[0054] The generator system (10) includes a guide mechanism in the form of rollers (60, 62) arranged on the housings (22, 24), respectively, which in use is operable to align the driven wheels (16.1 ) at right angles relative to the rollers (12, 14) and to protection the plumber blocks (20.1 , 20.2, 20.3, 20.4). In use, the rollers (60, 62) being operable to push the vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1) back onto the rollers (12, 14) when the wheels (16.1) make contact with the rollers (60, 62). In one embodiment, the rollers (60, 62) may be split to accommodate the downward and upward movement of the wheels' (16.1) circumference.

[0055] The electrical generator (18) is enclosed in a housing (28) and includes an electrical controller (18.1), in the form of an automated circuit breaker, operable to disconnect electrical power when any one of the voltage, the frequency and the current of alternating current being generated by the electrical generator (18) is outside of predefined limits. The electric controller will automatically re-connect the electrical power once the voltage, frequency or current is the pre-defined parameters.

[0056] In this example, the electrical generator (18) includes an automated voltage regulator (not shown) operable to ensure that the frequency and the voltage are within the predefined parameters. The regulator will disconnect when the voltage or frequency is outside the predefined parameters and will reconnect when that are within the parameters.

[0057] The electrical controller (18.1) includes a monitoring module (not shown) operable to monitor either or both real-time data and historical data of the electrical generator (18). It is to be appreciated that the data to be monitored by the monitoring module includes the voltage, the frequency and the current of alternating current electricity being or generated by the electrical generator (18).

[0058] The monitoring module includes a wireless communication module (not shown) operable to allow for the monitored data to be transmitted to a remote device (not shown) and to allow for the remote device to instruct the electrical controller to switch the electrical generator (18) on or off.

[0059] Furthermore, the electrical generator (18) includes an electrical output socket (18.2) through which the electricity generated by the electrical generator (18) is to be supplied, for example, a household.

[0060] In use, and shown in Figures 7 and 8, in order to generate electrical power with the generator system (10), the electrical generator (18) is switched on and a vehicle’s (16) wheels (16.1) are driven via the ramps (15) onto the rollers (12, 14). Thereafter, the rotational speed of the wheels (16.1) is increased to a specific traveling speed, during which the vehicle’s (16) transmission is retained in a gear optimal for fuel consumption. Upon reaching the traveling speed, the speed is kept constant by means of the vehicle’s (16) cruise control system, resulting in the rear roller (12) to rotate at exactly 3000 rpm at 50 hertz, being an optimized condition for a ratio between fuel consumption and electrical power generated by the generator system (10). Whereby, the rotation of the wheels (16.1) results in the rollers (12, 14) to rotated and importantly, the rotation of the rear roller (12) being in direct drive fashion to the electrical generator (18) allows for the generator system (10) to convert the rotational kinetic energy of the roller (12) into electrical energy. In use, the switchgear will cut the electrical output when the electrical parameters move outside of predefined values.

[0061] The inventor believes that the invention provides a novel and inventive generator system and a method of generating electrical power.

Claims

Claims:

1. A generator system, which includes rollers spaced apart to receive at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels thereon, the vehicle's at least one wheel being in circumferential contact with the rollers; and an electrical generator, mechanically connected in direct drive fashion to one of the rollers.

2. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a ratchet mechanism connected onto at least one of the rollers, in use to lock the at least one of the rollers in position to permit a vehicle to find traction on the rollers when the vehicle is to be removed from the rollers.

3. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes friction reducing components onto which opposing ends of the rollers are connected, the arrangement defining a supporting structure for the rollers.

4. The generator system as claimed in claim 3, in which the friction reducing components are in the form of any one of plumber blocks, or bearings.

5. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a controller connected to the electrical generator, operable to disconnect electrical power from the electrical generator when any one of the voltage, the frequency and the current of alternating current electricity being generated by the electrical generator is outside of predefined limits.

6. The generator system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller includes a monitoring module connected to the electrical generator, the monitoring module operable to monitor either or both real-time data and historical data of the electrical generator, the data including voltage, frequency and current of alternating current electricity being generated by the electrical generator.

7. The generator system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the monitoring module includes a wireless communication module operable to communicate with aremote device by transmitting monitored data to the remote device and to receive instructions from the remote device, the instructions including switching the electrical generator on or off.

8. The generator system as claimed in claim 1, which includes a voltage regulator connected to the electrical generator operable to control the output voltage from the generator system.

9. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a shock absorption system connected between the at least one of the rollers and the electrical generator, in use to absorb a shock between a generator axis and at least one of the rollers.

10. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surfaces of the rollers are of a high friction to restrict slippage between the vehicle's wheels and the rollers.11 . The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a safety mechanism operable to restrict inadvertent movement of the vehicle, when in use.

12. The generator system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the safety mechanism is in the form of a bar or rope extending over a portion of the vehicle, in use.

13. The generator system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism is rigid or adjustable.

14. The generator system as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a guide mechanism, which in use, is operable to align at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels at right angles relative to the rollers.

15. The generator system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the guide mechanism is linearly disposed on opposing sides of the rollers.

16. A method of generating electrical power, which includes providing a generator system as described; installing at least one of a vehicle's driven wheels onto the rollers of the generator; running the vehicle to drive the at least one driven wheel; and controlling the speed of the vehicle's at least one driven wheel to achieve a predefined output from the electrical generator.

17. The method of generating electrical power as claimed in claim 16, wherein the predefined output of the electrical generator is defined by the frequency, voltage, and current being generated by the electrical generator.

18. The method of generating electrical power as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of providing the generator system includes connecting two or more electrical generators together, in either a parallel or series configuration.

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