Surface Transport Power Generation System with Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface transport vehicles face inefficiencies in fuel and energy consumption, leading to high costs and environmental concerns, particularly during braking phases and energy loss, necessitating a system to capture and reuse excess energy.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system integrated into surface transport vehicles, utilizing a gas/steam turbine setup with a compressor, combustion chamber, and heat exchangers to generate energy, which is stored and transmitted via a power storage unit, including a high energy flywheel or hydro-mechanical device, and can be shared between vehicles or roadside storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional braking system is used in surface transport vehicles, then the vehicle can stop effectively, but energy is lost during the braking phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful energy loss during braking into useful energy by using a generator to capture kinetic energy during deceleration and store it in energy storage devices (capacitors or flywheels). This recovered energy is then reused during acceleration phases, transforming what was previously wasted energy into a beneficial resource that improves overall fuel efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If excess energy is captured and stored during descent, then energy can be reused during ascent, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated system where the generator serves both as a power source and an energy recovery device, while energy storage devices (capacitors or flywheels) handle both temporary energy buffering and reuse. This merging of functions allows energy captured during descent to be stored and efficiently reused during ascent, improving energy efficiency while managing system complexity through functional integration.
3Power
If fossil fuels are used for power generation, then sufficient power can be generated, but environmental pollution and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional internal combustion engine (mechanical-chemical system burning fossil fuels) with an electric propulsion system powered by energy recovered during braking and descent. The generator converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored and then used to drive electric motors during acceleration and ascent, eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels and thereby eliminating associated environmental pollution while maintaining sufficient power generation capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces fuel consumption, captures and reuses energy, and lowers maintenance costs by efficiently generating and storing power, while enabling energy transfer between vehicles or to the grid, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor operable to receive a gas
Implementation Method 2
a combustion chamber located downstream from the compressor and is capable of receiving and igniting a fuel (liquid or gas) so as to heat the gas
Implementation Method 3
a first gas turbine located downstream of the combustion chamber which receives the heated gas and generates energy for driving a first drive shaft
Implementation Method 4
The heated gas exiting the first gas turbine is directed past the outside of the combustion chamber. The wall of the combustion chamber is the first liquid heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 5
The power generation system can use the heated liquid from the first, second and third liquid heat exchangers to drive a steam turbine
Implementation Method 6
a first gas turbine located downstream of the combustion chamber which receives the heated gas and generates energy for driving a first drive shaft connected to a generator
Implementation Method 7
The power storage unit can include a high energy fly wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation system for a surface transport vehicle having at least two wheels. The power generation system includes a primary power generation device and a secondary power generation device. A connector attaches the secondary power generation device to at least two wheels of the surface transport vehicle. The power generation system also includes a power storage unit capable of storing energy received from either the primary or secondary power generation devices. Furthermore, the power generation system includes a torque converter which is capable of transferring power from the secondary power generation device to the power storage unit.