Roadway generating electrical power by incorporating piezoelectric materials

• US 20050127677A1
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey K. Luttrull
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey K. Luttrull
• Inventors: Luttrull, Jeffrey K.
• Application Number:
  US10/995,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127677A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 11/00 Road engineering aspects of Embedding pads or other sensitive devices in paving or other road surfaces , e.g. traffic detectors, vehicle-operated pressure-sensitive actuators, devices for monitoring atmospheric or road conditionspressure-sensitive elements G01L; traffic control systems G08G
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01

Abstract

A process for generating electricity from vehicular traffic includes distributing a plurality of piezoelectric elements no higher than an adjacent surface of a roadway. Electric current is generated as traffic passes over the roadway, and the electric current conducted away from the piezoelectric elements to provide the electrical current for consumption.

Claims

1. A process for generating electricity from vehicular traffic, comprising:

distributing a plurality of piezoelectric elements no higher than an adjacent surface of a roadway;

generating electric current as traffic passes over the roadway; and

conducting the electric current away from the piezoelectric elements to provide the electrical current for consumption.

2. The process of claim 1, including the step of embedding the piezoelectric elements under the surface.

3. The process of claim 1, including the step of arranging the piezoelectric elements across a flow of traffic.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the generating step includes the step of deforming the piezoelectric elements to create the electric current.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the generating step generates electric current without moving parts.

6. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising wires shaped to maximize deformable surface area.

7. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising strips shaped to maximize deformable surface area of the piezoelectric elements.

8. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising cables shaped to maximize deformable surface area of the piezoelectric elements.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the cables comprise sheathed cables.

10. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising plates.

11. The process of claim 1, including the step of preparing the surface as part of a piezoelectric roadway segment.

12. The process of claim 11, including the step of incorporating the roadway segment into the roadway wherein the segment is level with the roadway.

13. The process of claim 1, including the step of coating the piezoelectric elements with a piezoelectric film.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric elements comprise a piezoelectric film;

and including the step of coating the surface of the roadway with the piezoelectric film.

15. The process of claim 1, including the steps of incorporating piezoelectric elements within structures supporting the roadway;

and generating electric current from repetitive stresses upon the structures.

16. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising wires shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

17. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising strips shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

18. The process of claim 1, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising cables shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

19. A process for generating electricity from vehicular traffic, comprising:

distributing a plurality of piezoelectric elements no higher than an adjacent surface of a roadway;

arranging the piezoelectric elements across a flow of traffic;

generating electric current as traffic passes over the roadway;

deforming the piezoelectric elements to create the electric current; and

conducting the electric current away from the piezoelectric elements to provide the electrical current for consumption.

20. The process of claim 19, including the step of embedding the piezoelectric elements under the surface.

21. The process of claim 19, wherein the generating step generates electric current without moving parts.

22. The process of claim 19, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising plates.

23. The process of claim 19, including the steps of preparing the surface as part of a piezoelectric roadway segment and incorporating the roadway segment into the roadway wherein the segment is level with the roadway.

24. The process of claim 19, including the step of coating the piezoelectric elements with a piezoelectric film.

25. The process of claim 19, wherein the piezoelectric elements comprise a piezoelectric film;

and including the step of coating the surface of the roadway with the piezoelectric film.

26. The process of claim 19, including the steps of incorporating piezoelectric elements within structures supporting the roadway;

and generating electric current from repetitive stresses upon the structures.

27. The process of claim 19, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising wires shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

28. The process of claim 19, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising strips shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

29. The process of claim 19, including the step of selecting the piezoelectric elements comprising cables shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element.

30. A process for generating electricity from vehicular traffic, comprising:

selecting a plurality of piezoelectric elements shaped to provide more deformable surface area than a straight piezoelectric element;

distributing the piezoelectric elements no higher than an adjacent surface of a roadway;

arranging the piezoelectric elements across a flow of traffic;

embedding the piezoelectric elements under the surface;

generating electric current as traffic passes over the roadway;

deforming the piezoelectric elements to create the electric current; and

conducting the electric current away from the piezoelectric elements to provide the electrical current for consumption;

wherein the generating step generates electric current without moving parts.

31. The process of claim 30, including the steps of preparing the surface as part of a piezoelectric roadway segment and incorporating the roadway segment into the roadway wherein the segment is level with the roadway.

32. The process of claim 30, including the steps of incorporating piezoelectric elements within structures supporting the roadway;

and generating electric current from repetitive stresses upon the structures.