Partially Self-Refueling Zero Emissions System

• US 20090260363A1
• Filed: 04/16/2009
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Moriarty
• Original Assignee: Donald Moriarty
• Inventors: Moriarty, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,671,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/719
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 23/10 with exhaust fluid of one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle F01K17/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 6/001 having photovoltaic cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines

Abstract

A method and device to optimize the cumulative beneficial effect of harvesting all available forms of lost energy, including energy that is lost while a vehicle is in motion (e.g., kinetic, inertia, friction, thermodynamic, and aerodynamic losses). The cumulative energy that is recovered is converted to electrical energy which powers the on-board electrolyzer to produce more hydrogen and oxygen while the system is in operation and stationary. Stationary, passive means of energy, solar, wind, hydro, etc. will also be available to power the electrolyzer. The system also contemplates utilizing passive means of energy to power a non-mobile system which incorporates an internal or external combustion engine in place of a fuel cell.

Claims

1. A method for powering a mobile vehicle, comprising:

separating a volume of water into hydrogen and oxygen components using an electrolyzer;

powering an engine with the hydrogen and oxygen components;

mobilizing the automobile with power generated from the engine;

converting motion from the mobile vehicle to electrical energy;

transmitting the electrical energy to an energy system control; and

transmitting a portion of the electrical energy from the energy control system to the electrolyzer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion comprises at least one motion selected from the group consisting of inertia, kinetic, friction, and aerodynamic motion.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting heat from the engine into electrical energy.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat comprises at least one heat selected from the group consisting of thermodynamic, infrared, and exhaust heat.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting passive energy into electrical energy by way of a device mounted on the mobile vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the passive energy comprises at least one energy selected from the group consisting of solar, wind, and hydropower energy.

7. A system for powering an automobile, comprising:

a device for separating a volume of water into hydrogen and oxygen components;

a combustion engine operatively coupled to the device;

an energy system control operatively coupled to the device; and

an energy conversion apparatus operatively coupled to at least a portion of the automobile and configured to transmit energy to the energy system control.

8. A device for generating electrical power from motion of a wheel, comprising:

a hollow ring having a plurality of coil members disposed throughout the ring; and

a magnet moveably disposed within the hollow ring.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the magnet comprises a solid metallic arched cylinder, wherein a radius of curvature of the magnet is substantially similar to the radius of curvature of the hollow ring to enable movement of the magnet within the hollow ring.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein an inner surface of the hollow ring comprises a material having a coefficient of friction less than 0.1.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein an inner surface of the hollow ring comprises a material having a coefficient of friction less than 0.06.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein an outer surface of the magnet comprises a material having a coefficient of friction less than 0.06.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the magnet further comprises a plurality of wheels operatively coupled between the magnet and the hollow ring.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the magnet further comprises a plurality of ball bearings operatively coupled between the magnet and the hollow ring.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein an interior chamber of the hollow ring is vacuum sealed.

16. A device for generating electrical power from motion of a wheel, comprising:

a deformable wheel having a void within the wheel; and

a piezoelectric material disposed within the void,

wherein said piezoelectric material is adapted to deform and create a charge upon deformation of the wheel.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the piezoelectric material is disposed about substantially the entire inner surface of the void.

18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a second piezoelectric material disposed adjacent a first piezoelectric material.

19. The device of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of piezoelectric materials disposed within the void.

20. A stationary system for generating power, comprising:

a device for separating a volume of water into hydrogen and oxygen components;

a combustion engine operatively coupled to the device;

an energy system control operatively coupled to the device; and

an energy conversion apparatus operatively coupled to the energy system control.