SYSTEM FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE SURFACES AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20120049692A1
• Filed: 06/24/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John L. Palumbo, Stephen A. Boyd
• Original Assignee: John L. Palumbo, Stephen A. Boyd
• Inventors: BOYD, STEPHEN A., Palumbo, John L.
• Application Number:
  US13/168,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20120049692A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/319
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/00 Details of pavings E01C1/005, E01C5/003, E01C5/005, E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 7/18 of road-metal and bituminous binders for surface treatments except for penetration coverings, or for thin surface layers E01C7/353; bituminous mixtures C08L95/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/852 Composite materials, e.g. having 1-3 or 2-2 type connectivity

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a system for harvesting energy from surfaces upon which motor vehicles travel and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for harvesting energy by utilizing piezoelectric devices embedded within a roadway or surface, capable of producing electrical power when traversed by a motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for power harvesting comprises a plurality of piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power, a power conditioning unit connected to the piezoelectric devices, and electrical conductors, wherein electrical power is generated when a vehicle traverses over a surface having the plurality of piezoelectric devices therein.

Claims

1. A system for power harvesting comprising:

a plurality of piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power;

a power conditioning unit connected to the piezoelectric devices; and

electrical conductors;

wherein electrical power is generated when a vehicle traverses over a surface having the plurality of piezoelectric devices therein.

2. The system for power harvesting of claim 1, wherein the power conditioning unit is connected to a main power grid.

3. The system for power harvesting of claim 1, wherein the power conditioning unit is connected to a power storage unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices comprise:

a base plate of flexible composite material;

a top plate of flexible composite material;

a plurality of piezoelectric elements capable of producing electrical power positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate; and

an elastic member connecting said base plate and said top plate and excreting compression force on the plurality of piezoelectric elements.

5. A method of harvesting energy comprising:

embedding a plurality of piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power in a road; and

connecting a power conditioning unit to the plurality of piezoelectric devices by electrical conductors;

wherein electrical power is generated when a vehicle traverses over a surface having the plurality of piezoelectric devices therein.

6. The method of harvesting energy of claim 5, wherein embedding a plurality of piezoelectric devices comprises:

positioning each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices and the electrical conductors over a concrete base of a road; and

pouring asphalt over said piezoelectric devices and the electrical conductors.

7. The method of harvesting energy of claim 5, wherein embedding a plurality of piezoelectric devices comprises:

pouring a first asphalt layer over a road foundation;

positioning each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices and the electrical conductors over the first asphalt layer; and

pouring a second asphalt layer over the piezoelectric devices and the electrical conductors.

8. The method of harvesting energy of claim 5, wherein embedding a plurality of piezoelectric devices comprises:

embedding each of the piezoelectric devices at an angle to the surface of said road.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices comprise:

a base plate of flexible composite material;

a top plate of flexible composite material;

a plurality of piezoelectric elements capable of producing electrical power positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate; and

an elastic member connecting said base plate and said top plate and excreting compression force on the plurality of piezoelectric elements.

10. A method of harvesting energy comprising:

embedding a plurality of piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power in a tire; and

connecting a power conditioning unit to the plurality of piezoelectric devices by electrical conductors;

wherein electrical power is generated when the piezoelectric devices within the tire contacts a surface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices comprise:

a base plate of flexible composite material;

a top plate of flexible composite material;

a plurality of piezoelectric elements capable of producing electrical power positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate; and

an elastic member connecting said base plate and said top plate and excreting compression force on the plurality of piezoelectric elements.