Apparatus for Creating Electricity from Pressure Fluctuations in Pipes

• US 20140042751A1
• Filed: 08/07/2012
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward R. Fyfe
• Original Assignee: Edward R. Fyfe
• Inventors: Fyfe, Edward R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,133,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/00 Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18; Power stations or aggregates incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/20 within closed fluid conduits, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/709 Piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/185 using fluid streams
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/506 having a cylindrical shape and having stacking in the radial direction, e.g. coaxial or spiral type rolls
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/702 based on piezoelectric or electrostrictive fibres

Abstract

Flexible pipe liner harvests energy from pressure fluctuations of a fluid in a pipe and converts it to electricity to power local sensors or other equipment. Pipe may be a pipeline for carrying water, sewage, or oil; or may be an open-ended segment suspended in a body of water. Pipe liner also serves to reinforce or repair a pipeline and is constructed of conventional materials.

Claims

1. In combination:

a pipe for conducting a fluid subject to turbulence or pressure fluctuation;

the pipe defining a hollow inner volume for passage of the fluid;

a pipe liner attached to the inner surface of said pipe, for converting kinetic energy to electrical energy; and

collection means for collecting electrical energy created by said pipe liner;

said collection means including;

a collection portion attached to said pipe liner;

an output portion connected to a suitable device for using, storing, or modifying the created electrical energy.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said pipe comprises a rigid pipe for conducting a pressurized liquid and said output portion is attached to a device disposed outside of said pipe.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said pipe liner includes a plurality of layers of carbon fiber attached to said inner surface by adhesive means;

said plurality of layers of carbon fiber separated from each other by isolator layers.

4. The combination of claim 3, said plurality of layers of carbon fiber comprising layers of carbon fiber fabric.

5. The combination of claim 1, said collection portion comprising:

a first layer of conductive sheet material disposed between said pipe liner and the inner surface of the pipe and in electrical contact with said pipe liner; and

a second layer of conductive sheet material disposed between said pipe liner and the inner volume of the pipe and in electrical contact with said pipe liner.

6. The combination of claim 1, said output portion comprising an elongate output cable with a first end attached to said collection portion and a second end attached to the suitable device for using, storing, or modifying the created electrical energy.

7. In combination:

a body or source of moving water; and

a conversion apparatus for converting kinetic energy from said water into electrical energy;

including;

an elongate hollow shell;

comprising;

an outer surface;

an inner surface defining a chamber through which said water moves; and

two open ends for allowing passage of water;

a liner attached to said inner surface for creating electricity in response to forces applied to said liner by said water; and

collection means for collecting electricity generated by said liner and delivering the electricity to a suitable device for using, storing, or modifying the collected electrical energy.