Pervasive Power Generation System

• US 20140111136A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.), University of Southern California
• Original Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.), University of Southern California
• Inventors: Goodney, Andrew, Cho, Young, Rae, Deon, Webb, Charlie, LaFramboise, Greg, Olabinjo, Lanre
• Granted Patent: US 10,910,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 11/002 Generators

Abstract

A power generation system includes a plurality of energy conversion devices for generating a plurality of power signals based on one or more sensed environmental conditions. The system further includes a plurality of power conditioning circuits each coupled to one or more of the energy conversion devices for receiving the power signals and storing energy in an energy storage system. The system also includes a selection circuit coupled to at least one of the power conditioning circuits and receiving a first input power signal from one of the power conditioning circuits and a second input power signal. The selection circuit is configured to deliver an output power signal representing a selection from between the first and second input power signals based on a relative voltage level of the first and second input power signals. A method of power generation, and associated power module, are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A power generation system comprising:

a plurality of energy conversion devices for generating a plurality of power signals based on one or more sensed environmental conditions;

a plurality of power conditioning circuits, each coupled to one or more of the energy conversion devices, for receiving the power signals and storing energy in an energy storage system; and

a selection circuit coupled to at least one of the power conditioning circuits, the selection circuit receiving a first input power signal from one of the power conditioning circuits and a second input power signal, the selection circuit configured to deliver an output power signal representing a selection from between the first and second input power signals based on a relative voltage level of the first and second input power signals.

2. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the second input power signal is received from a second selection circuit associated with a different one of the plurality of power conditioning circuits.

3. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the second input power signal is received from a second power conditioning circuit from among the plurality of power conditioning circuits.

4. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage system comprises a rechargeable energy storage device.

5. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage system includes a plurality of supercapacitors.

6. The power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a bridge coupled to at least one of the power conditioning circuits for enabling a reversible potential difference.

7. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of power conditioning circuits are positioned on separate circuit boards arranged in a stacked configuration.

8. The power generation system of claim 7, further comprising insulation placed around the stacked configuration.

9. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising an environmentally sealed housing having an interior volume sized to receive the plurality of power conditioning circuits and the logic circuit.

10. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the energy conversion devices is selected from a group of energy conversion devices consisting of:

a thermoelectric generator;

a photovoltaic device;

a vibration detection device; and

a wind detection device.

11. The power generation system of claim 10, wherein the energy conversion devices are configured to provide power with a temperature differential of no more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion devices include a thermocouple, the thermocouple configured to generate a power signal based on a temperature difference between a hot environment and a cold environment of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the selection circuit comprises a Schmitt trigger and gate switch.

14. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power conditioning circuits and the selection circuit form a first power module having a reference ground connection and a power module output connection.

15. The power generation system of claim 14, further comprising a second power module having a second reference ground connection and a second power module output connection, and wherein the reference ground connection of the first power module is connected to ground and the second reference ground connection is connected to the power module output connection, thereby providing a power output at the second power module output connection representing a summed voltage of the first and second power modules.

16. A power module comprising:

an environmentally-sealed housing having an interior volume;

a plurality of circuit boards positioned in a stacked arrangement and electrically interconnected, the plurality of circuit boards each including;

a power conditioning circuit coupled to one or more energy conversion devices, the power conditioning circuit configured to receive power signals from the one or more energy conversion devices and store power in a rechargeable energy storage system;

a selection circuit coupled to a power signal of the power conditioning circuit and to a second power signal, the selection circuit generating an output power signal representing a selection from between the power signal of the power conditioning circuit and the second power signal based on a relative voltage level of the power signal and the second power signal.

17. The power module of claim 16, wherein, for at least one of the circuit boards, the second power signal is connected to ground.

18. The power module of claim 16, wherein, for at least one of the circuit boards, the second power signal is connected to an output power signal of a neighboring circuit board.

19. The power module of claim 16, wherein the power conditioning circuit includes

20. The power module of claim 16, wherein the selection circuit includes at least one Forwarding circuit.

21. The power module of claim 16, wherein the power module includes a reference ground connection and a power module output connection useable to form a chained arrangement of power modules.

22. A power generation method, comprising:

generating a plurality of power signals based on one or more sensed environmental conditions;

selecting, from the power signals, a first output signal corresponding to the one of the power signals having the greatest power level of the plurality of power signals; and

selectively switching to a second output signal when the first output signal is no longer the one of the power signals having the greatest power level of the plurality of power signals.

23. The power generation method according to claim 22, further comprising executing a startup sequence.