System and method for power generation

• US 6,831,221 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tara Investments, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tara Investments, LLC
• Inventors: Hulen, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/946,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 136/253, 136/290, 136/205, 136/246, 180/2.1, 180/167, 180/2.2, 521/731, 310/300, 310/303, 310/304, 310/306, 310/305, 606/411, 606/418, 606/411.5
• US Class Current: 136/253
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/005 without mechanical contact between the collector and the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/55 Capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 7/00 Power lines or rails specially adapted for electrically-propelled vehicles of special types, e.g. suspension tramway, ropeway, underground railway
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 1/043 the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/29 Testing, calibrating, treating, e.g. aging

Abstract

A method for powering a vehicle comprises, in one embodiment, receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from a roadway surface, and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle. In another embodiment, a method for powering a vehicle comprises: insulating a first region of a road'"'"'s surface with a material that transmits visible light but blocks infrared radiation, while leaving a second region of the surface uninsulated; conducting heat from portions of the road beneath the first region, to the second region; receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from the second region; and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for powering a structure, the method comprising:

insulating a first region of a paved surface with a material that transmits visible light but prevents heat from escaping through the first region; and

providing heat from a second uninsulated region of the paved surface for conversion to another form of energy for providing power to the structure.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a building.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing heat from the surface comprises:

leaving the second region of the surface uninsulated, wherein heat is conducted from portions of the surface beneath the first region to the second region; and

providing heat from the second region of the surface.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the surface comprises at least one thermally conductive apparatus for conducting heat from the portions of the surface beneath the first region to the second region.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one thermally conductive apparatus includes at least one of:

thermally conductive rods;

thermally conductive wires;

thermally conductive shavings;

thermally conductive particles;

pipes carrying thermally conductive liquid; and

pipes carrying thermally conductive gas.

7. A method according to claim 4, further comprising providing a thermal insulating material underneath the surface.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein the surface is a parking lot and the second region is an uninsulated window region in the parking lot.

9. A method according to claim 4, wherein the surface is a roadway and the second region is an uninsulated window strip on the roadway.

10. A method according to claim 4, wherein a second-region shutter allows heat to be selectively received from the second region.

11. A method according to claim 4, wherein providing heat from the second region of the surface comprises concentrating infrared radiation emanating from the second region.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the infrared radiation emanating from the second region is concentrated using at least one of:

a lens placed over the second region;

a structured emissive plate placed over the second region; and

a reflector placed over the second region.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising heating the surface.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein heating the surface comprises reflecting light onto the first region of the paved surface.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein light is reflected onto the first region of the paved surface using at least one of:

a mirror; and

a Fresnel lens.

16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving heat from the surface using a receiver mounted on a surface of the structure.

17. A method according to claim 2, further comprising receiving heat from the surface using a receiver mounted in a trailer attached to the vehicle.

18. A method according to claim 2, wherein the converted energy is used to provide at least a portion of the motive power of the vehicle.

19. A method according to claim 2, wherein the converted energy is used to provide at least a portion of the power for the vehicle'"'"'s accessories.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the converted energy is used to recharge a battery providing power to the structure.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes primary power generation apparatus, and wherein the converted energy is used to supplement power provided by the primary power generation apparatus.

22. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from the surface; and

converting energy of the infrared radiation to another form of energy for providing power to the structure.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises receiving the infrared radiation with a thermophotovoltaic cell.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising cooling the thermophotovoltaic cell with a coolant system.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the coolant system comprises a source of liquefied gas, the gas being normally in a gaseous state at room temperature.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the liquefied gas comprises liquid hydrogen.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the liquefied gas comprises liquid nitrogen.

28. A method according to claim 25, wherein converting energy of the infrared radiation to another form of energy for providing power to the structure comprises powering a generator by expanding the liquefied gas using energy from the thermophotovoltaic cell.

29. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises receiving the infrared radiation with a structured plate.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the structured plate comprises a sub wavelength structured plate.

31. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises transmitting the infrared radiation to an infrared detector through a lens.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the lens comprises an infrared transmitting material.

33. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises transmitting the infrared radiation through a lens to a light pipe.

34. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises transmitting the infrared radiation through a lens to a heat capacitor.

35. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises filtering the infrared radiation as it is transmitted to an infrared detector.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein filtering the infrared radiation comprises selectively filtering the radiation by wavelength.

37. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises filtering the infrared radiation as it is transmitted to a light pipe.

38. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises filtering the infrared radiation as it is transmitted to a heat capacitor.

39. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises reflecting the infrared radiation onto an infrared receptor.

40. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises reflecting the infrared radiation into a light pipe.

41. A method according to claim 22, wherein receiving the infrared radiation comprises reflecting the infrared radiation onto a heat capacitor.

42. A method according to claim 22, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an engine that derives power from a temperature differential.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the engine is chosen from the group consisting of Stirling cycle and Brayton cycle engines.

44. A method according to claim 42, further comprising using a cold sink to aid in establishing the temperature differential.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the cold sink comprises ice.

46. A method according to claim 22, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an engine that is powered by a phase change and expansion of a gas that is initially in a liquid state.

47. A method according to claim 22, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using a thermophotovoltaic cell.

48. A method according to claim 22, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an electron emission device that derives power from a thermal differential.

49. A method according to claim 22, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using a Carnot cycle engine.

50. A method according to claim 22, wherein convening the energy to another form comprises pressurizing hydrogen gas.

51. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing heat from the paved surface comprises transferring heat by convection.

52. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing heat from the paved surface comprises using a blower.

53. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

thermally contacting a heat-conductive device to the surface to receive heat from the surface; and

converting energy conducted by the heat-conductive device to another form of energy for providing power to the structure.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein the structure is a vehicle.

55. A method according to claim 53, wherein the heat-conductive device comprises a heat-conductive solid material.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the solid material is copper.

57. A method according to claim 53, wherein the heat-conductive device comprise a heat-conductive liquid flowing through the device.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein the liquid is water.

59. A method according to claim 57, wherein the liquid is liquid hydrogen.

60. A method according to claim 54, wherein the heat-conductive device comprises a body panel of the vehicle.

61. A method according to claim 53, wherein thermally contacting the heat-conductive device to the surface comprises moving the heat-conductive device from an initial position in which it does not contact the surface to a position in which it does contact the surface.

62. A method according to claim 54, wherein thermally contacting the heat-conductive device to the surface comprises thermally contacting the heat-conductive device to a roadway surface when the vehicle is stationary.

63. A method according to claim 54, wherein thermally contacting the heat-conductive device to the surface comprises thermally contacting the heat-conductive device to a roadway surface when the vehicle is in motion.

64. A method according to claim 53, wherein the heat-conductive device comprises a heat-conductive wheel.

65. A method according to claim 53, wherein the heat-conductive device comprises a bundle of heat-conductive fibers.

66. A method according to claim 65, wherein the fibers are coated with diamond-like carbon.

67. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an engine that derives power from a temperature differential.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein the engine is chosen from the group consisting of Stirling cycle and Brayton cycle engines.

69. A method according to claim 67, further comprising using a cold sink to aid in establishing the temperature differential.

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein the cold sink comprises ice.

71. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an engine that is powered by the phase change and expansion of a gas that is initially in a liquid state.

72. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using a thermophotovoltaic cell.

73. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using an electron emission device that derives power from a thermal differential.

74. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises using a Carnot cycle engine.

75. A method according to claim 53, wherein converting the energy to another form comprises pressurizing hydrogen gas.

76. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving concentrated light emitted from the surface; and

converting energy from the concentrated light to another form of energy for providing power to the structure.

77. A method according to claim 76, further comprising storing the energy from the concentrated light in a heat capacitor.

78. A method according to claim 77, wherein storing the energy from the concentrated light in a heat capacitor comprises transmitting the concentrated light to the heat capacitor through a light pipe.

79. A method according to claim 77, wherein storing the energy from the concentrated light in a heat capacitor comprises transmitting the concentrated light to the heat capacitor through a lens.

80. A method according to claim 76, further comprising storing the energy from the concentrated light in an insulated canister.

81. A method according to claim 80, wherein storing the energy from the concentrated light in an insulated canister comprises transmitting the concentrated light into the insulated canister through an infrared window.

82. A method according to claim 79, wherein the lens is an aspheric lens.

83. A method according to claim 1, wherein the converted energy is used as the primary power source for the structure.

84. A method according to claim 3, wherein the building is one of a home, an apartment building, and an office building.

85. A method according to claim 21, wherein the primary power generation apparatus includes at least one of an internal combustion engine, a battery, a fuel cell, and a solar panel.

86. A method according to claim 32, wherein the infrared transmitting material is chosen from the group consisting of:

Germanium, Zinc Selenium, Gallium Arsenide, and infrared-transmitting plastic.

87. A paved surface comprising:

a first region insulated with a material that transmits visible light but prevents heat from escaping through the first region; and

a second uninsulated region for providing heat from the paved surface for conversion to another form of energy for providing power to a structure.

88. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising means for conducting heat from portions of the surface beneath the first region to the second region.

89. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising at least one thermally conductive apparatus for conducting heat from the portions of the surface beneath the first region to the second region.

90. A paved surface according to claim 89, wherein the at least one thermally conductive apparatus includes at least one of:

thermally conductive rods;

thermally conductive wires;

thermally conductive shavings;

thermally conductive particles;

pipes carrying thermally conductive liquid; and

pipes carrying thermally conductive gas.

91. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising a thermal insulating material underneath the surface.

92. A paved surface according to claim 87, wherein the surface is a parking lot and the second region is an uninsulated window region in the parking lot.

93. A paved surface according to claim 87, wherein the surface is a roadway and the second region is an uninsulated window strip on the roadway.

94. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising a shutter for the second region that allows heat to be selectively received from the second region.

95. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising means for providing heat from the paved surface for conversion to another form of energy for providing power to a structure.

96. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising means for concentrating infrared radiation emanating from the second region.

97. A paved surface according to claim 96, further comprising, for concentrating infrared radiation emanating from the second region, at least one of:

a lens placed over the second region;

a structured emissive plate placed over the second region; and

a reflector placed over the second region.

98. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising means for heating the surface.

99. A paved surface according to claim 87, further comprising means for reflecting light onto the first region of the paved surface.

100. A paved surface according to claim 99, further comprising, for reflecting light onto the first region of the paved surface, at least one of:

a mirror; and

a Fresnel lens.