Energy generating expansion joint
First Claim
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1. An expansion joint system comprising:
- at least one transversely extending vehicular load bearing member positioned in a gap between two spaced-apart sections of roadway; and
an electrical energy generator comprising;
a displacement capturing element connected to a support bearing of said expansion joint system for capturing displacements having kinetic energy from compression and expansion of said support bearing, wherein said displacement capturing element is an elongated rod member;
an amplifier connected to said displacement capturing element for amplifying said captured displacements; and
an energy converter connected to said amplifier for converting said kinetic energy of said amplified displacements to electrical energy;
wherein the expansion joint system is able to expand and contract to accommodate movements between the two spaced-apart sections of roadway.
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Abstract
Provided is an expansion joint system including: at least one transversely extending vehicular load bearing member; and an electrical energy generator connected to a component of the expansion joint system for capturing displacements having kinetic energy; an amplifier for amplifying the captured displacements; and an energy converter for converting said kinetic energy of the amplified displacements to electrical energy. Various embodiments including an electrical junction box, a cathodic protection system, dampers, and/or data acquisitions systems integrated with the electrical energy generator are also provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An expansion joint system comprising:
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at least one transversely extending vehicular load bearing member positioned in a gap between two spaced-apart sections of roadway; and an electrical energy generator comprising; a displacement capturing element connected to a support bearing of said expansion joint system for capturing displacements having kinetic energy from compression and expansion of said support bearing, wherein said displacement capturing element is an elongated rod member; an amplifier connected to said displacement capturing element for amplifying said captured displacements; and an energy converter connected to said amplifier for converting said kinetic energy of said amplified displacements to electrical energy;
wherein the expansion joint system is able to expand and contract to accommodate movements between the two spaced-apart sections of roadway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An expansion joint system for roadway construction wherein a gap is defined between adjacent first and second roadway sections, said expansion joint system extending across said gap to permit vehicular traffic, said expansion joint system comprising:
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at least one vehicular load bearing member; and an electrical energy generator in connection with support bearing of said expansion joint system wherein displacements from compression and expansion of said support bearing are converted to electrical energy by said electrical energy generator; a displacement capturing element connected to said support bearing of said expansion joint system for capturing displacements having kinetic energy from compression and expansion of said support bearing; an amplifier connected to said displacement capturing element for amplifying said captured displacements; an energy converter connected to said amplifier for converting said kinetic energy of said amplified displacements to electrical energy; and wherein said displacement capturing element comprises an elongated rod member; wherein the expansion joint system is able to expand and contract to accommodate movements between the adjacent first and second roadway sections. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification