Distributed system of electrical generators utilizing wind driven natural motion of trees

• US 7,936,079 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Howard David Rees, Michael J. Faigen
• Original Assignee: Howard David Rees, Michael J. Faigen
• Inventors: Faigen, Michael J, Rees, Howard David
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks; Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/043,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/503 using gears
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/505 using chains and sprockets; using toothed belts
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

A distributed system of electrical generators utilizing wind driven natural motion of trees includes pull-retract generators deriving torque from the back and forth swaying of neighboring trees and cables, wherein one set of cables acting as support and the other acting as a spring-tensioned flexible rack that drives the pinion gear of the pull-retract generator and also supports the pull-retract generator between the trees. The cables are attached to the pull-retract generators and provide the tension required to support and retract the pull-retract generator mechanism. Tree saddles attach the pull-retract generator cabling to the trees. As the trees sway independently the separations between the trees fluctuate periodically and the pull-retract generators convert these fluctuations into rotational forces that drive the generators. The pull-retract generators make use of a flexible rack and pinion design to convert the relative tree motion into torque and achieves the requisite RPM by cascading a sequence of large-small gear pairs, one such pair in each pull-retract generator utilizing a one-way clutch torque converter, ultimately meshing with a small gear on the generator shaft. Springs are used to return the pull-retract generators to their neutral positions when the trees are stationary and maintain cable tautness when the tree separation periodically lessens by tensioning the rack and pinion cable. The electrical energy derived from the asynchronous motions of the trees, is independent of the direction of the wind and is integrated with other pull-retract generators through rectifiers and to external electrical systems through the use of existing technologies that regulates, conditions and controls the electrical output.

Claims

1. An electrical power generating system comprising:

at least one pull-retract generator suspended between two trees;

a first saddle and a second saddle, wherein each saddle attach at least one pull-retract generator cable to trunks of the trees;

a rack and pinion mechanism for providing tension to a rack cable connecting one of the saddles to the at least one pull-retract generator;

a safety cable connecting at least one pull-retract generator to at least one of the saddles; and

a safety release link connector that allows the rack cable connected to the at least one pull-retract generator to be released when a set threshold tension is reached.

2. An electrical power generating system comprising:

at least one pull-retract generator attached by at least one support cable to a first saddle in engagement with a first tree; and

at least one rack and pinion assembly comprising a rack and pinion cable connecting the at least one pull-retract generator to a second saddle in engagement with a second tree,

wherein the at least one pull-retract generator derives actuating torque from a natural motion of at least one of the first tree and the second tree.

3. The electrical power generating system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one safety cable connected to the at least one pull-retract generator and the first tree.

4. The electrical power generating system according to claim 3, further comprising a safety release link connecting the rack and pinion cable to the second saddle, wherein the safety release link is configured to release when a set threshold tension is reached.

5. The electrical power generating system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pull-retract generator comprises a pinion gear adapted to connect with the rack and pinion cable is connected.

6. The electrical power generating system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one safety cable connected to the at least one pull-retract generator and the first tree.

7. An electrical power generating system

a first saddle in engagement with a first tree;

a second saddle in engagement with a second tree;

at least one pull-retract generator connected to the first saddle by at least one support cable;

a rack and pinion mechanism comprising a rack cable connecting the at least one pull-retract generator to the second saddle; and

a safety release link connector that allows the rack cable to be released when a set threshold is reached.