Shock absorber electrical generator

• US 8,624,409 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John R. Sainio
• Original Assignee: John R. Sainio
• Inventors: Sainio, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUGGER, SEAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/008,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20110266801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 290/47, 290/48
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/02 having dampers dissipating energy, e.g. frictionally
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/0281 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/3207 Constructional features F16F9/34 - F16F9/50 take precedence; assembly or repair F16F9/3271
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

The shock absorber electrical generator includes a piston adapted for reciprocating motion within a cylindrical piston chamber as a vehicle'"'"'s suspension system deflects. A working fluid is contained within the piston chamber. During the compression stroke of the piston, working fluid is forced through a circuit having at least one chamber in the cylinder opposite the piston. The working fluid communicates with at least one fan turbine motor disposed in the chamber, and with the piston chamber, which captures the working fluid on the return stroke. Upon compression of the piston, the working fluid passes through the fan turbine motor, thereby turning a shaft connected to a DC generator. The electric energy generated is routed to vehicle electrical components and/or charges the vehicle battery. Multi-generator systems, fan, and housing units are deployed in a plurality of shock absorber electrical generators that are attached to the vehicle'"'"'s wheel system.

Claims

1. A shock absorber electrical generator, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical, hollow shock absorber body having a first end, a second end longitudinally opposed from the first end, and a lower portion;

a hollow cap attached to the first end of the shock absorber body, the cap having a nitrogen fill valve adapted for introducing nitrogen gas into an interior portion of the shock absorber body, the cap sealing the nitrogen gas inside the shock absorber body;

a central tube internally disposed along a longitudinally central axis of the shock absorber body;

a piston assembly slidably disposed through the second end of the shock absorber body, the piston assembly including a central piston longitudinally sliding within the central tube and a larger, auxiliary piston longitudinally sliding within the lower portion of the shock absorber body;

power transfer tubes extending longitudinally alongside the central tube, the power transfer tubes forming power transfer chambers having inlets and outlets providing a circuit adapted for one-way flow of a working gas medium therethrough;

turbine fans disposed in the power transfer tubes, the turbine fans being adapted for rotary motion responsive to one-way flow of compressed working gas medium through the power transfer tubes;

electric generators housed in the shock absorber body, the generators being attached to the turbine fans, the turbine fans rotating to actuate the electric generators, thereby producing electrical energy from sliding displacement of the piston assembly within the shock absorber body; and

means for attaching the shock absorber body to a suspension and wheel assembly of a motor vehicle;

wherein a compression stroke of the piston assembly causes high pressure gas to flow unidirectionally through a first portion of the circuit, thereby causing rotation of a first portion of the turbine fans, and an expansion stroke of the piston assembly causes high pressure gas to flow unidirectionally through a second portion of the circuit, thereby causing rotation of a second portion of the turbine fans to produce electric current from motion of the piston assembly.

2. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein said nitrogen fill valve extends at a substantially perpendicular angle from said shock absorber body.

3. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, further comprising a travel limiter limiting displacement of the piston assembly as the piston assembly slides longitudinally inside the shock absorber body.

4. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, further comprising liquid oil flowing through internal portions of the shock absorber body to cool, lubricate, and dampen noise of internal moving parts of the assembly.

5. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorber body is hermetically sealed, allowing the internal portion of the body to accept and retain a high-pressure gaseous working medium introduced into the body through said nitrogen fill valve.

6. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein said power transfer tubes are undulating.

7. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein said circuit adapted for one-way flow further comprises:

spherical one-way valves disposed in said power transfer chambers within said power transfer tubes;

seal rings separating hemispherical portions of said spherical one-way valves, the seal rings seating against opposing lateral edges formed in said power transfer tubes; and

springs attaching the corresponding one-way valves inside the corresponding power transfer tubes, the springs biasing the one-way-valves to a closed position inside of said power transfer chamber.

8. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein said turbine fans cut a toroidal-shaped volume.

9. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, wherein said turbine fans cut a spherical-shaped volume.

10. The shock absorber electrical generator according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cooling air vents disposed in the electrical generators housed in said shock absorber body.

11. A motor vehicle having a plurality of wheel supports and a plurality of the shock absorber electrical generators according to claim 1, each of the shock absorber electrical generators being attached to a corresponding one of the wheel supports, said plurality of shock absorber electrical generators cooperatively generating electricity responsive to road shocks encountered by the wheels supports.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising:

a compressor tank operably connected to said shock absorbers;

a spring-loaded air compressor manual foot pump primer disposed in an interior of the vehicle as a foot control; and

tubes extending from the primer pump, the tubes being connected to the compressor tank;

wherein forced compressed air initiated by pumping the primer pump enters said shock absorber body and starts electrical generation therein to start the vehicle when the vehicle has a dead battery.