Methods and apparatuses for power generation in enclosures

• US 20080258694A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hadronex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David A. Drake, Gregory M. Quist
• Inventors: Quist, Gregory M., Drake, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 322/2R
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/30 Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations means for mounting or supporting wind motors F03D13/20
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/82 Micromachines
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/181 Circuits; Control arrangements or methods
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

An apparatus for generating power in an enclosure includes a power generation device configured to operate in the environmental conditions of the enclosure, a first power storage device connected to the power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device, a power converter connected to the power storage device and configured to output power at a voltage different than that output by the power storage device, and a second power storage device connected directly or indirectly to the power converter and configured to store power output by the power converter. The second power storage device may then provide power for at least one component of an environmental monitoring system.

Claims

1. ) An apparatus for generating power in an enclosure, the apparatus comprising:

a power generation device configured to operate in the environmental conditions of the enclosure;

a first power storage device connected to the power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device;

a power converter connected to the first power storage device and configured to output power at a voltage different than that output by the first power storage device;

a second power storage device connected directly or indirectly to the power converter and configured to store power output by the power converter,

wherein the second power storage device provides power for at least one component of an environmental monitoring system.

2. ) The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a controller connected to the power converter and to the second power storage device, wherein the controller controls the transfer of power from the power converter to the second power storage.

3. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power storage device is a capacitor.

4. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power storage device is a rechargeable battery.

5. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation device derives an electrical current from a temperature difference between two areas of the enclosure.

6. ) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the two areas of the enclosure are selected from the group consisting of:

inner surface of a manhole cover;

outer surface of the manhole cover;

a manhole wall;

a manhole ladder;

middle of the manhole;

bottom of the manhole; and

, fluid in the manhole.

7. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the power generation device derives an electrical current from a temperature change caused by condensation at a manhole cover.

8. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the power generation device comprises a membrane which derives an electrical current from the transmission of moisture through the membrane.

9. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation device derives an electrical current from ambient radio frequency energy collected from inside or outside the enclosure.

10. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation device comprises an electromechanical generator or microelectromechanical system which derives an electrical current from acoustic or seismic motion.

11. ) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the acoustic or seismic motion comprises motion of a manhole cover.

12. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation device comprises an electromechanical generator which derives an electrical current from motion induced by airflow in the enclosure.

13. ) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the airflow comprises convection currents due to temperature gradients in the manhole.

14. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation device comprises piezoelectric or electromagnetic generators and gases or liquids,

wherein the gases or liquids expand and contract in accordance changes in temperature or pressure to drive the generators.

15. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a manhole, and wherein the power generation device comprises a ring of piezoelectric or electromagnetic generators under a cover of the manhole but above a manhole run, wherein the power generation device derives an electrical current from traffic impacts to the cover.

16. ) The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus comprising:

at least one further power generation device configured to operate in the environmental conditions of the enclosure and to directly or indirectly provide power for the at least one component of the environmental monitoring system.

17. ) The apparatus of claim 16, the apparatus comprising:

a controller connected to the power generation device and the further power generation device, wherein the controller selects one of the power generation device and the further power generation device for use with respect to the environmental conditions of the enclosure at a given time.

18. ) A method of generating power in an enclosure, the method comprising:

deriving an electrical current from at least one environmental aspect of the enclosure;

storing an electrical charge generated by the electrical current;

converting the stored charge to a charge of a different voltage;

storing the different voltage charge; and

transferring the stored different voltage charge to at least one component of an environmental monitoring system.

19. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises a temperature difference between two areas of the enclosure.

20. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises a temperature change caused by a formation of condensation at a surface of the enclosure.

21. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises moisture, and wherein the electrical current is derived from passage of the moisture through a membrane.

22. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises acoustic or seismic motion, and wherein the electrical current is derived by an electromechanical generator or microelectromechanical system.

23. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises airflow in the enclosure, and wherein the electrical current is derived from motion induced by the airflow.

24. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the environmental aspect comprises barometric pressure of ambient air in the enclosure, and wherein the electrical current is derived from changes of the barometric pressure.

25. ) A system for generating power in an enclosure, the system comprising:

means for deriving an electrical current from at least one environmental aspect of the enclosure;

means for storing an electrical charge generated by the electrical current;

means for converting the stored charge to a charge of a different voltage;

means for storing the different voltage charge; and

means for transferring the stored different voltage charge to at least one component of an environmental monitoring system.