Apparatus and method for generating power using inertia

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for generating power using inertia of a load in a moving vehicle. The apparatus includes a vessel having a volume that is capable of an expansion and a contraction, and containing a fluid under a pressure. The fluid is released from the vessel as a force is exerted by the load of the vehicle against the vessel. The apparatus includes a reservoir, operably connected to the vessel by fluid conduit. The reservoir contains the fluid under pressure until an optimum pressure is reached at which point the reservoir releases the fluid to a power generator. The power generator then generates electrical power. Excess fluid released from the power generator then returns to the vessel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating power using inertia of a load in a moving vehicle comprising: a vessel, located on the vehicle directly adjacent to and in physical contact with the load, having a volume that is capable of an expansion and a contraction, and containing a fluid under a pressure; and a power generator, operably connected to the vessel via conduit, the power generator translating the fluid from the vessel into power; wherein the vessel is a polymeric bag; and wherein the load comprises a sprung mass of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus for generating power of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir, operably connected to the vessel by fluid conduit, the reservoir containing the fluid under pressure until an optimum pressure is reached, the reservoir releasing the fluid to the power generator when optimum pressure is reached.

3. The apparatus for generating power of claim 2 wherein the vessel has a first volume when the vehicle is stopped or moving at a constant velocity and constant direction and a second volume when the vehicle experiences a change in velocity and direction, the change in volume causing the fluid to flow from the vessel to the reservoir and from the reservoir to the power generator when the optimum pressure is reached.

4. The apparatus for generating power of claim 1 wherein the power generator is operably connected to a battery located on the vehicle wherein the power generated by the power generator is an electrical power which charges the battery.

5. The apparatus for generating power of claim 1 wherein the fluid is hydraulic fluid.

6. The apparatus for generating power of claim 1 wherein the fluid is air.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES

(1) Features, aspects, and advantages of a preferred embodiment of the invention are better understood when the detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with the grey areas highlighting the apparatus for generating power;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of a vehicle with the grey areas highlighting the apparatus for generating power;

(4) FIG. 3A is a side view of a portion of one of the vessels in the uncompressed state;

(5) FIG. 3B is a side view of a portion of one of the vessels in the compressed state;

(6) FIG. 4A is a view of a seat of a vehicle with two vessels placed beneath the seat in the uncompressed state;

(7) FIG. 4B is a view of a seat of a vehicle with two vessels placed beneath the seat, highlighting the compression and expansion of the vessels as the vehicle rounds a corner;

(8) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle showing the apparatus for generating power positioned around the sprung portion of the vehicle; and

(9) FIG. 6 is a top view of a vehicle showing the apparatus for generating power positioned around the sprung portion of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention. The following example is provided to further illustrate the invention and is not to be construed to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

(11) Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the apparatus 10 installed in a vehicle. Vessels 20 are positioned around the vehicle adjacent loads, such as load 60. In FIGS. 1 and 2, one such load 60 is the spare tire. Here, the spare tire, rather than being stationary, is allowed to move within the space defined by the vessels 20. The vessels 20 are each connected to a fluid reservoir 30 by fluid conduit 22. The fluid reservoir 30 is connected to fluid power generator 40 also by fluid conduit 22. The fluid power generator 40 is connected to the vehicle's battery 50 by wiring 52. In the preferred embodiment, the vessel 60 is filled with a hydraulic fluid. The vessel 60 is a hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic bag, and the power generator 40 is a hydraulic power generator.

(12) As the vehicle stops, starts, ascends, descends, turns, and rounds corners, due to the load's 60 inertia, the load 60 which has been moving (or stopped) at a constant velocity and a constant direction will resist the movement of the unsprung portion of the vehicle. As this resistance of the load's 60 movement occurs, the load 60 will exert a force against the vessel 20. FIG. 3A shows the vessel 20 attached to a portion of the vehicle 24 and to a load 60. The vessel 20 operates from an uncompressed state to a compressed state and may have spring properties which encourages the vessel 20 to be biased in the uncompressed state. The vessels are sealed and capable of withstanding high pressures, temperatures, and movement. FIG. 3A shows the vessel 20 in the uncompressed state where the vehicle is moving at near constant velocity in a constant direction. FIG. 3B shows the compression of the vessel 20 in response to a change in the vehicle's velocity and/or direction such as when the vehicle stops, starts, ascends, descends, turns, and rounds corners. In FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the vessel 20 has compressed against the vehicle portion 24 in response to the relative movement of the load 60 with respect to the vehicle 24. This compression of the vessel 20 will move fluid via the fluid conduit 22 to the fluid reservoir 30. As the fluid reservoir 30 builds pressure, the fluid will be released to power the fluid generator 40. Excess fluid is then returned to the vessels 20 via additional fluid conduit 22. As the vehicle travels, this fluid transfer cycle will continue, with the vessel 20 alternately expanding and contracting in response to movement of the load 60 relative the vehicle against the vessel 20. The fluid will be cycled through the system with the fluid power generator 40 providing electrical power to the battery 50.

(13) FIGS. 4A and 4B provides another exemplar of one manner in which the apparatus 10 may be deployed. In FIG. 4A, a pair of vessels 20 are deployed beneath a seat 60 which is the load of a vehicle. The seat 60 may be mounted to a spring 70 both to provide cushion to a passenger and also to aid in returning the vessel 20 to the uncompressed state. The vessels 20 of FIG. 4A are in the uncompressed state so that the vehicle is either stopped or traveling in a constant velocity at a constant direction. FIG. 4B shows the load 60 has shifted relative the vehicle as the vehicle has turned or rounded a corner. The load 60 thus leans to the left compressing left vessel 20 and expanding right vessel 20. The respective compression and expansion causes fluid to travel from the fluid vessels 20 to the fluid reservoir 30 via the fluid conduit 22. As the pressure builds in the fluid reservoir 30, fluid will be release at a predetermined pressure into the fluid generator 40 via the fluid conduit 22.

(14) Allowing the seats 60 to swivel and pressurize the vessels 20 on which the seats 60 rest in response to stops, starts and the like may serve to mitigate and reduce the movements of the occupants, resulting in a smoother ride with less motion and body roll. For example, FIG. 4A, minus the spring and vessels, represents the current state of car seats rigidly attached to the floorboards of the car. In a curve, if the car body rolls 4 degrees, for example, off of vertical, the seat 60, and its occupant (not shown), also experience 4 degrees of roll. However, in 4B, the floorboards may roll 4 degrees away from vertical, but the seat 60 may roll only 2 degrees, with the remaining inertia serving to compress one of the vessels 20 on which it rests. This may serve to increase rider comfort and reduce motion sickness while generating power at the same time.

(15) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a Formula One car with vessels 20 deployed between the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle. The vessels 20 are capable of supporting the weight of the sprung portion of the vehicle. As the vehicle stops, starts, ascends, descends, turns, and rounds corners, the sprung portion of the vehicle will comprise the load 60. The load 60 will exert a force, relative the vehicle, against the vessels 20. This movement will result in movement of the fluid under pressure through the apparatus, that is, from the vessels 20 to the reservoir 30 to the power generator 40 and back to the vessels 20.

(16) The foregoing has described an apparatus for generating power 10 using the inertia of a vehicle's load. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.