WO2008153591A1

WO2008153591A1 - Omar vectorial energy conversion system

Info

Publication number: WO2008153591A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/083865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Omar De La Rosa
Original assignee: Omar De La Rosa
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

The invention includes a movement absorption element that selectively directs air into a pipeline system whenever the movement absorption element is actuated. The pipeline system is interconnected to a compressing device which facilitates the flow of air into an air storage tank. A motor/generator set is connected to the air storage tank through the pipeline system. The motor/generator set is configured to provide electrical power to an exterior load when said motor is actuated by the compressed air stored in the storage tank.

Description

O-MAR VECTORIAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the transformation of the kinetic energy into electrical power, more specifically to a method and system for the generation of electrical power by storing compressed air associated to the movement of objects or bodies and the usage of said stored compressed air for the actuation of a motor/generator set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increasing costs of fossil fuels have pushed consumers to find electrical power alternatives. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels by humans is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that allows radiative forcing and contributes to global warming.

Oil refineries can pose huge threats to the environment. Harvesting, processing, and distributing fossil fuels create problems such as oil spills, massive fires, soil poisoning and decrease air quality. Additionally, offshore oil drilling may create a hazard for aquatic organisms and big spills can affect miles and miles of shorelines. Coal mining methods, particularly mountaintop removal and strip mining, have been causes for concern. Transportation of coal requires the use of diesel-powered locomotives, while crude oil is typically transported by tanker ships. Each of these requires the combustion of fossil fuels. Hence, environmental-awareness groups are encouraging consumers to shy away of oil, coal and nuclear generated power in favor of cleaner alternatives such as sun-powered cells and windmills. Windmills while a clean alternative based on a free resource, it is dependent of weather behavior to a point at which if air currents are non -existent, power will not be generated.

One prior art attempt provides a regenerative heat storage compressed air power system wherein the heat of compression is stored underground in a compressed air storage cavern when it is cooled and thereafter stored in an air storage cavern. When energy is needed, the air is drawn back through the heat storage cavern where it is heated and then applied to assist in the heating of gases passing between the turbines. Another prior art attempt provides a method of electricity production wherein a plurality of windmills turn air compressors and the air is stored in a storage tank sealed by water and is available for work such as driving an air turbine to operate an electric generator. It is also known to use a wind operated heating system wherein wind, through a cyclic control device, communicates with heat storing liquid in pipes stored in a thermally insulated tank. The fluid in the pipes begins to oscillate in a motion which produces viscous dissipation and heat which may be distributed to an enclosure. Alternatively, the prior art also provides a heating and cooling system capable of using solar heat. A tank of liquid is heated by solar heat which in turn warms stones in a container. A blower circulates air from a space to be heated through a filter into the container where the stones warm the air. The warmed air is then circulated back to the space to be heated.

However, none of the above mentioned systems provide for a cost-effective and energy efficient power system which is readily adaptable to home or small entity use. A need has long existed for a power system that is practical to provide utility independence for the small independent user. Windmill systems provide a degree of independence but do not provide any practical means for energy storage. Further, well-known windmill systems need to be installed on open rural spaces, hence rendering the system unavailable to a user living in an urban or suburban area.

Thus, what is needed is a method and device capable of a cost-effective and energy efficient power system which is readily adaptable to home or small entity use or which is capable of providing a substantial portion of home or small entity energy needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a movement absorption element that selectively directs air into a pipeline system whenever said movement absorption element is actuated. The pipeline system is interconnected to a compressing device which facilitates the flow of air into an air storage tank. A motor/generator set is connected to the air storage tank through the pipeline system. The motor/generator set is configured to provide electrical power to an exterior load when said motor is actuated by the compressed air stored in the storage tank.

According to the Ideal Gas Law, the state of an amount of gas is determined by its pressure, volume, and temperature according to the equation:

PV=nRT where;

P is the absolute pressure [Pa],

V is the volume [m3] of the vessel containing n moles of gas, n is the amount of substance of gas [mol],

R is the gas constant [8.314472 m3 Pa K-l mol-1],

T is the temperature in kelvins [K].

The ideal gas constant (R) depends on the units used in the formula. The value given above, 8.314472, is for the SI units of pascal cubic meters per mole per kelvin, which is equal to joule per mole per kelvin (J mol-1 K-I ). Another value for R is 0.082057 L atm mol-l K-1)

R has a different value for each different unit of pressure and the other quantities used. Some values are:

R = 8.314472 m3 -Pa-K-I -mol-1 R = 0.08205784 L atm K-1 mol-1 R = 62.3637 L-πraiHg-K-1 mol-1 R = 10.7316 ft3 psi °R- l lb-mol-l The Ideal Gas Law formula shows that if the temperature changes and the number of gas molecules are kept constant, then either pressure or volume (or both) will change in direct proportion to the temperature. Given that temperature increases during daytime, the pressurized gas inside the storage tank unit will expand. The increase in air pressure or volume will therefore contribute to the generation of electricity for a longer time and without the need of constantly replenishing the storage unit. The compressed air electrical power generator can be of great use to a small entity as the air that is compressed and later stored may not only come from the power generated by windmills or water currents, but from a foot operated pedal or a car weight-operated apparatus installed on a driveway or road. The compressed air is stored for later use and may be use as a back-up way for powering a house that is primarily served by the local electricity supply company.

In traditional systems (like windmills and hydroturbines) fuel energy needs to be converted to electricity either substantially immediate or electricity needs to be stored in batteries or the like for later use. Energy stored in batteries is subjected to heat loss and it tends to diminish over time, even when not in use. The system of the invention provides with means for storage of excess kinetic energy; thus the user will not be forced to make use of the collected energy instantaneously. Additionally, the user will have the option to turn off or disconnect the motor/generator that produces electrical power, and still be able to collect and store kinetic energy for later use.

BRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompany figure showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an energy conversion system according to a preferred embodiment of invention.

FIG. 2 shows a macro diagram of the energy conversion system according to a preferred embodiment of invention.

Throughout the figure, the same reference numbers and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like elements, components, portions or features of the illustrated embodiment. The subject invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompany figure, in view of the illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. It is clear that changes and modifications to the descπbed embodiment can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A method and apparatus for an air-driven energy efficient power system is illustrated and will be described. As may be appreciated, the system of the present invention comprises a movement absorption element 1 that generates a movement every time a force is applied against any of its surfaces. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the movement absorption element 1 experiences a linear compression/decompression effect every time a force is applied against one of its surfaces. As shown in FIG. 1. at least one movement absorption element 1 is adapted to be position below a street road 7. When a vehicle 8 travels over the road 7, the weight of the vehicle 8 imposes a gravitational linear force against the road which in turns applies a proportional force against the movement absorption element 1. In the preferred embodiment, additional movement absorption elements 1 can be adapted to be positioned below other surfaces. For example, an additional movement absorption element 1 is positioned below a sidewalk 10. When pedestrians 9 walk or run on the sidewalk 10, a movement absorption element 1 is configured to receive the gravitational linear force imposed by the pedestrians 9 weight. A pipeline system 2 is interconnected to said movement absorption elements 1 to allow the flow and distribution of air throughout the system, A compressor 3 is connected to said pipeline system 2 and adapted to direct to flow of air to a storage tank 5 which in turn is connected to a motor/generator set 6. In the preferred embodiment, the motor/generator set 6 comprises a pneumatic motor and an electric generator. Alternatively, other types of motors could be used such as : thermodynamic and hydraulic motors depending on the application. The output of the electric generator is selectively connected to supply electrical energy to an external load 11.

FIG. 2 shows a general diagram of the power conversion system of the invention. The first part of the invention is represented by block 1. The movement absorption element of the invention can be implemented in a variety of embodiments. For example, it can be positioned below a parking lot, so that the vehicle traffic imposes the necessary weight to actuate the movement absorption element. In another embodiment, it can be selectively connected to a railway so that the weight and/or the movement of a train actuates the movement absorption element. Alternatively, the motion generated by windmills or the flow of water at a dam can be advantageously used to actuate the movement absorption element. It is also envisioned, that the movement absorption element can be adapted to a flexible fluid pipe system. When installed in a residential environment, every time a person actuates a fluid flow regulating element such as a water faucet or shower or uses the washer machine; the flexible pipe will be compressed/decompressed. The compression/decompression effect will actuate the movement absorption element according to the invention. In general, the concept of the invention is to combine all the direct and indirect movement received in any direction to generate electrical power by means of the inventive concept. The compressed air is directed to a storage tank 5. However, the compressed air can be directed to any storage element. For example, a storage element can be adapted to positioned inside a power distribution pole or any kind of utility pole such as cable TV, telephone or telegraphic poles, inside a wall of a residential or commercial structure, or below ground or road level. In the preferred embodiment, the storage tank 5 is adapted to be integrated into existing structures. The storage tank unit may be disposed in or on any surface of a structure, such as a roof, a ceiling, a wall, a column or a floor of commercial or residential structures.

Ultimately, the air stored in the tank is directed to a motor/generator set 6 to produce electrical power usable by any external load 11. The generated power can be directly connected to residential/commercial structure to serve as a primary power source. Alternatively, it can be connected through an electrical transfer switch in order to provide backup or supplemental power to any residential/commercial structure. It is also envisioned, that the electrical power generated by the system can be connected to a utility power distribution/transmission system to supplement the power grid and/or sell it to the utility power company.

Another embodiment of the invention uses the inverse polarity to repel two magnets. One of the magnets is disposed on a substantially bottom portion of a vehicle and the other magnet is disposed on the top portion of a movement absorption element. When the vehicle is right above the movement absorption element the magnets will repel each other, thus causing the movement absorption element to be pressed down and to go back to its original position once the vehicle is substantially far. Another of the embodiments of the invention utilizes pressurized air with temperatures lower than its surrounding environment to provide with an air conditioning sub-system. Field tests show that the temperature of the environment was lower as measures were taken closer to the storage tank. On large- scales vectorial energy conversion systems, some of the cold air could be redirected to an air conditioning sub-system. An additional benefit will be savings on electricity consumption due to the fact that no electrical energy will be needed to cool down air or water.

Another embodiment of the invention utilizes the counterweight of an elevator system to move a cylinder/piston arrangement. The movement of the cylinder/piston arrangement generates the air that can be compressed and stored for electrical energy generation. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a system of weights is disposed on the body of the storage tank unit The weights are moved by a small amount of compressed air leaving the storage tank unit Movement of the weights will cause air to be generated, this air can also be used to generate power Although certain preferred embodiment and method has been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the true spiπt and scope of the invention For example, the invention can be adapted to be positioned inside a vehicle, wherein the horizontal/vertical movement of the vehicle actuated the movement absorption element The generated electricity may be used to power the lights or electronic devices inside the vehicle Moreover, the movement absorption element can be integrated into a buoyant system so that the sea waves movement actuates said movement absorption element Accordingly, it is intended that the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and rules and principles of applicable law

Claims

What is claimed is:

1) A system for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy comprising: at least one movement absorption element configured to receive at least one vectorial force to deliver a gaseous fluid; a compressor element pressurizing said gaseous fluid; a high pressure storage element storing said gaseous fluid pressurized by said compressor element; a mechanic- electrical conversion element utilizing said pressurized gaseous fluid to generate electricity; and at least one transmission element to transport said gaseous fluid throughout the system.

2) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein the at least one movement absorption element is selectively connected to said compressor element.

3) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein said compressor element is selectively connected to said high pressure storage element.

4) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein said high pressure storage element is selectively connected to said mechanic-electrical conversion element.

5) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein the at least one movement absorption element and a receiving surface are selectively configured independent from each other, integral, or a combination thereof.

6) The system of claim 5 further comprising wherein the at least one movement absorption element and said receiving surface are configured to interact together whenever said at least one vectorial force is applied to said receiving surface. 7) The system of claim 6 further comprising wherein said receiving surface is at least one of a sidewalk, a driveway, a parking lot and a railway.

8) The system of claim 7 further comprising wherein said vectorial force comprises at least one of: a pedestrian weight, a pedestrian walking, a pedestrian running, the movement of a vehicle for transportation at least one of passengers and cargo, and the weight of a vehicle for transportation of at least one of passengers and cargo.

9) The system of claim 5 further comprising wherein the at least one movement absorption element and said receiving surface are configured to interact together whenever a compression/decompression effect is applied to said surface.

10) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein said compression/decompression effect is generated by a flexible fluid pipe system; and wherein said compression/decompression effect is obtained from actuation of at least one fluid flow regulating element.

11) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein said high pressure storage element is disposed on at least one of: within a pole, within a surface of a structure, below ground level and above ground level.

12) The system of claim 11 further comprising wherein said pole further comprises an integral mechanic-electrical conversion element providing power to at least one illumination element disposed within said pole.

13) The system of claim 1 further comprising comprising said mechanic-electrical conversion element selectively connected to an external load element; and wherein the electricity generated by said mechanic-electrical conversion element is configured to supply energy to said external load element

14) The system of claim 12 further comprising wherein said external load element is selectively located on at least one of: a residential structure and a commercial structure.

15) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein the generated electricity comprises at least one of: a primary power source, a backup power source and a supplemental power source.

16) The system of claim 8 further comprising wherein an integral movement absorption element is disposed within said vehicle for transportation.

17) The system of claim 16 further comprising wherein said integral movement absorption element is configured to receive at least one vectorial force applied to said vehicle for transportation; wherein said integral movement absorption element is configured to deliver a gaseous fluid; an integral compressor element pressurizing said gaseous fluid; an integral high pressure storage element storing said gaseous fluid pressurized by said integral compressor element; an integral mechanic-electrical conversion element utilizing said pressurized gaseous fluid to generate electricity; and at least one integral transmission element to transport said gaseous fluid throughout the system.

18) The system of claim 17 further comprising wherein said integral movement absorption element is selectively connected to said integral compressor element; wherein said integral compressor element is selectively connected to said integral high pressure storage element; and wherein said integral high pressure storage element is selectively connected to said integral mechanic-electrical conversion element.

19) The system of claim 18 further comprising said integral mechanic-electrical conversion element selectively connected to an external load element; and wherein the electricity generated by said integral mechanic-electrical conversion element is configured to supply energy to said external load element.