Vehicle comprising energy harvesting suspension system, and method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy

A vehicle, comprising:

• a gravitational positive displacement pump adapted for operational movement in response to a gravitational bounce of said vehicle when in motion;
• an onboard fluid source;
• a fluid inlet connected to said onboard fluid source and said gravitational positive displacement pump;
• a fluid outlet connected to said gravitational positive displacement pump and adapted for discharging fluid upon operation of said gravitational positive displacement pump;
• a turbine mounted relative to said fluid outlet such that fluid discharged through said outlet acts on said turbine, thereby producing rotational energy;
• a generator operatively connected to said turbine and adapted for converting the rotational energy to electrical energy;
• and
• a battery operatively connected to said generator and adapted for storing the electrical energy produced by said generator.

A method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:

• installing a gravitational positive displacement pump in a vehicle, the gravitational positive displacement pump adapted for movement in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion;
• upon gravitational bounce of the vehicle, drawing fluid into the gravitational positive displacement pump through a fluid inlet;
• discharging fluid from the gravitational positive displacement pump through a fluid outlet;
• mounting a turbine relative to the fluid outlet, such that fluid discharged through the fluid outlet imparts rotational energy to the turbine;
• operatively connecting a generator to the turbine to convert the rotational energy generated by the turbine to electrical energy;
• and
• storing the electrical energy produced by the generator in a battery.