Energy harvesting system and method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy
OwnerMatthew Alan Kaskowiczinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gravity-assist energy harvesting system incorporates a gravitational positive displacement pump. The gravitational positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce. A fluid drive assembly is operatively connected to the gravitational positive displacement pump and a fluid source, such that operational movement of the gravitational positive displacement pump circulates the fluid thereby actuating the fluid drive assembly. A generator is operatively connected to the fluid drive assembly and is adapted for generating electrical energy upon actuation of the fluid drive assembly.
Claims12
A method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:
- in response to a gravitational bounce, drawing fluid into a gravitational positive displacement pump through a fluid inlet;
- discharging fluid from the gravitational positive displacement pump through a fluid outlet;
- locating at least one hydraulic accumulator between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the gravitational positive displacement pump;
- locating a rotary machine proximate the fluid outlet, such that fluid discharged through the fluid outlet imparts rotational energy to the rotary machine;
- operatively connecting the rotary machine to a generator to convert the rotational energy generated by the rotary machine to electrical energy.
A method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, comprising:
- installing a gravitational positive displacement pump in a vehicle, the 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 displacement pump through a fluid inlet;
- discharging fluid from the displacement pump through a fluid outlet;
- locating at least one hydraulic accumulator between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the gravitational positive displacement pump;
- locating a turbine proximate the fluid outlet, such that fluid discharged through the outlet imparts rotational energy to the turbine;
- and
- operatively connecting the rotary machine to a generator to convert the rotational energy generated by the rotary machine to electrical energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.