Exhaust air power plant
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorMichael L. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power generation system for vacuum-based equipment converts exhaust airflow into electrical energy. The system includes a blower creating vacuum pressure within a debris tank, an outlet duct directing exhaust air, and a turbine assembly positioned in the exhaust stream. The turbine may utilize a rotatable shaft with blades and at least one generator coupled to the shaft to produce electricity. Generated power may charge battery banks, supply the blower, or return energy to an electrical grid. The system extends operational runtime and reduces external charging needs.
Claims16
A power generation system comprising:
- an inlet duct in fluid communication with atmospheric air;
- an outlet duct in fluid communication with atmospheric air;
- a blower in fluid communication with the inlet duct and the outlet duct, the blower configured to generate vacuum pressure within a vacuum tank of a vacuum system by pulling air in through the inlet duct and blowing air out through the outlet duct;
- and
- an exhaust turbine assembly disposed within an exhaust airflow of the outlet duct, the exhaust turbine assembly comprising:
- a rotatable turbine shaft;
- a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the turbine shaft, the plurality of turbine blades configured to rotate the turbine shaft in response to the exhaust airflow;
- and
- at least one generator connected to the turbine shaft, the at least one generator configured to convert rotation of the turbine shaft into electricity.
A vacuum excavation system comprising:
- a vacuum tank configured to receive excavation debris;
- a blower in fluid communication with the vacuum tank via a vacuum conduit;
- an inlet duct and an outlet duct, each duct in fluid communication with the blower such that the blower is configured to generate vacuum pressure within the vacuum tank by pulling air in through the inlet duct and blowing air out through the outlet duct;
- and
- an exhaust turbine assembly disposed within an exhaust airflow of the outlet duct, the exhaust turbine assembly comprising:
- a rotatable turbine shaft;
- a plurality of turbine blades extending radially from the turbine shaft, the plurality of turbine blades configured to rotate the turbine shaft in response to the exhaust airflow;
- and
- at least one generator connected to the turbine shaft, the at least one generator configured to convert rotation of the turbine shaft into electricity.
A power generation assembly for a vacuum system, comprising:
- a silencer housing configured to receive an exhaust airflow generated by a blower of the vacuum system;
- a rotatable turbine shaft extending through the silencer housing;
- a plurality of turbine blades disposed within the silencer housing and extending radially from the turbine shaft, the plurality of turbine blades configured to rotate the turbine shaft in response to the exhaust airflow through the silencer housing;
- and
- at least one generator operatively coupled to the turbine shaft and configured to convert rotation of the turbine shaft into electricity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.