Power producing apparatuses and methods of use
The present disclosure pertains to a device for capturing and converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. The device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, with the second substrate covered by the first. The second substrate includes spaced-apart, semi-rigid plates. Positioned below the second substrate is a hose arranged in a serpentine configuration and filled with fluid, located directly underneath each plate. A third substrate is situated below the hose, forming part of the overall structure of the device.
1 . A device for capturing and converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, the device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate that is covered by the first substrate, the second substrate comprising a plurality of plates, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of plates are spaced apart from one another, each plate of the plurality of plates being semi-rigid;
a hose positioned below the second substrate in a serpentine configuration comprising a plurality of U-shaped bends such that the hose traverses back and forth directly underneath each of the plurality of plates, the hose being filled with a fluid; and
a third substrate located below the hose.
2 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a hydroelectric generator that is in closed-loop fluid communication with the hose, the hydroelectric generator being configured to create electrical energy as the hose is depressed by the plurality of plates causing the fluid to interact with the hydroelectric generator.
3 . The device according to claim 2 , further comprising a storage device or a load for receiving the electrical energy.
4 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the hydroelectric generator comprises a turbine and an electric generator, and wherein the fluid is configured to rotate the turbine which drives the electric generator to produce the electrical energy.
5 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth substrate located between the second substrate and the hose, wherein the fourth substrate is positioned above the hose.
6 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first one-way valve positioned in the hose before a first plate of the plurality of plates.
7 . The device according to claim 6 , further comprising a second one-way valve located after a last plate of the plurality of plates.
8 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising rails disposed on the first substrate to protect the plurality of plates and prevent a plow from contacting the plurality of plates.
9 . A method, comprising:
providing a device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate covered by the first substrate, the second substrate comprising primary plates that are spaced apart and semi-rigid;
a hose positioned below the second substrate in a serpentine configuration, directly underneath each of the primary plates, the hose being filled with a fluid;
a hydroelectric generator comprising a turbine and an electric generator, the hydroelectric generator in closed-loop fluid communication with the hose, configured to create electrical energy as the hose is depressed by the primary plates causing the fluid to rotate the turbine which drives the electric generator;
a load for receiving the electrical energy; and
permitting a vehicle to drive over the device, where wheels of the vehicle contact and depress the primary plates in series, wherein a first primary plate is depressed before a last primary plate by the vehicle so that the fluid in the hose is sequentially propagated through the hose towards the hydroelectric generator, thereby providing continuous flow of the fluid to the hydroelectric generator as the vehicle traverses over the primary plates.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising providing another substrate between the second substrate and the hose, installing a one-way valve before and after each primary plate, and rotating a shaft with the fluid to cause an electric motor to produce the electrical energy.
11 . A system for capturing and converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, the system comprising:
a first device comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate that is covered by the first substrate, the second substrate comprising plates, wherein adjacent ones of the plates are spaced apart from one another, the plates each being semi-rigid;
a hose positioned below the second substrate in a serpentine configuration comprising a plurality of U-shaped bends such that the hose traverses back and forth directly underneath each of the plates, the hose being filled with a fluid;
a third substrate located below the hose;
a converter that is in closed-loop fluid communication with the hose, the converter being configured to create electrical energy as the hose is depressed by the plates causing the fluid to interact with the converter;
a storage device for receiving the electrical energy; and
a first device support frame configured to support the first device above a subordinate surface; and
a second device configured identically to the first device, wherein a hose of the second device is configured to extend through the first device support frame and connect to another converter that is co-located with the converter associated with the first device.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , further comprising angled ramps associated with terminal edges of the first device and the first device support frame.
13 . The system according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a fourth substrate located between the second substrate and the hose;
a first one-way valve located before a first plate of the plates; and
a second one-way valve located after a last plate of the plates.
14 . The system according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a hydro fan in combination with the converter;
a first one-way valve located before the hydro fan; and
a second one-way valve located after the hydro fan.
15 . The system according to claim 11 , further comprising rails disposed on the first substrate to protect the plates and prevent a plow from contacting the plates.
16 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the hose of the second device extends under plates of second device in an orientation that is perpendicular to the orientation of the hose of the first device.
17 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the hose of the second device extends under plates of second device in a parabolic arc.
18 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the hose of the second device extends under plates of second device at an angle relative to an angle of the plates.