Smart speed bump and methods for energy generation
View Patent ↗An energy generating speed bump assembly and a method for generating electrical energy therewith are described which integrate mechanical shock absorption with hydraulic power generation in a subterranean housing. The assembly includes a speed bump mounted within a channel configured for controlled vertical displacement. A helical compression spring connects the speed bump to a piston oil pump, converting vehicular kinetic energy into hydraulic pressure through a coordinated mechanical-hydraulic interface. The assembly includes a main oil reservoir and a compressed oil tank receiving hydraulic pressure to generate pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressurized hydraulic fluid drives an oil turbine coupled to an electrical generator, facilitating power generation from vehicular traffic. The modular design of the assembly facilitates standardized installation within conventional roadway infrastructure. This integrated approach simultaneously provides traffic speed regulation and renewable energy generation while minimizing vehicular impact through controlled deceleration characteristics.
1. An energy generating speed bump assembly, comprising:
a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, a third wall connected to the first wall and the second wall, wherein the third wall is perpendicular to the first wall, and a fourth wall connected to the first wall and the second wall and opposite to the third wall, wherein the housing includes three sections configured as an upper section adjoining the top surface, a middle section below the upper section and a lower section below the middle section, wherein the housing is mounted within a trench in a roadway;
a speed bump having a tapered side surface, a flat bottom surface, an arcuate top surface and an arcuate side surface, wherein the arcuate top surface is configured to extend from an upper end of the tapered side surface to the arcuate side surface, and the arcuate side surface is configured to extend from the arcuate top surface to the flat bottom surface;
a channel located within the housing, the channel having an opening configured to receive the flat bottom surface, the tapered side surface and the arcuate side surface of the speed bump, wherein the channel has a lower surface and tapered sides, wherein an angle of a first tapered side of the channel is configured to match an angle of the tapered side surface of the speed bump;
a spring having a top end mounted to the flat bottom surface of the speed bump, wherein the spring is configured to coil in response to a depression of the speed bump into the channel and to uncoil and return the speed bump to an undepressed configuration in which the arcuate top surface of the speed bump extends above a surface of the roadway;
a piston oil pump including a cylinder, a piston rod and a piston head configured to move within the cylinder, wherein a first end of the piston rod is mounted to the flat bottom surface of the speed bump and a second end of the piston rod is connected to the piston head, wherein a bottom end of the spring is mounted to an indented ring on an outside surface of the piston head;
a main oil reservoir connected to piston oil pump, wherein oil in the main oil reservoir is at atmospheric pressure,
wherein the piston oil pump is configured to pump oil from the cylinder into the main oil reservoir when the piston head is depressed by the speed bump and withdraw oil from the main oil reservoir when the spring uncoils and returns the speed bump to the undepressed configuration;
a compressed oil tank connected to the main oil reservoir and to the piston oil pump, wherein the compressed oil tank is configured to receive oil from the main oil reservoir when the piston head is depressed within the piston oil pump;
an oil turbine connected to the compressed oil tank, wherein the oil turbine is configured receive a stream of compressed oil when the piston head is depressed within the piston oil pump, wherein the stream of compressed oil is configured to rotate a turbine shaft of the oil turbine; and
an electrical generator connected to the turbine shaft, wherein the electrical generator is configured to generate electricity when the turbine shaft is rotated by the stream of compressed oil.
2. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , further comprising vertical guide rails configured to surround the piston oil pump and prevent lateral displacement of the piston head within the cylinder.
3. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a helical compression spring configured to encircle the piston rod, wherein the spring is seated between a cylinder top and the flat bottom surface of the speed bump.
4. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 3 , wherein the helical compression spring is about 0.2 m in height.
5. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a steel mounting plate located on the flat bottom surface of the speed bump;
a U-shaped bracket connected to the steel mounting plate, wherein the first end of the piston rod is connected to the U-shaped bracket.
6. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cylinder mounting bracket attached by bolts to a bottom surface of the upper section, wherein the cylinder mounting bracket is configured to hold a base of the cylinder to the bottom surface of the upper section; and
a plurality of rubber damping pads placed between the base of the cylinder and the cylinder mounting bracket, wherein the plurality of rubber damping pads are configured to absorb vibrations and prevent mechanical wear of the cylinder.
7. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein a top of the channel is configured to align with a top edge of the trench in the roadway.
8. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the trench in the roadway is lined with reinforced concrete configured to support the channel and prevent deformation of the trench under heavy loads.
9. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 8 , wherein the housing is mounted within the trench by anchors bolted to the reinforced concrete.
10. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the trench has a length in a range of about 2.5 m to about 3.7 m, a width in a range of about 1.65 m to 2.0 m and a depth in a range of about 0.95 m to about 1 m.
11. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a wiring harness connected to the generator, wherein the wiring harness is connected to an outlet terminal located on one of the first wall and the second wall of the housing near the top surface of the housing.
12. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the housing includes a lip around an outer edge of the top surface, wherein the lip includes bolt holes configured to receive anchor bolts which secure the housing to a surface of the roadway.
13. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a first access plate located on the top surface, wherein the first access plate is configured to provide access to the middle section, and a second access plate located on a bottom surface of the middle section, wherein the second access plate is configured to provide access to the turbine and the generator.
14. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an air pipe connected to an air vent located at a top surface of the main oil reservoir, wherein the air pipe is configured to eject air from the main oil reservoir when the piston oil pump pumps oil into the main oil reservoir and draw air into the main oil reservoir through the air pipe when the piston of the piston oil pump is pulled upward by the uncoiling of the helical compression spring.
15. The energy generating speed bump assembly of claim 14 , wherein the compressed oil is returned to the main oil reservoir after passing through the oil turbine.