Energy harvesting system and method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy
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.
1 . 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.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , and comprising storing the electrical energy produced by the generator in a battery.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , and comprising locating an electrochemical capacitor between the generator the battery.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the electrochemical capacitor comprises an ultracapacitor.
5 . The method according to claim 2 , and comprising connecting an electric motor to the battery.
6 . 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.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , and comprising adding a fluid to an onboard fluid source of the vehicle.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the onboard fluid source comprises a fluid reservoir configured for holding a liquid fluid.
9 . The method according to claim 6 , and comprising storing the electrical energy produced by the generator in a battery.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , and comprising locating an electrochemical capacitor between the generator the battery.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the electrochemical capacitor comprises an ultracapacitor.
12 . The method according to claim 9 , and comprising connecting an electric motor to the battery.