This invention relates to an energy generation and storage system. In particular the invention relates to an energy generation and storage system, energy storage vehicle, energy storage train, an energy storage trailer and an electricity supply system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been a worldwide concern that natural resources will not last forever and in response to this concern, a need has arisen to develop alternative methods of producing electricity. These alternative methods may include devices such as wind turbines, solar panels and the like.

Developing countries often struggle to provide sufficient electricity to supply the growing demands. People are then often faced with power outages, during which time they have to make use of devices such as large battery systems or power generators. The cost of acquiring these devices, as well as the cost to fuel or charge them can be excessive.

In many developing countries, people live in informal settlement, which are not supplied with municipal services such as water and electricity. Providing the informal settlements with electricity can be very challenging due to their remote locations.

The inventor identified a need to improve generation and storage of energy, specifically unexploited energy. This invention aims to address this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly there is provided an energy generation and storage system, which includes

a rotatable member, rotated during movement of a vehicle;

an electrical generator;

a mechanical connector, connecting the rotatable device to the electrical generator; and

a battery for storing the energy generated by the electrical generator.

The electrical generator may be in the form of an alternator.

The vehicle may be in the form of a motorised vehicle or an unpowered vehicle. The motorised vehicle may be in the form of an airplane, motorcar, train, boat, and the like. The unpowered vehicle may be in the form of a trailer, railway carriage, railcar or the like.

The rotatable member may produce mechanical energy, which is transferable to the electrical generator via the mechanical connector.

The rotatable member may be in the form of any one of an axle, a wheel, a turbine or the like, rotated due to movement of a vehicle.

The battery may be in the form of a battery or battery packs connected in series. The battery or batteries may be in the form of 12Volt, 24Volt, 48Volts and the like. The energy storage system may further include an inverter connected to the battery or batteries for providing 220V electricity.

The mechanical connector may be in the form of a drive belt, fanbelt or the like. The invention also provides for an energy storage vehicle, which includes

a vehicle; and

the energy generation and storage system as described.

In one embodiment the vehicle may be in the form of an electrical vehicle. In this example the rotatable member may be in the form of one or more of the electric vehicle's rotating wheel axles, which are otherwise just freewheeling. The battery may be in the form of the vehicle's built-in battery or in the form of one or more additional batteries. In use, the electric vehicle may propel itself with a first battery pack whilst a second battery pack may be charged by the electrical generator. When the first battery pack's energy is depleted, an automatic switch may switch over such that the vehicle uses the second battery pack to maintain the propulsion of the vehicle. At such an instance a secondary switch may simultaneously activate the generation and storage system as described to charge the first battery pack. This process can repeat itself to propel the vehicle to reach longer distances than it would be able to without the system. The energy storage vehicle may also include a further rotatable member, in the form of a turbine. The energy storage vehicle may include airflow supporting features. The airflow supporting features may be in the form of air vents in the form of inlets and outlets. The air vents may allow air to move into the vehicle when the vehicle is moved.

The air vents facilitate movement of air through the vehicle and through the turbine, thereby to generate energy via the electrical generator connected to the turbine. In another embodiment the vehicle may be in the form of a plane. In this example the rotatable member may be in the form of one or more wind turbines. The wind turbines may be located on wings of the plane. In yet a further embodiment, the vehicle may be in the form of a ship.

In this example the rotatable member may be in the form of a hydro turbine, rotated by movement of the ship through water. In this example the ship may further include one or more rotatable members in the form of wind turbines, rotated by movement of the ship, when the turbine is pushed through the air.

In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle may be in the form of a railcar. In this example the rotatable member may be in the form of at least one axle of the railcar, rotated when the wheels of the railcar are pulled along a train track by a locomotive.

The energy storage vehicle may include a connector for transferring electricity from the battery to an electrical engine of the vehicle.

The invention also provides for an energy storage train, which includes

a locomotive; and

a plurality of railcars incorporating the energy storage system as described.

Each railcar includes an alternator mechanically connected to at least one axle of the railcar, and a battery connected to the alternator for storing the energy generated by the alternator. The at least one axle is rotated when the wheels of the railcar are pulled along a train track by a locomotive.

Advantageously the locomotive may hook up uncharged railcars and tow the railcars (whilst charging the railcars) to remote areas. At the remote areas the charged railcars are unhooked and again exchanged with uncharged railcars. In such a way, remote areas are provided with electrically charged railcars that can be used to supply power at the remote area.

The invention further provides for an energy storage trailer, which includes

a trailer having at least one axle mounted to at least one wheel of the trailer; at least one electrical generator;

a mechanical connector connecting the at least one axle to the at least one electrical generator.

The trailer may be in the form of an unpowered vehicle, having a wheeled undercarriage, a load bay mounted on the undercarriage and a hitch for attaching to a tow hitch of a vehicle. The trailer may be in the form of a motor vehicle trailer, train trailer or the like.

The electrical generator may be in the form of an alternator.

In a preferred embodiment the energy storage trailer may include two independent axles, in line with each other, each having a fixed wheel hub connectable with one wheel of the trailer. As a wheel rotates, the independent axle connected thereto rotates simultaneously. The energy storage trailer may include a plurality of bearings attached to a base of the trailer. In one embodiment the plurality of bearings may be attached to a fixed axle of the trailer. The independent axles may be rotatable through the plurality of bearings. Advantageously, the bearings may stabilize the trailer during towing movement.

The mechanical connector may be in the form of any one of a pulley, drive belt, fanbelt, or the like. The energy storage trailer may include one or more tensioners, connectable to the mechanical connector for tensioning the connector between each independent axle and electrical generator. A base of the load bay of the trailer may include one or more apertures, through which the one or more mechanical connectors may pass from the axle to the electrical generator. Alternatively the electrical generator may be fixed directly on the undercarriage with an opening in the load bay of the trailer through which the electrical generator protrudes.

The trailer may further include an airflow electricity generator. The airflow electricity generator may be in the form of a turbine mechanically connected to an electrical generator. The electrical generator may be connected to a battery. The turbine may be located in a rear of the trailer. The trailer may include a funnel member located in a rear of the trailer, for focusing air into the turbine.

The trailer may include airflow supporting features. The airflow supporting features may include any one or more of side air channels, air ducts, air vents and the like.

The side air channels may protrude from the side of the trailer load bay at an angle, advantageously to allow air to move into the trailer load bay when the trailer is moved. The air vents may include a front air vent for allowing air to enter the trailer load bay, a rear air vent for allowing air to exit the trailer load bay and the like. Advantageously the air vent facilitates movement of air through the trailer and through the turbine, thereby to generate energy via the electrical generator connected to the turbine. The trailer may include a set of switches for switching on/off any of the electrical generators.

The trailer may include a set of indicator lights, for indicating the charging status of the battery.

The trailer includes at least one invertor, connected to the batteries.

The trailer may include one or more electrical plug sockets, mounted on the trailer body and connected to the invertor. In a preferred embodiment the electrical plug sockets may be mounted on an exterior of the trailer body. The electrical plug sockets may provide 12 Volt, 220 Volt or the like.

In one embodiment the trailer may include a switch for switching any one or more of the electrical generators on/off. The switch may be an automatic switch connectable to the vehicle's brakes. The switch may be activated when the vehicle's brakes are engaged, and deactivated when the vehicle's brakes are disengaged thereby switching on the electrical generators when the vehicle is braking.

The trailer may include one or more monitoring devices, such as a a voltage meter, current meter and the like.

The trailer may include one or more safety devices. The safety devices may include, a central locking system, a remote control locking system, motion detector, alarm system, an electrical shock deterrent system.

The electrical shock deterrent may include a spiked high voltage discharger. In use when the electrical shock deterrent is activated, and the motion detector senses unauthorised movement of the trailer, the discharger produces a high voltage discharged to the vehicle through the trailer connector. In a specific example of the energy storage trailer, the trailer may have a length of between 1 m and 1.5m, may include four generators and have between four and eight batteries. In the case of 4 x 12V generators may charge 4 x12V batteries. Alternatively 4 x 24V generators may charge 8 x 12V batteries (2 x 12V batteries (coupled in series). With a shortened hitch (50 cm) for attaching to a tow hitch of a vehicle and a stabiliser it will form part of the vehicle with the minimum impact on the drivers ability. The short length of the trailer makes it sturdier and easier to manoeuvre in traffic and to reverse when coupled.

Through testing over 100km of driving all batteries are fully loaded with each battery producing 3.5KW/h x 8 = 28 KW/h per 100km. The vehicle consumes 11 of fuel (R13) extra to pull the trailer in comparison to travelling 100km without a trailer. In the South African market, the trailer with 8 batteries can therefore create energy at R0.50 per KW/h in comparison to R1.75 per KW/h (1 Unit) via Eskom.

The invention also extends to an electricity supply system, which includes

a plurality of trailers as described;

at least a first depot; and

vehicles to which the trailers are connected to be drawn from and to the first depot. The system may include a second depot, remote form the first depot.

The trailers may be stored at either the first or second depot.

Batteries may be moved between the first and second depot, on the trailers, thereby charging the batteries, and providing charged batteries at the depots. The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figure(s): FIGURE(S)

In the figure(s):

Figure 1 shows a front three-dimensional view of an energy storage trailer in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a rear three-dimensional view of the energy storage trailer of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a partial interior view from one side of the energy storage trailer;

Figure 4 shows a partial interior view from the other side of the energy storage trailer;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the interior of the energy storage trailer;

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the energy storage trailer. Figure 7 shows a rear view of the energy storage trailer, but with the generator mounted on the undercarriage.

Figure 8 shows a partial interior view of Figure 7, from the one side of the energy storage trailer.

In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 reference numeral 10 refers to an energy storage trailer, which includes a trailer having two independent axles 12.1 , 12.2 mounted to each wheel of the trailer 10, electrical generators 14.1 14.2, and mechanical connectors 16.1 , 16.2 connecting each independent axle 12.1 , 12.2 to an electrical generator 14.1 , 14.2.

The energy storage trailer 10 further includes batteries 18.1 , 18.2 connected to the electrical generators 14.1 , 14.2, for storing the energy generated by the electrical generators 14.1 , 14.2.

In this example the trailer 10 is in the form of an unpowered vehicle, having a wheeled undercarriage, a load bay mounted on the undercarriage and a hitch for attaching to a tow hitch of a motorised vehicle. In this example the trailer 10 is in the form of a motor vehicle trailer.

The electrical generators 14.1 , 14.2 are in the form of alternators. In this example the energy storage trailer 10 includes two independent axles 12.1 , 12.2 in line with each other, each having a fixed wheel hub connectable with one wheel of the trailer. As shown in Figure 5 and 6, the energy storage trailer 10 includes a plurality of bearings, generally referred to by reference numeral 20, attached to a base of the trailer. The plurality of bearings 20 are attached to a base frame of the trailer 10. The independent axles 12.1 , 12.2 are rotatable through the plurality of bearings 20. Advantageously, the bearings 20 stabilize the trailer 10 during towing.

The mechanical connectors 16 are in the form of drive belts.

The electrical generators 14 are in the form of alternators.

A base of the load bay of the trailer 10 includes apertures 22.1 , 22.2, through which the drive belts 16.1 , 16.2 pass from the axles 12 to the electrical generators 14. Alternatively as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the electrical generators 14 are fixed directly on the undercarriage with an opening in the load bay of the trailer 10 through which the electrical generators 14 protrudes.

The trailer 10 further includes an airflow electricity generator. As best shown in Figure 6, the airflow electricity generator is in the form of a turbine 24 mechanically connected to an electrical generator 14.3. The electrical generator 14.3 is connected to a further battery 18.3. The turbine 24 is located in a rear of the trailer 10. The trailer 10 includes a funnel member 27 located in a rear of the trailer, for focusing air into the turbine 24.

The trailer 10 includes airflow supporting features. The airflow supporting features are in the form of side air channels 28 and air vents 30.

The side air channels 28 protrude from the side of the trailer load bay at an angle, advantageously to allow air to move into the trailer load bay when the trailer 10 is moved.

The air vents 30 include a front air vent 30.1 for allowing air to enter the trailer load bay and a rear air vent 30.2 for allowing air to exit the trailer load bay. Advantageously the air vents facilitate movement of air through the trailer and through the turbine 24, thereby to generate energy via the electrical generator 14.3 connected to the turbine 24.

The trailer 10 includes a set of switches 32 for switching on/off any of the electrical generators 14.1 , 14.2, 14.3.

The trailer 10 includes a set of indicator lights 34, for indicating which batteries 18.1 , 18.2, 18.3 are fully charged. The trailer 10 includes at least one invertor (not shown), connected to the batteries 18.1 , 18.2, 18.3. The trailer furthers includes electrical plug sockets 36, mounted on the trailer body and connected to the invertor. In this embodiment the electrical plug sockets 36 is mounted on an exterior of the trailer body. The electrical plug sockets 36 provide 220V.

In one alternative embodiment the trailer may include an automatic switch for turning any one or more of the electrical generators on/off. The automatic switch is in the form of an automatic braking switch, and is connectable to the vehicle's brakes. The switch is activated when the vehicle's brakes are engaged, and deactivated when the vehicle's brakes are disengaged, thereby switching on the electrical generators 14 when the vehicle is braking.

The trailer 10 also includes monitoring devices 38, such as voltage meters, current meters and the like.

The trailer 10 further includes safety devices (not shown). The safety devices may include any one or more of a central locking system, a remote control locking system, motion detector, alarm system, an electrical shock deterrent system.

In another example (not shown) of the energy storage trailer, the trailer has a length of between 1 m and 1.5m, includes four generators and between four and eight batteries. In the case of 4 x 12V generators it charges 4 x12V batteries. Alternatively 4 x 24V generators charges 8 x 12V batteries (2 x 12V batteries (coupled in series). With a shortened hitch (50 cm) for attaching to a tow hitch of a vehicle and a stabiliser it will form part of the vehicle with the minimum impact on the driver's ability. The short length of the trailer makes it sturdier and easier to manoeuvre in traffic and to reverse when coupled. In use, the energy storage trailer 10, may be towed behind a vehicle. As the trailer is towed and the wheels turn the axles 12, the alternators 14 produce electricity which is stored in the batteries 18. The trailer 10 may be used as a battery back up to power a home. Particularly a user may tow the trailer to work and back home, and then connect the trailer to the power inlet box. Alternatively the trailer may be used for camping. As the user tows the trailer to the camping site, the batteries are charged, and upon arrival at the campsite, appliances can be plugged into the trailer, thereby providing power at remote locations. Through testing over 100km of driving all batteries are fully loaded with each battery producing 3.5KW/h x 8 = 28 KW/h per 100km. The vehicle consumes 11 of fuel (R13) extra to pull the trailer in comparison to travelling 100km without a trailer. In the South African market, the trailer with 8 batteries can therefore create energy at R0.50 per KW/h in comparison to R1.75 per KW/h (1 Unit) via Eskom.

In another example, taxis and trucks that travel long distances may hook up uncharged trailers and tow the trailers (whilst charging the trailers) to remote areas. At the remote areas the charged trailers are unhooked and again exchanged with uncharged trailers. In such a way, remote areas are provided with electrically charged trailers that can be used to supply power at the remote area.

The invention also extends to an electricity supply system, which includes a plurality of trailers as described, a first depot, and taxis to which the trailers are connected to be drawn to and from the first depot.

As an example the first depot can be set-up as close as possible to a Taxi-rank that is servicing an informal settlement. The first depot will have any number of trailers (50 to 100 or more) that can be hooked by the Taxis (empty batteries) that will start with their early normal trips. The Taxi will be equipped with Voltmeters to indicate when the batteries are fully charged. When that is the case the driver will unhook the trailer when in the vicinity of the depot and hook another trailer with discharged batteries. The depot will be in possession of x-amount of fully charged batteries. The Taxi-passenger can then buy a charged battery to take home where the following setup can be utilised:

As shown the following electrical equipment can be utilized from one

12V battery:

• Lights x 2

· TV and decoder if needed,

• Infrared light (heat radiation) to create heat.

• Infrared light (direct heat) for boiling water (one cup every 20 min) to make coffee, tea or soup.

• Cell phone charging and Radio at 12V. 12V battery and 650W Converter with all plugin points.

The next morning the Taxi-passenger bring the discharged battery back to the Depot before boarding the Taxi again while the Taxi hooks a trailer (with discharged batteries) to start the whole process over again.

The inventor believes that the invention provides a new energy generation and storage system.