VEHICLE

EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202041044763, filed on October 14, 2020 and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER GENERATION FROM A MOVING VEHICLE”.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to energy saving system and more particularly to a system and a method for power generation from a moving vehicle.

Energy resources in our modern fast paced techno world are fast depleting. Hence, a renewable energy source is much required at the moment. Green energy or wind energy which is the one of the most important sources of renewable energy that easily available in nature. At the end of this decade, most of the countries are moving towards to install more wind turbine around the world, because of the increasing need of electric power without any pollution. Wind energy is also known as green energy because it does not produce any pollution. The main aim of installing wind turbine is to reduce the consumption of power from non-renewable energy by combining vehicles and the wind turbine as an advanced technology. Many attempts done on this field to produce electric power by moving locomotives. The purposed systems not at all satisfying, because they do not meet the threshold of the practical implementation. Such models are inefficient or directly affect the performance of vehicle.

One such model includes a wind turbine in the front of a commercial vehicle, which covers a significant area of the vehicle front. The wind turbine is intended to convert some of the dynamic pressure energy into mechanical energy without significantly increasing the vehicle's resistance to movement. However, the disadvantage is that the energy savings may be achieved only by additional components to be grown, which make it possible to use the mechanical energy either for example for the propulsion of the vehicle or to store them first.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method for power generation from a moving vehicle to address the aforementioned issue(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure a system for power generation from a moving vehicle is provided. The system includes one or more wind turbines located on one or more places of the moving vehicle. The one or more wind turbines includes a plurality of blades placed around a corresponding rotor. The one or more turbines are configured to generate mechanical energy when wind is blown over and rotates the plurality of blades thereby causing the corresponding rotor to spin and store mechanical energy. The system also includes an anemometer coupled to the one or more wind turbines. The anemometer is configured to measure speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades. The system further includes an electronic control unit coupled to the anemometer and the plurality of blades. The electronic control unit is configured to control position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer. The system further includes at least one generator including a propeller shaft coupled to the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines. The at least one generator is configured to rotate the propeller shaft by transferring the mechanical energy stored in the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines to the propeller shaft based on the position and angle of the plurality of blades controlled by the electronic control unit. The at least one generator is also configured to convert the mechanical energy into alternate current (AC) to generate electric power upon rotation of the propeller shaft. The system further includes one or more electric energy reception unit electrically coupled to the at least one generator. The one or more electric energy reception unit is configured to receive the electric power generated by the at least one generator upon receiving a trigger signal from the electronic control unit. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for generating power from a moving vehicle is provided. The method includes generating, by one or more wind turbines, mechanical energy when wind is blown over and rotates a plurality of blades of the one or more wind turbines thereby causing a corresponding rotor coupled to a plurality of blades to spin and store mechanical energy, where the one or more wind turbines are located on one or more places of a moving vehicle, the method also includes measuring, by an anemometer, speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades. The method further includes controlling, by an electronic control unit, position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer, where the electronic control unit coupled to the anemometer and the plurality of blades. The method further includes rotating, by at least one generator, a propeller shaft by transferring the mechanical energy stored in the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines to the propeller shaft based on the position and angle of the plurality of blades controlled by the electronic control unit. The method further includes converting, by the at least one generator, the mechanical energy into alternate current (AC) to generate electric power upon rotation of the propeller shaft. The method further includes receiving, by the one or more electric energy reception unit, the electric power generated by the at least one generator upon receiving a trigger signal from the electronic control unit.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system for power generation from a moving vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of one exemplary embodiment of the system of FIG. 1 , depicting working operation of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system of FIG. 1 with wind turbine to generate electrical energy within a passenger coach in the train in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system of FIG. 1 with wind turbine to generate electrical energy within a hybrid truck in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (210) for generating power from a moving vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to system and method for power generation from a moving vehicle. The system includes one or more wind turbines located on one or more places of the moving vehicle. The one or more wind turbines includes a plurality of blades placed around a corresponding rotor. The one or more turbines are configured to generate mechanical energy when wind is blown over and rotates the plurality of blades thereby causing the corresponding rotor to spin and store mechanical energy. The system also includes an anemometer coupled to the one or more wind turbines. The anemometer is configured to measure speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades. The system further includes an electronic control unit coupled to the anemometer and the plurality of blades. The electronic control unit is configured to control position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer. The system further includes at least one generator including a propeller shaft coupled to the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines. The at least one generator is configured to rotate the propeller shaft by transferring the mechanical energy stored in the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines to the propeller shaft based on the position and angle of the plurality of blades controlled by the electronic control unit. The at least one generator is also configured to convert the mechanical energy into alternate current (AC) to generate electric power upon rotation of the propeller shaft. The system further includes one or more electric energy reception unit electrically coupled to the at least one generator. The one or more electric energy reception unit is configured to receive the electric power generated by the at least one generator upon receiving a trigger signal from the electronic control unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system (10) for power generation from a moving vehicle (20) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) includes one or more wind turbines (30) located on one or more places of the moving vehicle. In one embodiment, the moving vehicle (20) may include a locomotive such as a train, truck, car and bus. In such an embodiment, the one or more places may include at least one of on top of the moving vehicle and inside the moving vehicle. In detail, the one or more wind turbines may be coupled to corresponding one or more coaches of the train. In another embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may be coupled in front of the train coaches or engine. In such embodiment, the coaches may correspond to at least one of a passenger coaches or a goods coach. As used herein, the term 'coaches' is defined as a type of carriage which is used to carry passengers or goods. In yet another embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may be place in between few compartments to obtain maximum energy out of the running train. In one embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may be coupled in front of the engine at a predefined distance. In another embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may be coupled to back side of the train, more specifically, at back side of the last coach of the train. In one embodiment, the one or more wind turbine may be placed on top of heavy vehicles such as trucks which are used for transportation and on constant run on highways. Similarly, the one or more wind turbines may be coupled on top or side of the cars and buses.

The one or more wind turbines (30) includes a plurality of blades (40) placed around a corresponding rotor (50). As used herein, the term 'wind turbine' is defined as a device for generating power which is driven by kinetic energy of wind. In one embodiment, the wind turbine may include a type of wind turbine whose plurality of blades are enclosed within a casing and a specific area of the casing is made open for the wind turbine to be exposed to atmospheric air in specific direction. The one or more turbines are configured to generate mechanical energy when wind is blown over and rotates the plurality of blades thereby causing the corresponding rotor to spin and store mechanical energy. In one embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may include one or more upwind turbines facing towards direction of the wind and one or more downwind turbines facing away the direction of the winds. In such an embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may be operatively coupled to the corresponding coaches in a way where the plurality of blades of the corresponding one or more wind turbines may be kept parallel to direction of flow of wind or the one or more wind turbines may be operatively coupled to the corresponding coaches of the train perpendicular to a direction of the motion of the train.

In some embodiments, the plurality of blades (40) of the one or more wind turbines may be composed of at least one of glass fiber, epoxy resin, polyester, carbon fiber or the like or a combination thereof. In one specific embodiment, the plurality of blades (40) may be in odd number as opposing stress gets distributed between at least two blades of the plurality of blades which in turn strengthen the one or more enclosed wind turbines. In yet another embodiment, each of the one or more enclosed wind turbines may be fitted with a guide vane to convert the air pressure energy into kinetic energy for more easy rotation of the plurality of blades.

Furthermore, the system (10) includes an anemometer (60) coupled to the one or more wind turbines (30). The anemometer (60) is configured to measure speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades (40). The system (10) further includes an electronic control unit (70) coupled to the anemometer (60) and the plurality of blades (40). The electronic control unit (70) is configured to control position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer. In one embodiment, the electronic control unit (70) is configured to initialize the plurality of blades of the one or more wind turbines at a wind speed of about 15 to 30 kilometers per hour and turn off the plurality of blades at about 130 kilometers per hour based on the speed measured by the anemometer (60).

Moreover, the system (10) includes at least one generator (80) including a propeller shaft (90) coupled to the corresponding rotor (50) of the one or more wind turbines (30). The at least one generator (80) is configured to rotate the propeller shaft by transferring the mechanical energy stored in the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines to the propeller shaft based on the position and angle of the plurality of blades controlled by the electronic control unit (70). The at least one generator (80) is further configured to convert the mechanical energy into alternate current (AC) to generate electric power upon rotation of the propeller shaft (90). As used herein, the term 'generator' is defined as a device which is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. More specifically, the mechanical energy may be generated by the plurality of blades of the corresponding one or more wind turbines when the train is in motion. The generated mechanical energy of the plurality of blades is converted into electrical energy by the at least one generator which may be operatively coupled to the corresponding one or more wind turbines. In one embodiment, the at least one generator may correspond to at least one of a synchronous generator and an asynchronous generator. In such embodiment, the at least one generator may use an induction and permanent magnet design in which high field strength may be generated by the magnets for production of electrical energy.

In addition, the system (10) includes one or more electric energy reception unit (100) electrically coupled to the at least one generator (80). The one or more electric energy reception unit (100) is configured to receive the electric power generated by the at least one generator upon receiving a trigger signal from the electronic control unit. In one embodiment, the one or more electric energy reception unit (100) may include at least one battery which is configured to store the electric power generated by the at least one generator. In such an embodiment, the at least one battery is coupled to at least one generator via an AC-DC converter (not shown in FIG. 1) which is configured to convert the AC electric power generated by the generator to DC power to store in the battery. As used herein, the AC-DC is a rectifier which is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. In one embodiment, the AC-DC converter may be electrically coupled to a transformer which may be configured to amplify the converted alternating current. In a specific embodiment, the at least one battery may be composed of lithium ions. In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one battery may be replicable battery. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one battery may be rechargeable battery.

In another embodiment, the one or more electric energy reception unit (100) may include one or more supply units coupled to the at least one generator. The one or more supply units are configured to supply the electric power to the main power supply and one or more electrical devices present in the moving vehicle. In such an embodiment, the one or more electrical devices of the train may include at least one of a fan, a light, an air conditioning subsystem, a refrigeration subsystem and the like. In one embodiment, the one or more supply units may include one or more cables through which the electrical energy may be supplied to the plurality of electrical components within the coaches of the train. In a specific embodiment, the one or more supply units is coupled to at least one generator via an AC-AC converter configured to convert the AC electric power into a non-fluctuating sine wave electric power before transmission. In one embodiment, the one or more power electric energy reception unit may be located in each of the corresponding coaches of the train. In another embodiment, the one or more electric energy reception unit may be stored in a central location which may be a part of the at least one of the coaches or an engine from where the electrical energy may be drawn for one or more purposes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of one exemplary embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1 , depicting working operation of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As the train (120) is in motion, the plurality of blades (40) of the corresponding one or more wind turbines (30) may tend to rotate and rotate the corresponding rotor due to the force generated by the wind during the motion of the train. Further, the speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades is measured by the anemometer (60) and further transmitted to an electronic control unit (70). Subsequently, the electronic control unit controls position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer. As the plurality of blades tend to rotate due to the directed force by the wind, the mechanical energy is generated by the plurality of blades (50). The mechanical energy is transmitted to a propeller shaft (90) of the at least one generator (80) and the generated mechanical energy is converted into AC electrical power.

Additionally, the converted AC electrical power is converted into DC power via the AC- DC converter (130) and stored the DC power in the at least one battery (140). The stored electrical power may be further used to supply the power to the one or more electrical devices within the coaches (40) of the train (20). The stored energy in the at least one battery is converted into AC power and supplied to an AC-AC converter (not shown in FIG. 2) to convert the AC electric power into a non-fluctuating sine wave electric power. Moreover, the non-fluctuating sine wave electric power is transmitted to a transformer (150) which amplifies the converted alternating current to drive the one or more electric devices of the train (120) such as a fan, a light, an air conditioning subsystem, a refrigeration subsystem and the like.

FIG. 3 is a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment (160) of a system of FIG. 1 with wind turbine to generate electrical energy within a passenger coach in the train in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The passenger coach (170) is configured to transmit passengers form one location to another. Further, each of the plurality of coaches (170) of the train is operatively coupled with nine wind turbines (30), four on each side of the passenger coach (170) and one in front side of the coach or engine (180). The plurality of blades of each of the eight wind turbines is enabled to rotate by allowing the wind to flow to reach the plurality of blades when the train is in motion to generate mechanical energy. The mechanical energy generated by the plurality of blades of the corresponding eight wind turbines is converted into electrical energy and is transmitted to the one or more electric energy reception unit. The stored electrical energy is used to supply the electrical energy to the plurality of electrical unit within the passenger coach of the train.

FIG. 4 is a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment (190) of a system of FIG. 1 with wind turbine to generate electrical energy within a hybrid truck in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hybrid electric truck (195) is a form of truck that uses hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology for propulsion, instead of using only a combustion engine. To charge the batteries placed inside the hybrid trucks for working and transportation, the system is utilized to generate electric power though wind energy. Further, the hybrid truck includes four wind turbines (30), one on each side of the truck. The plurality of blades of each of the four wind turbines is enabled to rotate by allowing the wind to flow to reach the plurality of blades when the train is in motion to generate mechanical energy. The mechanical energy generated by the plurality of blades of the corresponding eight wind turbines is converted into electrical energy and is transmitted to the one or more batteries of the hybrid truck. The one or more batteries of the hybrid truck stores the electrical energy and supply the electrical energy to the plurality of electrical unit for operation of the hybrid tuck.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (210) for generating power from a moving vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (210) includes generating, by one or more wind turbines, mechanical energy when wind is blown over and rotates a plurality of blades of the one or more wind turbines thereby causing a corresponding rotor coupled to a plurality of blades to spin and store mechanical energy in step 220. The one or more wind turbines are located on one or more places of a moving vehicle. In one embodiment, the moving vehicle may include a locomotive such as a train, truck, car and bus. In such an embodiment, the one or more places may include at least one of on top of the moving vehicle and inside the moving vehicle. In a specific embodiment, the one or more wind turbines may include one or more upwind turbines facing towards direction of the wind and one or more downwind turbines facing away the direction of the winds.

The method (210) also includes measuring speed and direction of the wind blown over the plurality of blades by an anemometer in step 230. The method (210) further includes controlling, by an electronic control unit, position and angle of the plurality of blades based on the speed and direction measured by the anemometer in step 240. The electronic control unit coupled to the anemometer and the plurality of blades. In one embodiment, the method may include initializing, by the electronic control unit, the plurality of blades of the one or more wind turbines at a wind speed of about 15 to 30 kilometers per hour and turn off the plurality of blades at about 130 kilometers per hour based on the speed measured by the anemometer.

The method (210) further includes rotating, by at least one generator, a propeller shaft by transferring the mechanical energy stored in the corresponding rotor of the one or more wind turbines to the propeller shaft based on the position and angle of the plurality of blades controlled by the electronic control unit in step 250. The method (210) includes converting, by the at least one generator, the mechanical energy into alternate current (AC) to generate electric power upon rotation of the propeller shaft in step 260. In one embodiment, the at least one generator may correspond to at least one of a synchronous generator and an asynchronous generator. In such embodiment, the at least one generator may use an induction and permanent magnet design in which high field strength may be generated by the magnets for production of electrical energy.

Furthermore, the method (210) includes receiving, by the one or more electric energy reception unit, the electric power generated by the at least one generator upon receiving a trigger signal from the electronic control unit in step 270. In one embodiment, the one or more electric energy reception unit may include at least one battery configured to store the electric power generated by the at least one generator. In such an embodiment, the at least one battery is coupled to at least one generator via an AC-DC converter configured to convert the AC electric power generated by the generator to DC power to store in the battery. In some embodiments, the one or more electric energy reception unit comprises one or more supply units coupled to the at least one generator. The one or more supply units are configured to supply the electric power to the main power supply and one or more electrical devices present in the moving vehicle. In such an embodiment, the one or more supply units is coupled to at least one generator via an AC-AC converter configured to convert the AC electric power into a non-fluctuating sine wave electric power before transmission.

Various embodiments of the system and method for power generation from a moving vehicle as described above enables the system to generate electrical energy within the moving vehicle upon using wind energy. Also, as the system uses the power storage device, the electrical energy can be supplied to the plurality of electrical components within the moving vehicle even when the vehicle is not in motion. Thereby increasing the efficiency of supplying the electrical energy within the vehicle.

Also, as the system uses renewable source of energy, the generation of the electrical energy lowers the carbon emissions and do not cause any pollution for the environment. As a result, the system is also cost effective henceforth reducing the overall cost of the transportation system.

Furthermore, the system includes the electronic control unit which controls the blades of the wind turbine based on the speed and direction of the wind using anemometer and the modify the angles of the plurality of blades in a specific angle and a specific direction thereby increasing the implementation of force on the plurality of blades which in turn increases the generation of electrical energy in the moving vehicle.

In addition, the wind turbines may be placed on top of heavy vehicles such as trucks especially beneficial for hybrid trucks, used for transportation, are on constant run on highways. As a result, cost may be reduced on fuel as well as result in reduction in carbon and other harmful gas emissions.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.