Patent ID: 9157421
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: F03G,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A system for roadway energy harvesting, the roadway having a surface adapted to support one or more moving vehicles, the system comprising: a single-fluid vehicle interface positioned proximate the roadway surface and adapted to engage a portion of a moving vehicle, the vehicle interface comprising movable air-compression units, each and every one of the movable air-compression units configured to compress the single fluid, the single fluid being air, each of the movable air-compression units configured to compress air independently of the actuation of the other movable air-compression units; a storage module configured to receive and store the compressed air received from the vehicle interface, the storage module including a compressed air input and a compressed air output, the compressed air input distinct and separate from the compressed air output; a transfer module operably coupling the at least one vehicle interface and the storage device at the compressed air output, the transfer module comprising air-collection piping having a valve, the valve configured to allow flow of compressed air from the at least one vehicle interface to the storage module and to prevent compressed air from flowing back from the storage module to the at least one vehicle interface; and an output module operably coupled to the compressed air output of the storage module and configured to receive the compressed air stored in the storage module and use the compressed air to generate energy wherein the vehicle interface, storage module and transfer module comprise an open-system configuration whereby air to be compressed by the vehicle interface is received from an environment about the air collection piping, and after compression flows from the vehicle interface by way of the transfer module to the storage module then to the output module, without returning to the air collection piping or storage module.