Method and system for generating electricity

A method for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The method includes actuating an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway, wherein the energy transfer assembly is actuated by a force acting upon the roadway. The method also includes generating electricity at a generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly, the generator being driven by actuation of the energy transfer assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of invention relates generally to generating electricity and, more particularly, to a method and a system for generating electricity for powering wayside devices along a railroad track.

Many known railroad systems employ a variety of wayside equipment alongside the railroad tracks. Such wayside equipment may include equipment for use in determining location of the rolling stock, equipment for use in signaling to an operator and/or nearby pedestrians, equipment for use in inspecting equipment, cargo, and/or the surrounding environment, and equipment for use in switching converging tracks. Within a network, railroad tracks often span rural and unpopulated areas, and as such, providing power to wayside equipment in remote locations may be a challenging and costly task. At least some known railroad systems run power lines into remote areas to power wayside equipment. However, depending on the location, such power systems may be expensive to install and to maintain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The method includes actuating an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway, wherein the energy transfer assembly is actuated by a force acting upon the roadway. The method also includes generating electricity at a generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly, the generator being driven by actuation of the energy transfer assembly.

In another aspect, a system for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The system includes an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway such that a force acting upon the roadway causes actuation of the energy transfer assembly. The system also includes an electrical generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly such that actuation of the energy transfer assembly causes the electrical generator to generate electricity.

In another aspect, an energy transfer assembly for use in generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The energy transfer assembly includes a drive mechanism coupled to the roadway such that a force acting upon the roadway facilitates actuating the drive mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the above-described method and system by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. The disclosure is generally described herein as being applied to an exemplary embodiment, namely, generating electricity for powering railroad wayside devices. However, it is contemplated that this disclosure has general application to generating electricity along any roadway and in a broad range of other industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

As used herein, an accumulator is defined as any energy storage means, such as, but not limited to, a spring loaded container, a raised weight container, a compressed gas container, a capacitor, an electrochemical cell, a compulsator, and/or a wave energy machine. A working fluid is defined as any transferable substance, such as, for example, a gas, a liquid, and/or an electric current. A fluid transfer line is defined as any cable, tube, pipe, hose, and/or the like that facilitates a flow of working fluid there through.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an exemplary railroad track10. In the exemplary embodiment, railroad track10includes two substantially parallel rails12mounted on a plurality of transverse cross-ties14(only one of the rails12is shown inFIG. 1). Rails12are secured to cross-ties14using a plurality of fasteners (not shown), such as, for example, rail spikes, lag screws, or clips. In the exemplary embodiment, rails12are formed from a plurality of fixed-length I-beams fabricated from steel and/or iron that are bolted or welded together. Cross-ties14are fabricated from wood and/or any other suitable material. A plurality of metal tie plates (not shown) are used to mount rails12to cross-ties14. In an alternative embodiment, rails12and/or cross-ties14may be fabricated from any suitable material and may be positioned in any suitable orientation. Cross-ties14are fixed within, and/or atop of, a ballast16, such as, for example, a bed of coarse stones and/or a slab of concrete, that provides a solid, yet flexible, foundation that facilitates increasing drainage. During operation, rolling stock20traverses railroad track10and induces a compression force18on railroad track10such that undulations (not shown) are generated in rails12. Such undulations have been observed to be up to six inches (approximately 15 cm) in travel with great force. However, undulations traveling less than six inches or more than six inches are sufficient to perform the methods and operate the systems described herein.

FIG. 2is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system100for use in generating electricity to power wayside devices (not shown) along railroad track10. In the exemplary embodiment, system100is a closed-loop hydraulic system. Alternatively, system100may be an open-loop pneumatic system. System100is at least partially housed within an enclosure (not shown) located alongside railroad track10. Such an enclosure may be fabricated to be any suitable size or shape and/or may be fabricated from any suitable material. Alternatively, the enclosure may be raised above railroad track10, and/or system100may be at least partially buried beneath and/or proximate railroad track10.

In the exemplary embodiment, system100includes an energy transfer assembly102. Energy transfer assembly102includes a drive mechanism104that is coupled to railroad track10such that compression force18acting on railroad track10induces an action within drive mechanism104. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, drive mechanism104includes a pump106that is at least partially encased within one cross-tie14such that at least a portion of pump106is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. Alternatively, pump106may be at least partially buried in close proximity to railroad track10such that at least a portion of pump106is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. In one embodiment, pump106may be at least partially housed within an object (not shown) that is proximate to railroad track10, such as a housing (not shown) that is arranged substantially beneath at least one rail12and/or an artificial cross-tie (not shown) that is positioned adjacent to at least one cross-tie14, such that at least a portion of pump106is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. In another embodiment, pump106is completely encased within an object that is proximate to rails12, such as at least one cross-tie14, the enclosure, and/or the artificial cross-tie, such that compression force18causes actuation of pump106even though pump106is not directly coupled to a rail12. In yet another embodiment, pump106may be a treadle-like pump, wherein pump106is at least partially housed and/or buried either remotely from, or proximate to, railroad track10, and wherein pump106is coupled to railroad track10via a lever arm (not shown), such that compression force18acting on railroad track10causes operation of the lever arm and subsequent actuation of pump106. In an alternative embodiment, energy transfer assembly102may include at least one torsional and/or biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring) for storing and/or releasing energy from compression force18.

Pump106is coupled in fluid communication with an accumulator108across a first fluid transfer line110. In the exemplary embodiment, system100is a hydraulic system, and pump106is a hydraulic pump, such as, for example, either a single-action or a double-action hydraulic pump. Alternatively, system100is a pneumatic system, and pump106is a pneumatic pump, such as, for example, a pneumatic piston pump or any other suitable compressor. If system100is a pneumatic system, pump106is coupled in fluid communication with a filter112across an intake line114, wherein filter112facilitates supplying pump106with a working fluid (not shown) from the ambient, and/or another gas supply, across intake line114, such that debris is substantially prevented from entering system100.

Accumulator108stores the working fluid under pressurized conditions. In the exemplary embodiment, system100is a hydraulic system, and the working fluid is a non-compressible liquid, such as, for example, a water-based liquid or a petroleum-based liquid. In an alternative embodiment, system100is a pneumatic system, and the working fluid is a gas, such as ambient air. In the exemplary embodiment, accumulator108is a hydraulic accumulator, such as, for example, a hydro-pneumatic accumulator that utilizes a compressed inert gas, such as nitrogen, contained within at least one bladder (not shown) to pressurize the hydraulic working fluid. In an alternative embodiment, accumulator108is a pneumatic accumulator. System100may include a manifold (not shown) coupled to a plurality of accumulators (not shown) in parallel to facilitate increasing storage space for the pressurized working fluid. In the exemplary embodiment, accumulator108is coupled in fluid communication with a motor116across a second fluid transfer line118. A supply valve120is coupled to accumulator108for selectively releasing the pressurized working fluid from within accumulator108towards motor116via second fluid transfer line118. In one embodiment, a first check valve122located along first fluid transfer line110facilitates preventing the working fluid in first fluid transfer line110from flowing backward towards pump106. First check valve122may be any type of check valve that enables system100to function as described herein, such as, for example, a ball check valve.

Energy transfer assembly102is coupled to a generator124in the exemplary embodiment. Specifically, motor116is coupled to generator124through a drive shaft126. Motor116includes an inlet128and an outlet130, and receives, through inlet128, pressurized working fluid from accumulator108via second fluid transfer line118. As such, the pressurized working fluid facilitates operation of motor116, rotation of shaft126, and driving of generator124to facilitate generating electricity. Motor116discharges the working fluid through outlet130and across a third fluid transfer line132. In the exemplary embodiment, system100is a hydraulic system, and motor116is a hydraulic motor, such as, for example, a rotary hydraulic motor. In the exemplary embodiment, energy transfer assembly102also includes a reservoir134that is coupled to motor116via third fluid transfer line132such that hydraulic working fluid discharged from outlet130enters reservoir134. Alternatively, system100is a pneumatic system, and motor116is a pneumatic motor, such as a rotary actuator, and motor116is coupled to an exhaust muffler136across a sixth fluid transfer line138, such that pneumatic working fluid discharged from outlet130across fluid transfer line138is channeled through exhaust muffler136and into the ambient.

In the exemplary embodiment, reservoir134has a storage capacity and/or a pressure that is based at least partially on a storage capacity and/or a pressure of accumulator108. Specifically, reservoir134stores the hydraulic working fluid under a lower pressure than the operating pressure within accumulator108. Moreover, reservoir134has a storage capacity that is larger than, or approximately equal to, a storage capacity of accumulator108. In the exemplary embodiment, reservoir134is coupled in fluid communication with motor116across third fluid transfer line132, and reservoir134is coupled in fluid communication with pump106across a fourth fluid transfer line142. Reservoir134receives hydraulic working fluid from motor116via third fluid transfer line132. Reservoir134also releases the working fluid towards pump106via fourth fluid transfer line142.

In one embodiment, a second check valve146is coupled along fourth fluid transfer line142to substantially prevent hydraulic working fluid from flowing backward towards reservoir134. Second check valve146may be any type of check valve that allows system100to function as described herein, such as, for example, a ball check valve.

In operation, if system100is a hydraulic system, as rolling stock20traverses railroad track10, pump106is actuated, thereby forcing hydraulic working fluid through first fluid transfer line110towards accumulator108at a higher operating pressure, as compared to an operating pressure within fourth fluid transfer line142. The higher operating pressure in first fluid transfer line110facilitates drawing hydraulic working fluid from reservoir134into fourth fluid transfer line142, and towards pump106. If system100is a pneumatic system, as rolling stock20traverses railroad track10, pump106is actuated, thereby inducing a flow of pneumatic fluid (e.g., air) through filter112, through intake line114, and towards pump106.

Generator124is coupled to an energy storage device148that includes, for example, an electrochemical device (e.g., a battery), such as an electrolytic capacitor and/or an ultracapacitor, across a plurality of wires150. Alternatively, energy storage device148may include a plurality of energy storage devices148. In another embodiment, generator124may be coupled directly to a load (not shown), such as, for example, an electric circuit (not shown) configured to operate a wayside device (not shown).

A controller152is communicatively coupled to supply valve120and to a pressure sensor154that is positioned at least partially within accumulator108. Pressure sensor154monitors a pressure within accumulator108. In one embodiment, system100is a hydraulic system, accumulator108is a hydro-pneumatic accumulator, and pressure sensor154monitors a pressure of the inert gas within the bladder, generates a signal (not shown) indicative of the monitored pressure, and transmits the signal to controller152. In an alternative embodiment, pressure sensor154is a binary pressure switch. Controller152is also coupled to a current sensor156and a voltage sensor158. Current sensor156and voltage sensor158are coupled to energy storage device148to monitor a current and a voltage, respectively, of energy storage device148. A signal (not shown) is generated by either current sensor156and/or voltage sensor158that is indicative of the monitored current and/or voltage, respectively. The signal is transmitted to controller152, as described in more detail below. Alternatively, controller152may be coupled to any of accumulator108, energy storage device148, pump106, motor116, generator124, first check valve122, or second check valve146using any number of sensors.

As used herein, the term controller may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system, such as a computer system, that includes microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor that is capable of executing the functions described herein. The examples given above are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term controller.

As used herein, with reference to a real-time controller, the term real-time refers to outcomes occurring a substantially short period after a change in the inputs affect the outcome. The time period is an amount of time between each iteration of a regularly repeated task. Such repeated tasks are called periodic tasks. The time period is a design parameter of the real-time system that may be selected based on the importance of the outcome and/or the capability of the system implementing processing of the inputs to generate the outcome.

In the exemplary embodiment, controller152is programmed to monitor at least one component within system100. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, controller152is programmed to iteratively request a pressure measurement of accumulator108from pressure sensor154, a current measurement of energy storage device148from current sensor156, and/or a voltage measurement of energy storage device148from voltage sensor158. In an alternative embodiment, controller152is programmed to receive iterative status reports from each of pressure sensor154, current sensor156, and/or voltage sensor158at predetermined time intervals. In one embodiment, the iterative requests from controller152to pressure sensor154, and/or the iterative status reports from pressure sensor154to controller152, are sent every one hundred milliseconds, and the iterative requests from controller152to current sensor156and/or voltage sensor158, and/or the iterative status reports from current sensor156and/or voltage sensor158to controller152, are transmitted approximately once every second. In another embodiment, the iterative requests and/or iterative status reports may be transmitted at any suitable time interval. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of sensors154,156, and/or158may generate a constant signal output that controller152at least periodically monitors.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, controller152is programmed to compare each of the pressure, the current, and/or the voltage measurements to pre-determined maximum (or minimum) pressure, maximum (or minimum) current, and/or maximum (or minimum) voltage values, respectively, stored within controller152. If one of the pressure measurements is higher than the maximum pressure value, one of the current measurements is higher than the maximum current value, and/or one of the voltage measurements is lower than the minimum voltage value, controller152opens supply valve120to facilitate charging energy storage device148. Conversely, if one of the pressure measurements is lower than the minimum pressure value, one of the current measurements is lower than the minimum current value, and/or one of the voltage measurements is higher than the maximum voltage value, controller152closes supply valve120to facilitate pressurizing accumulator108.

The various embodiments of controller152, or the components thereof, may be implemented as a part of a computer system. The computer system may be housed within the enclosure and/or located remotely from railroad track10, such as, for example, at a centralized traffic control center (CTC). The computer system may include a computer, an input device, a display unit, and an interface, for example, to access the Internet. The computer system may also include a processor, which may be connected to a communication bus. The computer may include a memory, which may include a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM), as well as a storage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, and so forth. The storage device is configured to load computer programs and/or other instructions into the computer system. As used herein, the term “processor” is not limited to only integrated circuits referred to in the art as a processor, but broadly refers to a computer, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, microprocessor, a programmable logic controller, an application specific integrated circuit and any other programmable circuit.

The computer system executes instructions, stored in one or more storage elements, to process input data. The storage elements may also hold data or other information, as desired or required, and may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element in the processing machine. The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the computer system to perform specific operations, such as the processes of a method. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms, such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, to results of previous processing, or to a request made by another processing machine.

As used herein, the term ‘software’ includes any computer program that is stored in the memory, to be executed by a computer, which includes RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The memory types mentioned above are only exemplary and do not limit the types of memory used to store computer programs.

FIG. 3is an exemplary system200for use in generating electricity for powering a device (not shown) along the wayside of railroad track10. System200is a hydro-pneumatic system that is similar to system100(shown inFIG. 2), and similar components are identified inFIG. 3using the same numerals used inFIG. 2. System200includes energy transfer assembly102and drive mechanism104. In the exemplary embodiment, drive mechanism104includes pump106. Specifically, pump106is a hydraulic pump coupled to railroad track10, as described above. Energy transfer assembly102also includes a hydro-pneumatic motor202coupled in fluid communication with pump106across fluid transfer lines110and118. Hydraulic working fluid (not shown) is housed within either first fluid transfer line110and/or second fluid transfer line118. First check valve122is positioned along second fluid transfer line118. First fluid transfer line110and second fluid transfer line118form a closed-loop hydraulic transfer line204. Additionally, energy transfer assembly102includes filter112coupled in fluid communication with hydro-pneumatic motor202across third fluid transfer line132. Motor202is coupled in fluid communication with accumulator108across fourth fluid transfer line142. In the exemplary embodiment, accumulator108is a pneumatic accumulator coupled in fluid communication with motor116across a fifth fluid transfer line206. Motor116is rotatably coupled to generator124, and generator124is electrically coupled to energy storage device148via a plurality of wires150. Motor116is a pneumatic motor in the exemplary embodiment and is coupled to exhaust muffler136via sixth fluid transfer line138.

During operation, as rolling stock20traverses railroad track10, pump106is actuated causing hydraulic working fluid to flow through first fluid transfer line110, through hydro-pneumatic motor202, and through second fluid transfer line118. Hydro-pneumatic motor202is actuated causing hydraulic working fluid to flow through the closed-loop hydraulic fluid transfer line204. When actuated, hydro-pneumatic motor202facilitates drawing pneumatic working fluid, such as ambient air, through filter112, and into third fluid transfer line132. The pneumatic working fluid flows through motor202and across fourth fluid transfer line142for storage in accumulator108under pressurized conditions. Supply valve120selectively releases pressurized pneumatic working fluid from within accumulator108, across fifth fluid transfer line206, and towards motor116. Motor116is actuated by the pressurized pneumatic working fluid flowing across fluid transfer line206. Motor116discharges pressurized pneumatic working fluid across fluid transfer line138and into the ambient through exhaust muffler136. Upon actuation of motor116, generator124rotates and generates electricity such that electrical energy may be stored in energy storage device148.

FIG. 4is an exemplary system300for generating electricity for use in powering a device (not shown) along the wayside of railroad track10. System300is similar to system100(shown inFIG. 2), and similar components are identified inFIG. 4using the same reference numerals used inFIG. 2. System300includes a railroad track10(shown inFIG. 1), an energy transfer assembly301, and a generator124(shown inFIG. 2). Energy transfer assembly301includes a drive mechanism303. In the exemplary embodiment, drive mechanism303is a geared flywheel assembly302. Geared flywheel assembly302includes a piston304, a plurality of gears306, and a flywheel308. Generator124is coupled to flywheel308using a shaft (not shown), and energy storage device148(shown inFIG. 2) is coupled to generator124using a plurality of wires150(shown inFIG. 2).

Piston304is coupled to railroad track10such that compression force18acting on railroad track10causes a displacement of piston304. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, geared flywheel assembly302is a least partially encased within one cross-tie14such that piston304is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. Alternatively, geared flywheel assembly302may be at least partially buried underground proximate to railroad track10such that piston304is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. In one embodiment, geared flywheel assembly302may be at least partially housed within an object that is proximate to railroad track10, such as an enclosure (not shown) positioned substantially beneath at least one rail12and/or an artificial cross-tie (not shown) that is positioned adjacent to at least one cross-tie14, such that piston304is operatively coupled to at least one rail12. In another embodiment, geared flywheel assembly302is completely encased within an object that is proximate to rails12, such as an enclosure, such that piston304is not directly coupled to rails12and such that compression force18displaces piston304.

Additionally, piston304is coupled to at least one gear306such that a displacement of piston304causes rotation of at least one gear306and flywheel308. In one embodiment, gears306may include a gear rack (not shown), a pinion310, and a centrifugal clutch312. At least one gear306is coupled to generator124, such that a rotation of at least one gear306causes flywheel308and generator124to rotate, thereby generating electricity. Generator124is coupled to energy storage device148(shown inFIG. 2), such that a rotation of generator124generates electricity such that electrical energy may be stored in energy storage device148.

In operation, rolling stock20traverses railroad track10, thereby inducing a compression force18on railroad track10such that undulations are generated in rails12. The undulations in rails12and/or compression force18acting on railroad track10causes a displacement of piston304relative to rails12and/or cross-ties14. As a result, at least one gear306is rotated, causing flywheel308and generator124to rotate, such that electrical energy may be stored within energy storage device148.

The method and systems described herein facilitate powering wayside devices along a roadway. Specifically, the method and systems described herein facilitate utilizing a force acting upon the roadway to facilitate generating electricity for powering the wayside devices. As such, the method and systems described herein facilitate reducing a need to run electrical cables to power the wayside devices, thereby facilitating powering the wayside devices in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Exemplary embodiments of a method and systems for generating electricity are described above in detail. The method and systems for generating electricity are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the method and systems may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, the method and systems described herein may have other industrial and/or consumer applications and are not limited to practice with only railroad systems as described herein. Rather, the present invention can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other industries.