Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A NETWORKED
INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM OF ENERGY GATHERING
DEVICES
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is: i) a Continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/645,109
entitled "System and method for creating a networked infrastructure
distribution
platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind gathering devices," filed December
22,
2006; ii) a Continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/627,404 entitled "System
and
method for creating networked infrastructure distribution platform of small
wind
energy gathering devices," filed January 26, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-
Part
of U.S. Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating a
networked infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and
wind
gathering devices," filed December 22, 2006; iii) a Continuation.of U.S.
Application
No. 11/842,441 entitled "System and method for creating micro/nano wind energy
gathering devices," filed August 21, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
U.S.
Application No. 11/627,404 entitled "System and method for creating networked
infrastructure distribution platform of small wind energy gathering devices,"
filed
January 26, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Application No.
11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating networked infrastructure
distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind gathering devices,"
filed
December 22, 2006; iv) a Continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/624,987
entitled
"System and method for creating networked infrastructure distribution platform
of
solar energy gathering devices," filed January 19, 2007, which is a
Continuation-In-
Part of U.S. Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for
creating a
networked infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and
wind
gathering devices," filed December 22, 2006; v) a
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Continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/627,504 entitled "System and method
for
creating a networked infrastructure roadway distribution platform of solar
energy
gathering devices," filed January 26, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
U.S.
Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating a
networked
infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind
gathering
devices," filed December 22, 2006; vi) a Continuation of U.S. Application No.
11/626,106 entitled "System and method for creating a networked vehicle
infrastructure distribution platform of solar energy gathering devices," filed
January
23, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Application No. 11/645,109
entitled "System and method for creating a networked infrastructure
distribution
platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind gathering devices," filed December
22,
2006; vii) a Continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/670,635 entitled "System
and
method for creating a networked vehicle infrastructure distribution platform
of small
wind gathering devices," filed February 2, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-
Part of
U.S. Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating a
networked infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and
wind
gathering devices," filed December 22, 2006; viii) a Continuation of U.S.
Application No. 11/674,352 entitled "System and method for creating a portable
networked vehicle infrastructure distribution platform of small wind gathering
devices," filed February 13, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating a
networked
infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind
gathering
devices," filed December 22, 2006; and ix) a Continuation of U.S. Application
No.
11/627,538 entitled "System and method for creating a networked infrastructure
distribution platform of small fixed and vehicle based wind energy gathering
devices
along roadways," filed January 26, 2007, which is a Continuation-In-Part of
U.S.
Application No. 11/645,109 entitled "System and method for creating a
networked
infrastructure distribution platform of fixed and mobile solar and wind
gathering
devices," filed December 22, 2006. The entire teachings of the above
applications
are incorporated herein by reference.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is we11 known that solar power is derived by photovoltaic systems, solar
panels made from silicon and other materials and thin film solar deployments.
Solar
power installations where one or more of these solar power gathering unit
devices
are tied together are referred to as `arrays'; are a method of generatirig
clean energy
that is used throughout the globe. Solar power generation, as mentioned
previously,
can come from thin film solar applications, panelized silicon crystal
applications and
also from passive solar design schemes and many other sources. The cost of
solar
power gathering systems has gone down in recent years while the efficiency of
such
systems has continued to improve. It is also well known that wind power
turbines
can generate power that can be delivered via interconnection to existing grid
systems
or can be used to power individual homes, businesses and utilities. Most, if
not all
wind power systems that are used to gather large amounts, in the MegaWatt
range of
power are large structure wind turbines many of which are at least 100 feet
high. In
the past, small wind powered turbines have also been placed high up from the
ground usually at least 15 feet high. Also, most small wind power turbine
systems
are utilized to power a single home, business or elements of that home or
business
Currently, solar power creates under 10% of the energy market share in the
United States. Isolated uses of solar power are effective, but there
incremental
installation does not create a convenient solar infrastructure. For wind power
systems large wind. installations in order of 100 foot or more sized turbines
dot the
landscape of the planet. These turbines are often positioned in remote fields
out to
sea or on private property away from public infrastructure. Small wind
installations
of turbines and other gathering devices in the 5 to 30 foot range are
typically utilized
in three deployments. The first deployment features clusters of small to mid
sized
turbines set up in remote windy areas such as the desert environment near Palm
Desert in California. The second deployment features isolated powering of
small
homes and businesses such as those in remote artic or extreme cold climates
where
heating and cooling infrastructure does not exist, or is augmented at the
micro use
level for one home or business by small wind turbine implementation. The third
deployment model features isolated powering of entities for government
utilities
such as isolated powering of single light stands at the Hanauma Bay National
Park
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public parking lot in Oahu Hawaii. As of now, there are no known models for
gathering wind power that may be reclaimed from moving vehicles. Projects for
the
reclamation of carbon and heat from water pipes and the like are under way
commercially.
Conventional models have solar power being used to power individual
homes and businesses via installations on those homes and businesses. Solar
power
plants are becoming more popular and new isolated site power plants are being
developed in places like Korea where GE is supplying panels for a new 3
megawatt
facility project in Yong Gwang. Isolated solar panels are also in use on
roadways to
light signs, lights and power emergency telephones and telephone boxes.
Conventional models for vehicles have vehicles outfitted with solar panels
being
used to power those same vehicles exclusively. Conventional wind models
address
power plant and isolated-use models for the generation and distribution of
wind
power. Large turbines generate Megawatt volumes of power to be utilized
locally or
interconnected back to the grid system. Small wind generation systems are
typically
used to solve local power issues, such as street lights or home or business
power
needs as well as having the ability to be interconnected to a grid system for
the
purpose of selling the power generated by the wind gathering system to a
public or
private utility. Small 'solar and small wind deployments could be currently
utilized
on vehicles on a case by case basis based upon the vehicle owner purchasing
and
installing the available equipment installed on an isolated vehicle by vehicle
basis.
Unfortunately, the lack of cohesive solar and wind gathering and distribution
resources have limited solar and wind power to a single digit market shares of
the
overall energy use in the United States. The ideas of powering individual
homes and
businesses, while very effective, constitute incremental gains in the
distribution and
use of solar power. The same can be said for privately funded solar power
plants
because many of them must be built in remote, sunny, desert like locations far
from
easy access to the grid or direct power access to homes or businesses. Solar
vehicles
have been focused in a single priority to make vehicles run from the solar
power that
they are gathering, either solely, or via the use of a hybrid power system
that
combines other energy sources to power the vehicle. Wind powered existing
conventional uses have certain limitations in distribution and deployment.
Large
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turbines have faced environmental and Defense Department concerns.
Environmentalists fear that the noise and size of turbines will disrupt both
scenic and
habitat conditions in addition to threatening the well being of birds that may
be
caught in the large turbine blades. Department of Defense concerns have been
raised over the large turbines interfering with radar signals and tracking.
Large
turbine systems that are placed far away from existing infrastructure also
incur a
large expense in the transportation or building of infrastructure to carry the
power
generated by the turbine system. Finally, the large turbine system represents
a large
investment for a single turbine that is a volatile investment in that if the
wind is not
present or wind currents change then the turbine would be viewed as a poor
investment because it will not generate enough power. Also, if the turbine
breaks
for any reason it is going to produce zero power as it is a large and single
entity.
Large turbines also require labor intensive maintenance and monitoring. The
life
cycle for large wind turbines is 20 years and decommissioning and waste
generated
by manufacture, installation and decommissioning is another environmental
issue to
contend with. Small wind power utilized in isolated areas and for private
homes,
businesses and individual is a great way to introduce clean energy on a unit
by unit
grass roots level. The issue with isolated uses which the instant invention
addresses
is that isolated uses are isolated by definition. Isolated uses do not carry
out the
ability to directly power businesses or residential sites over a long stretch
of land
covering tens, hundreds, thousands or hundreds of thousands of miles providing
easy access to direct powering of entities as well as multiple grid
interconnection
points. Current models also.require each individual vehicle owner to make an
individual investment in wind power or solar power gathering devices in order
to be
able to install and generate power from such devices. This is a major
impediment
toward being able to create a large fleet of vehicles gathering energy from
small
wind and solar gathering mechanisms or devices. Another impediment is that the
power generated from such systems requires a second device or hardware system
in
order to utilize, receive credit for energy gathered and economically benefit
from the
power that is derived by the wind and/or solar gathering system.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a solution to the problems of the prior art.
One embodiment of the present invention is a roadway system for energy
generation and distribution. This roadway system includes a plurality of
ground-
based wind energy generating devices; one or more roads; and a roadway system
electricity grid. In this roadway system, each of substantially all of the
ground-
based wind energy generating devices is electrically connected to the roadway
system electricity grid and positioned on part of one of the roads or near to
one or
more of the roads to thereby allow energy generation from wind created from
passing vehicles in addition to energy generation from atmospheric wind.
Another embodiment of the present invention is roadway system for energy
generation and distribution that includes a plurality of ground-based wind
energy
generating devices; a plurality of ground-based solar energy generating
devices; one
or more vehicles, each comprising one or more vehicle-based solar energy
generating devices; and a vehicle-based energy storage system; one or more
roads;
and a roadway system electricity grid. In this roadway system, each of
substantially
all of the ground-based wirid energy generating devices is electrically
connected to
the roadway system electricity grid and positioned on part of one of the roads
or near
to one or more of the roads to thereby allow energy generation from wind
created
from passing vehicles in addition to energy generation from atmospheric wind,
each
of substantially all of the ground-based solar energy generating devices is
electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and positioned
on part
of one of the roads or near to one or more of the roads, and the one or more
vehicle-
based solar energy generating devices are electrically connected to the
vehicle-based
energy storage system to thereby allow deposition of energy generated by the
one or
more vehicle-based solar energy generating devices into the vehicle-based
energy
storage system.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for generating and
distributing energy. This method includes the step of generating energy from
wind
created from passing vehicles using a plurality of ground-based wind energy
generation devices, wherein each of substantially all of the ground-based wind
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energy generating devices is electrically connected to a roadway system
electricity
grid and positioned on part of a road or near to one or more roads.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for
fabricating a wind energy gathering microdevice includes a production module
that
produces components of the wind energy gathering microdevice using three-
dimensional lithography, at least one array of nanowires, at least one optical
cutting
laser, at least one optical trapping laser to manipulate the components and
nanowires, and an assembly module that assembles the components and nanowires
to form the wind energy gathering microdevice.
The components may include a microturbine and at least one magnet, which
may be attached to the microturbine. The microturbine may be configured to
rotate
around a longitudinal axis of the microturbine to cause the at least one
magnet to
move along a circular path.
The nanowire array(s) may be grown from and, therefore, attached to a
metallic substrate, and system may include a separation module that separates
the
nanowires from the metallic substrate using the at least one optical cutting
laser, and
may include a manipulation module that manipulates the components and
nanowires
using the at least one optical trapping laser.
The system may incorporate at least a first nanowire into the microturbine
and configure the first nanowire(s) to harness an electrical flow upon
movement of
the microturbine and magnet(s). Additionally, at least a second nanowire may
be
coupled to the microturbine component and configured to transfer the harnessed
electrical flow away from the microturbine and first nanowire(s).
It should be noted that the production and assembly modules may produce
and assemble a plurality of components in parallel, and the system may include
a
mounting module that mounts a plurality of the wind energy gathering
microdevices
on a sheet. Additionally, the system may include a testing module that tests
the
components, the wind energy gathering microdevice, and the sheet of wind
energy
gathering microdevices for durability.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features. and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred
embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in
which
like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different
views.
FIG. 1 illustrates the implementation of the small, fixed wind turbine arrays
along the roadway by the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates the use of.5 foot high turbines by the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates the contiguous deployment of one foot long and tiny one
micron to multiple micron height wind turbines by the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates the use of wind turbines that may be covered in solar
gathering materials such as thin films that may be molded to parts of the
turbine by
the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates the helix-designed wind turbines implemented in a stratum
layered design along the median and breakdown lanes of a roadway by the
present
invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates the helix wind turbine power generation installed on
roadways in a single uniform height by the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for how the wind energy generation by the
helix designed turbines flows through the system by the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates solar panels positioned as contiguous strips of solar
backed
films deployed along the sides and the median of a roadway by the present
invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates solar film molded at the installation site to specific
areas of
installation to provide a cohesive and continuous or semi-continuous
implementation by the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates the use of spray on solar power cells, herein referred to
as
solar voltaic paint which may be sprayed onto the roadway by the present
invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates solar panels deployed on the roadside lanes in a
continuous manner complemented by formed solar films by the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates solar panels, which may also be solar films, deployed on
the sides of the roadway by the present invention;
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FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart that defines the steps from gathering to
distribution of the solar energy roadway system by the present invention;
FIG. 14 illustrates the integration of both wind and solar energy gathering
systems in tandem implementation along a roadway system by the present
invention;
FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing of an array of nanowires;
FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart where both wind and solar energy gathering
devices are implemented together by the present invention;
FIG. 17 illustrates the implementation and installation of portable small
helix
turbine wind energy gathering sheets being installed on a vehicle by the
present
invention;
FIG. 18 illustrates the portable helix wind turbine vehicle installation
sheets
or placards being affixed to a vehicle by the present invention;
FIG. 19 illustrates helix wind turbine installation sheet are not just meant
to
be mounted on top of the vehicle but also in available for installation in
areas under
the vehicle by the present invention;
FIG. 20 illustrates an overhead view of vehicles deployed with the helix
wind gathering installation sheets or placards including a composite view of
an
installation sheet by the present invention;
FIG. 21 illustrates a flow chart for the vehicle wind energy gathering system
by the present invention;
FIG. 22 illustrates the installation of a portable solar energy gathering
system
at a qualified service area by the present invention;
FIG. 23 illustrates that no cash transaction occurs at the time of
installation at
the power depot service station area by the present invention;
FIG. 24 illustrates an overhead view of vehicles with solar installation
sheets
traveling down the roadway by the present invention;
FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart where the solar installation sheets and
battery
configuration are installed in the vehicle by the present invention;
FIG. 26 illustrates portable solar and wind installation sheets being used in
tandem separately and as unified, single sheets gathering both wind and solar
energy
simultaneously by the present invention;
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FIG. 27 illustrates an overhead view of a vehicle installed with the solar and
wind integrated panels by the present invention;
FIG. 28 illustrates an overhead view of vehicles deployed with solar and
wind installation sheets moving in and out of service center areas for the
installation,
registration, updating and maintenance of said systems by the present
invention;
FIG. 29 illustrates a flow chart that combines the flow of energy generated
by both wind and solar installation sheets by the present invention;
FIG. 30 illustrates a full integration of the fixed & portable roadway
integrated wind and solar energy gathering roadway system by the present
invention;
FIG. 31 illustrates the implementation of a roadway system across the
entirety of a major roadway for the example of the Massachusetts Turnpike by
the
present invention;
FIG. 32 illustrates the implementation of a roadway system across the
entirety of a major roadway for the example of the Massachusetts Turnpike by
the
present invention;
FIG. 33 illustrates the implementation of a roadway system across the
entirety of a major roadway for the example of the Massachusetts Turnpike by
the
present invention;
FIG. 34 illustrates the flow chart of the full integration of the wind and
solar
energy gathering roadway system by the present invention;
FIG. 35 illustrates an electric vehicle with solar energy generating device
connected to a roadway systerim electricity grid by the present invention;
FIG. 36 illustrates an energy storage system by the present invention;
FIGS. 37A-37C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of fabricating wind
energy gathering microdevices;
FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a system for fabricating wind energy
gathering microdevices;
FIG. 39A is a block diagram of an example vehicle-based wind energy
gathering system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 39B is a schematic view of an example implementation and installation
of a vehicle-based wind energy gathering system in accordance with an
embodiment
of the present invention;
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FIG. 40A is a flow chart for gathering wind energy and depositing wind
generated energy for system credit in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention;
FIG. 40B is a flow chart for gathering wind energy and depositing wind
generated energy for system credit in accordance with another embodiment of
the
present invention;
FIG. 41 illustrates a block diagram of an example roadway system for solar
energy generation and distribution; and
FIG. 42 is a schematic representation of a nanowire wind energy generating
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.
The present invention provides a roadway system that can provide the basis
for a national or global clean or renewable energy infrastructure. A "road"
(hereinafter also "roadway") as used herein, is an identifiable route or path
between
two or more places on which vehicles can drive or otherwise use to move from
one
place to another. A road is typically smoothed, paved, or otherwise prepared
to
allow easy travel by the vehicles. Also, typically, a road may include one or
more
lanes, one or more breakdown lanes, one or more medians or center dividers,
and
one or more guardrails. For example, a road may be: a highway; turnpike; pike;
toll
road; state highway; freeway; clearway; expressway; parkway; causeway;
throughway; interstate; speedway; autobahn; superhighway; street; track for
railroad,
monorail, magnetic levitation trains; track for subterranean, ground level,
and
elevated forms of public transit or mass transit; car race track; airplane
runway; and
the like.
A "vehicle" as used herein, is any device that is used at least partly for
ground-based transportation, for example, of goods and/or humans. For example,
a
vehicle may be an automobile, a car, a bus, a truck, a tractor, a tank, a
motorcycle, a
train, an airplane or the like.
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Preferably, a vehicle can be an automobile, a car, a bus, a truck, a tank, and
a
motorcycle. More preferably, a vehicle can be an automobile, a car, a bus, and
a
truck. Most preferably, a vehicle can be an automobile and a car.
"Wind" as-used herein refers to both, wind created by the movement of
vehicles (hereinafter also "dirty wind") and atmospheric wind.
A "wind energy. generating device" as used herein, is a device that converts
wind energy into electrical energy. Typically, a wind energy generating device
can
include one or more "wind turbine generators." A "wind turbine generator"
(hereinafter also "wind turbine") as referred to herein, is a device that
includes a
turbine and a generator, wherein the turbine gathers or captures wind by
conversion
of some of the wind energy into rotational energy of the turbine, and the
generator
generates electrical energy from the rotational energy of the turbine. These
wind
turbine generators can employ a turbine rotating around an axis oriented in
any
direction. For example, in a "horizontal axis turbine," the turbine rotates
around a
horizontal axis, which is oriented, typically, more or less parallel to the
ground.
Furthermore, in a "vertical axis turbine," the turbine rotates around a
vertical axis,
which is oriented, typically, more or less perpendicular to the ground. For
example,
a vertical axis turbine can be a Darrieus wind turbine, a Giromill-type
Darrieus wind
turbine, a Savonius wind turbine, a "helix-style turbine" and the like. In
a"helix
style turbine," the turbine is helically shaped and rotates around a vertical
axis. A
Helix-style turbine can have a single-helix design or multi-helix design, for
example,
double-helix, triple-helix or quad-helix design. The "height" of a wind energy
generating device or wind turbine generator as used herein, is the height
measured
perpendicularly from the ground adjacent to the device or generator to the
highest
point of the device or generator. Wind energy generating devices can have a
height
between about a few micrometers and several hundred feet. Wind energy
generating
devices that employ a plurality, for example, up to millions of small wind
turbine
generators in one device unit are also referred to herein as "wind turbine
installation
sheets", "wind turbine installation placards." Wind energy generation devices
can
be spatially positioned in any pattern or distribution that conforms with
safety and
other regulations. Generally the distribution can be optimized in view of the
given
road and road environment. For example, they can be positioned in a linear
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equidistant distribution, a linear non-equidistant distribution and a stratum
configuration. Wind energy generating devices can optionally include solar
energy
generating devices as described below.
A "stratum configuration" as used herein, is a distribution of wind energy
generation devices, in which wind energy generation devices that are further
away
from the nearest lane of a road, are higher. For example, a stratum
configuration of
wind energy generation devices results from positioning the smallest wind
energy
generation devices nearest to a road and successively larger wind energy
generation
devices successively further from the road.
Typically, the average distance between any two closest ground-based wind
energy generating devices is in the range between about 5 micrometer and about
200
meters.
Wind energy generating devices can be "vehicle-based," that is, they are
affixed to any part of the surface of a vehicle that allows normal and safe
operation
of the vehicle. Vehicle-based wind energy generating devices can be
permanently
affixed or mounted to the car, for example, during the vehicle manufacturing
process
or overlay bracing, or they can be removable affixed using, for example, one
or a
combination of snap on clips, adhesive magnetic bonding, a locking screw
mounting system, Thule-type locking and the like. A vehicle and a vehicle-
based
wind energy generating device can also include directional spoilers or wings
that are
positioned to thereby decrease air resistance of a moving vehicle and increase
wind
energy generation. A vehicle and a vehicle-based wind energy generating device
can also include a device for measuring the direction of the atmospheric wind
at or
near the positions of one or more vehicle-based wind energy generating devices
and
movable directional spoilers or wings that are moved based on the measured
wind
direction information to thereby decrease air resistance of a moving vehicle
and
increase wind energy generation. Vehicle-based wind energy generating devices
can
generate energy while a vehicle is parked or moving. Typically, vehicle-based
wind
energy generating devices have a height of between about a few micrometers and
about a few feet.
Any wind energy generating device that is not affixed to a vehicle is
hereinafter referred to as "ground-based." Typically, a ground-based wind
energy
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generating device can be positioned on part of a road on which its presence
does not
hinder the flow of traffic or pose a safety risk, near to a road, and on any
road object
on or near to a road. Examples of road objects are traffic signs, for example,
traffic
lights, guardrails, buildings and the like. Ground-based wind energy
generating
devices can be permanently affixed or mounted into the ground multiples of
feet
deep and sometimes set into a foundation, or they can be affixed such that
they are
easily removed using, for example, one or a combination of snap on clips,
adhesive
magnetic bonding, a locking screw mounting system, magnets, braces and ties to
metal structures, Thule-type locking and the like.
The phrase "near" a road as used herein, refers to the distance of a given
ground-based wind energy generating device from a given road that allows the
ground-based wind energy generating device to capture wind from passing
vehicles
(hereinafter also "dirty wind") to generate energy. This distance can be
determined
in view of the height of the turbine and the average velocity of an average
vehicle
passing the wind energy generating device. Typically, this distance can be up
to
about 40 feet. For example, for a helical axis turbine of 10 feet height,
positioned
along a road on which vehicle travel with an average velocity of 55 miles per
hour,
the distance can be up to about 20 feet and.for one of 5 feet height, the
distance can
be up to about 25 feet.
A "wind turbine array" as used herein is a plurality of wind energy
generating devices.
A "roadway system electricity grid" as used herein, refers to any network of
electrical connections that allows electrical energy to be transported or
transmitted.
Typically, a roadway system electricity grid can include energy storage
systems,
systems for inverting energy, single power source changing units, electricity
meters
and backup power systems.
An "utility grid" (hereinafter also "grid'.') as used herein, refers to the
existing electrical lines and power boxes, such as Edison and NStar.systems.
A "direct power load" is any system, that is directly electrically connected
to
the roadway system electricity grid, that is, without electrical energy being
transmitted via a utility grid, and has a demand for electrical energy, for
examples,
any business or home.
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An "energy storage system" as used herein is any device that can store
electrical energy. Typically, these systems transform the electrical energy
that is to
be stored in some other form of energy, for example, chemical and thermal. For
example, an energy storage system can be a system that stores hydrogen, which
for
example, is obtained via hydrogen conversion electrolysis. It can also be any
rechargeable battery. "Ground-based energy storage systems" can be positioned
below or above the ground. "Vehicle-based energy storage systems" can be
permanently affixed or mounted in or on the car, for example, during the
vehicle
manufacturing process, or they can be removable affixed using, for example,
one or
a combination of snap on clips, adhesive magnetic bonding, a locking screw
mounting system, Thule-type locking and the like.
The phrase "connected to the roadway system electricity grid" as used
herein, refers to any direct or indirect electrical connection of a solar or
wind energy
generating device to the roadway system electricity grid that allows energy to
be
transferred from the energy generating device to the grid.
A "solar energy generating device" as used herein, is any device that
converts solar energy into electricity. For example, a solar energy generating
device
can be a single solar or photovoltaic cell, a plurality of interconnected
solar cells,
that is, a "photovoltaic module", or a linked collection of photovoltaic
modules, that
is, a "photovoltaic array" or "solar panel." A "solar or photovoltaic cell"
(hereinafter also "photovoltaic material") as used herein, is a device or a
bank of
devices that use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity directly from
sunlight.
For example, a solar or photovoltaic cell can be a silicon wafer solar cell, a
thin-film
solar cell employing materials such as amorphous silicon, poly-crystalline
silicon,
micro-crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium
selenide/sulfide,
photoelectrochemical cells, nanocrystal solar cells and polymer or plastic
solar cells.
Plastic solar cells are known in the art to be paintable, sprayable or
printable roll-to-
roll like newspapers.
A "solar energy generating device" can be ground-based or vehicle based. A
vehicle-based solar energy generating device can be permanently affixed or
mounted
to the car, for example, during the vehicle manufacturing process or overlay
bracing,
or they can be removable affixed using, for example, one or a combination of
snap
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on clips, adhesive magnetic bonding, a locking screw mounting system, Thule-
type
locking and the like.
A ground-based solar energy generating device can be attached to any
surface that allows collection of solar energy and where its installation does
not pose
a safety risk or is not permitted by regulations. For example, it can be
positioned on
part of a road on which its presence does not hinder the flow of traffic or
pose a
safety risk, near to a road, and on any road object on or near to a road.
Examples of
road objects are traffic signs, for example, traffic lights, guardrails,
buildings and the
like. Ground-based wind energy generating devices can be permanently affixed
or
mounted into the ground multiples of feet deep and sometimes set into a
foundation,
or they can be affixed such that they are easily removed using, for example,
one or a
combination of snap on clips, adhesive magnetic bonding, a locking screw
mounting system, magnets, braces and ties to metal structures, Thule-type
locking
and the like.
A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.
One embodiment of the present provides lines of wind turbines and solar
power arrays running along and in the median of major roadways and highways
combined with the gathering and distribution of power resulting from vehicle
installations of wind and solar energy gathering devices installed permanently
or
temporarily, for free or for pay, with or without deposit, in use with
existing
highway systems like FastLane or run as a completely independent program for
affixing solar and wind power gathering devices on vehicles to create a
widespread
portable solar energy gathering network of vehicles. Vehicles can be affixed
with
`vehicle arrays' on or adjacent to major roadways and highways potentially
creating
a solar power gathering network infrastructure of hundreds of thousands of
miles
long, augmented by millions of vehicles installed with solar arrays designed
for
vehicles for the purpose of gathering solar power enabling vehicle owners to
take
advantage of the solar network energy gathering and distribution system to be
easily
equipped and compensated and for their participation via power gathered by
their
vehicle system, most of both sets, vehicle and line, of solar arrays will be
convenient
to the grid and to powering individual homes, public infrastructure and
businesses.
The present invention also carries with it the potential to move solar power
into the
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double digit overall energy market share in the United States. Additionally,
there is
a need for an integrated small wind power infrastructure that is easily
connected to
multiple direct sources or various grid interconnection points. The use of
public and
private highways via median and outside of breakdown lane installations of
small
wind generating devices offers numerous advantages. First, private highways
and
municipalities have existing maintenance crew as well as existing
relationships with
contracted infrastructure building providers who can be trained to install the
wind
generation systems along specified parts of roadways. Second, the wind power
generation systems can be small and noiseless, small enough to fit on a median
between opposite sides of a divided highway with existing median. Third, using
a
highway or other roadway allows for the installation of many wind generating
devices per mile with over 500 wind generating devices possible per mile.
Fourth,
the energy generated by the devices may be distributed directly to homes or
businesses along the highway route, such as powering homes or clean power for
the
electrolysis, of hydrogen for filling stations along a highway, either
utilizing
hydrogen conversion at.individual filling stations or at a conveniently
located
hydrogen conversion plant adjacent to the highway or roadway. Fifth, other
clean
energy sources such as solar, geothermal and other heat conversion
technologies
may be used to create a multi-source clean energy `power grid' along with or
in
tandem with the `grid' in place via potential for the connection of miles of
wind
power gathering, storage and transfer of generated power. Sixth, these
infrastructures benefit the wind power generator companies; the roadway owners
via
lease or easement revenue, provide a stable and consistent infrastructure
project
generating a service provider economy for clean energy production as well as
the
environment. Seventh, roadways are a consistent source of wind and by having
small wind energy capture generating devices close to the ground the wind
energy
capture devices, such as small noiseless spiral or helix-style turbines,
enable the
devices to capture wind energy generated by passing vehicles as well as
existing
currents. Eighth, the power generated by this system may also be connected to
a
grid system at many different and convenient points located very close to the
existing grid infrastructure. This fixed system can be utilized in tandem and
complimentary ways to deploy installations, maintenance, billing and
depositing of
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gathered power with the present vehicle system, and solar systems allowing for
portable, semi-permanent or permanent wind small wind turbines to be affixed
to
vehicles at or near the point of entry to major roadways and highways. Vehicle
owners may pay little or no charge to have the wind turbine device or devices
installed on their vehicles. Deposits from vehicle owners securing the safe
return of
the wind turbine energy generating system device may be secured through
participating vehicle owner's financial institutions or via cash deposit.
Participating
vehicle owners, turbine installers, roadway owners or municipalities in
control of the
roadways and the owners of the turbines that are installed may all receive a
share of
the revenue from energy generated, stored and transferred into the grid or via
direct
distribution by the system after energy is generated by the individual
vehicles and
that electricity is off-loaded at designated, easily accessible, vehicle wind
system
network electricity collection stations or substations. This model creates a
situation
where drivers of vehicles do not have to spend significant time or financial
resources
to begin generating wind energy with their vehicles. This model creates a
friendly
format for wide-scale distribution of wind energy generating devices for
thousands
of miles of installations on roadways and millions of installations deployed
on
vehicles to take advantage of. By combining solar and wind power systems
within
this infrastructure and distribution plan the creation of a complimentary
clean energy
distribution network is achieved because both wind and solar power systems
gather
energy under different conditions. By having two gathering systems, if one
method
is not efficient at a particular time, then the other method may still have
conditions
that are effective for it to gather energy at that time. Thus the deployment
of both
sources of energy gathering systems, wind and solar, along this massive
infrastructure of roadways enhances the ability to provide a more constant and
stable
clean power infrastructure.
One embodiment of the invention is a roadway system for energy generation
and distribution, comprising:
a plurality of ground-based wind energy generating devices;
one or more roads; and a roadway system electricity grid;
wherein each of substantially all of the ground-based wind energy generating
devices is electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and
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positioned on part of one of the roads or near to one or more of the roads to
thereby
allow energy generation from wind created from passing vehicles in addition to
energy generation from atmospheric wind.
Typically, each of substantially all of the ground-based wind energy
generating devices can be positioned on part of one of the roads or within
between
about 0 feet and about 100 feet, within between about 0 feet and about 80
feet, or
within between about 0 feet and about 60 feet from one or more of the roads.
More
typically, they can be on part of one of the roads or within between about 0
feet and
about 40 feet from one or more of the roads. Preferably, they can be on part
of one
of the roads or within between about 0 feet and about 25 feet from one or more
of
the roads. More preferably, they can be on part of one of the roads or within
between about 0 feet and about 10 feet from one or more of the roads.
The present invention relates to a contiguous or semi contiguous line of
interconnected solar panels or thin films combined with a network of wind
turbines
running for thousands of total miles along public or private roadways.
Deployments
of energy gathering systems will be both fixed stationary systems as well as
mobile
systems mounted on vehicles traveling the roadways & highways. By running the
solar power gathering network on or adjacent to highways or trafficked
roadways
the solar power gathering network will have easy access to both grid
interconnection
and local powering of public and private entities. New advances in solar
energy
gathering techniques allow for this kind of power gathering line system to be
deployed in a more flexible, multi-form and cost efficient manner for power
generation resulting in the development of a solar energy distributed power
network
with multi-gigawatt potential which may power entities directly or via
interconnection with existing grid power systems. This roadway solar "line
array"
deployed in the median, on the side or breakdown lane or as lane dividers
creates a
system that produces DC current that is then passed through inverter, which
converts
to AC current and voltage. Power is also fed to the system by a network of
vehicles
deployed and installed with portable or permanent solar power gathering
devices
seamlessly mounted to their vehicles and containing linked battery packs that
can be
stored either in the trunk, inside the vehicle or attached to the exterior of
the vehicle.
small noiseless to low noise wind turbines to utilizing large stretches of
continuous
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available public and private roadways via easements, leases or the purchase
specified rights to create thousands of miles of contiguous and semi-
contiguous
networks of interconnected wind turbine power generation. The wind turbines
may
be mounted in the median, breakdown lanes or just off of the highway or major
roadway. This deployment may run with a complimentary set of installations
that
uses small noiseless to low noise wind turbines to generate wind power by
affixing
those wind power generating devices to motor vehicles. Large fleets of motor
vehicles driving along available public and private roadways may each be
affixed
with wind power gathering devices and the energy derived from these devices
may
be used to power elements of the vehicle directly, or may be used to gain
credits for
fuel, goods or sold for currency. Rest areas and service stations along with
all retail
outlets can make these vehicle wind generating systems available for easy
purchase
and installation for the motor vehicle owner. Power depots where energy is
deposited from fixed and vehicle deployments, installation areas and billing
systems
can be combined to service both fixed and vehicle deployment, installations to
gain
efficiency and save on infrastructure cost.
The power generated by the solar and wind energy gathering systems can be
used to both connect to a grid or to power homes businesses or systems without
connecting to existing grid systems. Power generated and stored in the
portable
battery system can be transferred into the network power system at Power
Depots
which can be designed and installed at the same or different points of
interconnection and direct distribution as the line array panel outputs. Power
is
logged by the electricity meters and is either consumed immediately by home or
business loads, or is sent out to the generalutility grid network. The utility
meter
spins backwards, or two meters are used to record incoming and outgoing power.
The inverter shuts down automatically in case of utility power failure for
safety, and
reconnects automatically when utility power resumes. Solar power arrays and
fixed
wind turbines can be situated on a median, breakdown lane or nearby running
contiguous with major roadways and offer numerous conveniences such as easy
access to the grid, easy maintenance access and direct powering opportunities
to
homes and businesses with a potential installation footprint of hundreds of
thousands of miles of available roadways.
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The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment relates to the
creation of a massive solar power generating infrastructure system where solar
power generating devices are networked together along public and private roads
creating the largest contiguous and semi-contiguous solar power generating and
distributing system ever built. This specific embodiment envisions nearly
continuous solar panel and or thin film and "solar paint" mounted and deployed
in
the median, breakdown lane and lane dividers and connected or networked
together
either through a battery pack system or then to one kind of inverter for grid
interconnection or another kind of inverter for direct distribution to power
users.
Using an inverter applies power conditioning to the solar generated power to
enable
the connection of the solar generated power to the grid system or locally
distributed
power users depending on the specific type of inverter. There may also be
instances
where continuous solar `strip arrays' may be connected to a single power
source
changing unit, or simply tied together in a parallel line connection before
being
connected to the inverter. Whatever network inverter is used may also need to
have
an electric meter installed between the power generated by the system to the
grid or
customer and the inverter. Unlike most solar gathering arrays the
implementations
of the arrays in this system will be mounted close to the ground, some on the
ground, lane dividers or guardrails and rise no more than ten to fifteen feet
high to fit
into the environmental constraints of highway and roadway deployments and
enabling easy access for maintenance crew. These solar `strip arrays' may be
connected.together in parallel along with a battery back up or backup power
system
in the event that the grid system fails. The parallel 'strip array' systems
power
deployments and distribution points will be based upon local usage locations
and
access to grid points. The `strip array' system may be automated containing
switches
to feed the grid from the local, strip array, that is networked together via
battery
system or wired in parallel to pass the electricity to the next closest strip
array
parallel line or battery storage facility or to local power distribution users
based
upon need. The effect of hundreds or thousands of miles of this implementation
is
to form a sub grid of solar, and possibly other, clean power energy sources,
where
each distribution or interconnection point may be measured with a standard
electricity power meter at or near the electricity's point of entry into the
grid or
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direct distribution customer system to gauge accurate electricity usage for
billing
purposes. In a preferred embodiment solar strip arrays are deployed on a
highway
system in the median on the ground level, or on top of the rriedian barriers,
or on top
of other clean power gathering devices in the median such as wind turbines.
Solar
voltaic paint systems would gather energy from painted lane dividers and solar
film
would be mounted upon guardrails. These mixed systems would also be used as is
most efficient on or around breakdown lanes and on or around toll booth
installations. The strip arrays would be networked together and then joined by
running a power line in parallel or battery storage and then through an
inverted to
condition the electricity properly for use in a grid system or via direct
distribution.
Power lines may be connected directly to sources or buried or flown to
appropriate
distribution points based upon the physical characteristics of specific
implementations as well as private, local, state and federal regulations and
specifications. The vehicle solar energy gathering system is made to run in
tandem
and be complimentary with the `line array' system. With the potential
deployment of
millions of vehicles whose owners have elected to participate in, and be
compensated by, the vehicle solar energy gathering network system creating one
of
the largest semi-contiguous solar power generating network installation and
distributing systems ever built. This specific embodiment envisions millions
of
solar paneled, thin film and "solar paint" mounted and deployed vehicles
installed
with these solar energy gathering devices for little or no charge to the
vehicle owner.
The cost of acquisition of the equipment is borne by the network owners, who
work
in conjunction, or can be the same party as, various parties who have economic
or
strategic initiatives to participate in the network including the vehicle
installation
entity for the network system, the roadway or highway municipality owners and
the
power distribution and billing depots. The installation systems, billing
systems and
payment systems described for solar and wind energy herein can be combined
into a
single unified network. A specific embodiment to incorporate the wind energy
gathering infrastructure systems relates to the creation of a massive wind
power
generating infrastructure system where small, nearly noiseless wind power
generating devices are networked together along public and private roads
creating
the largest contiguous and semi-contiguous wind power generating and
distributing
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system ever built. This specific embodiment envisions five hundred wind
turbines
per mile mounted in the median and connected or networked together either
through
a battery pack system or then to one kind of inverter for grid interconnection
or
another kind of inverter for direct distribution to power users. Using an
inverter
applies power conditioning to the wind generated power to enable the
connection of
the wind generated power to the grid system or locally distributed power users
depending on the specific type of inverter. There may also be instances where
multiple turbines may be connected to a single power source changing unit
before
being connected to the inverter. Whatever network inverter is used may also
need to
have a electric meter installed between the power generated by the system to
the grid
or customer and the inverter. Unlike most wind gathering turbines the turbines
in
this system will be mounted close to the ground and rise no more than ten feet
high
to catch wind generated by passing cars and enabling easy access for
maintenance
crew. Pods of wind turbines will be connected together along with a battery
back up
or backup power system in the event that the grid system fails. The pod
systems
will be based upon local usage locations and access to grid points. The pod
system
may be automated containing switches to feed the grid in the local pod, pass
the
electricity to the next closest pod or to local power distribution users based
upon
need. The effect of hundreds or thousands of miles of this implementation is
to form
a sub grid of wind, and possibly other, clean power energy sources, each
distribution
or interconnection point may be measured with a standard electricity power
meter at
or near the electricity's point of entry into the grid or direct distribution
customer
system to gauge accurate electricity usage for billing purposes. In a
preferred
embodiment small helix or double helix designed wind turbines are positioned
in the
median or breakdown lane to take advantage of the wind generated by vehicles
as
they pass. This kind of wind is known as "dirty" or uneven wind in the wind
turbine
business, but the helix or double helix style wind turbines are suited to take
advantage of this condition to generate power, even when the wind is in cross
directions from the wind currents of traffic headed in opposite directions.
This
condition will cause the helix-style turbine to speed up, while it may hinder
the
ability of a windmill style turbine to generate energy efficiently. This
embodiment
also runs in tandem to a complimentary deployment that relates to the creation
of a
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massive wind power generating infrastructure system where small, nearly
noiseless
wind power generating devices are affixed to vehicles who secure the
acquisition of
the devices through a special lane, similar to the FastLane designee on a toll
road, or
local access point to a busy roadway. The portable wind power turbine system
pack
consists of a small wind turbirie and battery charging system. The turbine may
be
metered to provide charge to an existing car battery or electric car battery
or it may
be gathered to a separate unit battery, which when a light indicates the
battery is full,
is then available for drop off for deposit of power into the system
electricity depot
for a credit against toll costs or for cash credit. The portable wind turbine
devices
may be installed on the hood, top, sides, rear bumper area or undercarriage of
a
vehicle using magnets or bracing system that takes as quickly as under 1
minute to
install. The battery pack may be stored next to the device or in the trunk of
the
vehicle.
The wind turbines may be propeller, helix, double helix or triple helix style
wind turbines. At a wind turbine network distribution or maintenance center
the
individual vehicle wind system batteries are drained of their gathered power
by
connection to an inverter and then the vehicle owner or user is credited for
the
energy that has been gathered, via a credit to that users electronic account,
which
can be merged with existing FastLane accounts or separately monitored and
maintained. Transactions may also be handled on a cash or credit card basis.
The
electricity processed by the inverter is then distributed back into the grid
using one
kind of inverter or distributed directly by another kind of inverter. Both
distribution
methods are measured with meters to effectuate accurate billing. Billing
revenue is
then shared by the remaining stakeholders, i.e. the company owning the
devices, the
roadway and the installation and power Maintenance Company. There may be more
sub-contractors that are compensated in this process. There may also be fewer
compensated parties in the event that one party controls multiple pieces of
the
system process or in the event that a roadway or public highway is not
compensated.
The two systems, wind energy and solar energy gathering systems, can share
some or all Power Depot points, maintenance stations and billing systems.
Specific
energy distribution depots may be designed into the system to store, channel
and
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recondition energy for use in the grid system or to power direct distribution
to
entities seeking power from the network.
The concept of using roadways as distribution points, fixed solar and wind
installations along roadway systems and portable solar and wind energy
gathering
devices on vehicles and for vehicle owners who do not have to pay to enlist
the wind
energy gathering devices on their vehicles, where infrastructure to run solar
and
wind energy gathering and distribution systems via both the fixed
installations and
vehicle energy gathering systems are easily accessible via roadway
distribution
points are completely new innovations to the clean energy arena.
FIG. 1 illustrates part of a roadway system implementation that contains
fixed wind turbine arrays along a roadway. These ten foot double helix type
wind
turbine generators (Item 1) are positioned in a linear-equidistant
distribution, any
consecutive pair of wind turbine generators about fifteen feet apart (Item 2)
along a
continuous row at the edge of breakdown lanes (Item 3), or within medians or
center
dividers of a roadway (Item 5). The wind turbine generators are either mounted
into
the ground multiples of feet deep and sometimes set into a foundation, or
secured via
magnets, braces and ties to metal structures (Item 4). Helix type wind turbine
generators are not dependent on single direction wind, which is good because
wind
created from passing vehicles comes in uneven and multiple directions or even
cross
directions (Item 6) at the median point of the roadway and helix type wind
turbine
generators, in particular, of the double-helix type are suited to work well in
these
conditions. Double helix wind turbine generators are also relatively noiseless
in
operation which allows using these turbines very close to humans. These double
helix type wind turbine generators are linked together in an energy gathering
chain
with one or more turbines feeding a single or array of batteries appropriate
to the
power generation of the individual and groupings of turbines. There can be
many,
for examples, thousands of battery arrays along a single roadway
implementation
(Item 7).
The electrical energy of a ground-based energy storage system storing
energy generated, for example, from one or more wind energy generating
devices,
for example, a battery or battery array, can be fed to an inverter and then
passed
through a power meter as the power generated, for example, by the wind turbine
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generators is either delivered into a utility grid system, directly
distributed to a home
or business, or stored for later use, for example, at peak energy demand
times, by
either larger battery arrays, or via the use of the wind energy to convert to
hydrogen
and then conversion of the hydrogen back to energy using a hydrogen fuel cell
technology for vehicles or grid power usage (See FIG. 5).
FIG. 2 illustrates partof a roadway system implementation.that contains
fixed wind turbine arrays along a roadway. Here, the use of five foot double
helix
type wind turbine generators (Item 11) is shown. Typically, these five foot
double
helix type wind turbine generators can generate less energy than the ten foot
double
helix type wind turbine generators, but because they are smaller, they only
need to
be 5 to 7 feet apart or less. Accordingly, they can be used at higher density
along
roadways. Because the ten foot variety is higher up, the five foot variety may
be
installed within the ten foot variety installation and both turbines may work
along
the same roadway virtually side by side creating a layered effect. Generally,
this
layered distribution in which different sized turbines function at their own
height can
be used with wind turbine generators having heights from about 25 feet down to
about a few micrometers. The established concept of using battery arrays,
inverters
and meters and distributing the power to the grid, direct distribution or
reserve
storage remains in force for all sizes of turbines. The turbines may be
deployed in a
total contiguous manner (Item 31) or in a semi-contiguous manner based upon
roadway wind conditions, roadway design constraints, access to utility grid,
access
to power storage and access to direct distribution sources (See FIG. 5).
FIG. 3 illustrates the contiguous deployment of one foot double helix type
wind turbine generators (Item 12), one inch double helix type wind turbine
generators (Item 13) and one micrometer to multiple micrometer high double
helix
type wind turbine generators (Item 21). Smaller wind turbine generators allow
a
larger number of wind turbine generators to be deployed within a given area
than
large wind turbine generators. Foot long turbines (Item 1) may be deployed
only 1.5
or less feet apart depending on the terrain and angles of deployment relative
to each
turbine in the contiguous or semi-contiguous installation, while micron length
turbines can be deployed in the millions over a square foot (Item 41).
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FIG. 4 illustrates a helix type wind turbine generator (Item 14) that may be
covered in solar gathering photovoltaic materials such as silicon thin films
that may
be molded to parts of the wind turbine generator that do not interfere with
the wind
turbine generator's fundamental operation, for example, the parts indicated by
Item
22. The solar energy that is gathered is then fed to a central rod (Item 32)
and
carried down the base of the wind turbine generator (Item 38) where it can
then be
channeled via wiring typical to the industry into a ground-based energy
storage
system, for example, a battery pack or battery array deployment.
FIG. 5 illustrates helix type wind turbine generators implemented in stratum
layered design along the median (Item 15) and breakdown lanes of a roadway
(Item
23). Power generated from the wind turbine generators is passed to battery
arrays
(Item 33), then inverters (Item 34) and registered through meters (Item 35)
before
being distributed (Item 8) to the utility grid (Item 81), direct power of
homes or
businesses (Item 82), powering of vehicles (Item 83) or stored in auxiliary
battery
arrays or to a hydrogen facility (Item 84) that can use the power to form
hydrogen
using an electrolysis process, store the hydrogen, and release the energy
stored in the
hydrogen, that is, convert the hydrogen to produce power. The hydrogen
facility.
could produce power from the stored hydrogen, for example, in times of an
emergency or at peak demand times.
FIG. 6 illustrates helix type wind turbine generators (Item 14) implemented
as a single uniform height turbine system delivering power into battery arrays
(Item
33) then to inverters (Item 34) and registered in power meters (Item 35) then
distributing the power (Item 8) to the utility grid (Item 81), direct
distribution (Item
83), auxiliary power storage (Item 84) or vehicle usage (Item 82).
FIG. 7 illustrates schematically the flow of electrical energy or power
generated by wind energy generating devices, for example, wind turbine
generators
(herein also "wind turbines") (Item 16) through a roadway system. The wind
turbines generate energy (Item 16) which is passed via connected wiring to one
or
more ground-based energy storage systems, for example, battery arrays (Item
33).
The energy is then passed from the battery in DC form to one ore more inverter
(Item 34) which change the electricity to AC form and conditions the
electricity to
the specifications needed by the distribution point, where it is run through a
meter
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(Item 35) then distributed to the utility grid (Item 81), one or more vehicles
(Item
82), a direct distribution point such as a home or business (Item 83), fueling
of an
electric or hydrogen electrolysis machine or further storage via hydrogen
conversion
electrolysis or auxiliary battery array storage (Item 84).
FIG. 8 illustrates solar panels, which may also be contiguous strips of solar
backed films (Item 100) deployed along the sides (Item 3) and the median of a
roadway (Item 5). Solar films may be easier to implement because they can be
cut
to fit and they can be printed out in miles of consecutive film during the
manufacturing process. Some new films are also not using silicon and are using
nanotechnology to create new kinds of solar films such as those developed by
Nanosolar (nanosolar.com). The ability to manufacture miles of film or to cut
smaller pieces in a variety of lengths and widths are preferable in view of
road
breaks, replacements, maintenance and physical and governmental building
restrictions that are factors in individual roadway implementations. Panels or
backed films may be mounted to median guardrails (Item 51) or roadside
guardrails
(Item 52) or may be erected upon rails or beam supporting devices that have
been
secured into the ground via depth or piling techniques (Item 53). Displays of
the
panels or films may include custom formation around objects, pyramid
configurations (Item 54), facing flat towards the sky (Item 55), mirrored
sides (Item
56), or electronic tilts (Item 57) built to maximize the solar gathering
materials
access to direct contact with the suns rays.
FIG. 9 illustrates how solar film can be molded at the installation site to
specific areas of installation to provide a cohesive (Items 101, 102, and 103)
and
continuous (Item 101) or semi-continuous implementation of solar gathering
material (Item 104) along a roadway on existing structures of uniform and non-
uniform shapes such as guardrails on the side and median of roadways.
FIG. 10 illustrates the use of spray on solar power cells, herein referred to
as
solar voltaic paint which may be sprayed onto the roadway itself as lane
markers
(Item 105) or onto guardrails (Items 51 and 52) to collect both solar energy
and
infrared heat using a spray on solar power cell material that utilizes
nanotechnology
to mix quantum dots with a polymer to create an energy gathering material that
may
be five times more efficient thancurrent solar cell technology. The sprayed on
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materials would have conductive infrastructure underneath it similar to solar
films
and panels with efficiently planned depot points for the energy gathered by
the
sprayed on materials to be transferred to battery arrays and inverters and
then to
energy distribution points such as the utility grid, direct distribution or
auxiliary
storage (See FIG 5).
FIG. 11 illustrates solar panels (Item 100) deployed on the roadside lanes in
a continuous manner complemented by formed solar films with backing formed
over
guardrails (Item 106) and spray on solar material. Various solar technologies
may
be used in concert to implement a comprehensive and contiguous or semi-
contiguous implementation of solar energy gathering materials along a roadway
system. The solar panels, which may also be solar films, deployed on the sides
of
the roadway and the median along with solar sprayed on power cells, "solar
paint",
sprayed as roadway markers (Item 105). These roadway markers may also be
deployed in wider use on the roadway, particularly in breakdown lanes, to
maximize
coverage and power gathering potential.
FIG. 12 illustrates solar panels, which may also be solar films, deployed on
the sides of the roadway (Item 100) and the median along with solar sprayed on
power cells, "solar paint", sprayed as roadway markers (Item 105). These
roadway
markers may also be deployed in wider use on the roadway, particularly in
breakdown lanes, to maximize coverage and power gathering potential. The
gathered power is transferred via wired connection to battery (Item 33), then
to
inverters (Item 34) and then to meters (Item 35) which register the amount of
energy
that is distributed (Item 8) to the utility grid (Item 81), to homes or
businesses (Item
83), to vehicles (Item 82) or to and auxiliary energy storage or hydrogen
facility
(Item 84).
FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart that defines the steps from gathering to
distribution of the solar energy in a roadway system. One or more solar
gathering
devices such as solar panels, solar films with backing and solar spray on
power cells
are installed along a roadway.in a contiguous or semi-contiguous configuration
(Item 100). The solar energy generating devices are networked through a
roadway
system electricity grid via wiring and input and output connections (Item 9)
to
efficiently take advantage of batteries and battery arrays as are standard in
the solar
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energy gathering industry (Item 33). The energy stored in the batteries is
then
passed through an inverter or inverters (Item 34) to condition the energy
transmission to a distribution point. As the energy is passed to a
distribution point
the electricity provided to that point is gauged via the use of an electricity
meter
(Item 35). Distribution points that may be delivered to include the utility
grid (Item
81), a vehicle (Item 82), direct distribution to a business or home (Item 83),
hydrogen electrolysis and storage facility or a battery storage facility (Item
84).
FIG. 14 illustrates the integration of both wind and solar energy gathering
systems in tandem implementation along a roadway system. The system includes
installations of both wind and solar systems side by side, next to and even
within
energy gathering devices. Wind energy generating devices are implemented in
stratum layered design along the median and breakdown lanes of a roadway (Item
150). Power generated from the devices is passed to battery arrays (Item 33),
then
inverters (Item 34) and registered through meters (Item 35) before being
distributed
(Item 8) to the grid, direct power of homes or businesses, powering of
automobiles
or stored in auxiliary battery arrays or stored by converting to hydrogen
using an
electrolysis process and held until the power is needed at such times that
would
include emergencies or strategically held to be sold to the grid system or
direct
distribution uses at peak demand times. Wind energy generating devices may
also
be covered with solar energy generating devices, that is, they may be covered
with
solar gathering materials such as thin films or spray on solar power cells
("solar
paint") that may be molded to parts of the device that do not interfere with
the
turbines fundamental operation (Item 107). Thin film solar panels may also be
combined with small, for example, micrometer sized wind energy generating
devices (Item 108). The solar energy that is gathered can either by used to
power
the wind energy generating device, for example, helix-type wind turbine
generator
directly when wind power is not available, or make the turbine of the helix-
type
wind turbine generator spin faster when wind is available, or the gathered
solar
power is fed to the central rod and carried down the base of the turbine where
it is
channeled via wiring typical to the industry into a battery pack or battery
array
deployment (Item 33), then to an inverter (Item 34), meter (Item 35) and then
distributed as discussed above. The wind system is part of a complimentary
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installation where designed areas are allotted for both wind and solar power
systems
implementation along roadways. The solar system alongside the wind system is
comprised of one or more solar gathering devices such as solar panels, solar
films
with backing and solar spray on power cells are installed along a roadway in a
contiguous or semi-contiguous configuration. The solar energy generating
devices
are then networked via wiring and input and output connections to efficiently
take
advantage of batteries and battery arrays as are standard in the solar energy
gathering industry (Item 33).
FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart where both wind (Item 16) and solar energy
generating devices (Item 100) as described in FIG. 14 transfers their energy
to
batteries (Item 33) then to inverters (Item 34) then registering the amount of
energy
via the meters (Item 35) before being distributed to the utility grid (Item
81),
vehicles (Item 82), direct distribution of homes and businesses (Item 83) or
utilized
as stored energy via large battery arrays or via conversion to hydrogen to be
held in
compressed tanks via the creation of hydrogen via electrolysis (Item 84).
FIG. 17 illustrates the implementation and installation of portable small
helix
turbine wind energy gathering sheets (Item 109) being installed on a vehicle,
for
example, an automobile (Item 1000) at an authorized service station and power
depot (Item 1001), which may be located at a toll booth, rest area, exit or
other
location. Once the vehicle and owner are registered into the system the solar
gathering unit(s) may be self-installed by the vehicle operator or installed
by a
trained service center attendant (Item 1002). The helix turbine sheet unit
(Item 109)
can be installed on the top, bottom or sides of the vehicle. Power derived
from the
turbines is stored in the vehicle in one or more vehicle-based energy storage
systems, for example, a battery or battery packs (FIG. 18, Item 111) which are
delivered to service stations (Item 1001) when full for system credit for the
energy
gathered issued automated or by a cashier (Item 1003). The energy gathered may
also be used to directly power elements of the vehicle and the owner would
reap a
discount for the metered power used or consumed by the vehicle in this
situation
similar in value to the credit that would be awarded for power gathered by the
one or
more vehicle-based energy storage systems, for example, a battery or battery
pack
(FIG 18, Item 111). System credits can be reimbursed in the form of toll fee
credits,
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cash payments, or credits at participating businesses including power
companies and
consumer goods companies.
FIG. 18 illustrates the portable helix wind turbine vehicle installation
sheets
or placards (Item 109) that are affixed to the vehicle via snap on clips (Item
110),
adhesive, magnetic bonding, bonded by a static charge between the vehicle
surface
and the installation sheet (Item 109), via a locking screw mounting system,
permanently or removable mounted during the vehicle manufacturing process or
overlay bracirng. The one or more vehicle-based storage systems, for example,
a
battery to store the power or battery array may be on the interior, exterior
(Item
111), trunk or underbelly, or under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle helix
wind
turbines (Item 109) may individually be as small as a micron or up to two feet
in
length. One turbine or millions of turbines may occupy a single vehicle
installation
sheet or placard (Item 109).
FIG. 19 illustrates that the helix wind turbine installation sheets are not
just
meant to be mounted on top of the vehicle but also available for installation
in areas
under the vehicle (Item 109). The lack of uniform wind and the presence of
`dirty
wind' makes the use of the helix turbine advantageous and efficient for
collecting
wind energy from different parts of the moving vehicle. In addition to
securing the
turbines the installation sheet (Item 109) fornis a matrixes grid of wiring
(Item 112)
that is comprised of wiring taken from the generator of each individual
turbine. The
matrixes wiring from each turbine is then delivered to the battery for
charging in one
integrated wired output connection (Item 113).
FIG. 20 illustrates an overhead view of vehicles deployed with the helix
wind gathering installation sheets or placards (Item 109), with a composite
view of
an installation sheet, in operation, traveling along a roadway generating wind
power
stored in one or more vehicle-based energy storage systems, for example, a
battery
or battery packs (Item 111) and passing through toll booth service areas (Item
1001)
where installation sheets (Item 109) may be installed, removed or where fully
charged batteries can be switched out for new batteries or reinstalled.
Maintenance
and account information may also be obtained at the service areas.
FIG. 21 illustrates a flow chart for the vehicle wind energy gathering system.
The flow begins -with the installation (Item 1090) of the manufactured wind
helix
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turbine installation sheets or placards (Item 109) along with the battery or
battery
array system (Item 111). The completed installation of the vehicle wind energy
gathering system is registered with the vehicle and owner at a service area
(Item
1091) and deployed (Item 1092) onto the roadway system to gather energy using
the
installed one or more vehicle-based wind energy generating devices and vehicle-
based energy storage systems (e.g., battery or battery arrays) (Item 1093).
The
wind gathering system fills the battery or battery arrays with energy stored
as
electricity by the battery or batter array. The battery packs may then be
turned in or
exchanged at a service center (Item 1094) where the power gathered by the
vehicle
wind energy gathering system identified with a vehicle andlor owner is
registered
and credited to the vehicle and/or owner. The power gathered in the batteries
is then
prepared for distribution into the system (Item 8) in the form of distribution
into the
utility grid (Item 81), necessitating a transfer of the battery power through
an
inverter. The battery power may be utilized directly by a vehicle (Item 82).
The
15. battery power may be attached to an inverter for direct powering of
businesses or
homes (Item 83) or the power may be stored in auxiliary battery arrays or used
to
convert hydrogen via electrolysis for energy storage or for power hydrogen
energy
needs (Item 84). By charging the vehicle owner nothing, very little and
possibly
securing a deposit against the value of the equiprrient the vehicle owner
gains
incentive to create value for himself by participating in the gathering of
clean energy
with no financial investment needed during the service area registration
process.
FIG. 22 illustrates the installation of a portable solar energy gathering
system
(Item 114) at a qualified service area (Item 1001) installed on a vehicle
(Item 1000)
.by a service center trained installer (Item 1002). The solar installation
sheets (Item
114) may be affixed to the vehicle via snap on clips, adhesive, magnetic
bonding,
bonded by a static charge between the vehicle surface and the installation
sheet, by a
locking screw mounting system, permanently or removable installation of a
mounting during the vehicle manufacturing process or overlay bracing. The
battery
to store the power or battery array may be on the interior, exterior, trunk or
underbelly, or under the hood of the vehicle. The solar installation sheets
may be
mounted on the top, hood, trunk or sides of a vehicle.
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FIG. 23 illustrates that no cash transaction occurs at the time of
installation at
the power depot service station area (Item 1000), with the exception of a
credit card
or other security registration/ deposit system (Item 1004). By charging the
vehicle
owner (Item 1005) nothing, very little and possibly securing a deposit against
the
value of the equipment the vehicle owner (Item 1005) gains incentive to create
value
for himself by participating in the gathering of clean energy with no
financial
investment needed.
FIG. 24 illustrates an overhead view of vehicles with solar installation
sheets
(Item 114) traveling down a road along with the integration of a service area
(Item
1001) in a familiar toll plaza along the roadway route. Similar to the wind
installation system, the solar installation sheets may be coupled to a battery
outside
or inside the vehicle. (Item 111).
FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart where one or more solar installation sheets
and battery configuration are installed in a vehicle (Item 1095). The vehicle
is
deployed, registered within the system with the installation sheets installed
(Item
1092) and activated to capture and store energy in the batteries (Item 1093).
Power
is then gathered in the batteries and stored as electricity (Item 1094) for
power
distribution (Item 8). The batteries then feed the instant vehicle with power
that is
metered or the batteries are exchanged at a service center (1094) and the
power
gathered in the batteries is used to feed power into the grid (Item 81) after
being sent
through an inverter which brings the power into the proper technical condition
for
the grid according to specifications provided by the grid operator, or to
power
another vehicle (Item 82), direct power a business or home (Item 83) or to
have the
energy stored in a reserve power form such as batteries or via a manufacture
and
storage of hydrogen by using the extra power to fuel the electrolysis of water
to
create hydrogen (Item 84).
FIG. 26 illustrates portable solar and wind installation sheets being
installed
(1096) in tandem separately and as unified, single sheets gathering both wind
and
solar energy simultaneously. The installation, acquisition and customer
service
station centers (Item 1001) function identically as in the previous Figures.
The
surfaces of the turbine sheets including the turbines themselves may be
sprayed with
spray on power cells to maximize the potential of simultaneous solar and wind
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energy gathering from the same.installation panel. Alternatively the solar
material
may be non-silicon film or standard silicon panelized structure. Wiring on the
installation sheets may be dual in nature with solar energy going into
specific
batteries and wind energy into its own batteries or the energy may be put into
the
same batteries. Solar energy may also be used to power the wind turbines, thus
creating only wind energy that is being used to charge the battery or battery
array.
FIG. 27 illustrates an overhead view of a vehicle installed with the solar and
wind integrated panels (Item 115). These panels may incorporate both solar and
wind gathering systems in a single installation sheet or separately with wind
alone
installation sheets and solar alone installation sheets functioning and
simultaneously
deployed on a vehicle (Item 1000) participating in the system. The composite
illustration of the installation sheet once again demonstrates tiny helix
designed
turbines, too small to be legibly seen without composite form drawing deployed
on
the vehicle with attendant solar gathering materials incorporated within the
surface
of the same installation sheets. Energy gathered by the sheets is transferred
to the
battery array (Item I 11).
FIG. 28 illustrates an overhead view vehicles deployed with solar and wind
installation sheets (Item 115) moving in and out of service center areas (Item
1001)
for the installation, registration, updating and maintenance of the solar and
wind
energy generating devices. System installation sheets are displayed deployed
on
vehicles and composite diagrams give a feel for the large amount of tiny wind
turbines that can be deployed on a single vehicle installation sheet. As
charged
batteries (Item I 11) are collected at the service center (Item 1001) power is
distributed using inverters and meters to store, condition, transmit and track
power
distributed from the system for direct use in vehicles (Item 82), for use in
the utility
grid (Item 81), for use in 3rd party vehicles (Item 82), which may pick up
charged
batteries as they pass through the service center, for direct powering of
homes and
businesses (Item 83) and for storage as reserve battery power or utilizing the
battery
energy to conduct the electrolysis of hydrogen for use in hydrogen powered
systems
as well as for storage of reserve energy (Item 84).
FIG. 29illustrates a flow chart that combines the flow of energy generated
by both wind (Item 1090) and solar installation sheets (Item 1095) into the
portable
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vehicle system (Iterri 1092), or solar energy may be used to power the wind
energy
installation and create a uniform, wind energy only, power source flowing into
the
battery or battery array (Item 1093). The vehicle is deployed (Item 1092),
registered
within the system with the installation sheets installed and activated to
capture and
store energy in the batteries (Item 1093). Power is then gathered in the
batteries and
stored as electricity. The batteries then feed the instant vehicle with power
that is
metered or the batteries are exchanged at a service center (Item 1094) and the
power
gathered in the batteries is distributed (Item 8) to be used feed power into
the grid
(Item 81) after being sent through an inverter which brings the power into the
proper
technical condition for the grid according to specifications provided by the
grid
operator, or to power another vehicle (Item 82), direct power a business or
home
(Item 83) or to have the energy stored in a reserve power form such as
batteries or
via a manufacture and storage of hydrogen by using the extra battery power to
fuel
the electrolysis of water to create hydrogen, which may be stored compressed
and
utilized for hydrogen engines or converted back to electricity using hydrogen
fuel
cell technology and distributed to third parties at times when peak energy
needs
create premium pricing demand (Item 84).
FIG. 30 illustrates an integration of the fixed & portable roadway integrated
wind and solar energy gathering roadway system. Ground and vehicle-based wind
energy generating devices of different type along with ground and vehicle-
based
solar energy generating devices of different type are shown schematically
(e.g., solar
thin film formed on wind turbine generators of different size (Item 107),
photovoltaic paint on roadway lines (Item 105), solar thin film formed onto
roadside
and median guardrails (Item 106), photovoltaic paint on vehicles (Item 114),
solar/wind turbine generator panels/installation sheets on vehicles (Item
109), solar
panels with small/micro wind turbines on roadway median and edge of breakdown
lane (Item 108). Power gathered these various energy generating devices is
transferred ground and vehicle based energy storage systems, for example,
ground
and vehicle-based batteries and battery arrays (Items 33 and 111) for storing.
The
batteries then feed the system with power that is metered (Item 35) or the
batteries
are exchanged at a service center (Item 1001) and the power gathered in the
batteries
(Item 111) is used feed power, either at a service center (Item 1001) or along
a
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convenient roadway location into a utility grid (Item 81) after being sent
through an
inverter (Item 35) which brings the power into the proper technical condition
for the
grid according to specifications provided by the grid operator, or to power
another
vehicle (Item 82), direct power a business or home (Item 83) or to have the
energy
stored in a reserve power form such as batteries or via a manufacture and
storage of
hydrogen by using the extra battery power to fuel the electrolysis of water to
create
hydrogen, which may be stored compressed and utilized for hydrogen engines or
converted back to electricity using hydrogen fuel cell technology and
distributed to
third parties at times when peak energy needs create premium pricing demand
(Item
84). This integrated 4 pronged approach creates a comprehensive clean energy
power gathering system that may be deployed throughout entire roadway and
highway systems converting the massive available space and energy available to
conversion into a stable clean energy source with efficient geographical
infrastructure for distribution.
FIGS. 31 to 33 illustrate the implementation of the system across the entirety
of a major roadway, herein being the Massachusetts Turnpike. In each of these
Figures, a service area is shown as dot (Item 1001). Battery arrays which
although
represented in the Figure in a contiguous manner due to spacing issues are
actually
(i.e., in the roadway system) spaced apart in implementation and are
represented as
solid black.areas (Item 3.3). Roadway fixed solar and wind.systems, in which
the
technologies may be utilized within the same implementation sheet, panel or
turbine
or utilized as separate technologies with wind turbine generators shown as
dash-
dotted areas (Item 16) and solar arrays shown as dotted areas (Item 100) and
roadway lanes shown as dashed areas. FIGS. 31 and 32 show the first about 90
miles of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Figure 33 represents the distribution of
gathered power fed through the inverters and registered in meters to the
various end
distribution points including direct powering of businesses (Item 83),
powering
being sold back to the grid system (Item 80), power being utilized by vehicles
(Item
82) or stored as excess generated energy in the form of auxiliary battery
arrays or via
the conversion to hydrogen by electrolysis and the subsequent storage of
compressed
hydrogen in tanks to be sold back to the utility at times of peak need or
value (Item
84). Vehicles outfitted with portable solar and wind gathering systems
contemplated
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by this system would travel along this roadway and utilize the service areas
and toll
booths to install, maintain and in some cases receive credit for energy
gathered by
the system installed upon the vehicle (Item 1000).
FIG. 34 illustrates the flow chart of a full integration of the wind and solar
energy gathering roadway system. This flow chart features both solar and wind
gathering fixed and portable systems (Iteins 100, 16, 1095 and 1090)
integrated into
the flow chart with the portable vehicle system flow of energy generated by
both
wind and solar installation sheets into the portable vehicle system, or solar
energy
may be used to power the wind energy installation and create a uniform, wind
energy only, power source flowing into the battery or battery array (Items 34
and
1093). The one or more vehicles are deployed (Item 1092), registered within
the
system with the installation sheets installed and activated to capture and
store energy
in the batteries (Item 1093). Power is then gathered in the batteries and
stored as
electricity. The batteries then feed the instant vehicle with power that is
metered or
the batteries (Item 1093) are exchanged at a service center (Item 1094) and
the
power gathered in the batteries is used.to feed power into the grid after
being sent
through an inverter which brings the power into the proper technical condition
for
the grid (Item 81) according to specifications provided by the grid operator,
or to
power another vehicle (Item 9), direct power a business or home (Item 83) or
to
have the energy stored in a reserve power form such as batteries or via a
manufacture and storage of hydrogen by using the extra battery power to fuel
the
electrolysis of water to create hydrogen, which may be stored compressed and
utilized for hydrogen engines or converted back to electricity using hydrogen
fuel
cell technology and distributed to third parties at times when peak energy
needs
create premium pricing demand (Item 84). The fixed wind and solar roadway
systems illustrates a flow chart where both wind and solar energy gathering
devices
as described in FIG. 14/15 transfer their energy to batteries (Item 33) then
to
inverters (Item 34) then registering the amount of energy via the meters (Item
35)
before being distributed to the utility grid (Item 81), vehicles (Item 82),
direct
distribution of homes (Item 83) and businesses or utilized as stored energy
via large
battery arrays or via conversion to hydrogen to be held in compressed tanks
via the
creation of hydrogen via electrolysis (Item 84).
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FIG. 35 illustrates an electric vehicle (Item 82) that may include an energy
generating device (Item 114), energy storage system (Item 220), controller
(Item
225), and electric motor (Item 230) connected to a roadway system electricity
grid
by the present invention. The roadway system electricity grid is described in
Patent
Application Number 11624987, entitled System and Method for Creating a
Networked Infrastructure Distribution Platform of Solar Energy Gathering
Devices"
by Gene S. Fein and Edward Merritt, filed January 19, 2007, incorporated
herein by
reference. The solar energy generating device (Item 114) is any device that
converts
solar energy into electricity. For example, a solar energy generating device
(Item
114) may be a single solar or photovoltaic cell, a plurality of interconnected
solar
cells, that is, a "photovoltaic module", or a linked collection of
photovoltaic
modules, that is, a "photovoltaic array" or "solar panel." A "solar or
photovoltaic
cell" (hereinafter also "photovoltaic material") as used herein, is a device
or a bank
of devices that use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity directly
from
sunlight. For example, a solar or photovoltaic cell can be a silicon wafer
solar cell, a
thin-film solar cell employing materials such as amorphous silicon, poly-
crystalline
silicon, micro-crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium
selenide/sulfide, photoelectrochemical cells, nanocrystal solar cells and
polymer or
plastic solar cells. Plastic solar cells are known in the art to be paintable,
sprayable
or printable roll-to-roll like newspapers.
The solar generating device (Item 114) may be electrically connected to a
roadway system electricity grid. For example, the energy storage system 220
may
store the energy that is harnessed or gathered by the solar generating device
(Item
114).. The stored energy may then by electrically connected to the roadway
system
by discharging the electrical energy to the roadway system electricity grid.
Alternatively, the energy storage system (Item 220) may be recharged by the
roadway system electricity grid. An advantage of having a solar generating
device
(Item 114) be electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid is
that the
driver of the vehicle (Item 82) may want to sell the electrical energy that
he/she has
harnessed by the sun to the owner(s) of the roadway system electricity grid.
Alternatively, the driver may also purchase electricity from the roadway
system
electricity grid on a cloudy day. 'The electricity may then be stored in the
energy
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storage system (Item 220). The vehicle (Item 82) may have a monitoring unit
(not
shown) to display an amount of stored electrical energy in the storage system
(Item220). The monitoring unit (not shown) may further measure the amount of
discharged stored electrical energy or recharged electrical energy from the
roadway
system electricity grid. .
The solar generating device (Item 114) may be installed at the car
manufacturer or as an after market component. The solar generating device
(Item
114) may be installed anywhere on a vehicle (Item 82) as -long as it is safe
and there
is ample exposure of sunlight. Moreover, there may be more than one solar
energy
generating device (Item 114) installed on the vehicle (Item 82).
The controller (Item 225) on an electric vehicle (Item 82) is a device or
method by which the speed and power output of an electric motor (Item 230) is
controlled. The controller (Item 225) may regulate the current going into an
electric
motor (Item 230) to control the speed. The electric motor (Item 230) may
provide
energy to drive the vehicle (Item 82).
As discussed previously, a "vehicle" as used herein, is any device that is
used
at least partly for ground-based transportation, for example, of goods and/or
humans.
For example, a vehicle may be an automobile, a car, a bus, a truck, a tractor,
a tank,
a motorcycle, a train, an airplane or the like. Preferably, a vehicle can be
an
automobile, a car, a bus, a truck, a tank,. and a motorcycle. More preferably,
a
vehicle can be an automobile, a car, a bus, and a truck. Most preferably, a
vehicle
can be an automobile and a car. The vehicle (Item 82) as discussed above is an
electric vehicle, however, the vehicle may be a gasoline-electric hybrid
vehicle or
combustion engine vehicle.
FIG. 36 illustrates an energy storage system (Item 220) by the present
invention. The energy storage system (Item 220) may include a plurality of
batteries
(Items l l la, 111b, ..., 111n) that may be rechargeable, storage box (Item
235), and
a display unit (Item 245). There may be more than one battery (Items 111 a,
111 b,
111 n) connected in series, parallel or series-parallel configuration. The
type of
batteries may be NiMH, Li-ion, and solid state Li-ion for example. Each
battery
(Items 111 a, 111 b, ..., 111 n) may fit into a slot of the storage box (Item
235). The
slot may have pull out rows to make iteasier to remove the batteries (Items l
l la,
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l l lb, ..., 111n). The storage box (Item 235) may have ports (Item 240) that
electrically connect to a vehicle (Item 82). The driver of a vehicle (Item 82)
may
remove the storage box (Item 235) from the vehicle (Item 82) and sell the
harnessed
electrical energy to the owner(s) of the roadway system electricity grid.
Alternatively, the driver of the vehicle (Item 82) may purchase the storage
box (Item
235) at the service stations to propel his/her vehicle (Item 82). The energy
storage
system (Itern 220) may include a display unit (Item 245) to indicate the
amount of
stored electrical energy. For example, if the battery power is to be supplied
to a
power source, such as the roadway system electricity grid, then a person may
press a
red button (not shown) on the storage box (Item 235). After the batteries
(Items
l l la, l l lb, ..., l l ln) are drained, the display unit (Itein 245) may
display a yellow
color to indicate that the batteries (Items 111 a, 111 b, ..., 111 n) are
fully discharged
of electrical energy. If the batteries (Items 111 a, I 11 b, ..., 111 n) are
being
recharged by the roadway system electricity grid, the display unit (Item 245)
may
have a green color to indicate that the batteries (Items 111a, 111b, ...,
111n) are
fully charged of electrical energy.
An example wind turbine generator is illustrated in Fig. 4. These wind
turbine generators can employ a turbine rotating around an axis oriented iin
any
direction. For example, in a "horizontal axis turbine," the turbine rotates
around a
horizontal axis, which is oriented, typically, more or less parallel to the
ground.
Furtherinore, in a "vertical axis turbine," the turbine rotates around a
vertical axis,
which is oriented, typically, more or less perpendicular to the ground. For
example,
a vertical axis turbine can be a Darrieus wind turbine, a Giromill-type
Darrieus wind.
turbine, a Savonius wind turbine, a propeller style turbine, a "helix-style
turbine,"
and the like. In a helix style turbine, the turbine blades are helically
shaped and
rotate around a vertical axis. A helix style turbine can have a single-helix
design or
multi-helix design, for example, double-helix, triple-helix or quad-helix
design.
Helix style wind turbine generators are not dependent on single direction
wind,
which is good because wind often comes in uneven and multiple directions, or
even
in cross directions. Wind energy generating devices can have geometrical
dimensions from about several nanometers to about several hundred feet. Wind
energy gathering devices on the nano- to micrometer scale may include one or
more
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nano- and/or microwires of one or more materials that show a strong
piezoelectric
effect, for example, zinc oxide, that substitute for the above discussed
turbine and
generator. These nano- and microwires can gather wind energy and generate
electricity, thus, substituting the function of the above discussed turbines
and
generators. It is believed, that each wire mechanically deforms, for example,
bends
in response to wind, thereby converting some of the wind energy into
electrical
energy via a piezoelectric effect.
The "ground" as used herein is the surface to which the wind energy
gathering device is attached, for example, literally earth's ground, a road
surface, a
road sign, the surface of a road noise barrier, a tunnel surface, the surface
of a wind
energy gathering sheet, the surface of a car and the like.
The "height" of a wind energy gathering device or wind turbine generator as
used herein, is the height measured perpendicularly from the ground adjacent
to the
device or generator to the highest point of the device or generator. Wind
energy
gathering devices can have a height between about a few micrometers and
several
hundred feet. Wind energy gathering devices of very small geometrical
dimensions
and wind energy gathering sheets employing wind energy gathering devices of
very
small geometrical dimensions, for example, on the nanometer and micrometer
scale,
may be manufactured using microfabrication methods.
Microfabrication methods for three-dimensional structure creation are well
known in the art and include, for example, photolithography such as two-photon
three-dimensional lithography, etching such as RIE (Reactive-ion etching) or
DRIE
(Deep reactive-ion etching), thin film deposition such as sputtering, CVD
(Chemical
Vapor Deposition), evaporation, epitaxy, thermal oxidation, doping using for
example thermal diffusion or ion implantation, wafer-scale integration
techniques,
wafer bonding, CMP (Chemical-Mechanical Planarization), wafer cleaning, nano-
and micrometer scale wiring fabrication, and the like. Materials suitable for
microfabrication methods include, for example, silicon (e.g., single crystal
silicon),
silicon carbide, and silicon/silicon carbide hybrid structures.. Materials for
nano- and
micrometer scale wiring fabrication include, for example, gold, silicon,
copper,
silver and zinc oxide.
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"Piezoelectric nanowires" as used herein are crystalline wires that exhibit a
piezoelectric effect upon mechanical deformation or pressure, for example,
bending
and release of same mechanical deformation or pressure. An example of a
suitable
material is zinc oxide. These wires can be manufactured using methods known in
the art. An example array of these nanowires is illustrated in Fig. 15.
Typically,
these nanowires 1500 have length that is about 5 to 20 times the width, depth,
or
radius of the nanowires 1500. Also, typically, nanowires 1500 may have lengths
of
between about 100 nanometer and a few micrometers and widths, depths, or radii
of
between about 5 nanometer and about 200 nanometers.
Parts of or entire wind energy gathering devices with dimensions of about
1/8th of an inch and up can be manufactured, for example, using molding
technology known in the art. All of the wind energy gathering devices, but, in
particular, the ones of dimensions of about 1/8th of an inch and up may
replicate the
well known designs of larger, that is, 5 feet to several hundred feet wind
energy
gathering devices, for example, helical wind turbines. These designs of larger
wind
energy gathering devices typically include elements such as charging
controllers,
automatic lubrication systems, artificial loads and the like to optimize
performance
of the wind energy gathering device.
Wind energy gathering sheets (hereinafter also "wind turbine installation
sheets" or "wind turbine installation placards") are wind energy gathering
devices
that employ a plurality, for example, up to millions or billions of nano-
and/or
micrometer scale wind energy gathering devices on a sheet with a density of,
typically, about 1500 to about a million wind energy gathering devices per
square
meter of sheet. Sheets may be rigid or flexible and may provide the housing
and
infrastructure for wiring of the wind energy gathering devices and for
conriective
wiring to other wind energy gathering sheets, to an inverter or battery
system. Wind
energy gathering sheets may also employ one or more smaller wind energy
gathering sheets.
Nano- and/or micrometer scale wind energy gathering devices on wind
energy gathering sheets can be manufactured directly on a given sheet and/or
the
wind energy gathering devices can be, independently, manufactured and than
attached to a given sheet. Wiring that may be used to electrically
interconnect the
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wind energy gathering devices and/or the wind energy gathering devices with
electric circuitry on a given sheet includes, for example, nano- and
micrometer scale
wiring as known in the art, for example, gold, silicon, copper and silver nano-
and
micrometer scale wires.
Wind energy gathering devices of geometrical dimensions up to 1/8th of an
inch (microdevices) can be produced by using micro-fabrication methods. Three-
dimensional single-component or multi-component parts of the wind energy
gathering device can be manufactured, for example, using two-photon three-
dimensional lithography, such as Focal Point Technology. Single-component and
multi-component parts are parts that consist of one chemical composition,
which is
processed by the three-dimensional lithography technology. Examples of three-
dimensional lithography technology capable of producing multi-component parts
include products and services provided by Focal Point Micro Systems (see,
www.fpmicro.com). Preferably, the microdevices, or microdevice components, are
made of a material that is suitable for both Focal Point Technology and for
wind
turbine applications.
Preferably, the method is used to manufacture a plurality of a given single-
component or multi-component parts in parallel, thereby optimizing the
production
process. By applying a sheeted concept to the manufacturing of the
microdevices,
the microdevices may be wired, manufactured, and deployed in sheets, enabling
wiring grids to be laid down in the manufacturing process along with
micro/nano
calibrated stampers, pressers, and scissors to produce large sheets of
microdevices in
a single manufacturing process. Pressing sheets of turbines in a multi-stage
process
of assembly makes the process of making millions of microdevices a swift
process.
The plurality of one-component parts may be manipulated and assembled
using precision instruments such as micro-tweezers (optical trapping lasers),
micro-
scissors (optical cutting lasers), and holographic lasers. The precision laser
instruments are capable of accurately handling objects on a micro/nano scale.
Examples of such precision laser instruments include products offered by Arryx
(see, www.arryx.com). The tiny components produced using the focal point
technology may then be manipulated by the precision laser instruments to be
assembled into the wind energy gathering microdevice. If a large number, of
the tiny
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components are produced in parallel, then many of precision laser instruments
may
be used to manipulate the many components in parallel.
Individual components of the microdevices, or the entire microdevices, may
be made of a durable polymer based material.. Examples of such materials
include
materials manufactured by DSM (see, www.dsm.com). The durability of the
microdevices, or microdevice components, may be tested utilizing a durability
testing process. Example testing process include processes performed by FEI
Company (see, www.fei.com). Testing may involve individual components of the
microdevices, the microdevice as a whole, or an entire sheet of microdevices.
An
example testing process may include subjecting a wind energy gathering
microdevice (or sheet of microdevices) to a breeze of a certain MPH strength,
and
determining, that a certain amount of electricity is generated based upon the
proper
functioning of the microdevice, or sheet of microdevices. It should be noted
that
wind tests will be conducted to ensure that the devices can withstand wind
speeds of
up to 150 MPH, and that defective sheets will be recycled. A cleaning test
process
may subject the wind energy gathering microdevice (or sheet of microdevices)
to
dirt and petroleum mixed impurities which are then blown and washed from the
microdevice (or sheet of microdevices). The cleaning test process may be
repeated
numerous times to determine stress levels appropriate with a multi-year
installation.
Specific sizes of the microdevices may be varied to match the stress levels
and
installation duration necessary for a successful installation, as certain size
microdevices or microdevice sheets may be more effective and prudent in
certain
conditions than others.
Nanowires may be used to interconnect a plurality of the microturbines
together, or to connect components of a particular microturbine. These
nanowires
are produced in nanowire arrays, a plurality of which are attached to a common
base
structure. Utilizing the micro-scissors and micro-tweezers discussed above,
the
nanowires may be detached from.the common base structure using the micro-
scissors and manipulated using the micro-tweezers when incorporating the
nanowires into the microdevices, or sheet of microdevices. Preferably the
nanowires
would be made of copper, but other metals capable of conducting electricity
may be
used, such as silver. The nanowires may be coated with a polymer for purposes
of
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insulation and to prevent deterioration caused by adverse weather conditions.
Using
the polymer or similar set of materials to fabricate the microdevices and to
coat the
nanowires makes the microdevices washable and protects the integrity of the
electrical flow.
Additionally, wind energy gathering devices of geometrical dimensions of
1/8`h of an inch and up may be manufactured. These devices may resemble the
wind
energy gathering devices made by Oy Windside Production Ltd. (see,
www.windside.com). The smallest wind energy gathering devices made by
Windside are typically about five feet; however, according to the principles
of the
present invention, smaller versions of these devices may be manufactured using
a
form or injection molding process.
It should be noted that some parts of the Windside devices either cannot or
should not be miniaturized, such as any microprocessors present in the
devices; but
these parts are already small enough such that they may be included in the
tiny wind
devices without needing to be miniaturized. Additionally, some par-ts of the
Windside devices require lubrication to prevent wear and damage. The tiny
devices of the present invention, however, do not need lubrication as the
polymer
itself is a slippery material that creates very little friction, similar to
the material of
Teflon .
In addition, harnessing a force known as the Casimir force may enable the
microdevices to operate with little or no friction. The Casimir force was
discovered
in 1948 and first measured in 1997, and can be observed in a gecko's ability
to stick
to a surface with just one toe. Reversing the Casimir force causes an object
to repel
rather than attract another object. Applying this reverse Casimir force to
embodiments of the present invention would reduce friction in the
microturbines and
allow the microdevice to operate more efficiently.
Figs. 37A-37C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of fabricating wind
energy gathering microdevices, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. According to the example embodiment, and referring to Fig. 37A,
components of wind energy gathering microdevices are produced (3705), as well
as
at least one array of nanowires (3710). Referring to Fig. 37B, production of
the
.microdevices components may include producing a microturbine (3730) and at
least
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one magnet (3735). The magnet(s) may then be attached to the microturbine
(3740).
The microturbine may then be configured to rotate around its axis (3745) and
the
magnet(s) configured to move along a circular path upon rotation of the
microturbine (3750). Returning to Fig. 37A, the components and nanowires are
then
manipulated and assembled to form a wind energy gathering microdevice (3715).
Referring to Fig. 37C, the assembly of a wind energy gathering microdevice
may include separating nanowires form their respective nanowire array base
structure using at least one micro-scissor (3755) and moving the separated
nanowires to a desired location using at least one micro-tweezer (3760). At
this
time, the components of the wind energy gathering microdevice. may also be
moved
to a desired location using at least one micro-tweezer (3765). Assembly of the
wind
energy gathering microdevice may further include incorporating at least one
nanowire into the microturbine/magnet(s) components (3770) and configuring the
nanowire(s) to harness electricity upon rotational movement of the
microturbine/magnet(s) components (3775). Additional nanowires may be
incorporated into the components (3780) and configured to transfer the
harnessed
energy away from the components (3785). Returning to Fig. 37A, the assembled
wind energy gathering microdevice may be mounted on a sheet with other wind
energy gathering microdevices (3720) and tested for durability (3725).
FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a system for fabricating wind energy
gathering microdevices, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The
example system 4800 includes a production module 4805, at least one nanowire
array 4810, at least one micro-scissor, 4815, at least one micro-tweezer 4820,
a
separation module 4825, a manipulation module 4830, an assembly module 4835, a
mounting module 4840, and a testing module 4845. The production module 4805
produces a number of wind energy.gathering microdevice components 4850. The
separation module 4825 uses a number of micro-scissors 4815 to separate a
number
of nanowires 4855 from at least one nanowire array 4810. The manipulation
module
4830 controls and moves the components 4850, 4860 and nanowires 4855, 4860
using a number of micro-tweezers 4820 to the assembly module 4835, where the
components 4850, 4860 and nanowires 4855, 4860 are assembled into wind energy
gathering microdevices 4870, 4875. From the assembly module 4835, the wind
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energy gathering microdevices 4870 may be mounted on a sheet by the mounting
module 4840. The microdevices 4875 (or sheet of microdevices 4880) may then be
tested for durability by the testing module.
FIG. 39A illustrates an example vehicle-based wind energy gathering system
(Item 1700) to gather wind energy and deposit wind generated energy for system
credit. The vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) includes a
vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item 109), a vehicle-based energy
storage system (Item 111), and means for depositing the stored wind generated
energy for system credit (Item 115).
In operation, wind or wind energy (Item 1701) is gathered by the vehicle-
based wind energy gathering device (Item 109). In turn the device (Item 109)
generates wind generated energy. That is, the vehicle-based wind energy
gathering
device (Item 109) transforms or otherwise converts the wind energy (Item 1701)
into
wind generated energy, such as electricity. The vehicle-based wind energy
gathering device (Item 109) passes the wind generated energy to the vehicle-
based
energy storage system (Item 111). The vehicle-based energy storage system
(Item
111) stores the wind generated energy generated from the vehicle-based wind
energy
gathering device (Item109). The stored wind generated energy is deposited by
the
means (Item 115) for depositing the stored wind generated energy for system
credit.
Preferably the deposited wind generated energy (Item 1702) is in a form
readily
available for downloading, storing or transmitting to a utility (or power)
grid, to
name a few example forms.
Any combination of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item
109), the vehicle-based energy storage system (Item 111), and the means for
depositing the stored wind generated energy for system credit (Item 115) may
be
provided to a participant of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system
(Item
1700) for little or substantially no cost. For example, the above are provided
to the
participant for some fraction of the total cost of the above or even for free.
In yet
another example, some portion of the system credit "earned" by depositing the
stored wind generated energy is applied toward the cost of the above.
Alternatively, in lieu of paying for the above, a deposit may be secured from
the participant of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700)
to
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secure the safe return of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item
109),
the vehicle-based energy storage system (Item I 11), and the means for
depositing
the stored wind generated energy for system credit (Item 115). Such a deposit
may
be secured through the participant's financial institution or via a cash
deposit.
In this way, participants of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system
(Item 1700) may not need to spend significant financial resources (e.g., to
purchase
equipment) in order to gather wind energy and deposit wind generated energy
for
system credit. Moreover, participants of the vehicle-based wind energy
gathering
system (Item 1700) may be motivated or otherwise given an incentive to
participate
invehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700).
The system credit may be reimbursed or otherwise credited to the participant
of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) in the form of a
toll
fee credit, cash payment, credit at a participating business, municipal or
governmental tax/ fee credit, other public utilities/public works credit, or
the like.
For example, the system credit may be credited toward the participant's
existing
account with an electronic toll system, such as FASTLANE or EZPASS.
Alternatively, the system credit may be credited toward the participant's
account
which is monitored and maintained separately from such an electronic toll
system.
For example, the participant of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system
(Item 1700) may use the system credit as credit in transactions with a power
company, a consumer goods company or a financial institution.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the principles of the
present
invention are not limited to the examples presented above, but may include
other
forms of system credit. For example, the participant of the vehicle-based wind
energy gathering system (Item 1700) may be credited with a combination of one
or
more of the above examples.
In addition to the participant, the system credit may be divided or otherwise
shared with partners of the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item
1700).
For example, the system credit may be apportioned between a company owning the
equipment for the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) (e.g.
the
vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item 109), the vehicle-based
energy
storage system (Item 111), and the means for depositing the stored wind energy
for
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system credit (Item 115)) and a company installing such equipment onto the
participant's vehicle. The system credit may be apportioned to additional
partners,
such as a municipality or a state highway department. The system credit may
also
be apportioned to fewer partners. For example, rather than separate companies,
a
single company both owns and installs the equipment for the vehicle-based
energy
gathering system (Item 1700).
As such, the vehicle wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) creates a
format for wide-scale distribution of vehicle-based wind energy gathering
devices
with the potential of having millions of participants.
FIG. 39B illustrates an example implementation and installation of the
vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) described in reference
to
FIG. 39A. In this example, the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device
(Item
109), such as small helix wind turbine vehicle installation sheet(s), and
other
equipment, such as a vehicle-based energy storage system (not shown) and means
for depositing stored energy for system credit (not shown), are installed in
or on a
vehicle, for example, an automobile (Item 1000). The above installation may
occur
at an authorized service station and power depot (Item 1001) by a trained
service
center attendant (Item 1002). The authorized service station and power depot
(Item
1001) may be located at a toll booth, rest area, exit or other convenient
location.
At the authorized service station and power depot (Item 1001), a cashier
(Item 1003) may process transactions including payment or deposit for the
vehicle-
based wind energy gathering system (Item 1700) or elements of the system, such
as
the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item 109), the vehicle-based
energy
storage system (Item 111), and the means for depositing stored wind generated
energy for system credit (Item 115). The cashier (Item 1003) may also process
transactions including installation charges/fees and registration (or similar
association) of the vehicle/vehicle owner/participant with the vehicle-based
wind
energy gathering system (Item 1770) and/or elements of the system (Item 1770).
In another example, once a vehicle and/or participant (e.g., the owner of the
vehicle) is registered with the vehicle-based wind energy gathering system
(Item
1700), the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (Item 109) and other
equipment, such as a vehicle-based energy storage system (Item 111) and a
means
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for depositing stored energy for system credit (Item 115), may be self-
installed by
the participant (not shown). As such, the vehicle-based wind energy gathering
device (Item 109) arid other equipment may in some instances be configured or
otherwise adapted to be installed by the participant of the vehicle-based wind
energy
gathering system (Item 1700).
FIG. 40A illustrates an example process of the vehicle-based wind energy
gathering system (Item 1700) for gathering wind energy and depositing wind
generated energy for system credit. The system (Item1700) gathers (Item 2105)
wind energy and generates wind generated energy using a vehicle-based.wind
energy gathering device (e.g., Item 109 of FIG. 39A). The system (Item1700)
stores
(Item 2110) the generated wind generated energy in a vehicle-based energy
storage
system (e.g., Item 111 of FIG. 39A). The system (Iteml700) deposits (Item
2115)
the stored wind generated energy for system credit.
FIG. 40B illustrates an example process of another embodiment of the
vehicle-based wind energy gathering system (Item 2150) for gathering wind
energy
and depositing wind generated energy for system credit. The example system
(Item
2150) installs (Item 1090) a vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (e.g.,
Item
109 of FIG. 39A), such as small helix wind turbine installation sheets or
placards, a
vehicle-based energy storage system (e.g., Item 111 of FIG. 39A), such as a
battery
or array of batteries, and means for depositing stored wind generated energy
for
system credit (e.g., Item 115 of FIG. 39A) into or onto a subject vehicle.
The example system (Item 2150) registers (Item 1091) the vehicle (Item
1000) and a participant (e.g., an owner of the vehicle) with the vehicle-based
wind
energy gathering system (Item 2150). The example system (Item 2150) deploys
(Item 1092) the vehicle (Item 1000) onto a road or roadway system. The example
system (Item 2150) gathers (Item 1093) wind energy and generates wind
generated
energy (or power) using the vehicle-based wind energy gathering device (e.g.,
Item
109 of FIG. 39A). The example system (Item 2150) stores (Item 1094) wind
generated energy in the vehicle-based energy storage system (e.g., Item 111 of
FIG.
39A).
The example system (Item 2150) deposits (Item 1095) the stored wind
generated energy by turning in or exchanging the battery or the array of
batteries at,
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for example, a service center. The example system (Item 2150) identifies (not
shown) the deposited wind generated energy as being deposited by the vehicle
and/or the participant registered with the vehicle-based wind energy gathering
system. The example system (Item 2150) credits the identified vehicle and/or
participant.
The example system (Item 2150) distributes (Item 8) the deposited wind
generated energy to, for example, a utility grid (Item 81). In the case of the
example
system (Item 2150) distributing (Item 8) the deposited wind generated energy
to the
utility grid (Item 81), the example system (Item 2150) power conditions (not
shown)
the wind generated energy using an inverter.
In another example, the example system (Item 2150) distributes (Item 8) the
deposited wind generated energy directly to a vehicle (Item 82).
In yet another example, the example system (Item 2150) distributes (Item 8)
the deposited wind generated energy directly to a business or home (Item 83),
i.e.,
direct power.
In yet still another example, the example system (Item 2150) distributes
(Item 8) the deposited wind generated energy to an auxiliary battery or array
of
batteries (Item 84) for energy storage or for hydrogen electrolysis.
In another example, the example system (Item 2150) distributes (Item 8) the
deposited wind generated energy to a roadway system electricity grid (Item 85)
described in the United States Patent Application No.11/624,987 entitled
"SYSTEM
AND METHOD FOR CREATING A NETWORKED INFRASTRUCTURE
DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM OF SOLAR ENERGY GATHERING DEVICES,"
filed January 19, 2007, assigned to GENEDICS LLC, which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
FIG. 41 illustrates an example roadway system (Item 3500) for solar energy
generation and distribution. A plurality of solar energy generating devices,
such as
solar panels (Item 100) of FIG. 12 and/or roadway lines painted with
photovoltaic
paint (Item 105) of FIG. 12 form at least one solar strip array (Items
3505a...3505f,
generally Item 3505). The at least one solar strip array (Item 3505) gathers
or
otherwise harnesses energy from the sun and generates "solar generated
energy."
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Throughout this disclosure, the phrase solar generated energy is used
interchangeably with the phrase "solar generated power."
The at least one solar strip array (Item 3505) is located or otherwise
positioned on part of a road or near to one or more roads. As such, the
potential
installation footprint is of hundreds of thousands of miles of available
roadways.
Compared to solar arrays affixed to roof tops of buildings, such as a home, or
solar
arrays located in remote areas, such as a desert, positioning the at least one
solar
strip array (Item 3505) on part of a road or near to one or more of roads
allows for
easier access for maintenance crews. Furthermore, there is greater access to a
utility
grid and additional direct powering opportunities to homes and businesses.
Additionally, by locating or otherwise positioning the at least one solar
strip
array (Item 3505) on part of a road or near to one or more roads to generate
solar
generated energy, it may be said that a roadway network or system of solar
generated energy is formed.
In some embodiments, the at least one solar strip array (Item 3505) may be
positioning on part of a road or near to one or more of roads in such a manner
which
maximizes the amount of energy from the sun which may be gathered and thus
generated into solar generated energy. For example, roads running
latitudinally (i.e.,
east to west and west to east) are able to "track" the sun as the sun "moves"
across
the s.ky. In another example, roads running longitudinally (i.e., north to
south and
south to north) are able to gather energy from the sun along a line of
longitude.
Continuing with FIG. 41, the at least one solar strip array (Item 3505) (e.g.
3505a, 3505b, and 3505c) is electrically connected, in parallel, to a roadway
system
electricity grid (Item 3510) by a power line (Item 3515). Alternatively, the
at least
one solar strip array (Item 3505) (e.g. 3505d, 3505e, and 3505f) is
electrically
connected to the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) by a battery pack
system (Item 3520). Furthermore, the at least one solar strip array (Item
3505) may
be electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) in
such a
manner as to form a parallel circuit, a series circuit or a combination
parallel and
series circuit.
Solar generated energy is power conditioned by inverters (Items 3525a and
3525b). Electricity meters (Items 3530a and 3530b) measure an amount of solar
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generated energy which is generated by the at least one solar strip array
(Item 3505).
As such, the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) measures an amount of
conditioned solar generated energy provided by the at least one solar strip
array
(Item 3505).
Solar generated energy generated by the at least one solar strip array (Item
3505) and provided to the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) is
distributed
by the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) through distribution points
(Items 3535a...3535e, generally Item 3535). The distribution points (Item
3535) are
configured to distribute solar generated energy to, for example, a utility
grid (e.g.,
Item 81 of FIG. 12), a vehicle (e.g., Iterir 82 of FIG. 12), directly to a
business or a
home (e.g., Item 83 of FIG.12) or a hydrogen electrolysis and storage facility
or a
battery storage facility (e.g., Item 84 of FIG. 12). As such, the roadway
system
electricity grid (Item 3510) is configured for mass distribution of
electricity.
In contrast, a solar array located on a building (e.g., the rooftop of a
house)
or located on private land (e.g., a field abutting farm land) is configured to
provide
solar generated energy for private consumption. That is, it is the intention
an entity,
such as homeowner or a farmer to use such a solar array to produce solar
generated
energy for the entity's own use. For example, a homeowner installs solar
panels
onto the homeowner's house to reduce the cost of providing energy to the
house. In
another example, a farmer installs solar panels in a field to provide power
for a well
pump to irrigate an isolated parcel of farmland, which has no access to
utilities.
Consequently, with such located solar arrays there is a neither a need nor
desire to distribute the solar generated energy to others, i.e., to mass
distribute the
solar generated energy. Moreover, with such located solar arrays there is
neither a
need nor desire for. a roadway system electricity grid configured to mass
distribute
the solar generated energy, which is in stark contrast with the roadway system
electricity grid (Item 3510) of the present invention.
Electricity meters (Items 3540a...3540d, generally 3540) measure an amount
of solar generated energy distributed to, for example, a direct power user,
such as a
home. As such, the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) measures an
amount of conditioned solar generated energy provided by the roadway system
electricity grid (Item 3510).
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The roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) may include, for example, a
battery backup (Item 3545) to store solar generated energy in an event the
roadway
system electricity grid (Item 3510) fails or is otherwise inoperable. In this
way,
solar generated energy generated by the at least one solar strip array (Item
3505) can
be stored without substantial loss despite an inability to distribute such
generated
energy. The solar generated energy stored by the battery backup (Item 3545)
may
then be distributed once the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) is
operable.
The roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) may also include, for
example, a switch (Item 3550) to pass, in an automated manner, solar generated
energy from a first solar strip array to a second solar strip array based on
use or
distribution demand. For example, solar generated energy generated by a first
solar
strip array (e.g., Item 3505a) may be distributed by the roadway system
electricity
grid (Item 3510) to a direct power load or user, such as a business or home.
The
amount of solar generated energy distributed to the direct power load may be
insufficient to meet the present demands of the directpower load, e.g., an
increase
use of air conditioning. The roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510),
sensing
the increase demand from the direct power load, passes or reroutes solar
generated
energy generated by a second solar strip array (e.g., Item 3505d) to add or
otherwise
augment energy already being distributed to the direct power load. In this
way, the
roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) is responsive to distribution
demands.
Alternatively, the roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) may be
programmed
to distribute solar generated energy according to a projected or otherwise
anticipated
distribution demand. For example, during business.hours, a demand for solar
generated energy by businesses is higher than a demand for solar generated
energy
by homes. During non-business hours or weekends, however, the demand by homes
is higher than the demand by businesses. As such, the roadway system
electricity
grid (Item 3510) may pass solar generated energy from a solar strip array near
homes and distribute such power to businesses during business hours and vice
versa
during non-business hours or weekends.
The roadway system electricity grid (Item 3510) may also include, for
example, an energy distribution depot (Item 3555) to stoire, channel and
recondition
solar generated energy.
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FIG. 42 is a schematic representation of a nanowire _wind energy generating
device (Item 2005). Several nanowires (Items 2000) are attached to the surface
(Item 2010) of a rigid or flexible sheet (Item 2001) that can be conductive
but is not
limited to be conductive. The nanowires are electrically connected via
electrical
connections (Items 2002) to a circuitry (Item 2004) which gathers electrical
energy
generated by the nanowires and allows flow of electrical current out of the
device
(Item 2003).
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with
references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
