13-10-2012, 11:30 AM
Power Generation using Railway Track
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Abstract
An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An electrical power generation system for a railroad system having a rail, comprising: a power generation device; a first and second electrical capacitance portionsthat are electrically coupled to the power generation device and that are configured to store positive and negative charge respectively; and a biasing device configured to separate the first and second capacitance portions with respect to one another; wherein the first and second electrical capacitance portions are configured to move with respect to one another in response to a vehicle operating on the rail.
BACKGROUND
The present technique relates generally to rail based devices and, more specifically, to an energy co-generation device for generating electric power in response to vehicular traffic on a rail.
Traditionally, operation data related to railroad traffic and railroad assets is gathered at manned junctions, such as a rail yard or a rail depot. By way of example, railroad workers often inspect rails for damage and loading conditions. Asyet another example, railroad workers often inspect and inventory the incoming and outgoing railcars, to manage and facilitate the flow of traffic on a railroad network. However, railroad networks often span thousands of miles and traverse throughsparsely populated and remote regions.
Unfortunately, traditional automated devices generally obtain operating power from an external power source, which is not generally available in remote areas. That is, the automated device receives operating power that is generated at a remotelocation and that is delivered over a power grid, and coupling the grid to the device can be a costly proposition, especially in remote areas. In certain instance, local power sources, such as batteries, have been employed. In any event, even if alocal or external power source is provided, these power sources may not provide a cost effective mechanism for producing sufficient levels of power for operation of the automated testing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the present technique provides an electric power co-generation system for use with a railroad network. The system includes a power source, such as a power generation device or an external powersource. The power co-generation system includes first and second electrical capacitance portions that are electrically coupled to the power source and that are configured to carry positive and negative charges, respectively. The power co-generationsystem further includes a biasing device that is configured to separate the first and second capacitance portions with respect to one another. Thus, by varying the distance between the capacitance portions in response to a vehicle on the rail, thecapacitance portions cooperate to act as a variable capacitor that facilitates the co-generation of power with respect to the system. That is to say, the mechanical energy of the biasing device is converted into electrical energy for the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As a preliminary matter, the definition of the term "or" for the purposes of the following discussion and the appended claims is intended to be an inclusive "or." That is, the term "or" is not intended to differentiate between two mutuallyexclusive alternatives. Rather, the term "or" when employed as a conjunction between two elements is defined as including one element by itself, the other element itself, and combinations and permutations of the elements. For example, a discussion orrecitation employing the terminology "`A` or `B`" includes: "A" by itself, "B" by itself, and any combination thereof, such as "AB" and/or "BA."
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary railway monitoring system 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the railway monitoring system 10 includes a railway track 12 that has a left rail 14, a right rail 16 and a plurality of ties 18 extending between andgenerally transverse to these rails 14, 16. The ties 18 are coupled to the rails 14, 16 and provide lateral support to the rails 14, 16, which are configured to carry vehicles, such as trains, trams, testing vehicles or the like. Advantageously, thesystem 10 also includes a power tie 22 that has hollowed regions that provide locations inside of which various components are disposed, as discussed further below. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a single power tie 22, railroad networksincluding any number of power ties 22 and power ties 22 in electrical communication with one another are envisaged. Advantageously, communication between the power ties 22 facilitates sharing of resources and also facilitates the development of certaindata types, such as block occupancy detection, distance to train, detection of broken rail, or the like. As discussed further below, the power tie 22 is used to power sensors, signaling devices or any number of suitable electrical devices.
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Abstract
An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An electrical power generation system for a railroad system having a rail, comprising: a power generation device; a first and second electrical capacitance portionsthat are electrically coupled to the power generation device and that are configured to store positive and negative charge respectively; and a biasing device configured to separate the first and second capacitance portions with respect to one another; wherein the first and second electrical capacitance portions are configured to move with respect to one another in response to a vehicle operating on the rail.
BACKGROUND
The present technique relates generally to rail based devices and, more specifically, to an energy co-generation device for generating electric power in response to vehicular traffic on a rail.
Traditionally, operation data related to railroad traffic and railroad assets is gathered at manned junctions, such as a rail yard or a rail depot. By way of example, railroad workers often inspect rails for damage and loading conditions. Asyet another example, railroad workers often inspect and inventory the incoming and outgoing railcars, to manage and facilitate the flow of traffic on a railroad network. However, railroad networks often span thousands of miles and traverse throughsparsely populated and remote regions.
Unfortunately, traditional automated devices generally obtain operating power from an external power source, which is not generally available in remote areas. That is, the automated device receives operating power that is generated at a remotelocation and that is delivered over a power grid, and coupling the grid to the device can be a costly proposition, especially in remote areas. In certain instance, local power sources, such as batteries, have been employed. In any event, even if alocal or external power source is provided, these power sources may not provide a cost effective mechanism for producing sufficient levels of power for operation of the automated testing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the present technique provides an electric power co-generation system for use with a railroad network. The system includes a power source, such as a power generation device or an external powersource. The power co-generation system includes first and second electrical capacitance portions that are electrically coupled to the power source and that are configured to carry positive and negative charges, respectively. The power co-generationsystem further includes a biasing device that is configured to separate the first and second capacitance portions with respect to one another. Thus, by varying the distance between the capacitance portions in response to a vehicle on the rail, thecapacitance portions cooperate to act as a variable capacitor that facilitates the co-generation of power with respect to the system. That is to say, the mechanical energy of the biasing device is converted into electrical energy for the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As a preliminary matter, the definition of the term "or" for the purposes of the following discussion and the appended claims is intended to be an inclusive "or." That is, the term "or" is not intended to differentiate between two mutuallyexclusive alternatives. Rather, the term "or" when employed as a conjunction between two elements is defined as including one element by itself, the other element itself, and combinations and permutations of the elements. For example, a discussion orrecitation employing the terminology "`A` or `B`" includes: "A" by itself, "B" by itself, and any combination thereof, such as "AB" and/or "BA."
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary railway monitoring system 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the railway monitoring system 10 includes a railway track 12 that has a left rail 14, a right rail 16 and a plurality of ties 18 extending between andgenerally transverse to these rails 14, 16. The ties 18 are coupled to the rails 14, 16 and provide lateral support to the rails 14, 16, which are configured to carry vehicles, such as trains, trams, testing vehicles or the like. Advantageously, thesystem 10 also includes a power tie 22 that has hollowed regions that provide locations inside of which various components are disposed, as discussed further below. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a single power tie 22, railroad networksincluding any number of power ties 22 and power ties 22 in electrical communication with one another are envisaged. Advantageously, communication between the power ties 22 facilitates sharing of resources and also facilitates the development of certaindata types, such as block occupancy detection, distance to train, detection of broken rail, or the like. As discussed further below, the power tie 22 is used to power sensors, signaling devices or any number of suitable electrical devices.