System and method for electrical power generation utilizing vehicle traffic on roadways

Abstract

A system and method for electrical power generation utilizing vehicle traffic on roadways is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a power generation system comprises one or more standard hydraulic cylinders, one or more electro-mechanical generators, and one or more hydraulic accumulators coupled to a hydraulic motor.

1 . A power generation system comprising:
 one or more standard hydraulic cylinders;   one or more electromechanical generators; and   one or more hydraulic accumulators coupled to a hydraulic motor; and   a road plate coupled to the one or more electro-mechanical generators, further coupled to the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic motor is coupled to a hydroelectric power generator. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the one or more hydraulic accumulators. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the road plate is further coupled to the hydro-electric power generator. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders are optimized for the weight of passing vehicles. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders optimized for the speed of passing vehicles. 
   
   
       7 . A method for power generation comprising:
 connecting one or more standard hydraulic cylinders to a road plate;   pressurizing hydraulic fluid of one or more hydraulic accumulators coupled to the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders;   sensing downward motion of the road plate;   releasing the hydraulic fluid of the one or more hydraulic accumulators by the downward motion of the road plate; and   driving a hydraulic motor by the released hydraulic fluid; and   producing electricity with the hydraulic motor.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the hydraulic motor is coupled to an electric power generator. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 sensing speed of a vehicle passing over the road plate; and   varying resistance of the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders depending on the speed of the vehicle.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 sensing weight of a vehicle passing over the road plate; and   varying resistance of the one or more standard hydraulic cylinders depending on the weight of the vehicle.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising
 disposing an electromechanical generator between the road plate and a base plate; and   producing electricity with the electromechanical generator by the downward motion of the road plate.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electromechanical generator is coupled to an electric power generator.