Systems and methods for capturing kinetic energy and for emission-free conversion of captured energy to electricity

Abstract

A system for efficiently capturing the kinetic and/or potential energy of a moving vehicle includes an arc roller configured to move along an arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle, and a torsional spring configured to wind in response to the movement of the speed bump and, thereby, to store energy associated with the impact. The torsional spring may be configured to wind continually in response to the movement of another speed bump and, thereby, to store additional energy associated with the impact of the vehicle with the other speed bump. The system may include alternators or generators producing electricity from energy released from unwinding of the torsional spring. Electricity is further stored and utilized for onboard computing, traffic analytics, safety feature operating functions and communications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for capturing at least a part of kinetic energy (KE) of a moving vehicle upon impact thereof with at least one arc roller, the system comprising:
 a first arc roller movable along a first arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle;   a first linkage linking the first arc roller to a first rotatable component;   a primary torsional spring coupled to the first rotatable component, configured to wind upon at least a partial rotation of the first rotatable component by an arcuate movement of the first arc roller, until the first rotatable component reaches a first preset position; and   a first return mechanism to return the first arc roller to an initial position thereof when the first rotatable component reaches the first preset position.