WO2018189537A1

WO2018189537A1 - Power generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018189537A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/050964
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Albert Rollinson; Simon T Rollinson
Original assignee: Eric Albert Rollinson; Simon T Rollinson
Priority date: 2017-04-12
Filing date: 2018-04-11
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Also published as: GB201705898D0; GB2577187A; GB2577187B; GB201916268D0

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus which allows a power supply to be generated and stored using one or more capacitors included in a housing. The generation of the power supply can be via user actuation means which, when operated, generate power which is stored for a period of time and which is selectively made available to an item which requires electrical power to operate and to which the apparatus can be connected. This allows the apparatus to be used as an auxiliary power supply without the need for batteries to be provided..

Description

Power Generating Apparatus

The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for use in the generation of power to a level which is sufficient to allow the relatively short term supply of power to operate one or more items. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the apparatus is provided for use to provide power for a relatively short period of time and to a sufficient level to cause commencement of operation of the said item and/or operation of the item in a required manner for a period of time. In one embodiment the operation of the item can be continued after the period of time by switching to use of an alternative power source. Alternatively the apparatus can be used to allow the supply of power to an item for a more prolonged period of time. It should therefore be appreciated that although the form of the apparatus which is now described in detail provides supply of power for a relatively short period of time, this is in a non-limiting manner.

On possible use of the apparatus is with respect to vehicles which are provided with a combustion engine, such as cars, motorbikes and in other forms of apparatus. A power supply is required to operate the same and so there is provided a battery within the vehicle. On occasion if the battery is not charged or there is a disconnection to the same there is a need to be able to use an auxiliary power supply in place of the conventional battery. This need is most often as a result of the battery being flat or uncharged and this may occur at a location which is inconvenient to the driver of the vehicle. The auxiliary power supply for vehicles would then be used if available but as this use to provide a jump start facility for the vehicle is relatively infrequent, the auxiliary power supply may not be readily available.

One form of an auxiliary power supply for use with a vehicle could be another vehicle which has a power supply and which can be used temporarily, by the provision of jump lead connections between the respective batteries of the vehicles. Another form of auxiliary supply which can be used, and especially when another vehicle is not available at that time, includes its own battery and the power supply from the auxiliary power supply battery can be transferred to the battery of the vehicle, in order to allow the vehicle to be started using the auxiliary power supply. While this form of apparatus will operate successfully, the battery of the auxiliary power supply is required to be in a charged condition and it is found that, in practice, it is very often the case that the battery of the auxiliary power supply is not charged at the time of requirement of use, thereby rendering the auxiliary power supply inoperable and of no practical use.

Furthermore, when one considers that most instructions for this type of auxiliary power recommend the charging of the battery at at least monthly intervals, it can be appreciated that these auxiliary power supplies are quite often not operable when needed.

Furthermore, in order to prevent damage to the batteries of the auxiliary power supply, it is normally recommended that the power connection from the auxiliary battery to the vehicle is maintained for a relatively short period of time, of a number of seconds, and therefore, on occasion, power from the auxiliary power supply may not be sufficient to allow the vehicle to be started.

In other uses of an auxiliary power supply, the said item cannot normally be used unless a mains power supply is available or alternatively, a power supply in the form of one or more batteries is provided but these batteries are required to be charged either when a mains power supply can be accessed or using solar and/or wind power, for example.

These other items and uses of the same can include lights to provide lighting. In one embodiment the lighting can be provided for movable accommodation such as a campervan or caravan, and it is found that, again, the problem of non-charge of the battery of a conventional auxiliary power supply is problematic and to such an extent that while one of the advantages of using a campervan or caravan is the ability to stay in the same overnight at remote locations, concerns about the lack of available power supply can be sufficient to cause the user to limit their scope of use of the campervan or caravan.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an auxiliary power supply apparatus of a form which can provide greater certainty of the power supply being available at an instance of time of required use and the power supply which is available being at a sufficient level for the required use and/or the duration of the power supply being available being sufficient to provide a practical use of the apparatus.

A further aim of the invention is to provide the apparatus in a form which allows the power which can be provided from the same to be increased, without the need for access to a mains power supply.

A further aim is to provide apparatus to provide a power supply and which apparatus can be actuated by a user to generate power at a time at which the power is required to be supplied and / or to provide a power supply which can be available for a period of time after actuation.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an auxiliary power supply apparatus, said apparatus including a housing in which one or more capacitors are provided, a control means to allow the selective supply of power from said capacitors via at least one power connection to an item which requires said power to operate and wherein said apparatus includes user actuation means which, when operated, operate a generator in the housing to generate electrical power which is stored by said capacitors for a period of time and is available for supply therefrom to said item by the electrical connection of the apparatus to the item. In one embodiment, the means to provide power to the capacitors is a generator which, in one embodiment, is user actuable by rotation of handle, and which, when actuated causes power to be generated and stored by the one or more capacitors.

Typically the operation of the generator causes the voltage level of the power which is stored by the said capacitors to be increased up to a predetermined limit and then stored for a period of time so as to be available for supply when required.

Typically, a plurality of interconnected capacitors are provided and the said predetermined limit is such as to prevent damage to one or all of the said capacitors.

In one embodiment, the handle can be operated manually so as to operate the generator.

Typically, the provision of the user actuable generator allows the power supplied to the capacitors and stored therein, to be increased to a level to allow the apparatus to be operable to provide an auxiliary power supply without the need for the apparatus to be connected to a mains power supply to generate power to the capacitors.

In one embodiment further power supply means can be provided which include a mains power supply, one or more solar cells and/or other apparatus for harnessing environmental conditions to create the power supply. Typically these further power supply means are provided in addition to the generator.

Typically the apparatus includes a housing in which the plurality of capacitors are provided along with the generator. Typically the user actuation means are accessible externally of the housing. In one embodiment the further power supply means are provided as integral parts of the housing of the apparatus or alternatively can be connected via a cable connection so as to allow greater flexibility in the positioning of the solar cells and/or further apparatus.

Typically, the power which is stored in the capacitors will decrease in level, over time, but preferably, the capacitors used are what is known as ultra or super capacitors which have relatively good power storage characteristics thereby retaining the power which is available from the apparatus for a relatively long period of time.

Preferably a plurality of capacitors are provided and are interconnected so as to receive the power supply which is to be stored by the same in a balanced manner.

Typically the charging and/or discharging of each capacitor is performed in a balanced manner in order to prevent certain of the capacitors from being charged to a higher level than others of the capacitors.

In one embodiment limiting means are provided to prevent overcharging of the capacitors and hence minimise the risk of failure of the same.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an outlet to allow the connection thereto of jump leads and the subsequent connectio of the jump leads to a vehicle starter motor directly or via a battery provided in the vehicle. The connection allows the provision of sufficient power so as to operate the starter motor and hence start the motor vehicle even when there is no battery, or the battery of the vehicle is flat.

In one embodiment a plurality of power outlets are provided and these can include any, or any combination, of a power outlet to jump leads, a power outlet for charging of devices such as batteries for mobile phones, satellite navigation devices and the like and/or a socket to allow the connection of lighting apparatus thereto to allow power to be supplied to operate lighting.

In one embodiment lighting means are provided as part of the housing so that the apparatus acts as a torch.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a display which can be operated in different modes, and said modes can be any, or any combination, of a mode to indicate the level of power which is available from the apparatus at an instance of time, a mode to indicate the increase in the power which is available upon user actuation of the generating means and a mode to indicate the power which is present in an item to which the apparatus in accordance with the invention is connected at that time. Most typically this will be the power level of a battery in the said item.

In one embodiment the housing which provides an external interface for the user which can include a display means, the connection outlets and one or more switches to allow selective operation of different modes of the apparatus such as to provide power to the item, receive a charge from another power supply and/or by operation of the generator and/or to switch the item on or off.

In one embodiment the one or more capacitors are provided as part of a power pack which can be selectively inserted and removed from the apparatus.

In one embodiment the power pack is provided to be inserted into the apparatus to be charged and then removed and inserted into an item to provide power to operate the item. In one embodiment the power pack can be provided in a configuration to allow the same to be retrofitted and is used to replace batteries which were previously used to provide power to the item.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a power pack for selective use with an item to provide electrical power thereto to operate the same, said pack including a plurality of interconnected capacitors, control circuitry to allow charging and discharging of the capacitors in a balanced manner and limiting means to allow charging of the capacitors to a predetermined level and control means to allow the power pack to be used to supply power from the capacitors to operate the item.

In one embodiment the power pack is locatable with apparatus to allow the generation of power to be stored in the capacitors and an item to allow power to be provided thereto to operate the same.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates schematically the apparatus in use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates schematically the apparatus in use in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 4a and b illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated apparatus 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes a housing 4 in which there is provided a display 6 which can be used to indicate different modes of operation of the apparatus and including an indication of the level of available power from the apparatus at an instant of time.

The housing 4 defines a cavity in the interior of the same and which is used to locate a bank or ring of interconnected capacitors, the type of which are typically ultra or super capacitors and are selected in order to provide the required power provision characteristics . A Super or Ultra capacitors are high-capacity capacitors with capacitance values much higher than other capacitors and typically with lower voltage limits. They typically allow the storage of 10 to 100 times more energy per unit volume or mass than electrolytic capacitors and can accept and deliver charge much faster than batteries, and tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries.

The selected capacitors are connected as a bank of capacitors so as to allow the same to be charged by the use of a generator which is typically manually actuated and then retain the power at an acceptably high level for a period of time which is sufficient to allow a useful power supply to be provided from the same.

The generator provided in the cavity of the housing 4 can be operated by a user, in this embodiment by the manual rotation of a handle 8 as indicated by arrow 9 which, when rotated to a sufficient extent for a period of time, such as a few minutes, operates the generator to create power which is transferred to be stored by the bank of capacitors. The level of power which is being generated by the user's operation of the generator, in this case by rotation of the handle 8 and which is stored in the capacitors is indicated on the display 6. In one embodiment the generator is of a form known as a crank generator and includes a gearbox connected to be operated by the rotation of the handle and in one embodiment the gearbox has a transfer ratio in the range of from 2: 1 up to 100: 1 and is connected to an electrical power generating motor. As an alternative to manual movement of the handle another, powered turning apparatus can be used. The capacitors used by the "Crank-Start" can be increased in size according to the size of the engine or unit that requires starting.

The housing is further provided with outlet sockets or plugs to allow the power to be supplied from the ultra capacitors for use with other items. In this embodiment there are provided jump leads 10 which have biased claws 12, 14 which allow the same to be connected to the terminals of a battery 16 of a vehicle 18 as shown in Figure 2 and therefor allow the starter motor of the vehicle to be provided with sufficient power so as to cause the same to be operable when the driver of the vehicle 18 operates the ignition. The power level which is supplied from the apparatus 2 is of a duration which is found to be sufficient to allow the operation of the starter motor for a period of time which is sufficient to cause the vehicle engine to start using the power supply from the apparatus and thereafter be operated using the vehicle battery.

The housing is also provided with one or more sockets 20 to which an electrical item can be connected, and in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a light 22 is shown in connection with the power socket 20 and power is provided to illuminate the light bulb 26 for a period of time thereby allowing the apparatus and light to be used as auxiliary lighting even when a mains power supply or vehicle supply is not available.

In a further embodiment the housing may also be provided with further features which can be of use, such as switching means 24 to allow the selection of the mode of operation of the apparatus and to switch the apparatus on and off. The housing 4 also includes a display which includes the possibility of displaying the voltage charge which is present from the capacitors at a given time. In one embodiment, the display is also capable of indicating the ampere value during the charging process such that when the value is indicated at zero then this is used as an indication that the capacitors are fully charged.

The capacitors are preferably provided in a balanced configuration in a power circuit such that the power which is supplied to the same when the generator is operated or another power supply is used, and hence charging the capacitors, is balanced across all of the capacitors which are present rather than being supplied only to the first capacitor. This avoids the possible failure of the said first capacitor.

The power supply circuit to the capacitors can include one or more limiters which ensure that when a specific voltage level is reached, the power supply is diverted from at least certain capacitors and stopped from being supplied to some or all of the capacitors. Alternatively the power supply is diverted to other capacitors until the pre-determined voltage level is reached for each of the capacitors. In this way, the effective bleeding of voltage supply from the capacitors, once the predetermined voltage level is reached, means that potential damage to the capacitors is avoided.

The apparatus can also include a power supply in the form of one or more solar cells which can be used to provide a trickle charge to the capacitors over time and therefore mitigates any loss in charge which may occur from the capacitors if the trickle charge was not provided. The solar cells can be provided as part of the housing of the apparatus or, alternatively, the solar cells can be provided with connection means in the form of a cable and plug or socket which allows the same to be selectively connected to the housing and tends to remain through the apparatus to provide the trickle charge.

The apparatus can be provided in different configuration with regard to the power supply which can be provided so as to allow different potential uses of the apparatus to be achieved. For example, the apparatus may be provided with sufficient capacitors to allow 7000 joules of energy to be provided which would be sufficient to allow a motorbike to be started. In another embodiment, the capacitors which are provided provide an available power supply of 22,000 joules which is sufficient to allow a car to be started using the apparatus.

Referring now to Figure 4a there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention in which the housing 36 is provided to be relatively- slimline whilst still including power supply connections sockets 38 and 40 with the latter socket connected via plug 42 and cable 44 connection to a solar panel 46 for a power charge to be provided by the selectively positioned panel. A socket 48 for the connection of jump leads is also provided.

In another embodiment, the apparatus can be provided to perform one or more further functions such as for example, the apparatus can be provided in the form of a torch 30 as shown in Figure 4b and the power supply from the capacitors in a power pack which is removed from the apparatus 2 and placed within the torch housing 32 are used to generate light from at least one light source 34, such as an LED light source, provided as part of the torch.

In this and other embodiments, the capacitors can be provided as part of a power pack 50 shown in broken lines in Figure 4b which may be selectively used as a substitution for a battery pack which may conventionally be provided in a particular item thereby allowing a retro fit option. Alternatively, going forward, the power pack as described can be provided as the preferred power supply for the item at the time of purchase. Thus, the power pack 50 can be located and charged in the apparatus 2 and then removed therefrom and located with another item, in this case the torch 30, and the power pack can include any additional circuitry and control means which are required in order to allow the capacitor power pack 50 to be used as a removable power pack which when inserted and connected to the item allows the supply of power to operate the item. It will therefore be appreciated that one possible use of the apparatus is to provide a jump start facility for a vehicle via jump leads to a flat battery to boost its power to start the vehicle. As the current apparatus does not use batteries the provision of power is unaffected by temperature and the provision of the user actuation means allows the same to be used to boost the level of power which is available from the apparatus at a time of required use. This allows the available power to be restored to the required level in a matter of seconds regardless of whether or not there is a mains power supply available and regardless of the location of the vehicle at the time of use of the apparatus.

The apparatus can also be used to provide a charging facility for other batteries when connected to the apparatus .

When one considers the number of vehicles worldwide then the demand for reliable and independently usable apparatus of the type described herein is large especially when one regards vehicles as being road vehicles including plant machinery, dumpers, diggers, farm machinery, combines, lawn mowers, motorcycles and water based craft such as boats, jet-skis and the like where the geographical use of the same means that access to mains power supplies is even more limited.

The current apparatus therefore allows the required power supply to be available almost instantaneously at the time of required use and therefore avoids the need to charge auxiliary power supplies for a number of hours as is the case with conventional battery base power supply apparatus and which also tend to be relatively bulky and difficult to provide in a portable size which has sufficient power capacity.

Furthermore the apparatus in accordance with the current invention does not require any attachment to AC or DC electrical points as the power supply is always contained within the housing of the apparatus. As such the apparatus in accordance with the invention does not require any other source of electric to operate it.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power supply apparatus, said apparatus including a housing in which one or more capacitors are provided, a control means to allow the selective supply of power from said capacitors via at least one power connection to an item which requires said power to operate and wherein said apparatus includes user actuation means which, when operated, operate a generator in the housing to generate electrical power which is stored by said capacitors for a period of time and is available for supply therefrom to said item by the electrical connection of the apparatus to the item.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the generator is operated by rotation of a handle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the handle is operated manually so as to operate the generator.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the operation of the generator causes the voltage level of the power which is stored by the said capacitors to be increased up to a predetermined limit and then stored for a period of time so as to be available for supply to an item when required.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of interconnected capacitors are provided and the said predetermined limit is such as to prevent damage to one or all of the said capacitors during the supply of electrical power to the same.

6 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein user actuable generator allows the power supplied to the capacitors and stored therein, to be increased to a level to allow the apparatus to be operable to provide an auxiliary power supply without the need for the apparatus to be connected to a mains power supply.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein further power supply means can be provided which include a mains power supply, one or more solar cells and/or other apparatus for harnessing environmental conditions to create the power supply.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the further power supply means are provided as integral parts of the housing or are connected via a cable connection.

9 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the user actuation means are accessible externally of the housing.

10 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more capacitors are ultra or super capacitors.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of capacitors are provided and interconnected so as to receive in combination the power supply and store the electrical power in a substantially balanced manner between the said capacitors.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein control means are provided to prevent certain of the capacitors from being charged to a higher level than the other capacitors.

13 Apparatus according to claims 1 1 or 12 wherein limiting means are provided to prevent overcharging of the capacitors and minimise the risk of failure of the same.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes an outlet to allow the connection thereto of jump leads to allow connection of the apparatus to an item in the form of a vehicle starter motor directly or via a battery provided in the vehicle to provide power thereto.

15 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of outlets including any, or any combination, of a power outlet to jump leads, a power outlet for charging of devices such as batteries for mobile phones, satellite navigation devices and the like and/or an outlet socket to allow the connection of lighting apparatus thereto to allow power to be supplied to operate lighting.

16 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein lighting means are provided as part of the housing so that the apparatus acts as a torch.

17 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the apparatus includes a display which can be operated in different modes to show a condition of the apparatus .

18 Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said modes are any, or any combination, of a mode to indicate the level of power which is available from the apparatus at an instance of time, a mode to indicate the increase in the power which is available upon user actuation of the generating means and/or a mode to indicate the power which is present in an item to which the apparatus is connected at that time.

19 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the housing has on its external surface the display means, power outlets and one or more switches to allow selective operation of different modes of the apparatus.

20 Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the one or modes of the apparatus includes providing power to an item, receiving a charge from another power supply, operation of the user actuated generator and/or to switch the item on or off.

21 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the one or more capacitors are provided as part of a power pack which can be selectively inserted and removed from the apparatus .

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the power pack is provided to be inserted into the apparatus to be charged and then removed and inserted into an item to provide power to operate the item.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the power pack is used to replace batteries which were previously used to provide power to the item.

24. A power pack for selective use with an item to provide electrical power thereto to operate the same, said pack including a plurality of interconnected capacitors, control circuitry to allow charging and discharging of the capacitors in a balanced manner and limiting means to allow charging of the capacitors to a predetermined level and control means to allow the power pack to be used to supply power from the capacitors to operate the item.

25 A power pack according to claim 24 wherein the power pack is locatable with apparatus to allow the generation of power to be stored in the capacitors and an item to allow power to be provided thereto to operate the same.