WO2012161991A1

WO2012161991A1 - Power generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2012161991A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/037700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leslie A. Moore; Rhett RINNE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-17
Filing date: 2012-05-14
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-17

Abstract

Each cell of an array of cells (14) includes a fluorescent bulb (16) having ends with nodes and a casing (18) around each bulb and at least one photo-voltaic panel (20) within each casing for generating electricity. A printed circuit board (26) with electrically conductive parallel lines (28) is in contact with the nodes and has an electrically conductive end line (30) coupling the parallel lines. The lines are adapted to conduct electrical potential to the bulbs. An antenna assembly (38) has at least one input antenna (42) and a plurality of conductive output lines (44). The output lines are coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs. Electrical lines (48) conduct away electrical energy generated by the panels.

Description

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Related Application

The present application is directed to an improvement over the invention in my prior patent application, Serial Number 10/899317, filed July 26, 2004, issued July 4, 2006, now U.S. Patent Number 7,071,405, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power generation system and more particularly pertains to creating

fluorescent emissions and converting such emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions, the creating and converting being safe, efficient and

economical.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of power generation systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, power generation systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While the prior art devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe a power generation system that allows for

creating fluorescent emissions and converting such

emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions, the creating and converting being safe, efficient and economical. In this respect, the power generation system

according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of creating fluorescent

emissions and converting such emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions, the creating and converting being safe, efficient and economical.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved power generation system which can be used for creating fluorescent

emissions and converting such emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions, the creating and converting being safe, efficient and economical. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of power generation systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved power

generation system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved power generation system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises

a plurality of square cells. Each of the cells includes a linear fluorescent bulb. Each fluorescent bulb has upper and lower ends and upper and lower end nodes. The bulbs are similarly configured with a length and a diameter. The end nodes are adapted to provide electrical potential for charging gaseous contents within the bulb to thereby create fluorescent emissions. A plurality of casings is next provided. Each casing is formed of four faces coupled into a rectilinear configuration. Each casing has a length essentially equal to the length of the bulb between the end nodes. Each face has a width less than three times the diameter of the bulb. Four photo-voltaic panels are provided located within each casing and

removably coupled to each face. An end cap is provided at each end of each bulb to hold together the bulb and casing and panels of each cell. Each panel has a length

essentially equal to the length of the casing. Each panel has a width less than the width of the panels whereby the panels form a space between each other panel. The square cells are arranged in a rectangular array in rows and columns.

Next provided is an upper printed circuit board. The upper printed circuit board is in a rectangular

configuration of a size to cover the array of cells. A plurality of electrically conductive parallel lines are provided in the printed circuit board. Each line is in contact with aligned nodes of an associated row. An electrically conductive end line couples the parallel lines. The parallel and end lines are adapted to

concurrently provide electrical potential to all of the bulbs. The printed circuit board has an interior face with rows and columns of short cylinders receiving the ends of the bulbs to secure the positioning of the cells with respect to each other.

A lower grounding plate positioned beneath the array of cells is next provided. The lower grounding plate is adapted to receive and support the array of cells.

Next, an antenna assembly formed of a plurality of antenna circuit boards is provided. Each antenna circuit board has a plurality of input antennas and a plurality of conductive output lines. The output lines are coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs .

Lastly, electrical lines are provided. The

electrical lines are coupled to each of the panels for conducting away for storage and use electrical energy converted by the panels from the fluorescent emissions of the bulbs .

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be

described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be

understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved power generation system which has all of the advantages of the prior art power

generation systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved power generation system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved power generation system which is of durable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved power generation system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such power generation system economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a power generation system for creating

economical.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved power generation system. Each cell of an array of cells includes a fluorescent bulb having ends with nodes and a casing around each bulb and at least one photo-voltaic panel within each casing for generating electricity. A printed circuit board with electrically conductive parallel lines is in contact with the nodes and has an electrically conductive end line coupling the parallel lines. The lines are adapted to conduct electrical potential to the bulbs. An antenna assembly has at least one input antenna and a plurality of conductive output lines. The output lines are coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs. Electrical lines conduct away electrical energy generated by the panels.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which

characterize the invention, are pointed out with

particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is

illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed

description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of a square cell constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 1A is an exploded perspective illustration of a round cell constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective illustration of a square cell power bank constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2A is an exploded perspective illustration of a round cell power bank constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of a round body frame. Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of a main circuit board.

Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of an antenna circuit board.

Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a scanning device, raster or logic.

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of an antenna rod .

Figure 8 is a perspective illustration of a light panel. The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved power generation system embodying the

principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The present invention, the power generation system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such

components in their broadest context include a an array of cells, a printed circuit board, an antenna assembly, and electrical lines. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

The power generation system 10 of the present

invention is for creating fluorescent emissions and converting such emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions. The creating and

converting is safe, efficient and economical.

First provided is a plurality of square cells 14. Each of the cells includes a linear fluorescent bulb 16. Each fluorescent bulb has upper and lower ends and upper and lower end nodes. The bulbs are similarly configured with a length and a diameter. The end nodes are adapted to provide electrical potential for charging gaseous contents within the bulb to thereby create fluorescent emissions. A plurality of casings 18 is next provided. Each casing is formed of four faces coupled into a

rectilinear configuration. Each casing has a length essentially equal to the length of the bulb between the end nodes. Each face has a width less than three times the diameter of the bulb. Four photo-voltaic panels 20 are provided located within each casing and removably coupled to each face. An end cap 22 is provided at each end of each bulb to hold together the bulb and casing and panels of each cell. Each panel has a length essentially equal to the length of the casing. Each panel has a width less than the width of the panels whereby the panels form a space between each other panel. The square cells are arranged in a rectangular array in rows and columns.

Next provided is an upper printed circuit board 26. The upper printed circuit board is in a rectangular configuration of a size to cover the array of cells. A plurality of electrically conductive parallel lines 28 are provided in the printed circuit board. Each line is in contact with aligned nodes of an associated row. An electrically conductive end line 30 couples the parallel lines. The parallel and end lines are adapted to

concurrently provide electrical potential to all of the bulbs. The printed circuit board has an interior face with rows and columns of short cylinders 32 receiving the ends of the bulbs to secure the positioning of the cells with respect to each other.

A lower grounding plate 36 positioned beneath the array of cells is next provided. The lower grounding plate is adapted to receive and support the array of cells.

Next, an antenna assembly 38 formed of a plurality of antenna circuit boards 40 is provided. Each antenna circuit board has a plurality of input antennas 42 and a plurality of conductive output lines 44. The output lines are coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs .

Lastly, electrical lines 48 are provided. The electrical lines are coupled to each of the panels for conducting away for storage and use electrical energy converted by the panels from the fluorescent emissions of the bulbs.

In an alternate embodiment of the system 100, each casing 104 has a circular cross sectional configuration. In this embodiment, at least one photo-voltaic cell 106 includes a single rectangular panel 108 formed into an essentially cylindrical configuration. Further included are body frames 110 with circular apertures in aligned rows and columns receiving the bulbs and retaining the bulbs in aligned rows and columns.

The antenna assembly includes a scanning device 114 adapted to operate with a raster scan and computer logic. The scanning device includes an upstanding rod with an elevated horizontal aperture 116. A single antenna rod 118 is received within the horizontal aperture.

In a final embodiment of the system 200, the bulb is in a rectilinear configuration with two parallel plates of glass 204 and a peripheral coupler 206 forming a central chamber. The central chamber has opposed ends with nodes 208 at the ends. A fluid within the central chamber is adapted to emit fluorescent emissions upon subjection to an electric field.

As shown in Figure 8, a light panel which consists of two sheets of glass attached to a spacer which has a series of conducting pines going through the spacer to the internal space inside the panel. The inside of the two glass sheets will be coated with a fluorescent powder and the sealed space between the sheets of glass will be filled with conducting gases, vapors or chemicals similar to fluorescent, neon and other light technologies. The bottom of the spacer will also have pins to allow the electricity to pass through the panel, and the panel will illuminate the same way as the fluorescent or neon bulbs as used in the original patent. Since the light panel has no filament, the use of the light panels will allow the unit to last longer and be smaller and cheaper to produce.

There are various modifications and improvements over U.S. Patent Number 7,071,405. The reason for these modifications is to enhance the area of the photovoltaic panels that are exposed to the light source. In the case of the square cell, four slim panels are placed on the inside of the square body as seen in Figure 1. When a series of these square cells are placed together to form a power bank, as shown in Figure 2, the surface area of the photovoltaic cells is much greater than a single

photovoltaic panel. Using a circuit board figure 4, to which it is attached an antenna circuit board Figure 5, the light sources will be activated in the same way as outlined in the 05 patent.

In the case of the round cell a single flexible photovoltaic cell is placed on the inside of a round body as seen in Figure 1A. Then a series of these round cells are placed together to form a power bank, as seen in

Figure 2A by using two round body frames as seen in Figure 3, the surface area of the photovoltaic cells is much greater than a single photovoltaic panel.

Using a circuit board Figure 4, to which it is attached an antenna circuit board Figure 5, the light sources will be activated in the same way as outlined in the 05 patent.

In both cases, the round and the square power banks can also use a scanning device with an antenna as seen in Figures 6 and 7, which can be attached to the main circuit board instead of the figure 7 antenna board.

Using the scanning device involves either a raster scan as used in televisions or a micro logic controller is used in electronic signs. Both of these are widely used technologies.

This would allow the use of just one antenna for each power bank which in turn would allow more power banks to be used around the resonant coil as stated in the 05 patent.

As shown in Figure 8, a light panel is provided which consists of two sheets of glass attached to a spacer which has a series of conducting pins going through the spacer to the internal space inside the panel. The inside of the two glass sheets will be coated with a fluorescent powder and sealed space between the sheets of glass will be filled with conducting gases similar to a fluorescent light. The bottom of the spacer will also have pins to allow the electricity to pass through the panel, and the panel will illuminate the same way as the fluorescent or neon bulbs as used in the 405 patent. The use of the light panels will allow the unit to be smaller and cheaper to produce.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent

relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be

encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as

illustrative only of the principles of the invention.

Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM CLAIMS

What is claimed is: 1. A power generation system comprising:

an array of cells, each cell including a fluorescent bulb and a casing around each bulb and at least one photo-voltaic panel within each casing for generating electricity, each bulb having ends with nodes;

a printed circuit board with electrically conductive parallel lines in contact with the nodes, the printed circuit board having an electrically conductive end line coupling the parallel lines, the lines adapted to conduct electrical potential to the bulbs;

an antenna assembly having at least one input antenna and a plurality of conductive output lines, the output lines coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs; and

electrical lines for conducting away electrical energy generated by the panels. 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each cell has a square cross sectional configuration and wherein the at least one photo-voltaic cell includes four similarly configured rectangular panels. 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the antenna assembly includes a plurality of antenna circuit boards with each antenna circuit board having a plurality of antennas. 4. The system (100) as set forth in claim 1 wherein each casing (104) has a circular cross sectional

configuration and wherein the at least one photo-voltaic cell (106 includes a single rectangular panel (108) formed into an essentially cylindrical configuration and further including body frames (110) with circular apertures in aligned rows and columns receiving the bulbs and retaining the bulbs in aligned rows and columns. 5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the antenna assembly includes a scanning device (114) adapted to operate with a raster scan and computer logic, the scanning device including an upstanding rod with an elevated horizontal aperture (116), a single antenna rod (118) received within the horizontal aperture. 6. The system (200) as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bulb is in a rectilinear configuration with two parallel plates of glass (204) and a peripheral

coupler (206) forming a central chamber, the central chamber having opposed ends with nodes (208) at the ends, a fluid within the central chamber adapted to emit fluorescent emissions upon subjection to an electric field. 7. A power generation system (10) for creating fluorescent emissions and converting such emissions into electrical potential through photo-voltaic actions, the creating and converting being safe, efficient and

economical, the system comprising, in combination:

a plurality of square cells (14), each cell including a linear fluorescent bulb (16) with upper and lower ends ad upper and lower end nodes, each bulb being similarly configured with a length and a diameter, the end nodes adapted to provide electrical potential for charging gaseous contents within the bulb to thereby create

fluorescent emissions, a plurality of casing (18), each casing formed of four faces coupled into a rectilinear

2 configuration, each casing having a length essentially equal to the length of the bulb between the end nodes, each face having a width less than three times the

diameter of the bulb, four photo-voltaic panels (20) located within each casing removably coupled to each face, an end cap (22) at each end of each bulb to hold together the bulb and casing and panels of each cell, each panel having a length essentially equal to the length of the casing, each panel having a width less than the width of the panels whereby the panels form a space between each other panel, the plurality of square cells arranged in a rectangular array of cells in rows and columns;

an upper printed circuit board (26), the upper printed circuit board being in a rectangular configuration of a size to cover the array of cells, a plurality of electrically conductive parallel lines (28) in the printed circuit board with each line in contact with aligned nodes of an associated row, an electrically conductive end line (30) coupling the parallel lines, the parallel and end lines adapted to concurrently provide electrical potential to all of the bulbs, the printed circuit board having an interior face with rows and columns of short cylinders (32) receiving the ends of the bulbs to secure the

positioning of the cells with respect to each other;

a lower grounding plate (36) positioned beneath the array of cells, the lower grounding plate adapted to receive and support the array of cells;

an antenna assembly (38) formed of a plurality of antenna circuit boards (40), each antenna circuit board having a plurality of input antennas (42) and a plurality of conductive output lines (44), the output lines coupled to the end line of the printed circuit board whereby the antennas provide electrical potential for powering the bulbs; and

3 electrical lines (48) coupled to each of the panels for conducting away for storage and use electrical energy converted by the panels from the fluorescent emissions of the bulbs.

4