Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1731830 | Energy | 2015 | 11 Pages |
•Generating energy from weights of moving vehicles.•Hydraulic system can be used as an energy conversion system.•Hydraulic accumulators play a major role in energy storage.•Vehicle weights speeds act as input parameters.•The system is located under road bumps for convenience.
In this study, an experimental analysis has been conducted to investigate whether the weights of vehicles moving along the roads could be utilised to generate energy or perform any useful mechanical work. The target is to harness the normally wasted energy from the vehicle weights through a hydraulic system placed underneath road bumps over which vehicles pass. To achieve the intended goal, an experimental set up composed of mainly mechanical and fluid power components was designed, manufactured and operated to simulate movements of the vehicles along the road. Parameters such as vehicle weights and speeds were used to find out how the loading and speed conditions of a vehicle can affect the energy generated by the system.