Power generation devices and methods for use with toilets

Abstract

Power generation devices and methods for use with toilets is disclosed. A number of power generation devices are provided that can be used in combination to power various features in a toilet which will be particularly useful for portable potties that are off the grid. The power generation devices and methods include, for example, using a cell battery inside the toilet bowl or flush tank, a wind turbine, solar panels, and piezoelectricity. The features include, for example, lighting up the toilet with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to make it easier for users to find the toilet, an audio/video setup for entertainment, and a toilet status light indicator to let the next user know when the toilet paper is out.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A power generation system, comprising:
 a toilet component having a source of standing water and an improvement; and   a power generation component operatively connected to the toilet component, wherein the power generation component is discrete from an electrical grid and is adapted to power the improvement.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power generation component is a cell in the source of standing water. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the source of standing water is a toilet flush tank, a toilet bowl, a rainwater barrel, a water tank, or a sewage system. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the cell has two concentric cylinders, and wherein one of the two concentric cylinders is made of a first metal and the other of the two concentric cylinders is made of a second metal. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the two concentric cylinders are an outer concentric coil and an inner concentric coil, wherein the improvement is an LED having an anode and a cathode, and wherein the outer concentric coil is connected to the anode and the inner concentric coil is connected to the cathode. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first metal is copper aluminum, galvanized zinc, silver, or a 75% copper/25% nickel alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the two concentric coils are an outer coil made of galvanized zinc and an inner coil made of copper. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the cell is plural parallel cells connected in a series. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the cell is two cells separated by an insulator and rolled into a cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the improvement is a USB charging port, a sensor, an actuator, a radio, a video display, an LED to illuminate the toilet component. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the improvement is a toilet paper holder with an LED alert light, the LED alert light adapted to be turned on once toilet paper needs to be replaced. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power generation component includes a wind turbine, solar panels, electrode batteries, and piezoelectric generators that are operatively connected to charge a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the wind turbine, the solar panels, the electrode batteries, and the piezoelectric generators generate power in unison or separately. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the toilet component includes a toilet bowl, a flush tank, a toilet set, and a toilet base, wherein the power generation component includes batteries arranged in the toilet bowl, wherein the improvement is LEDs arranged on the toilet bowl, the toilet seat, or the toilet base. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the power generation component includes a rechargeable battery proximate the flush tank that is connected to the batteries. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power generation component is piezoelectric generators and a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the piezoelectric generators are two generators, wherein the toilet component includes a seating rim and a toilet bowl rim, and where in the two piezoelectric generators are between the seating rim and the toilet bowl rim. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the toilet component includes a floor adjacent to a toilet, and wherein the piezoelectric generators are beneath the floor. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the toilet component includes a toilet stool, and wherein the piezoelectric generators are beneath the toilet stool. 
     
     
         20 . A method for generating power, comprising the steps of:
 providing a power generation system, comprising:   a toilet component having a source of standing water and an improvement; and   a power generation component operatively connected to the toilet component, wherein the power generation component is discrete from an electrical grid and is adapted to power the improvement; and   powering the improvement.