Why are we sticking with AC?

Should houses and offices have DC distribution cabling?

In the beginning there was DC

In the 1870's, Thomas Edison developed the DC (Direct Current) generator and built the first electrical distribution system.

The problem was that the distribution system had to be at a non-lethal voltage as the voltage could not be changed after generation. This led to high transmission losses as loads increased resulting in a power station being required every few kilometres.

And then there was AC

Nicholas Tesla developed the AC (Alternating Current) transformer which allows the voltage to be changed. This allows high voltage transmission over large distances then the voltage is stepped down for local non-lethal use.

The AC system was adopted after a protracted fight between Edison and Tesla. Until the 1920's all domestic appliances were designed to run on AC – 250V in the UK, 110V in the USA and similar across the world. House and office wiring has remained this way ever since.

And then there was Radio

The thermionic valve was invented and this led to domestic radio set. Radio receivers are DC systems so AC to DC convertors were built into the sets.

This led to record players, television and then to home computers, both DC systems relying on AC to DC convertors.

And then there were portable computers

This is where the explosion of DC devices began.

The demand for portable computers led to great improvements in rechargeable battery technology which in turn led to a much wider use of portable devices.

This also has led to a great improvement in the performance of AC to DC convertors and also to better DC to DC convertors.

A selection of my chargers

 

 My AC powered DC devices

Device			Device
Television	2		Boiler	1
Radio	2		Power Drill	1
DVD Player	1		Mini power drill	1
Video Recorder	1		Fairy Lights	3
Computers	2		Shaver	1
Computer Monitors	2		Under Cupboard Lights	3
Printer	1		Ceiling spotlights	1
Mobile phone chargers	2		Cupboard Lights	1
4G WIFI Hub	1		Doorbell	1
Internet router	1		USB Charger plug	1
Telephone system	2		Washing Machine display	1
TV Tuner	1		Cooker Display	1
TV Ariel booster	1
			Total	35

My AC devices that could be DC

Many of these are available in DC rechargeable battery powered versions.

Device			Device
Fan Heater	2		Washing Machine	1
Oven	1		Iron	1
Extractor Fan	1		Vacuum Cleaner	2
Toaster	1		Paint Stripper	1
Kettle	1		Power Drill	1
Refrigerator	1		Soldering Iron	2
Carving Knife	1		Lawn Mower	1
Mixer	1		Hedge Trimmer	1
Hair Dryer	2		Strimmer	1
Jig Saw	1		Sander	1
Circular Saw	1		Angle Grinder	1
			Total	26

Some of the power devices are are possibly better as AC powered.

Mini generation devices get added to the system

To complete the picture, many houses now have generating devices such as PV solar panels and wind turbines which can feed back to the AC supply. Some also have backup batteries.

So we have a mishmash of systems

We now have multiple devices individually converting AC to DC, each with power losses and using up material resources. We also have some houses with DC to AC convertors. With modern electronics, DC to DC conversion is relatively simple and inexpensive.

So, houses and offices should have DC distribution cabling

It is time now to develop a standardised domestic/office DC power Distribution System from which all our devices can be powered without a multitude of costly and bulky AC/DC convertors. They can be powered from the local AC distribution system via a single AC/DC convertor.saving energy and materials

Concept Box - Connecting Inventors with Partners

What is Concept Box and what does it do?

Concept Box simplifies the task of inventors identifying partners for their inventions and of companies finding new inventive products or services. This is done while preserving the confidentially of the concepts and simplifying the process of applying Non Disclosure Agreements.

If you are a lone inventor or a company looking for new product ideas or solutions to product problems, please get in touch.

If you like the idea of Concept Box and would like to help, again get in touch.

Below is a description of the Concept box idea and list of concepts from just 2 of our conceptors¹.

What problem is Concept Box solving?

There are 4 ways of introducing inventions to the marketplace.

1. University Spin Outs come from academic research and are usually bigger projects with a lot of the background work already done.

2. Company Suggestion Box introduces ideas from the workforce and are taken up by the company R&D structure

3. Incubator Model - Individual with an idea wishing to build a business from the idea. This is a difficult path but there is a lot of help along the way for good ideas and good people.

4. Concept Box – For individuals with good ideas who are not in the position to build a business from the ideas.

Problem a Conceptor faces – 1. Protecting the Concept IP

Often the individual inventor is not in the position to patent the concept or to take the concept to a patentable stage. Non Disclosure Agreements are normally used in this situation but this involves the conceptor having a MNDA with each organisation approached.

Concept Box will implement a simple Non Disclosure Agreement system which we have called an Intermediary Non Disclosure Agreement (INDA).

INDA - In the INDA, the Conceptor and the Adopter² each have a Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement (MNDA) with Concept Box. In this way, both conceptor and adopter require only one INDA with Concept Box.

Once a deal is struck, IP protection is then up to the parties, not Concept Box.

Mechanism of an INDA

Problem a Conceptor faces – 2. Finding an Adopter

How does a conceptor find an adopter? Concept box will build up a database of companies who are willing to accept approaches (and those who are not). We will also know what information each company requires.

We also expect to learn of companies who are seeking concepts which can then be circulated amongst our conceptors to see if they have any ideas on solving the problems.

How does Concept Box Earn Money?

1. Charge inventors a small fee per concept to be put on our database.

2. Charge Adopters an annual fee to access our database and receive notification of new additions to the database which match their preferences.

3. Charge a percentage fee on any licencing agreements made.

4. Advertising on our website.

5. Sell the software or the service to other geographic/language areas

Notes:-

1 Conceptor – A person or organisation that owns the IP of a concept.

2 Adopter - An organisation willing to discuss adopting and implementing the concept.

Product Span of BTW Project

The BTW is an invention that has ramifications over a wide range of small, low speed, rough terrain wheeled vehicles. Among other applications, it provides a low cost solution to the “last mile” problem. As well as civilian applications, it has military and planetary exploration application.

All models below are electrically powered. 

Examples of applications where the BTW will improve performance include:-

1 Wheeled - Wheelbarrow

2 Wheeled – Hand Cart, Goods Trolley

3 or 4 Wheeled -

• Civilian – Rough Terrain Wheelchair, Rough Terrain Remote Controlled or Autonomous Trolley, Autonomous Last Mile Delivery for Post, Parcels, Meals, Shopping etc., Disaster search and recovery.
• Military – Foot soldier support, Light weapons platform, Advance listening post, Mine/IED detection and defuse. Could also be amphibian and be able to travel on snow, wetlands and sand.
• Space – Moon, Mars and Asteroid exploration.

IP Status :- This is being investigated. The BTW itself is probably patentable. Whether the applications are would require advice from a patent agent

Professional Status :- I have a BSc (Hons) Degree in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Control Engineering. During my career I have designed systems for a wide variety of industries ranging from confectionery to nuclear reactors. I developed the world’s first digital chart recorder in 1976.

Contact :- I am Dr Alex B Gardiner. I am based in Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Date of Birth :- 16^th November 1940

eMail :-  abgard@gmail.com