Stand-alone kinetic energy converter system

• US 10,513,180 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2019
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerald Technology Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Emerald Technology Partners LLC
• Inventors: Quill, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amaya, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US16/429,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20190329650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 307 91
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00014 for load cargos on load transporting vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0045 mechanical power take-offs from the vehicle propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/147 Road trains
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/148 Semi-trailers, articulated vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A refrigeration system can include an electrical generator coupled to a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to transfer mechanical energy from a vehicle to the electrical generator, and a control module connected to the electrical generator via electrical wiring. The refrigeration system can also include an electrically-driven refrigeration unit coupled to the control module, and a battery coupled to the control module via electrical wiring. The control module can be adapted to provide electrical power to the refrigeration unit from the electrical generator or the battery and is further adapted to charge the battery with electrical energy not needed for operating the refrigeration unit.

Claims

1. A stand-alone kinetic energy converter system, comprising:

a swing arm having a first end located opposite a second end;

a wheel, said wheel comprising a tire;

said first end of said swing arm rotatably connected to said wheel;

a first sprocket or pulley;

a second sprocket or pulley;

a third sprocket or pulley;

a mounting structure;

said second end of said swing arm having a pivot point, said second end of said swing arm having a first rotatable shaft, said first rotatable shaft rotatably mounted within said pivot point, said first rotatable shaft connecting said mounting structure to said swing arm, said first rotatable shaft connected to said second sprocket or pulley and said third sprocket or pulley;

said wheel connected to said first sprocket or pulley, said first sprocket or pulley of said wheel is configured to drive said second sprocket or pulley by a first chain or a belt;

a second rotatable shaft comprising a fourth sprocket or pulley and a fifth sprocket or pulley, said third sprocket or pulley of said first rotatable shaft is configured to drive said fourth sprocket or pulley of said second rotatable shaft by a second chain or a belt; and

,

a first generator, said first generator comprising a third rotatable shaft, said third rotatable shaft of said first generator connected to a sixth sprocket or pulley, said fifth sprocket or pulley of said second rotatable shaft is configured to drive said sixth sprocket or pulley of said first generator by a third chain or a belt.

2. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second generator, said second generator having a fourth rotatable shaft, said fourth rotatable shaft comprising an eighth sprocket or pulley, said third rotatable shaft of said first generator connected to a seventh sprocket or pulley, said seventh sprocket or pulley of said first generator is configured to drive said eighth sprocket or pulley of said second generator by a fourth chain or a belt.

3. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 1, further comprising:

a dampening assembly comprising a biasing element, said biasing element having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said biasing element connected to said mounting structure, said second end of said biasing element connected to said swing arm, whereby, said tire of said swing arm is substantially biased to the road.

4. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 3, further comprising:

said biasing element is a coil over shock absorber.

5. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one battery, said at least one battery receiving power from at least one generator.

6. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a portion of said swing arm retained within a housing, whereby, a tire of said swing arm is substantially biased to the road.

7. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 6, further comprising:

said housing retaining at least one battery, said at least one battery receiving power from at least one generator.

8. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one battery is mounted remotely from said housing.

9. The stand-alone kinetic energy converter system of claim 1, further comprising:

said mounting structure having at least one mounting structure recess configured to retain said second sprocket or pulley.