Closed-Loop Power Dissipation Control For Cardio-Fitness Equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic resistance device (MRD), comprising:
- a flywheel having an ability to rotate around an axis;
at least one electromagnet; and
means for measuring a torque exerted on the at least one electromagnet around the axis.
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention provide (a) an inexpensive apparatus enabling the measurement of power dissipated by the rider of a cardio-fitness station (or any other stationary bicycle) that does not depend on manufacturing tolerances or machine condition variations, and (b) a method of using the data measured by such an apparatus to improve the accuracy of exercise condition settings by implementing the invented apparatus into a closed-loop control system which improves the quality of the exercise experience and enhances the adoption of exercise on a cardio-fitness station employing this as a community activity.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A magnetic resistance device (MRD), comprising:
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a flywheel having an ability to rotate around an axis; at least one electromagnet; and means for measuring a torque exerted on the at least one electromagnet around the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A magnetic resistance device, comprising:
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a flywheel having an ability to rotate around an axis; at least one electromagnet having an ability to rotate at least partially around the axis; and a spring mechanically attached to the at least one electromagnet, wherein the spring is being stretched when torque is exerted on the at least one electromagnet around the axis. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A magnetic resistance device, comprising:
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a base; a flywheel having an ability to rotate around an axis, wherein the axis is stationary in respect to the base; at least one electromagnet having an ability to rotate at least partially around the axis; and a spring mechanically attached between the at least one electromagnet and the base, wherein the spring is being stretched when torque is exerted between the at least one electromagnet and the base around the axis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for adjusting the torque in a magnetic resistance device, comprising:
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providing a magnetic resistance device including; a flywheel able to rotate around an axis; an electromagnet being energized with an electric current and having a parameter; means for measuring torque exerted on the electromagnet around the axis; and means for measuring an angular velocity of the flywheel; providing a first torque amplitude; providing an amplitude of the electric current; repeating the subsequent steps at least once; energizing the electromagnet with the electric current of the amplitude; measuring the angular velocity of the flywheel; measuring a second torque amplitude using the means for measuring torque exerted on the electromagnet around the axis, wherein the second torque amplitude is a measure of torque exerted on the electromagnet around the axis; calculating a value for the parameter from one or more of the second torque amplitude, the amplitude of the electric current, and the angular velocity of the flywheel; and calculating a new value for the amplitude of the electric current from one or more of the first torque amplitude, the angular velocity of the flywheel, and the parameter.
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10. A stationary exercise equipment, comprising:
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a frame; a seat; one or more handlebars; pedals; a magnetic resistance device including a flywheel and an electromagnet, wherein the flywheel and the electromagnet are cable to at least partially rotate around an axis, and the magnetic resistance device provides resistance to rotation of the pedals when the electromagnet is energized with an electric current; and a torque-measuring device mechanically attached to and between the electromagnet and the frame, wherein the torque-measuring device provides a measure of torque exerted between the electromagnet and the frame around the axis. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a flywheel formed of a conductive material, wherein the flywheel is coupled to a pedal of a stationary bicycle; an axle about which the flywheel is mounted; a support panel mounted about the axle; a first magnet mounted on the support panel, wherein the first magnet is mounted in proximity to the flywheel; an electrical power supply coupled to the first magnet; and a deflection measuring component coupled to the first magnet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method, comprising:
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receiving power from a stationary exercise equipment; transferring the power to a flywheel; generating electric currents within the flywheel with an electromagnet; resisting rotation of the flywheel with the electric currents; measuring a magnitude of resisting rotation; comparing the magnitude to a predetermined value; and adjusting the electric currents responsive to a result from the comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A stationary exercise equipment, comprising:
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a computer running a computer program; a video monitor in communication with the computer; a stationary bicycle including handlebars and pedals, wherein the pedals being able to rotate; a flywheel formed of a conductive material, wherein the flywheel is coupled to a pedal of the stationary bicycle; an axle about which the flywheel is mounted; a support panel mounted about the axle; a first magnet mounted on the support panel, wherein the first magnet is mounted in proximity to the flywheel; an electrical power supply coupled to the first magnet, wherein the electrical power supply is controlled by the computer program; a deflection measuring component coupled to the first magnet; and a movable member mechanically coupled to a first electrical sensor, wherein the first electrical sensor provides a first electrical signal to the computer when the movable member is set in motion, wherein the electrical signal provided by the first electrical sensor to the computer is used to adjust the force resisting pedal rotation mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A cardio-fitness station system comprising:
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a first stationary exercise equipment, including; a first computer, running a first computer program, wherein the first computer program simulates moving images seen by a first rider of a first virtual bicycle while riding through a predetermined landscape; a first video monitor in communication with the first computer, wherein the first video monitor displays the moving images seen by the first rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape; and a first stationary bicycle including; first steerable handlebars; first rotatable pedals; a first movable gear-shifting member; and a first pedal rotation resistance component including; a first flywheel formed of a conductive material, wherein the first flywheel is coupled to the first rotatable pedals; a first axle about which the first flywheel is mounted; a first support panel mounted about the first axle; a first magnet mounted on the first support panel, wherein the first magnet is mounted in proximity to the first flywheel; a first electrical power supply coupled to the first magnet; and a first deflection measuring component coupled to the first magnet; a second stationary exercise equipment, including; a second computer running a second computer program, wherein the second computer program simulates moving images seen by a second virtual rider of a second virtual bicycle while riding through a predetermined landscape; a second video monitor in communication with the second computer, wherein the second video monitor displays the moving images seen by a second rider of the second virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape; and a second stationary bicycle including; second steerable handlebars; second rotatable pedals; a second movable gear-shifting member; a second pedal rotation resistance component including; a second flywheel formed of a conductive material, wherein the second flywheel is coupled to the second rotatable pedals; a second axle about which the flywheel is mounted; a second support panel mounted about the second axle; a second magnet mounted on the second support panel, wherein the second magnet is mounted in proximity to the second flywheel; a second electrical power supply coupled to the second magnet; and a second deflection measuring component coupled to the second magnet, wherein a wireless communication is established between the first computer and the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification