Method of Harvesting Energy from Exercise Equipment

• US 20150065301A1
• Filed: 11/14/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Strength Companion, LLC
• Original Assignee: Strength Companion, LLC
• Inventors: OTEMAN, DAVID G.
• Application Number:
  US14/542,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20150065301A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0055 the produced electric power used as a source for other equipment, e.g. for TVs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/12 Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier

Abstract

Electricity is generated in response to use of exercise equipment in a reciprocating motion. An energy harvester system is provided in and responsive to movement of a motion control arrangement of an exercise machine for converting kinetic and ambient light energy supplied from an environment of the exercise equipment into electrical power which is delivered to a feedback system associated with the exercise equipment in order to provide information corresponding to the user of the exercise equipment.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

generating a DC link voltage as a result of rotating a shaft of an electricity generator in two directions,

wherein the generator shaft is rotated in both of the two directions as a result of a reciprocating motion of a user of exercise equipment.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the DC link voltage fluctuates during the reciprocating motion.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of clamping the DC link voltage.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of converting the DC link voltage to a DC output voltage having a generally constant average value.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of delivering the DC output voltage to a feedback system associated with the exercise equipment.

6. A method comprising the steps of:

generating a DC link voltage having a varying amplitude,

wherein the generating step is caused by a single repetition of a reciprocating motion of a user of exercise equipment, and

wherein the varying amplitude has a plurality of maximum amplitudes.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of clamping the DC link voltage.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of converting the DC link voltage to a DC output voltage having a generally constant average value.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of delivering the DC output voltage to a feedback system associated with the exercise equipment.

10. A method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of maximum amplitudes are separated by a time period of lower amplitude.

11. A method of producing and utilizing electrical power in exercise equipment having a motion control at moveable in repeating cycles of movement along a reciprocating motion path, the method comprising the steps of:

converting kinetic energy created due to the reciprocating movement of the motion control arrangement of the exercise equipment into a variable electrical power output utilizing a generator assembly, wherein the variable electrical power output is dependent upon a velocity of movement of the motion control arrangement along the reciprocating motion path;

converting the variable electrical power from the generator assembly into a DC link voltage;

clamping the DC link voltage if the velocity of movement of the motion control arrangement exceeds a threshold;

converting the DC link voltage into a DC output voltage having a generally constant average value; and

delivering the DC output voltage resulting from the converted kinetic energy to a feedback system associated with the exercise equipment, wherein the DC output voltage powers the feedback system such that the feedback system provides information related to use of the exercise equipment.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the generally constant average value of the DC output voltage is independent from the instantaneous velocity of movement of the motion control arrangement.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the DC link voltage is controlled such that the DC link voltage varies during each cycle of movement and has a generally constant average over one or more cycles of movement of the motion control arrangement.