PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

• US 20160094107A1
• Filed: 05/30/2014
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deciwatt Limited
• Original Assignee: Deciwatt Limited
• Inventors: RIDDIFORD, Martin Philip, REEVES, James William
• Application Number:
  US14/890,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20160094107A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 3/00 Other motors, e.g. gravity or inertia motors
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

A portable apparatus if provided for generating electrical energy. The apparatus has an electrical energy-generating device for generating electricity in response to input mechanical action, and a gravity powered drive for supplying the said mechanical action to the electricity-generating device by the descent of a suspended mass under the force of gravity. A protection system is provided to prevent a drive force, experienced by the electrical energy-generating device due to the input mechanical action, from exceeding a predetermined threshold as a result of an overload condition. The protection system may perform the dual function of physically protecting the electrical energy-generating device whilst also providing clear feedback to the user that the apparatus is subjected to an undesirable overload condition.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for generating electrical energy, the apparatus comprising:

a. an electrical energy-generating device for generating electricity in response to input mechanical action;

b. a gravity powered drive for supplying the said mechanical action to the electricity-generating device by the descent of a suspended mass under the force of gravity;

c. a protection system adapted to prevent a drive force experienced by the electrical energy-generating device due to the input mechanical action from exceeding a predetermined threshold as a result of an overload condition.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy-generating device comprises a gear train for converting a relatively low speed input from the gravity powered drive to a relatively high speed output.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy-generating device comprises an electrical generator selected from the group comprising an alternator, a direct current motor or a dynamo.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overload condition is representative of one or more of the application of a mass in excess of a predetermined magnitude or the uncontrolled descent of the mass.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection system at least partially mechanically decouples the mechanical drive from the electrical energy-generating device.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the protection system is positioned between the gravity powered drive and the electrical energy-generating device.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection system comprises a frictional mechanism for causing a reduced drive force to be provided to the electrical energy-generating device during the overload condition.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the frictional mechanism is a clutch or brake.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the protection system is positioned at or adjacent a coupling point of the mass.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a housing comprising an attachment member for attaching the apparatus to a support when in use, and wherein at least part of the protection system is positioned at or adjacent the attachment member.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection system comprises a resiliently biased member.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection system further comprises an extendable coupling comprising a coupling housing and a length of flexible material, configured to allow the controlled separation of a first part of the apparatus attached to one end of the flexible material with respect to a second part of the apparatus attached to the coupling housing in response to the overload condition.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the extendable coupling further comprises a clutch which causes the flexible material to be deployed when in the overload condition.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the extendable coupling comprises a spool of the flexible material.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection system comprises protection circuitry electrically connected to the output of the electrical energy-generating device, the protection circuitry being configured to operate when in the overload condition so as to reduce the electrical load on the electrical energy-generating device thereby allowing the electrical energy-generating device to operate at a speed in excess of that at which it operates under normal conditions.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the protection circuitry comprises a switch and a warning device connectable to the output of the electrical energy-generating device in response to the switch being operated.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the warning device is series connected with a resistor.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the switch is operable to connect the warning device to the electrical energy-generating device when in a first position and the switch is adapted to adopt the first position when the apparatus is in an overload condition.

19. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the switch is operable to connect an operational circuit to the electrical energy generating device when the switch is in a second position.

20. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the protection circuitry comprises a zener diode and a warning device connected to the output of the electrical energy-generating device.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the protection circuitry is adapted such that current is caused to flow through the protection circuitry when an electrical potential difference across the electrical energy generating device exceeds a predetermined threshold.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a switch operable to connect an operational circuit to the electrical energy generating device.

23. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the protection circuitry comprises a warning LED and/or buzzer so as to signal the existence of the overload condition to the user.

24. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the protection system comprises a member which moves physically in the event of an overload condition and causes the operation of the protection circuitry.

25. A portable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy-generating device and gravity powered drive are provided as a unit, the gravity powered drive including a flexible sprocket belt to one end of which is coupled the weight when in use so as to provide the force for operation of the apparatus.

26. A kit comprising:

a. a portable apparatus according to claim 1,

b. a sprocket belt to form part of the gravity powered drive; and

c. a primary weight bag and a counterweight bag for attachment to respective ends of the sprocket belt.