Pulse power generator

• US 5,499,013 A
• Filed: 05/04/1994
• Issued: 03/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John A. Konotchick
• Original Assignee: John A. Konotchick
• Inventors: Konotchick, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/238,160
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/541, 340/545, 340/547, 340/693
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/442 without pivotal connections, e.g. using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

A mechanical to electrical pulse power generator. Powerful rare-earth magnets (e.g., Neodymium-Iron-Boron, or Samarium-Cobalt) create strong flux fields. These flux fields are used to produce large percent change in flux through a coil of wire upon the triggering of triggering mechanisms which causes a snap action to assure creation of an electrical pulse sufficient to activate an alarm. A mechanical force in a first direction will cause a jerk action which will produce a pulse shape identifiable to the first direction force and a mechanical force in a second direction will produce a different jerk action which will produce a pulse shape identifiable to the second direction force. Low power electronics use the energy in these pulses to activate a radio frequency transmitter to transmit a signal revealing the direction of the mechanical force. A preferred embodiment codes the transmitter signal to indicate the source of the signal.

Claims

1. A pulse power generator for generating an electrical pulse from mechanical energy comprising:

a coil of conductive wire,

a rare earth magnet positioned to produce lines of magnetic flux passing through said coil,

a jerk action means for assuring that at least a portion of said mechanical energy is expressed in jerking motions which are;

sometimes in a first direction causing a rapid change in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil, defining a first pulse shape and

sometimes in a second direction causing rapid changes in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil defining a second pulse shape substantially different from said first pulse shape,

a pulse shaping circuit means electrically connected to said coil for shaping the pulses produced by said jerking motions said pulses having a peak power of at least 0.1 Watt, a duration of at least 30 milliseconds and at least 0,001 joules of electrical energy.

2. A pulse power generator as in claim 1 wherein said pulse shape has a polarity dependent upon the direction of said jerking motion.

3. A pulse power generator as in claim 1 wherein said rare earth magnet is movably positioned at least partially inside said coil.

4. A pulse power generator as in claim 1 wherein said rare earth magnet is stationary and further comprising permeable pole pieces attached to said magnet and positioned to change the magnetic flux path flowing inside said coil upon the occurrence of said jerking action.

5. A pulse power generator as in claim 1 wherein one of said jerking motions is triggered by higher than normal temperature.

6. A pulse power generator as in claim 1 and further comprising a platform and a compression spring supporting said platform wherein one of said jerking motions is triggered by the weight of objects or people on said platform.

7. A battery-less alarm device comprising:

(a) a pulse power generator for generating electrical pulses from mechanical energy comprising;

a coil of conductive wire,

a rare earth magnet positioned to produce lines of magnetic flux passing through said coil,

a jerk action means for assuring that at least a portion of said mechanical energy is expressed in jerking motions which are;

sometimes in a first direction causing a rapid change in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil, defining a first pulse shape and

sometimes in a second direction causing rapid changes in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil defining a second pulse shape substantially different from said first pulse shape,

a pulse shaping circuit means electrically connected to said coil for shaping the pulses produced by said jerking motions said pulses having a peak power of at least 0.1 Watt, a duration of at least 30 milliseconds, and at least 0.001 joules of electrical energy, and

(b) a transmitter means for transmitting a radio signal upon the occurrence of said jerking motion.

8. A pulse power generator as in claim 7 and further comprising a coding means for indicating the direction of said jerking.

9. An alarm device as in claim 8 wherein said coding means is also for indicating the identity of said pulse power generator.

10. An alarm system comprising:

(a) a pulse power generator for generating an electrical pulse from mechanical energy comprising;

a coil of conductive wire,

a rare earth magnet positioned to produce lines of magnetic flux passing through said coil,

a jerk action means for assuring that at least a portion of said mechanical energy is expressed in a jerking motion which is sometimes in a first direction and sometimes in a second direction so as to cause in either case a rapid change in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux,

a pulse shaping circuit means electrically connected to said coil for producing an electrical pulse from said rapid change in the distribution of said lines of flux, said pulse having a peak power of at least 0.1 Watt, a duration of at least 30 milliseconds, and at least 0,001 joules of electrical energy.

(b) a transmitter means for transmitting a radio signal upon the occurrence of said jerking motion, and

(c) a receiver means for receiving said radio signal.

11. An alarm system as in claim 10 and further comprising a coding means for indicating the direction of said jerking, and a decoder means for decoding said radio signal to determine the direction of said jerking motion based on said polarity.

12. An alarm system as in claim 11 and further comprising a decoder means for identifying the particular pulse generator device being activated.

13. An alarm device comprising:

(a) a pulse power generator for generating electrical pulses from mechanical energy comprising;

a coil of conductive wire,

a rare earth magnet positioned to produce lines of magnetic flux passing through said coil,

a jerk action means for assuring that at least a portion of said mechanical energy is expressed in jerking motions which are;

sometimes in a first direction causing a rapid change in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil, defining a first pulse shape and

sometimes in a second direction causing rapid changes in the distribution of said lines of magnetic flux and a voltage pulse in said coil defining a second pulse shape substantially different from said first pulse shape,

a pulse shaping circuit means electrically connected to said coil for shaping the pulses produced by said jerking motions said pulses having a peak power of at least 0.1 Watt, a duration of at least 30 milliseconds, and at least 0,001 joules of electrical energy, and

(b) a transmitter means for transmitting a radio signal upon the occurrence of said jerking motions, and

(c) a receiver means for receiving said radio signal.