Footwear with hydroelectric generator assembly

• US 6,239,501 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Komarechka
• Original Assignee: Robert Komarechka
• Inventors: Komarechka, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US09/318,815
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 310/75 B, 290/1 R, 36/2.6, 36/3 B
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/189 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/35 with electric heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/42 where power is generated by conversion of mechanical movement to electricity, e.g. by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator

Abstract

A hydroelectirc generator assembly for use in footwear includes a pair of fluid filled sacs contained in the sole of the footwear. The sacs are connected by conduits whereby, when the footwear is used for walking, fluid is transferred between the sacs, via the conduits. A turbine positioned between the conduits is rotated by the moving fluid thereby resulting in the generation of electricity.

Claims

1. A hydroelectric generator assembly for use within footwear, comprising:

a first compressible, fluid-filled sac for placement in a heel section of the footwear, the first sac having a first fluid conduit with a proximal end, connected to said first sac, and a distal end;

a second compressible, fluid filled sac for placement in a toe section of the footwear, the second sac having a second fluid conduit with a proximal end, connected to said second sac, and a distal end;

said distal ends of said conduits each having an inlet and an outlet wherein the outlet and inlet of said first conduit is in fluid connection with the inlet and outlet, respectively, of said second conduit; and

a hydroelectric generator module in fluid communication with the distal ends of said first and second conduits;

whereby, upon the wearer of said footwear walking, said first and second sacs are reciprocally compressed thereby causing fluid to flow from one of said sacs via said generator to the other of said sacs, resulting in generation of electricity by said generator.

2. The hydroelectric generator assembly according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical socket wired to an outlet of said hydroelectric generator module.

3. The hydroelectric generator assembly according to claim 1 wherein said hydroelectric generator module comprises a turbine assembly.

4. The hydroelectric generator assembly according to claim 1 wherein said hydroelectric generator module comprises a coil and said fluid passing therethrough is a magnetic fluid.

5. The hydroelectric generator assembly according to claim 4 wherein said inlets and outlets of said conduits valves for ensuring a unidirectional flow of said fluid therethrough.

6. The hydroelectric generator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid in said first and second sacs is an electrically conductive fluid and wherein said hydroelectric generator module comprises a coiled conduit through which said conductive fluid flows, the coiled conduit being located within a magnetic field and having a pair of conductive electrode strips on opposed sides thereof.

7. The hydroelectric generator assembly of claim 6 wherein said inlets and outlets of said conduits include valves for ensuring a unidirectional flow of said fluid therethrough.

8. The hydroelectric generator assembly of claim 1 wherein said inlets and outlets of said conduits include valves for ensuring a unidirectional flow of said fluid therethrough.