Rechargeable shoe

• US 6,255,799 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Schwartz, Paul D., Ling, Sharon X., Jenkins, Jason E., Sadilek, Albert C., Suter, Joseph J., Lew, Ark L., Le, Binh Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/474,515
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/112, 320/123, 320/DIG.34, 322/1, 322/4, 322/100, 36/3.B, 36/26, 219/211
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/203 provided with a pump or valve
• 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 3/38 with power sources
• 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 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/34 Robot, hybrid, recreational or emergency vehicle

Abstract

The invention comprises a means for generating energy while walking or running for storage in a rechargeable battery. One embodiment uses lever arm movement in the heel of a shoe resulting from normal walking or running to generate energy from a built-in generator. The linear or rotational motion of the lever arm engages the circular gear assembly and turns the generator/motor/turbine, thus generating power. The second embodiment uses fluid reservoirs embedded in the shoes. Pressure changes resulting from normal walking or running moves the fluid through a narrow channel connecting two reservoirs, thus generating power by rotating a flywheel and an attached motor/generator/turbine in the middle of the channel. Secondary (rechargeable) batteries are incorporated into the invention either in an integrated form or as an add-on design. Additional features include a digital diagnostic data output, which would serves as a “fuel gauge” for the secondary batteries, and a smart charging circuit that efficiently controls battery charging from a generator output that varies with step rate and force.

Claims

1. Apparatus for footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising:

a lever attached to the footwear that moves as the wearer moves;

a linear gear attached to the lever;

a gear assembly which is rotated by being engaged by the linear gear; and

a generator connected to the gear assembly for generating power as the gear assembly rotates.

2. Apparatus for footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising:

a lever attached to the footwear that moves as the wearer moves;

a means for engaging attached to the lever;

a gear assembly which is rotated by being engaged by the means for engaging;

a generator connected to the gear assembly for generating power as the gear assembly rotates;

a flywheel attached to the generator; and

a one-way clutch attached to the generator and flywheel;

whereby the flywheel and one-way clutch ensure a continuous generation of electricity.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, the means for engaging comprising a linear gear.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising a rechargeable battery.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising means for controlling the charge on the rechargeable battery.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for managing the power in the rechargeable battery.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, the power management means further comprising means for determining the status of charge in the rechargeable battery.

8. An apparatus for footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising:

a first reservoir for holding a fluid contained in the heel of the footwear;

a second reservoir for holding a fluid contained in the sole of the footwear and connected to the first reservoir by a passage;

a means for linking the first and second reservoir comprising;

a passage creating means for directing the flow of the fluid between the two reservoirs;

a gear assembly which is rotated by the movement of the fluid from one reservoir to another; and

a generator connected to the gear assembly for generating power as the gear assembly rotates.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the passage creating means establishes a Venturi nozzle such that when the fluid is forced from one reservoir to the other, the speed of the fluid increases as it moves by the gear assembly.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a flywheel attached to the generator; and

a one-way clutch attached to the generator;

whereby the flywheel and one-way clutch ensure the continuous generation of power.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising a rechargeable battery.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a means for controlling the charge on the rechargeable battery.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for managing the power in the rechargeable battery.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, the power management means further comprising means for indicating the amount of charge in the rechargeable battery.

15. A method using footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising the steps of:

having a lever attached to the footwear to move as the wearer moves, the lever attached to a linear gear, the linear gear causing a gear assembly to rotate as the linear gear and lever move with the movement of the wearer; and

connecting a generator to the gear assembly to rotate as the gear assembly rotates thereby generating power.

16. A method using footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising the steps of:

placing a first reservoir and a second reservoir for holding a fluid in the heel and sole, respectively, of the footwear with a passage connecting the two reservoirs; and

placing a gear assembly connected to a generator in the passage to rotate as fluid moves between the two reservoirs and by the gear assembly as the wearer moves thereby rotating the generator and generating power.

17. A method using footwear for generating power as the wearer moves comprising the steps of:

having a lever attached to the footwear to move as the wearer moves, the lever attached to a means for engaging, the means for engaging causing a gear assembly to rotate as the means for engaging and lever move with the movement of the wearer;

connecting a generator to the gear assembly to rotate as the gear assembly rotates thereby generating power;

attaching a flywheel to the generator; and

attaching a one-way clutch to the generator and the flywheel;

whereby the flywheel and one-way clutch ensure a continuous generation of electricity.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, the means for engaging comprising a linear gear.