Human power generation using dual pulls

• US 8,013,457 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Griffith, Saul, Homsy, George, Hardham, Corwin, Wilhelm, Eric, Bulthaup, Colin, Goldwater, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US11/983,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20080157636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a first string and a second string configured to be pulled; a first portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in a direction when the first string is unwound from the bobbin as the first string is pulled; a second portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in the direction when the second string is unwound from the bobbin as the second string is pulled; and an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin. The pulling of the second string causes the first string to retract and the pulling of the first string causes the second string to retract.

Claims

1. An electric power generation system including:

a first string and a second string configured to be pulled;

a first portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in a direction when the first string is unwound from the bobbin as the first string is pulled;

a second portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in the direction when the second string is unwound from the bobbin as the second string is pulled, wherein the pulling of the second string causes the first string to retract and the pulling of the first string causes the second string to retract;

an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin, wherein the mechanical coupling between the rotor and the bobbin are directly coupled without gears;

a case, wherein the bobbin and the electric power generator are inside the case, and wherein the case is portable; and

an output connector electrically connected to the electric power generator.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first string has length such that a large motion can be used to pull the first string.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the second string has length such that a large motion can be used to pull the second string.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first string and the second string comprise a single string wherein the middle the single string is coupled to the bobbin and a first end of the single string is used as the first string and a second end of the single string is used as a the second string.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein a shaft is coupled to the bobbin.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the rotor of the electric power generator is coupled to the shaft.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the bobbin turns one turn for each turn of the rotor.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the electric power generation system includes an anchoring attachment.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the electric power generator is enclosed in a sealed chamber.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein an end of the first string and an end of the second string are each coupled to handles.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the electric power generation system includes a controller that selectively turns on or off a control gate in order to adjust the amount of power flowing into a load.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the control gate comprises one or more FETs.

13. A system as in claim 1, wherein the electric power generation system provides feedback to a user.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein the feedback is provided using one or more of the following:

a light, a variable intensity light, a flashing light, a variable frequency flashing light, a sound, a variable pitched sound, a variable intensity sound, or a vibration generator.

15. A system as in claim 13, wherein the feedback indicates a desired pacing of pulls.

16. A system as in claim 13, wherein the feedback indicates a power generated.