Gearless human power generation

• US 8,093,731 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Bulthaup, Colin, Griffith, Saul, Goldwater, Dan, Hardham, Corwin, Homsy, George, Wilhelm, Eric, Warshawsky, Brian, Heinrich, Mitch, Lin, Michael, Lewis, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US11/983,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20080150493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 206/37.1
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• 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 comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.

Claims

1. An electric power generation system including:

a handle;

a string coupled to the handle and configured to be pulled using the handle;

a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin;

an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1;

1 when the string is being pulled, and wherein power generated is stored in a rotating mass or a battery;

a user feedback device configured to provide an indication of power generated; and

a case, wherein the case encloses the bobbin and the electric power generator, and wherein, in use, the case is handheld and portable.

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

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the string is rewound on the bobbin when the string is retracting.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein a spring force causes the string to retract.

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

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein a clutch is coupled to the shaft.

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

8. A system as in claim 6, wherein the clutch comprises a needle roller clutch.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the rotor turns fast enough to generate an average power out from the generator to power an electrical appliance.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a laptop.

11. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a lamp.

12. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a cell phone charger.

13. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a water purifier.

14. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a radio.

15. A system as in claim 9, wherein the appliance comprises a flashlight.

16. A method for electric power generation comprising:

pulling on a string by pulling on a handle coupled to the string;

rotating a bobbin as the pulled string is unwound from the bobbin;

rotating a rotor of an electric power generator that is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1;

1 when the string is being pulled, wherein a case encloses the bobbin and the electric power generator, and wherein, in use, the case is handheld and portable;

storing power generated in a rotating mass or a battery; and

providing an indication of power generated using a user feedback device.