Self-contained mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to rotational/translational motion

• US 8,680,698 B1
• Filed: 12/26/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Lai, William W., Baca, Alfred J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/727,176
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 290/54, 36/29, 36/88, 310/17, 310/30
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/06 other than of endless-walk type
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1884 structurally associated with free piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1892 Generators with parts oscillating or vibrating about an axis

Abstract

A self-contained mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to rotational/transitional motion includes a substrate having at least one interior compartment, at least one nonconductive tube, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one coil of wire. The coil of wire is a solenoid. The nonconductive tube, permanent magnet, and solenoid are configured to fit in the interior compartment.

Claims

1. A self-contained energy harvesting device for converting vertical motion to lateral motion in footwear, comprising:

a substrate having at least one interior compartment;

at least one nonconductive tube configured to fit in said at least one interior compartment, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube has a first end and a second end;

at least one permanent magnet configured to fit in said at least one nonconductive tube, wherein each of said at least one permanent magnet has a central longitudinal axis; and

at least one coil of wire equal in number to said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around each of said at least one permanent magnet, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit in said at least one interior compartment.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is configured to fit within the confines of a shoe.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is configured to removably fit within the confines of a shoe.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one interior compartment is a void.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube is selected from the group of nonconductive materials consisting of plastics, rubber, and inorganic polymers.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube, comprises:

a first compartment configured to house a noncompressible fluid;

a second compartment adjacent to said first compartment, wherein said second compartment is configured to house said at least one permanent magnet; and

a third compartment adjacent to said second compartment, wherein said third compartment is configured to house a compressible fluid.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is configured to move laterally back and forth along said central longitudinal axis when a compressive heel strike force is applied to and released from said substrate.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil of wire is at least one solenoid, wherein said at least one solenoid is attached to said substrate.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil of wire is connected in series to increase voltage output.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coil of wire is connected in parallel to increase current output.

11. A self-contained energy harvesting device for converting vertical motion to rotational motion in footwear, comprising:

a substrate having at least one interior compartment;

at least one nonconductive tube configured to fit in said at least one interior compartment, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube has a first end and a second end;

at least one series of permanent magnetic blades configured to fit in said at least one nonconductive tube, wherein each of said at least one series of permanent magnetic blades has a central longitudinal axis; and

at least one coil of wire equal in number to said at least one series of permanent magnetic blades, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around each of said at least one series of permanent magnetic blades, wherein each of said at least one coil of wire is configured to fit in said at least one interior compartment.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said substrate is configured to fit within the confines of a shoe.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said substrate is configured to removably fit within the confines of a shoe.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one interior compartment is a void.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube is selected from the group of nonconductive materials consisting of plastics, rubber, and inorganic polymers.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one nonconductive tube, comprises:

a first compartment configured to house a noncompressible fluid and said at least one series of permanent magnetic blades; and

a second compartment adjacent to said first compartment, wherein said second compartment is configured to house a compressible fluid.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one series of permanent magnetic blades is configured to rotationally spin back and forth about said central longitudinal axis when a compressive heel strike force is applied to and released from said substrate.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one coil of wire is at least one solenoid, wherein said at least one solenoid is attached to said substrate.

19. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one coil of wire is connected in series to increase voltage output.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one coil of wire is connected in parallel to increase current output.