Mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to translational or rotational motion

• US 8,692,397 B1
• Filed: 12/26/2012
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• 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., Roberts, M. Joseph, Baldwin, Lawrence C., Owens, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/727,254
• Time in Patent Office: 468 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 3/38 with power sources
• 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 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts

Abstract

A mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to translational or rotational motion includes a substrate, at least one permanent magnet, at least one coil of wire, at least one inelastic material, at least one elastic material, and at least one pivot point. The coil of wire is a solenoid.

Claims

1. A energy harvesting device for converting vertical motion to translational motion in footwear, comprising:

a substrate having at least one interior compartment;

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

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;

at least one inelastic material having a first end attached to said substrate and a second end attached to said at least one permanent magnet;

at least one elastic material having a first end attached to said at least one permanent magnet and a second end attached to said substrate, wherein said at least one elastic material is configured to compress and decompress; and

at least one pivot point attached to said substrate, wherein said at least one pivot point is juxtaposed against said at least one inelastic material, wherein said at least one pivot point is configured to axially rotate when a compressive heel strike force is applied to and released from said substrate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one elastic material has a modulus of elasticity range of about 10×

10⁶ to 100×

10⁹ Pascal.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least one pivot point is at least one pulley selected from the group of materials consisting of plastics, composites, and rubber.

11. An energy harvesting device for converting vertical motion to rotational motion in footwear, comprising:

a substrate having at least one interior compartment;

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

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;

at least one circular gear attached to the distal end of each of said at least one permanent magnet; and

at least one linear gear juxtaposed to said at least one circular gear, wherein said at least one linear gear is configured to engage said at least one circular gear when a compressive heel strike force is applied to and released from said substrate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one permanent magnet 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.