Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
First Claim
1. A power generator configured for use on a non-self-powered, wheeled vehicle, the power generator comprising:
- a housing comprising windings;
a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis;
a drive mechanism configured to cause the magnetized element to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel, wherein the rotation of the magnetized element produces electrical power in the windings so as to enable the generator to supply electrical power; and
a control circuit configured to provide the electrical power at two or more voltages,wherein the housing, the magnetized element, and the drive mechanism are disposed within a wheel of the non-self-powered vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object'"'"'s wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object'"'"'s wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.
188 Citations
72 Claims
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1. A power generator configured for use on a non-self-powered, wheeled vehicle, the power generator comprising:
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a housing comprising windings; a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis; a drive mechanism configured to cause the magnetized element to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel, wherein the rotation of the magnetized element produces electrical power in the windings so as to enable the generator to supply electrical power; and a control circuit configured to provide the electrical power at two or more voltages, wherein the housing, the magnetized element, and the drive mechanism are disposed within a wheel of the non-self-powered vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A power management system configured for use on a moveable object having a wheel, the power management system comprising:
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a generator operative in response to movement of the object; a capacitive energy storage reservoir connected to the generator; and an electronic control system configured to control power usage from the reservoir based upon a level of energy in said reservoir; wherein the generator, the capacitive energy storage reservoir, and the electronic control system are disposed within the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A braking system for a wheel of an object, the braking system comprising:
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a brake mechanism associated with the wheel so as to brake or release the rotation of the wheel; a controller associated with the brake mechanism and configured to cause the brake mechanism to brake or release wheel rotation; a power storage device connected to supply power to the brake mechanism in response to signals from the controller; and a generator in or on the wheel and configured to provide power to the storage device, said generator operative in response to rotation of the wheel, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a level of electrical energy in the power storage device. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A power generation system configured for use on a non-self-powered vehicle having a wheel, the power generation system comprising:
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a generator disposed within the wheel, the generator configured to convert rotation of the wheel into electrical energy; an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store a portion of the electrical energy, the storage device disposed in the non-self-powered vehicle; and a power management system electrically coupled to the generator and the storage device, the power management system configured to monitor a level of electrical energy in the storage device. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A power system in a non-self-powered object having a wheel, the power system comprising:
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means for generating electrical power from rotation of the wheel; means for storing electrical power; means for charging the storage means by using power from the generating means; and means for providing electrical power from the charging means at two or more operating voltages, wherein the generating means, the storing means, the charging means, and the providing means are disposed within the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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Specification