Energy extraction system
First Claim
1. An energy extraction system configured to couple to a rotating surface, the system comprising:
- an energy extraction mechanism connected to an energy storage mechanism and configured to statically couple to the rotating surface, the energy extraction mechanism configured to revolve about a revolution axis and extract energy from rotating surface rotation; and
a counterweight rotatably coupled to the energy extraction mechanism with the counterweight offset from the revolution axis, the counterweight operable between a cohesive state and a distributed state, the counterweight configured to switch from the cohesive state to the distributed state in response to an applied external force applied by the rotating surface, and from the distributed state to the cohesive state in response to removal of the applied external force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy extraction system configured to couple to a rotating surface, the system comprising:
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an energy extraction mechanism connected to an energy storage mechanism and configured to statically couple to the rotating surface, the energy extraction mechanism configured to revolve about a revolution axis and extract energy from rotating surface rotation; and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the energy extraction mechanism with the counterweight offset from the revolution axis, the counterweight operable between a cohesive state and a distributed state, the counterweight configured to switch from the cohesive state to the distributed state in response to an applied external force applied by the rotating surface, and from the distributed state to the cohesive state in response to removal of the applied external force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of extracting energy from a rotating surface, the rotating surface having a rotational axis at a non-zero angle to a gravity vector, comprising:
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retaining a drive component substantially stationary relative to the gravity vector; extracting energy from relative motion between the stationary component and an extraction mechanism rotating with the rotating surface; and in response to receipt of an external force from the rotating surface, permitting the drive component to rotate with the extraction mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification