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Weather responsive treadle locking means for power generation system

  • US 9,366,239 B2
  • Filed: 06/10/2013
  • Issued: 06/14/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicle energy harvester comprising:

  • a subunit having an upper surface forming a roadway surface;

    a vehicle activated treadle on the subunit, the vehicle activated treadle moveable between a first position in which an upper surface of the treadle is at an angle with respect to the upper surface of the roadway surface and a second position in which the upper surface of the treadle is flush with the upper surface of the roadway surface;

    a treadle gear coupled to the vehicle activated treadle;

    a rotatable shaft below the roadway surface;

    a drive gear mounted on the rotatable shaft, the drive gear being driven by the treadle gear during movement of the vehicle activated treadle;

    a flywheel;

    a torsion spring coupled between the rotatable shaft and the flywheel;

    a generator that generates power in response to movement of the flywheel; and

    a treadle locking device configured to selectively lock the vehicle activated treadle in the second position in response to a signal received from a sensor.

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