Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects

• US 9,586,606 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Carter, Scott J., Hannah, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US14/470,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 303/20, 303/152, 303/199, 188/1.12, 188/19, 280/33.994
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1412 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1492 Wheel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0423 braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0438 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/048 Hub brakes; drum brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 : Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 : Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 : EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 : structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

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.

Claims

1. A method of managing power in a braking system of an object having a wheel, the method comprising:

generating power in response to rotation of the wheel;

storing said generated power in a capacitor;

applying braking force to the wheel using power from the capacitor;

monitoring a level of power in the capacitor; and

releasing the braking force when the monitored level is approximately equal to the amount of power required to release the braking force.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

providing supplemental power in response to a defined condition so as to apply a braking force.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the defined condition relates to a second level of power in the capacitor.

4. The method of managing power of claim 1, further comprising, after releasing the braking force:

generating additional power in response to rotation of the wheel;

storing the additional power in the capacitor;

monitoring the level of power in the capacitor; and

applying braking force to the wheel using power from the capacitor when the monitored level is in a second predetermined condition.

5. The method of managing power of claim 4, wherein the second predetermined condition comprises an amount of electrical energy used for applying and releasing the braking force.

6. The method of managing power of claim 1, wherein storing said generated power in a capacitor comprises storing said generated power in a plurality of capacitors.

7. The method of managing power of claim 1, wherein the monitored level that is approximately equal to the amount of power required to release the braking force includes an amount of power for operating a microcontroller.

8. A method of managing power in a braking system of a non-motorized vehicle, the method comprising:

generating power in response to rotation of a wheel;

storing said generated power in a power storage reservoir;

engaging a wheel brake mechanism;

monitoring a level of power in the power storage reservoir;

disengaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to a first condition being satisfied, the first condition being satisfied when the monitored level of power is less than a first amount of power approximately equal to an amount of power required to disengage the wheel brake mechanism, the disengaging powered, at least in part, by the power storage reservoir; and

re-engaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to a second condition being satisfied.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

engaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from the power storage reservoir to engage the wheel brake mechanism; and

disengaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from the power storage reservoir to disengage the wheel brake mechanism.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein re-engaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from a back-up power source to re-engage the wheel brake mechanism.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second condition is satisfied when the first condition is satisfied and the wheel is detected to rotate.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising detecting a wireless signal, and wherein engaging the wheel brake mechanism is based, at least in part, on detecting the wireless signal.

13. A method of managing power in a braking system of a non-motorized vehicle, the method comprising:

generating power in response to rotation of a wheel;

storing said generated power in a power storage reservoir;

determining that the non-motorized vehicle is in a first location;

engaging a wheel brake mechanism in response to determining that the non-motorized vehicle is at the first location;

monitoring a level of power in the power storage reservoir;

determining whether a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being satisfied when the monitored level of power is less than or equal to a first amount of power approximately equal to an amount of power required to disengage the wheel brake mechanism; and

disengaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to determining that the first condition is satisfied.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first location of the non-motorized vehicle comprises detecting a wireless signal transmitted from a stationary transmitter.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first location of the non-motorized vehicle comprises making a dead reckoning positional calculation.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the non-motorized vehicle is in a second location that is within a permitted area; and

receiving an unlock signal.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the first location of the non-motorized vehicle comprises determining that the non-motorized vehicle is outside of a permitted area.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining whether a second condition is satisfied; and

re-engaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to the second condition being satisfied.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second condition is satisfied when the monitored level of power is greater than or equal to a second level, the second level being at least a level sufficient to engage and disengage the wheel brake mechanism.

20. A method of managing power in a braking system of a non-motorized vehicle, the method comprising:

generating power in response to rotation of a wheel;

storing said generated power in a power storage reservoir;

engaging a wheel brake mechanism;

monitoring a level of power in the power storage reservoir;

disengaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to a first condition being satisfied, the first condition being satisfied when the monitored level of power is less than a first amount of power less than an amount of power required to disengage the wheel brake mechanism, the disengaging powered, at least in part, by a back-up power source; and

re-engaging the wheel brake mechanism in response to a second condition being satisfied.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

engaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from the power storage reservoir to engage the wheel brake mechanism; and

disengaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from the power storage reservoir to disengage the wheel brake mechanism.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein re-engaging the wheel brake mechanism comprises using power from a back-up power source to re-engage the wheel brake mechanism.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second condition is satisfied when the first condition is satisfied and the wheel is detected to rotate.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising detecting a wireless signal, and wherein engaging the wheel brake mechanism is based, at least in part, on detecting the wireless signal.