Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
First Claim
1. A power generator configured for use on a wheeled vehicle, the power generator comprising:
- a housing comprising windings;
a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis; and
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
wherein the housing, the magnetized element, and the drive mechanism are disposed within a wheel of the vehicle.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
216 Citations
58 Claims
-
1. A power generator configured for use on a wheeled vehicle, the power generator comprising:
-
a housing comprising windings;
a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis; and
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
wherein the housing, the magnetized element, and the drive mechanism are disposed within a wheel of the 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. A power management system configured for use on a moveable object having a wheel, the power management system comprising:
-
a generator operative in response to movement of the object;
a capacitive energy storage reservoir connected to the generator; and
an electronic component 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 component are disposed within the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A braking system for a wheel of an object, the braking system comprising:
-
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 on the wheel and configured to provide power to the storage device, said generator operative in response to rotation of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37)
-
-
35. 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 capacitive storage reservoir;
applying braking force to the wheel using power from the reservoir;
monitoring a level of power in the reservoir; and
releasing the braking force when the monitored level is in a predetermined condition.
-
-
38. A power generation system configured for use on a vehicle having a wheel, the power generation system comprising:
-
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 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 (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. A power system in an object having a wheel, the power system comprising:
-
means for generating electrical power from rotation of the wheel;
means for storing electrical power; and
means for charging the storage means by using power from the generating means;
wherein the generating means, the storing means, and the charging means are disposed within the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
-
Specification