Gearless human power generation

• US 20080150493A1
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Michael, Bulthaup, Colin, Lewis, John, Warshawsky, Brian, Goldwater, Dan, Griffith, Saul, Homsy, George, Hardham, Corwin, Wilhelm, Eric, Heinrich, Mitch
• Granted Patent: US 8,093,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 322/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.

Claims

1. An electric power generation system including:

a string configured to be pulled;

a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin;

an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1;

1 when the string is being pulled.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the string has length such that a large motion can be used to pull the string.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the string is rewound on the bobbin when the string is retracting.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein a spring force causes the string to retract.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein a shaft is coupled to the bobbin.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein a clutch is coupled to the shaft.

7. A system as in claim 6, wherein the rotor of the electric power generator is coupled to the clutch.

8. A system as in claim 6, wherein the clutch comprises a needle roller clutch.

9. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a case, wherein the case encloses the bobbin and the electric power generator, and wherein the case is handheld.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein a handle is coupled to the string.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the rotor turns fast enough to generate an average power out from the generator to power an electrical appliance.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a laptop.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a lamp.

14. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a cell phone charger.

15. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a water purifier.

16. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a radio.

17. A system as in claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a flashlight.