Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects

• US 8,820,447 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• 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): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US11/277,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,088 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.5, 180/65.6, 180/65.3, 180/181, 280/33.994, 16/45, 188/19
• US Class Current: 180/65.51
• 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 power generator configured for use on a non-self-powered, wheeled vehicle, the power generator comprising:

a housing comprising windings;

a magnetized element disposed within the housing and operable to rotate about an axis;

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

a control circuit configured to provide the electrical power at two or more voltages,

wherein the housing, the magnetized element, and the drive mechanism are disposed within a wheel of the non-self-powered vehicle.

2. The power generator of claim 1, wherein the power generator is configured to supply power to an electronic component located on the non-self-powered vehicle.

3. The power generator of claim 2, wherein the electronic component is a two-way communication system.

4. The power generator of claim 2, wherein the electronic component is a video display.

5. The power generator of claim 2, wherein the electronic component is an audio speaker.

6. The power generator of claim 2, wherein the electronic component is a navigation system.

7. The power generator of claim 2, wherein the electronic component is configured to inhibit movement of the vehicle.

8. The power generator of claim 1, further comprising a stator located substantially on the axis and wherein the magnetized element comprises a rotor.

9. The power generator of claim 1, wherein the power generator is configured to supply power to an energy reservoir also located on said non-self-powered vehicle.

10. The power generator of claim 9, wherein the energy reservoir is located in the wheel.

11. The power generator of claim 9, wherein the energy reservoir comprises one or more capacitive storage devices.

12. The power generator of claim 11, further comprising a battery adapted to store electrical energy.

13. The power generator of claim 12, wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable battery.

14. The power generator of claim 12, wherein the battery is configured to provide supplemental power.

15. The power generator of claim 11, wherein the one or more capacitive storage devices comprises one or more ultracapacitors.

16. The power generator of claim 15, wherein the one or more ultracapacitors comprise at least two charge balanced ultracapacitors connected in a series configuration.

17. The power generator of claim 15, further comprising a temperature sensor, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to monitor the temperature sensor and correct for temperature-dependent effects of the one or more ultracapacitors.

18. The power generator of claim 1, further configured to power a system configured to inhibit motion of the vehicle.

19. The power generator of claim 1, further configured to power a wheel braking system control circuit.

20. The power generator of claim 19, wherein the wheel braking system control circuit comprises a power management system for moving a brake from a first state to a second state and maintaining the brake in the second state until occurrence of a predetermined condition.

21. The power generator of claim 20, wherein the predetermined condition is an externally produced signal requesting a change of state of the brake.

22. The power generator of claim 20, wherein the predetermined condition is reflective of energy required for producing a change of state of the brake.

23. The power generator of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is configured such that the magnetized element rotates at a predetermined multiple of the rotation rate of the wheel.

24. The power generator of claim 23, wherein the predetermined multiple is between about 10 and about 15.

25. The power generator of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a gear train.

26. The power generator of claim 25, wherein the gear train comprises a drive gear configured to rotate with the wheel and a pinion gear attached to the magnetized element, the drive gear mechanically coupled to the pinion gear.

27. The power generator of claim 26, wherein the drive gear is mechanically coupled to the pinion gear by secondary gearing configured to float on the drive gear.

28. The power generator of claim 25, wherein the gear train comprises at least one gear that rotates substantially synchronously with the wheel and at least one gear that rotates substantially synchronously with the magnetized element.

29. The power generator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more voltages comprises a regulated voltage.

30. The power generator of claim 29, wherein at least one other voltage comprises an unregulated voltage.

31. 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 control system 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 control system are disposed within the wheel.

32. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the storage reservoir comprises at least one ultracapacitor.

33. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the electronic control system is configured to regulate an amount of charge in the capacitive energy storage reservoir.

34. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the storage reservoir comprises a battery.

35. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the electronic control system is configured to provide a regulated voltage.

36. The power management system of claim 35, wherein the electronic control system is further configured to provide an unregulated voltage.

37. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the generator comprises a rotor that is configured to rotate at a predetermined multiple of the rotation rate of the wheel.

38. The power management system of claim 31, wherein the electronic control system is further configured to provide a regulated voltage from the generator if the level of energy in the capacitive energy storage reservoir is below a threshold.

39. 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 in or on the wheel and configured to provide power to the storage device, said generator operative in response to rotation of the wheel,

wherein the controller is configured to monitor a level of electrical energy in the power storage device.

40. The braking system of claim 39, wherein the object is a cart.

41. The braking system of claim 40, wherein the cart is a shopping cart.

42. The braking system of claim 40, wherein the cart is configured to move in response to manually applied force.

43. The braking system of claim 39, wherein the power storage device comprises at least one ultracapacitor.

44. The braking system of claim 39, wherein the controller is configured to cause the brake mechanism to brake or release in response to occurrence of one or more predetermined criteria.

45. The braking system of claim 44, wherein the one or more criteria include the level of energy in the energy storage reservoir.

46. The power management system of claim 39, wherein the generator comprises a rotor that is configured to rotate at a predetermined multiple of the rotation rate of the wheel.

47. A power generation system configured for use on a non-self-powered 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 non-self-powered 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.

48. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the non-self-powered vehicle is a cart.

49. The power generation system of claim 48, wherein the cart is a shopping cart.

50. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the electric storage device comprises at least one ultracapacitor.

51. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the electric storage device is disposed within the wheel.

52. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the power generation system is configured to provide electrical energy to a component disposed in or on the non-self-powered vehicle.

53. The power generation system of claim 52, wherein the component is configured to inhibit motion of the non-self-powered vehicle.

54. The power generation system of claim 52, wherein the component is disposed within the wheel.

55. The power generation system of claim 54 wherein the component is a wheel brake mechanism movable between a locked position, wherein the rotation of the wheel is substantially inhibited, and an unlocked position, wherein the rotation of the wheel is substantially permitted.

56. The power generation system of claim 55, wherein the power management system is further configured to signal the wheel brake mechanism to move between the locked position and the unlocked position if the electrical energy stored in the electric storage device reaches a threshold value.

57. The power generation system of claim 56, wherein the threshold value is related to an amount of electrical energy used to move the wheel brake mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.

58. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the generator comprises a rotor that is configured to rotate at a predetermined multiple of the rotation rate of the wheel.

59. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the power management system is configured to provide the electrical energy at two or more voltages.

60. The power generation system of claim 59, wherein the two or more voltages comprise a regulated voltage and an unregulated voltage.

61. The power generation system of claim 47, wherein the power management system further comprises a bootstrap power system.

62. A power system in a non-self-powered object having a wheel, the power system comprising:

means for generating electrical power from rotation of the wheel;

means for storing electrical power;

means for charging the storage means by using power from the generating means; and

means for providing electrical power from the charging means at two or more operating voltages,

wherein the generating means, the storing means, the charging means, and the providing means are disposed within the wheel.

63. The power system of claim 62, wherein the means for storing electrical power comprises at least one ultracapacitor.

64. The power system of claim 62, wherein the means for storing electrical power comprises a rechargeable battery.

65. The power system of claim 62, further comprising means for distributing the electrical power from the generating means or the storing means to an electrical component.

66. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is a two-way communication system.

67. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is a navigation system.

68. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is a display device.

69. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is a brake system.

70. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is configured to inhibit motion of the non-self-powered object.

71. The power system of claim 65, wherein the electrical component is a wheel steering system.

72. The power system of claim 62, wherein the means for generating electrical power from rotation of the wheel comprises a generator having a magnetized element, the magnetized element mechanically coupled to the wheel and configured to rotate at a predetermined multiple of the rotation rate of the wheel.