2352335 ELECTROMECHANICAL BATTERY GENERATOR This Invention relates to an
Electromechanical Battery (Cell) (Generator) conventional batteries (Cells) and rechargable Batteries (Cells) require either discarding as in the case of conventional batteries (Cells) or Re- Charging in the case of batteries (Cells) designed to accept a recharge, on exhaustion.
The replacement of conventional batteries (Cells) is expensive, wastefull as they are difficult to recycle ec, onomically, spares need to be carried, it is difficult to gauge remaining life in the battery. Rechargable cells require external source of power to operate charging equipment, charging takes quite a considerable time, even in "Fast Charge" situations, they also have at present a finite number of charge/discharge cycles in the majority of cases, and charging equipment needs to be available. Given the drawbacks to conventional cells as described above, the object of this invention is to provide a solution to overcome these drawbacks and limitations. Accordingly, this invention overcomes the finite life of conventional cells and the neces'ity to have to re-charge re-chargable cells by coupling a mechanical power store/source, in this instace a clockwork motor, to drive an electrical generator fitted into the housing of a conventional battery envelope (housing/container) this would enable conventional batteries to be replaced without the need to modify existing housings/enclosures and when depleted, simply removed from the equipment re-wound and re-placed back into the equipment to continue powering the equipment. The size and shape of the mechanically driven generator and its voltage regulator can be designed to fit into existing standard battery enclosure sizes, or adapted to the shape of enclosures designed to take multiple cells/batteries. The eletromechanical battery clockwork mechanism can be wound either by a key, by counter 2 rotating a split casing or any suitable means of replenishing tension in the clockwork mechanisms drive spring, an electromechanical battery (generator) as stated may be used to power an electrical device such as a radio, transmitter, torch etc. as the power is generated mechanically from a spring or similar means of storing and then releasing mechanical (potential) energy, no mains or other means of providing electricity for the operation of the device is required. The store of mechanical energy can therefore be replenished by physical effort. The provision of stopping the release of potential energy when not required can be provided either mechanical or electrical control or a combination of both means. Provision to prevent overwind or underwind of the spring or other means of storing potential energy can be incorporated. In an embodiment a gear or gear train can be used to step up the R.P.M. of the clockwork or similar mechanism to drive the generator part of the electromechanical battery at an appropriate speed (R.P.M.). The provision of a voltage regulator at the output of the electrical generator is desirable and important to control the output voltage at an acceptable level for the operation of an electrical device. A smoothing capacitor (condensor) is also desirable to smooth the output voltage. The regulator can be Zener Diode and the capacitor can be an electrolytic type. The present invention proposes an electromechanical version of a conventional battery, that is replacing conventional Zinc/carbon, nickel/cadmium and other chemical combinations of existing batteries by a clockwork or similar means of providing and storing and then providing mechanical energy to drive an electrical generator. Of course it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the invention as descibed 3 above may be made. The mechanical energy may be stored in any appropriate manner.
Similarly, the electrical generator powered by the stored mechanical energy can be any suitable type either D.C. or A. C. (Alternator providing D.C. via rectifier. The electrical generator can be used to provide direct current or alternating current or a selectable combination if required. However, direct current would no doubt be the popular choice when replacing conventional direct current batteries/cells. It will be appreciated that other modifications and improvements to the invention may be made within the scope of this application.
APPENDIX An electro mechanical battery which can provide electrical energy from stored potential mechanical energy and used to replace or supplement conventional batteries/cells. This represents a practical way of extending the portability of electrical equipment/ devices in a very practical way. The electro mechanical battery can be wound up using a key or similar means to replenish potential mechanical energy use fig 1. A typical electromechanical battery layout comprising a positive terminal I supplied from the generator 8 via a zenner diode 10, Mechanical power to the generator 8 is supplied from the clockwork motor and step up gearbox 6 via a drive shaft 7. The negative output of the generator I I is electronically bonded via the gearbox and clockwork motor 6 to the base negative terminal 4. The motor/gearbox 6 is part of the main outer casing 13 of the battery. fig I top drg. Mechanical energy is transferred to the clockwork motor 6 by turning the lower battery casing 4 via the drive shaft 5 against the main battery casing 13. The capacitor/condenser 12 acts to smooth the electrical output from the generator and also can store a certain amount of electricity to provide output when the clockwork motor spring has unwound. The positive terminal I is insulated from the rest of the casing 13 by an insulator 2. The output voltage from the generator is regulated by way of a zenner diode 10 and smoothed by a capacitor 12. The internal components can be adapted to suit standard battery cases such as A, AA etc. Also "Lantern" type batteries, fig 3, can be wound by a key either separator or in built, as of course can any batteries be wound, by any suitable means.
lj CLAIMS
1 An electrical generator or alternator or a combination for powering electrical devices in the housing of conventional battery cases/enclosures/housings said Generator/alternator comprising a means of driving the generator either directly or through a gearbox or similar step up mechanism. 2 Such a mechanism for storing potential mechanical energy can be a spring operated clockwork motor or similar device. 3 And voltage regulator coupled to the output of the generator to provide a near constant output voltage. 4 An electrical generator as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a key or similar means to wind the clockwork mechanism or similar means of storing mechanical energy. 5 An electrical generator/altemator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said voltage regulator means comprises a Zener Diode electrically coupled to one or said generator/alternator output terminals. 6 An electrical generator as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising of an electrical storage means coupled to generator/Diode/rectifier/capacitor/condenser output terminals. 7 An electrical generator as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electrical storage comprises a Capacitor/condensor. 8 An electrical generator substantially as here in before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.