GB2462884A - Human powered generator - Google Patents

Human powered generator Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2462884A
GB2462884A GB0815785A GB0815785A GB2462884A GB 2462884 A GB2462884 A GB 2462884A GB 0815785 A GB0815785 A GB 0815785A GB 0815785 A GB0815785 A GB 0815785A GB 2462884 A GB2462884 A GB 2462884A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
weight
electricity
drum
cable
lowered
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0815785A
Other versions
GB2462884B (en
GB0815785D0 (en
Inventor
Hamish Rowan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
J&D Wilkie Ltd
Original Assignee
J&D Wilkie Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by J&D Wilkie Ltd filed Critical J&D Wilkie Ltd
Priority to GB0815785.1A priority Critical patent/GB2462884B/en
Publication of GB0815785D0 publication Critical patent/GB0815785D0/en
Publication of GB2462884A publication Critical patent/GB2462884A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2462884B publication Critical patent/GB2462884B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03GSPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G3/00Other motors, e.g. gravity or inertia motors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03GSPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G5/00Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy
    • F03G5/06Devices for producing mechanical power from muscle energy other than of endless-walk type
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2220/00Application
    • F05B2220/70Application in combination with
    • F05B2220/706Application in combination with an electrical generator
    • F05B2220/7068Application in combination with an electrical generator equipped with permanent magnets
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00Function
    • F05B2260/50Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position
    • F05B2260/503Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position using gears
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00Function
    • F05B2260/90Braking
    • F05B2260/903Braking using electrical or magnetic forces
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05CINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MATERIALS, MATERIAL PROPERTIES OR MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MACHINES, ENGINES OR PUMPS OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F05C2253/00Other material characteristics; Treatment of material
    • F05C2253/04Composite, e.g. fibre-reinforced

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)

Abstract

Electricity generating apparatus 2 comprises a generator 4 able to operate at low rotational speeds, a weight and a system such as a hand winder 8 powered by human input (muscle power) 10 to raise the weight. The weight therefore stores the energy provided by the user 10 when the weight is raised, and is lowered under gravity to generate electricity. The generator 4 may be a permanent magnet generator made from lightweight material such as glass fibre reinforced composite.

Description

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY
USING HUMAN INPUT
This invention relates to apparatus for generating electricity and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for generating electricity using human input.
Industrial plants for generating mains electricity are well known.
These industrial plants are often regarded as being not sufficiently environmentally friendly. For example they may consume natural resources such as coal, or they may be nuclear powered and thus provide problems of disposing of nuclear waste. Attempts to provide more environmentally friendly types of apparatus for generating electricity include tidal-powered apparatus, wind-powered apparatus, and solar-powered apparatus. The tidal-powered apparatus may be expensive to install. The wind-powered apparatus is are often unable to generate sufficient electricity due to lack of wind, and the solar-powered apparatus is also often unable to generate sufficient electricity due to lack of sun. An alternative type of apparatus for generating electricity would be an advantage and would be able to complement existing types of apparatus for generating electricity.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide such alternative apparatus for generating electricity.
Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for generating electricity, which apparatus comprises electricity generating means which is able to generate the electricity at low rotational speeds, a weight, transport means which is powered by human input and which enables the weight to be raised by the human input and lowered under gravity, and drive means which is operated by the lowering of the electricity generating means.
The apparatus of the present invention utilises gravitational pull on the weight, together with the low rotational speed required to produce electricity from the electricity generating means. This advantageous combination enables the apparatus to be simplistic in design, and yet robust in its build quality. The apparatus may be designed for use by anyone who is reasonably fit. The apparatus is able to combine ease of installation with an effective output.
The apparatus may be one in which the transport means is a hand turned system which includes a turning handle.
The hand turned system may include one or more pulleys.
Alternatively or in addition, the hand turned system may include gears.
Other formations may be employed.
The apparatus may be one in which the drive means comprises a drum and cable arrangement which operates such that the cable is attached to the weight, the cable winds around the drum and rotates the drum one way when the weight is being raised, and the cable unwinds from the drum and rotates the drum the other way when the weight is being lowered, and the rotation of the drum when the weight is being lowered is such as to drive the permanent magnet generator.
Preferably, the electricity generating means is a permanent magnet generator. The permanent magnet generator is advantageously made from a lightweight material. This is in contrast to known permanent magnet generators which are usually built to be heavy devices with heavy metal casings. Other types of electricity generating means that are able to generate the electricity at low rotational speeds of the type caused by the descent of the weight may also be employed.
The lightweight material may be a composite material. The composite material may be a reinforced resin strengthened by a substrate. The substrate may be a woven glass substrate. The woven glass substrate may be similar to glass fibre but woven like carbon fibre. Other types of substrate may be employed.
The apparatus may include control means for controlling the rate of descent of the weight. Controlling the rate of descent of the weight enables the apparatus to create the amount of electricity required at any one point in time. For example, if a high electrical load were required, for example for an electrical heater, then the weight would be allowed to fall faster. If a low electrical load were required, for example for a light, then the weight would be allowed to fall slower.
The control means may be a gear box. For example, for one kilowatt version of the apparatus, the gear box could have a 1:500 ratio. Thus, for every input rotation, 500 output rotations would be produced. In other words, if the input spins at 1rpm, the output will spin at SOOrmp. Different gearing arrangements can be provided as may be required, so that, for example, for electricity generating means requiring more revolutions per minute, then the ratio could be increased. For electricity generating means requiring less revolutions per minute, the ratio could be decreased.
The control means may comprise a braking arrangement. The braking arrangement may be a mechanical braking arrangement, an electrical braking arrangement, or an electro-mechanical braking arrangement.
The apparatus may include monitoring means for monitoring current or voltage, and for use with the control means. The monitoring means may be used to control automatically the operation of the control means.
The apparatus may include electricity storage means for storing the generated electricity. The electricity storage means will usually be at least one battery. A battery bank may be employed if desired.
The apparatus may alternatively or additionally include a mains grid tie inverter. The mains grid tie inverter may be arranged to enable the apparatus to take electricity from a mains electricity grid when electricity is required, and return the generated electricity to the mains electricity grid when surplus electricity is being generated. The apparatus can be used as desired to complement other sources of electricity.
The apparatus may include support means for supporting the weight such that it is able to be raised and lowered for required distances. The support means may be installed alongside or within a premises. The premises may be a domestic premises such for example as a house, or an industrial premises such for example as a factory or an office.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows apparatus for generating electricity.
Referring to the drawing, there is shown apparatus 2 for generating electricity. The apparatus 2 comprises electricity generating means in the form of a permanent magnet generator 4 for generating the electricity. The apparatus 2 also comprises a weight 6. The apparatus 2 further comprises transport means 8 which is powered by human input 10. The transport means 8 enables the weight 6 to be raised by the human input 10, and to be lowered under gravity. The apparatus 2 further comprises drive means 12 which is operated by the lowering of the weight 6 under gravity to drive the permanent magnet generator 4.
The transport means 8 is operated by the human input 10 to raise the weight 6 from a first position adjacent the human 14 to a second and higher position which is shown in the drawing. The transport means 8 is a hand turned transport system which includes a turning handle 16. The transport means 8 also includes a pulley system 18 comprising three pulleys 20. A cable 22 passes from the turning handle 16 around the pulleys 20 to the weight 6 as shown. The cable 22 may be a rope, chain or a wire.
The drive means 12 comprises a drum and cable arrangement including a drum 24. The cable 22 passes from the weight 6 around the drum 24 as shown. More specifically, the drum and cable arrangement operates such that the cable 22 is attached to the weight 6. The cable 22 winds around the drum 24 and rotates the drum 24 one way when the weight 6 is being raised. The cable 22 unwinds from the drum 24 and rotates the drum 24 the other way when the weight 6 is being lowered. The rotation of the drum 24 when the weight 6 is being lowered Is such as to drive the permanent magnet generator 4 via the drive means 12.
The drive means 12 is in the form of a gear box having three gears 26 as shown. The gears 26 may provide a 1:500 ratio or any other suitable and appropriate required ratio.
The permanent magnet generator 4 is made from a lightweight material. The lightweight material is a composite material. The composite material is a reinforced resin strengthened by a substrate. Preferably the substrate is a woven glass substrate which is similar to glass fibre but woven like carbon fibre. Other types of substrates may be employed.
During operation of the apparatus 2, the human 14 rotates the turning handle 16 and raises the weight 6 to the position shown in the drawing. The weight 6 is then allowed to descend under gravity, with the effect that the drive means 12 rotates the permanent magnet generator 4 and electricity is generated. As and when the weight 6 has descended to its lower level and further electricity is required, then the turning handle 6 can be turned again to raise the weight 6 to the position in the drawing and recommence the electricity generating cycle.
The apparatus 2 is simple in design and yet able to be robust in its build quality. The apparatus 2 is easy to use whilst providing an effective output. The apparatus 2 may include support means for supporting the weight 6 such that it is able to be raised and lowered for required distances.
The support means may be installed alongside or within premises 28 such for example as houses, offices and factories.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawing has been given by way of examp'e only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the pulleys 12 may be replaced by gears. The apparatus 2 may include control means for controlling the rate of descent of the weight 6. The control means may comprise a gear box and/or a braking arrangement and/or monitoring means for monitoring current or voltage and for use with the control means. The apparatus 2 may further include electricity storage means for storing the generating electricity. The electricity storage means may comprise a bank of batteries. The apparatus 2 may further include a mains grid tie inverter. The permanent magnet generator 4 may be replaced by other electricity generating means that is able to generate electricity at low rotational speeds.

Claims (21)

  1. CLAIMS1. Apparatus for generating electricity, which apparatus comprises electricity generating means which is able to generate the electricity at low rotational speeds, a weight, transport means which is powered by human input and which enables the weight to be raised by the human input and lowered under gravity, and drive means which is operated by the lowering of the electricity generating means.
  2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transport means is a * hand turned system which includes a turning handle.
  3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the hand turned system includes one or more pulleys.
  4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the hand turned system includes gears.
    *
  5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the drive means comprises a drum and cable arrangement which operate such that the cable is attached to the weight, the cable winds around the drum and rotates the drum one way when the weight is being raised, and the cable unwinds from the drum and rotates the drum the other way when the weight is being lowered, and the rotation of the drum when the weight is being lowered is such as to drive the permanent magnet generator.
  6. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the electricity generating means is a permanent magnet generator.
  7. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the permanent magnet generator is made from a lightweight material.
  8. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the lightweight material is a composite material.
  9. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the composite material is a reinforced resin strengthened by a substrate.
  10. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the substrate is a woven glass substrate.
  11. 11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including control means for controlling the rate of descent of the weight.
  12. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the control means comprises a gear box.
  13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12 in which the control means comprises a braking arrangement.
  14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the braking arrangement is a mechanical braking arrangement, an electrical braking arrangement, or an electro-mechanical braking arrangement.
  15. 15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 -14 and including monitoring means for monitoring current or voltage, and for use with the control means.
  16. 16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including electricity storage means for storing the generated electricity.
  17. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the electricity storage means is at least one battery.
  18. 18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17 and including a mains grid tie.inverter.
  19. 19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including support means for supporting the weight such that it is able to be raised and lowered for required distances.
  20. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the support means is installed alongside or within a premises.
  21. 21. Apparatus for generating the electricity, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0815785.1A 2008-08-29 2008-08-29 Apparatus for generating electricity using human input Active GB2462884B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815785.1A GB2462884B (en) 2008-08-29 2008-08-29 Apparatus for generating electricity using human input

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815785.1A GB2462884B (en) 2008-08-29 2008-08-29 Apparatus for generating electricity using human input

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0815785D0 GB0815785D0 (en) 2008-10-08
GB2462884A true GB2462884A (en) 2010-03-03
GB2462884B GB2462884B (en) 2012-10-31

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GB0815785.1A Active GB2462884B (en) 2008-08-29 2008-08-29 Apparatus for generating electricity using human input

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110241354A1 (en) * 2010-03-31 2011-10-06 University Of Southern California Multi-segment weight in wellbore energy storage and retrieval
CN102536699A (en) * 2012-01-09 2012-07-04 华南理工大学 Human body biomechanical energy capture device capable of assisting in walking and method thereof
CN103316449A (en) * 2013-07-09 2013-09-25 王文鹏 Back pull-down training machine capable of generating electricity
GB2514769A (en) * 2013-06-03 2014-12-10 Deciwatt Ltd Portable apparatus for generating electrical energy
WO2015166235A3 (en) * 2014-04-28 2016-01-21 Deciwatt Limited Portable apparatus for generating electrical energy
CN105971830A (en) * 2016-06-29 2016-09-28 韩树君 Gravity generator set
CN107061197A (en) * 2017-04-17 2017-08-18 郑州双杰科技股份有限公司 Gravity power generating green energy resource illumination apparatus

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2504360A1 (en) * 1975-02-03 1976-08-05 Eugen Galle Mechanical energy storage with crank drive - has energy storing rubber rings held in tubes driving inertia rotor
JP2004124860A (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-22 Yukei Boku Gravity type generator
CH696210A5 (en) * 2002-08-22 2007-02-15 Mario Ostini Accumulator of potential energy stores energy by means of inert mass raised to a given extent, utilizing various sources of clean renewable energy

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8513729D0 (en) * 1985-05-31 1985-07-03 Markon Eng Co Ltd Generator housing
US6150743A (en) * 1997-04-24 2000-11-21 Electric Boat Corporation Composite motor end housing with a metallic sleeve bearing support
NL1011876C2 (en) * 1999-04-23 2000-10-24 Aerpac Holding B V Generator.
KR100433941B1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2004-06-07 남동전동기주식회사 Case of fan coil unit electric motor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2504360A1 (en) * 1975-02-03 1976-08-05 Eugen Galle Mechanical energy storage with crank drive - has energy storing rubber rings held in tubes driving inertia rotor
CH696210A5 (en) * 2002-08-22 2007-02-15 Mario Ostini Accumulator of potential energy stores energy by means of inert mass raised to a given extent, utilizing various sources of clean renewable energy
JP2004124860A (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-22 Yukei Boku Gravity type generator

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110241354A1 (en) * 2010-03-31 2011-10-06 University Of Southern California Multi-segment weight in wellbore energy storage and retrieval
CN102536699A (en) * 2012-01-09 2012-07-04 华南理工大学 Human body biomechanical energy capture device capable of assisting in walking and method thereof
GB2514769A (en) * 2013-06-03 2014-12-10 Deciwatt Ltd Portable apparatus for generating electrical energy
CN103316449A (en) * 2013-07-09 2013-09-25 王文鹏 Back pull-down training machine capable of generating electricity
WO2015166235A3 (en) * 2014-04-28 2016-01-21 Deciwatt Limited Portable apparatus for generating electrical energy
CN105971830A (en) * 2016-06-29 2016-09-28 韩树君 Gravity generator set
CN107061197A (en) * 2017-04-17 2017-08-18 郑州双杰科技股份有限公司 Gravity power generating green energy resource illumination apparatus
CN107061197B (en) * 2017-04-17 2024-01-23 郑州双杰科技股份有限公司 Gravity power generation green energy illumination device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2462884B (en) 2012-10-31
GB0815785D0 (en) 2008-10-08

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