Patents Assigned to Potenco, Inc.
  • Gearless human power generation
    Patent number: 8093731
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, Saul Griffith, Dan Goldwater, Corwin Hardham, George Homsy, Eric Wilhelm, Brian Warshawsky, Mitch Heinrich, Michael Lin, John Lewis
  • Human power generation using dual pulls
    Patent number: 8013457
    Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a first string and a second string configured to be pulled; a first portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in a direction when the first string is unwound from the bobbin as the first string is pulled; a second portion of a bobbin configured to rotate in the direction when the second string is unwound from the bobbin as the second string is pulled; and an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin. The pulling of the second string causes the first string to retract and the pulling of the first string causes the second string to retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, Saul Griffith, Dan Goldwater, Corwin Hardham, George Homsy, Eric Wilhelm
  • Synchronous control for generator output
    Patent number: 7915867
    Abstract: Synchronous control for an output of a generator is disclosed. A desired output level at the output of the generator is received. An off time to achieve the desired output level is determined. A timing for the off time is determined. One or more coil outputs are caused to switch off for the off time at the determined timing for the off time. The one or more coil outputs contribute to the output of the generator in the event that the one or more coil outputs are switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, John Lewis, Michael O'Hara
  • Electrical power generator with adaptive coupling
    Patent number: 7747355
    Abstract: A method of coupling a mechanical power source through an electrical power generator to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of an electrical output is measured from the electrical power generator produced during a power generation cycle during which there is a coupling of the mechanical power source through the electrical power generator to the electrical load. The coupling of the mechanical power source is adjusted through the electrical power generator to the electrical load during a subsequent power generation cycle based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Potenco, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, Saul Griffith, Dan Goldwater, Corwin Hardham, George Homsy, Eric Wilhelm, Brian Warshawsky, Mitch Heinrich, Michael Lin, Benji Rappoport, John Lewis