Abstract: A disclosed electrical generator includes a housing, an actuator, a rotatable member, a stator, a rotor, an electrical circuit, and a current controller. The actuator is movable relative to the housing and the rotatable member is also rotatable relative to the housing. The rotatable member cooperates with the actuator such that movement of the actuator causes rotation of the rotatable member. The stator is fixed relative to the housing and the rotor receives rotational kinetic energy from the rotatable member. Movement of the rotor relative to the stator generates electromagnetic induction in the rotor and/or the stator which produces a three-phase alternating current. The electrical circuit includes a rectifier that converts the alternating current to a direct current. The current controller regulates the direct current to thereby generate a fixed constant direct current.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a flooring system for generating electricity from users as they walk. A flooring system (1) for generating electricity, comprising: a plurality of generators (100), each generator (100) having a support, each generator being arranged to generate electricity from linear motion of the support in a first direction; and a plurality of tiles for supporting one or more people, wherein each support supports a plurality of tiles.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a flooring system for generating electricity from users as they walk. A flooring system (1) for characterizing a footstep (2), comprising: a plurality of tiles (200) for supporting one or more people; and a plurality of sensors (100x, 100y, 100z), each sensor (100x, 100y, 100z) arranged to generate a signal representing a force applied thereto, wherein each tile (200) is supported by at least three sensors (100x, 100y, 100z), the flooring system (1) further comprising a data processing system (1001) in communication with each sensor (100x, 100y, 100z) for receiving the signal generated thereby, wherein for each tile (200): the data processing system (1001) is arranged to produce output data by comparing the signals received from the sensors (100x, 100y, 100z) supporting that tile (200) to estimate the location of a footstep (2).
Abstract: The present application describes techniques for the harvesting of kinetic energy from the movement of people and/or vehicles. A motion converter is discussed which converts linear progression caused by traffic-related impulse forces, to be converted to rotational motion for driving the rotor of an electricity generator. An assembly for harvesting energy including the motion converter and a floor unit are also described.