Abstract: A light device for a bicycle wheel that includes a body having a rim end and a hub end, a row of at least seven independently controllable lights extending between the rim end and the hub end, electronic controls for the lights, and three mounts for securing the body to spokes of the wheel. A first mount is located near the hub end to secure the body to a first spoke. A second mount is located near the rim end to secure the body to the first spoke. A third mount is located on a side of the lights opposed to the first and second mounts and between the first and second mounts to secure the body to the second spoke. Each of the mounts includes a mounting pad located between the body and the spokes and made of a resiliently deformable material to dampen vibration and offset the body and lights from the plane of the spokes. Each of the mounts also includes an attachment clamping the mounting pad between the body and the spokes.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and two or more indicator threads. The two or more indicator threads are located with respect to the plurality of structural threads such that a differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads indicates a curvature. The differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads is measured using a change in one or more electrical properties of each of the two or more indicator threads as each of the two or more indicator threads changes in length. A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and one or more indicator threads. Each of the one or more indicator threads is more sensitive to elongation in a region of length of the fibrous tension member.

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.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and two or more indicator threads. The two or more indicator threads are located with respect to the plurality of structural threads such that a differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads indicates a curvature. The differential elongation between the two or more indicator threads is measured using a change in one or more electrical properties of each of the two or more indicator threads as each of the two or more indicator threads changes in length. A fibrous tension member includes a plurality of structural threads and one or more indicator threads. Each of the one or more indicator threads is more sensitive to elongation in a region of length of the fibrous tension member.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member comprises a plurality of structural threads and an indicator thread. The indicator thread modulates one or more electrical properties of the indicator thread based at least in part on the elongation of the indicator thread. A system for sensing elongation of a fibrous tension member comprises a plurality of structural threads, at least one indicator thread, and a sensing-processing device. The sensing-processing device is electrically connected to the at least one indicator thread to determine the elongation of the fibrous tension member.

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.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a case with a sealed chamber and a chamber that can be opened. The sealed chamber protects the electric power generator from environmental contamination and the chamber that can be opened allows the string to be accessed.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as it is being pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a mass attached to the rotor to store rotational energy and to output rotational energy while the string is being wound around the bobbin as the string is retracted.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a case containing the bobbin and the electric power generator, wherein the case configured with an integral anchoring attachment.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: a string configured to be pulled; a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin as the string is pulled; an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to the bobbin; and a retraction circuit, wherein the retraction circuit uses the electric power generator as a motor to retract the string.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system includes: an electric power generator having a rotor wherein the rotor is mechanically coupled to a shaft; and a case with a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber includes a primary mechanical turning source. The primary mechanical turning source can be removed to enable the attachment of a secondary mechanical turning source.

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.

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.

Abstract: A fibrous tension member includes at least one indicator thread that has discrete segments of conductive fibers. The indicator thread provides means for electrically sensing elongation of the fibrous tension member.