Abstract: The present invention provides a farm animal-operated conveyor and generator apparatus and a method for powering thereof, wherein the apparatus comprises a generator, a generator drive belt, a drive roller, a conveyor belt, a drive drum, a central bearing post, a drive gear, electromagnetic yokes, an intermediate gear, a pinion gear, a beveled gear, conveyor chassis, and a secondary intermediate gear. The electromagnetic yoke automatically collars a farm animal, which in turn rotates the drive gear and drives the conveyer belt and the generator. The movement of the farm animal powers the conveyer belt for transporting farm products, and drives the generator to generate electricity.
Abstract: Water heaters are described that are user-powered, such that external sources of power are unnecessary. The water heaters include a heating device and a generator coupled to a crank such that power is generated as the crank is rotated, which can be used to power the heating device.
Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: an energy converter for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and a controller connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions ate determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 10, 2006
Publication date:
November 4, 2010
Applicant:
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
James Maxwell Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin Andres Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 30, 2008
Publication date:
November 13, 2008
Inventors:
James M. Donelan, Arthur D. Kuo, Joaquin A. Hoffer, Qingguo Li, Douglas Weber
Abstract: Luggage or carrying container (1) having an interface (10) for cooperating with one or more electronic and/or wireless devices (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), a rechargeable power source (30), an integrated antenna (40), and a wireless communication system (50). The luggage (1) allows a user to better manage various electronic devices/accessories in terms of space, efficiency and operation during travel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 2004
Date of Patent:
September 9, 2008
Assignee:
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Inventors:
George Marmaropoulos, Kyriakos (Jack) Mama, Giang Truong Vu, Nancy Alice Tilbury