Wheel-mounted electrical power generator
US4761577A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S310/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wheel mounted hub containing an electrical generator which is pivotally supported in arms of a yoke. The yoke and generator have an offset center of gravity, tending to give the yoke and generator a pendulum-like behavior within the housing. During wheel rotation, the generator tends to remain along a gravitational line of force, forcing a small wheel associated with the generator to turn against the hub. Around the outer periphery of the yoke, yet within the hub housing, is a circuit board which carries a power utilization circuit, so that the electrical path between the generator and the utilization circuit is very short. The circuit board may carry auxiliary circuits such as a current limiter, a generator disengaging circuit, a daylight deactivating circuit and a circuit for allowing operation regardless of direction of rotation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.