Spring motor for generating constant torque
US6199664A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G1/022
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spring motor for driving an electric power generator with constant power includes a crank-up spool, a take-up spool, and a relatively wide, flat tape spring which winds in a relaxed condition on the take-up spool. In one form, the spring has a width which varies approximately linearly from one end to another end so as to generate a constant torque at a fixed radius from an axis of the crank-up spool as the spring unwinds. In another form, the spring width is constant and a separate drum is driven by contact with the unwinding spring, with the separate drum driving an output shaft. In still another form, an idler wheel is driven by contact with the spring and the output shaft is driven from the idler wheel through gear contact with the periphery of an output drum mounted on the output shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.