A portable power source (10) includes a housing (12), a stator component (20), a rotor component (18), a crank assembly (14), and a control system (24). The stator component (20) is secured to the housing (12), the rotor component (18) rotates relative to the stator component (20) and the crank assembly (14) is coupled to the rotor component (18). The crank assembly (14) is rotated by the user relative to the housing (12). As provided herein, rotation of the crank assembly (14) by the user results in rotation of the rotor component (18) relative to the stator component (20). In one embodiment, the control system (24) controls the amount of torque required to rotate the crank assembly (14). For example, the amount of torque required to rotate the crank assembly (14) is varied according to the rotational position of the crank assembly (14).
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/314,147 filed on Aug. 22, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A Halbach array is radially disposed in an environment optimized for efficiency and controlled for efficient generation and use of power in order to generate, establish, and maintain a desired level of rotational energy with enhanced efficiency.
A power source that is powered by a user to generate electrical energy includes a generator assembly and a fluid source. The generator assembly includes a rotor, a stator, and a fluid driven motor that is coupled to the rotor. Movement of the rotor relative to the stator results in the generation of electrical energy. The fluid source is manually powered by the user to direct pressurized fluid to the fluid driven motor to move the rotor relative to the stator. The fluid source can include a first fluid pump that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid and a second fluid pump that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid. One or both of the fluid pumps can include a fluid bellows that is powered by the user to generate the pressurized fluid. Alternatively, one or both of the fluid pumps can include a cylinder and a piston that is moved within the cylinder by the user to generate the pressurized fluid.
An asymmetric flywheel is coupled to an input gear that is attached to a lever or alike. The input gear and flywheel gear are engaged as the user rotates the lever. As a result, the flywheel spins and electricity is generated by the micro electromagnetic generator. When there is no direct user manual input, the input gear and the flywheel gear are disengaged. The flywheel is an unbalanced pivoted mass that rotates with inertial forces from physical accelerations by user's movement and gravitational forces, similar to a self-winding mechanism automatic watch. AC electricity is generated as a result of the flywheel's movement.
