655 results about "Rotational energy" patented technology

A wind turbine for generating electrical power from wind energy includes a turbine rotor mounted for rotation in wind, and having multiple blades for converting energy in the wind into rotational energy. A generator is coupled with said turbine rotor such that said turbine rotor drives said generator. The generator has a stationary air core armature that is located in a magnetic airgap between two generator rotor portions. The generator rotor portions have circumferential arrays of multiple alternating polarity permanent magnets attached to ferromagnetic back irons such that the permanent magnets drive magnetic flux back and forth between each rotor portion and through the stationary air core armature. The stationary air core armature has multiple phase windings of multiple individually insulated strand conductor wire that is wound with two separate portions including an active length portion and an end turn portion. The end turn portion is located outside the magnetic airgap and traverses predominately circumferentially, and the active length portion is located in the magnetic airgap and traverses predominately non-circumferentially and perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic airgap. The end turn portion has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of said active length portion in the direction of said magnetic airgap. AC voltage is induced in the multiple phase windings as the turbine rotor rotates.

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and / or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

A wind turbine with a drive train connecting a drive unit with a generator assembly is provided. The generator assembly includes a first generator with a first stator and a first rotor, the first rotor being directly connected to the drive train, and at least a second generator indirectly coupled to the drive train via a gear box. Further, a drive train assembly, a wind turbine nacelle system, a method for converting rotational energy into electrical energy, a method of building a nacelle and methods of re-equipping a wind turbine are provided.

A modular landscaper uses oversized wheels to generate torque for turning one or more of several interchangeable modular landscape maintenance attachments. The landscaper provides a handle configured in relationship to the landscaper frame to allow an adult to normally walk behind the landscaper while applying a forward force by pushing on the handle that results in the wheels of the landscaper rolling along a landscape maintenance surface and generating torque that is transferred through a drive train to the one or more attached landscaping maintenance attachments. A drive train uses the rotational energy of the wheels to increase the operator pushing force to operate the maintenance attachment. Interchangeable attachments facilitate using the landscaper for a wide variety of landscaping maintenance tasks.

A plant, generator and rotating member for the production of power from currents in a body of water, comprising a fixedly mounted of floating structure, and a plurality of replaceable generator units (750) supported by the structure and which are driven by the water currents. The structure comprises arms (615, 720, 730). The rotating member (400) comprises a plurality of member sections (410) rotatably mounted on a shaft (405) between an end piece (407) and a tip (406). The generator comprises a contra-rotating rotor (550) and stator (800) connected to respective shafts (500, 820) and bearings, where the stator frame (800) is axially supported (810) on the first shaft (500) and the first shaft (500) at one end thereof is axially supported (810) on the stator frame. The generator according to the invention can be used for the production of electric power, and as an electromotor for the production of mechanical rotational energy.

PCT No. PCT / DE97 / 01663 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 22, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 22, 1998 PCT Filed Aug. 7, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98 / 20252 PCT Pub. Date May 14, 1998The starter apparatus for an internal combustion engine (2) includes a starter-generator including a device for rotating a flywheel (5) to a predetermined rotational speed and a device for rotating the crankshaft (3) of the engine to directly start the engine; at least one clutch (6, 7) for directly coupling or disengaging the flywheel (5) with the crankshaft (3) of the engine (2) so that the flywheel (5) starts the engine (2) with the rotational energy stored in the flywheel (5) by the starter-generator in an impulse starting method and a changeover device (11) for changing between the impulse starting method based on engagement of the flywheel (5) with the engine (2) and a direct starting method in which the starter-generator (4) is directly coupled to the engine, wherein the changeover device switches between the direct starting method and the impulse starting method as a function of a temperature of the engine (2) so that the impulse starting method is used at comparatively lower temperatures and the direct-starting method is used at comparatively higher temperatures. The starter apparatus also includes a device for adaptively determining the threshold for changeover between impulse starting and direct starting.

A shrouded enclosure is mounted to a vehicle roof, the shrouded enclosure comprising an air intake formed by controllable shrouds, a turbine, an electricity generating device, and a discharge outlet. The turbine is interposed between the air intake and the discharge outlet, operatively connected to the electricity generating device and adapted to operate by the air passing through the shrouded enclosure when the vehicle is in motion. The turbine rotates about a turbine shaft mounted on a pair of bearing towers. The rotational energy of the turbine shaft is transferred to the electricity generating device. A base plate is interposed between the shrouded enclosure and the mounting surface of the vehicle. An electrical circuit provides electrical continuity between the electricity generating device and the battery during predetermined periods thereby generating electrical energy to charge the battery with the generated electrical energy. The controllable shrouds are opened to a predetermined position during the predetermined periods of electrical continuity and are otherwise closed to form a predetermined aerodynamic shape to reduce drag during vehicle movement.

Methods and devices to remove thromboembolic material from the human body using rotational energy and aspiration are disclosed. A thromboembolic removal system includes an extraction device and drive unit. The extraction device is introduced to the treatment area and activated by the drive unit to separate, break apart, loosen or soften thromboembolic material and to facilitate its aspiration outside the patient.

A system is disclosed for preventing air from entering a first catheter or cannula of a multi-catheter system. Air is prevented from entering the proximal end of the first catheter by an axially elongate chamber having an impeller, the chamber being affixed to the proximal end of the first catheter. The first catheter is affixed at an offset location, near the periphery of the chamber. The impeller is driven by a motor drive and imparts rotational energy to the fluid within the chamber forcing any air within the chamber to migrate to the center of the chamber by buoyancy effects. The air is removed through a port near the centerline of the chamber. Liquid removed with the air is returned to the chamber to minimize liquid loss during the procedure. Hemostasis valves or seals can be provided at the entrance and the exit of the chamber. A second catheter inserted through the chamber and into the first catheter is unable to entrain gas into the first catheter because any gas that enters the chamber is routed to the centerline of the chamber where it is removed. The first catheter can be a cannula or an introduction sheath, devices suited for endovascular access into the mammalian cardiovascular system where pressures may fall below ambient room pressure, a condition, which could encourage the possibility of air embolism to a patient. Inflow of fluid from an external pump scrubs the second catheter shaft of air bubbles attached by surface tension.

A versatile turbine suitable for both hydraulic and pneumatic applications. The turbine's blades are affixed to the inner surface of a cylindrical shell which is free to rotate about an outside supporting structure. Rotational energy is transferred from the outer surface of the rotating cylindrical shell, usually by means of a gear; however, there may be applications better suited for a pulley means of transfer. The vacant central axis of rotation can be closed, by incorporating taller blades to achieve a larger surface area, resulting in greater efficiency, or open, by means of shorter blades forming a hole with the distal edges of the blades, to allow for passing fish and or debris to safely exit. The preferred embodiment further includes a means for electricity generation, water purification, and hydrogen production.

A kinetic energy system which transfers the kinetic landing into recoverable electric energy for an aircraft. The system incorporates at least one wheel supporting the aircraft for landing and takeoff coupled with a dynamic functioning motor / generator mounted to and operated by rotation of the wheel to create electrical energy from kinetic energy. An induction shoe structurally connected to the aircraft and electrically connected to the motor / generator, which shoe draws the converted energy from the generator which supplies the load created by the inductively coupled induction shoe to the an ancillary load provided by the resistive heat sink on by the capacitor storage bank. This provides the generator circuit for conversion of the rotational energy of the wheel to electrical energy and creates braking drag. In exemplary embodiments, the system employs an energy storage system acting as the load to store electrical potential energy created by the generator. Additionally, the generator is employable as a motor, receiving energy from the storage system for traction power to the associated aircraft wheel. An induction grid or a surface mounted conductive layer mounted into or onto a runway is employed for transferring energy to and from the motor / generator.

In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft. The system may include a turbofan jet engine, an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan that is coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the turbofan jet engine, and an electric generator that is electronically coupled to the turbofan jet engine and to the boundary layer ingestion fan. The electric generator converts rotational energy from the turbofan jet engine to electrical energy and provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan. In another aspect of the present subject matter, a method for propelling an aircraft via the gas-electric propulsion system is disclosed.

An in-vehicle power transmission apparatus is equipped with a plurality of power split rotors and a power transmission control mechanism. The power split rotors work to split power among a rotary electric machine such as a motor-generator, an internal combustion engine, and a driven wheel of the vehicle. If rotational energy, as outputted from the power split rotors, is defined as being positive in sign, the power split rotors are so assembled that when the power transmission control mechanism establishes transmission of the rotational energy that is positive in sign as the power from a first rotor that is one of the power split rotors to the internal combustion engine, the other power split rotors are so linked as to provide output rotational energies which are opposite in sign to each other. This enables the speed of the first rotor to be placed at substantially zero.

A motor-generator for converting between electrical and rotational energy includes a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to a stationary a stator that magnetically interacts with the rotor. The rotor has two spaced apart rotor portions that define therebetween an armature airgap. Magnetic poles on the rotor portions drive magnetic flux across the airgap. An air core armature is located in the airgap, such that opposite sides of the air core armature face the two opposed rotating surfaces of the rotor. The air core armature has windings in which AC voltage is induced as the rotor rotates. The windings are wound with multiple individually insulated strand conductor wire wrapped with a wrapping of a thin dielectric tape film over the multiple individually insulated strand conductor wire.

Methods and devices to remove thromboembolic material from the human body using rotational energy and aspiration are disclosed. A thromboembolic removal system includes an extraction device and drive unit. The extraction device is introduced to the treatment area and activated by the drive unit to separate, break apart, loosen or soften thromboembolic material and to facilitate its aspiration outside the patient.

A sports helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, comprising: an outer shell comprising an external surface of the sports helmet; inner padding disposed between the outer shell and the wearer's head; an adjustment mechanism operable by the wearer to vary an internal volume of the cavity to adjust a fit of the sports helmet on the wearer's head; and a rotational impact protection device disposed between the external surface of the sports helmet and the wearer's head when the sports helmet is worn, the rotational impact protection device comprising a surface movable relative to the external surface of the sports helmet in response to a rotational impact on the outer shell to absorb rotational energy from the rotational impact, the surface of the rotational impact protection device undergoing displacement when the adjustment mechanism is operated by the wearer to vary the internal volume of the cavity.

A platform apparatus for producing hydrogen gas from water includes a buoyant base configured for floating in a body of water, such as on the ocean, a vertical support member extending upwardly from the base, a wind turbine rotatably coupled to the support member for transforming the kinetic energy of wind into rotational energy, a generator coupled to the wind turbine for transforming the rotational energy generated into DC electricity, and an electrolysis apparatus affixed to the platform for using the electricity to extract hydrogen gas from water by the process of hydrolysis. The electrolysis apparatus preferably comprises an exchange chamber for storing water collected from the body of water, a pair of corrosion resistant electrodes, and a gas collection apparatus for collecting the hydrogen gas produced by electrolysis. The platform apparatus preferably includes a pumping apparatus powered by wave motion of the body of water for supplying water to the electrolysis apparatus. A gearing system preferably allows the generator to be driven at a greater rotational speed than the wind turbine.

A pole mounted rotation platform and wind power generator that is secured to an existing structure, which may or may not be vertical, to augment an existing power grid. The pole mounted rotation platform and wind power generator includes a wind sail assembly and a platform capable of rotating about the existing structure. The pole mounted rotation platform and wind power generator may be assembled, secured, leveled and aligned to the existing structure as component parts and in such a manner that any existing equipment on the existing structure does not need to be repositioned or relocated. During usage, the wind sail assembly rotates about the existing structure via the rotation platform, the resulting rotational energy is converted to electrical power, and the electrical power is output to a suitable power-using, -storing or -converting system.

An apparatus for inducing drive is shown that includes a primary drive shaft and four secondary drive shafts. The primary shaft and secondary shafts are fitted with magnets that are oriented such that when the primary shaft is rotated the secondary shafts are caused to rotate due to attractive or repulsive forces. The primary shaft is connected to and rotated by a rotational energy source such as a motor powered by electricity or a battery, although any source of energy to cause rotation of the primary shaft may be used. Each secondary shaft is fitted with two annular magnetic discs that are oriented to vertically support the weight of the shaft (and any attachments / fittings thereto) above the alternating or generating device. The discs can be arranged to provide either an attractive or repulsive magnetic force between them.

A roller chain and sprocket system utilizes an involute profile on the sprocket teeth to engage rollers in the links of a roller chain. The links, when aligned linearly, bear upon one another when pushed to form a substantially rigid column which has an axis. The system results in substantially 100% of the rotational energy imparted to the sprocket being translated into linear motion of the chain along the column axis.

Systems and methods for providing redundant access control systems are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the invention, the systems and methods include a smart lock that provides redundant access control. The smart lock includes a button that has a plurality of redundant access channels for receiving authentication information. The redundant access channels may include a biometric scanner for receiving biometric information, a passcode keypad for entering a token, or a wireless transceiver for receiving a token from a mobile device and transmitting a response to the mobile device. When the user cannot open the lock through the first redundant access channel, the smart lock is configured to allow access through a second access channel. In some embodiments, the button is a freely rotating button that translates the rotational energy into electrical energy using, for example piezo elements, to energize a rechargeable power source, such as a capacitor bank.

A timer mount system is configured for use with a camera and a camera mount to capture panoramic videos or photographs in multiple rotational directions. The timer mount system comprises a housing, a drive shaft, a panning mechanism, a first mount component, and a second mount component. Within the housing, the drive shaft is coupled to the panning mechanism, which stores rotational energy when wound in a rotational direction and then causes the drive shaft to rotate in a reverse rotational direction when released. The first mount component is configured to secure to and rotate with the drive shaft, while the second mount component is configured to remain stationary while allowing the drive shaft to rotate freely. A first configuration allows the first mount component to rotate in a first rotational direction, and a second configuration allows the first mount component to rotate in a second rotational direction.

An application for an electrical power generator includes a set of fan blades coupled to a shaft, the fan blades are in fluid communication with an air conditioner condenser fan whereby the fan blades turn in response to air flow caused by the air conditioner condenser fan. A generator is coupled to the shaft for converting rotational energy of the shaft into electrical energy.

A device for releasably connecting a first part and a second part of a spacecraft. A clamp is operable to releasably connect the first part and the second part of the spacecraft and to store a prestress strain energy releaseable upon separation of the first part and second part of the spacecraft. The clamp includes a first end and a second end. At least one energy storing system is operable to convert at least a portion of the prestress on the clamp to rotational energy upon opening of the clamp and separation of the first part and the second part of the spacecraft. The energy storing system includes a first fitting part that includes a threaded section, a second fitting part that includes a threaded section, and a connecting device that includes a threaded section complementary to and operable to engage the threaded section of the first fitting part and the second fitting part. The connecting device is operable to link the first end and the second end of the clamp. During separation the fitting parts and the connecting device are operable to rotate in relation to one another to release the first fitting part and second fitting part from the connecting device.

Three bodies interact to drive a transmission having a pair of one-way clutches coupling a single length of drive chain or other elongate flexible member to an intermeshed pair of counter rotatable gears so as to drive a primary shaft in a single rotational direction. The three bodies are a fixed body, a floating body, and a suspended and usually submerged weighted body. The three bodies are interconnected by the single length of the elongate flexible member and are spaced apart there along. The weighted body is mounted at one end of the elongate flexible member. The primary shaft is mounted above the surface of a moving fluid mass to either the fixed or floating body. The end of the flexible member opposite to the weight is mounted to the other of the fixed or floating body.

Gas turbine engine systems and related methods involving multiple gas turbine cores are provided. In this regard, a representative gas turbine engine includes: an inlet; a blade assembly mounted to receive intake air via the inlet; and multiple gas turbine cores located downstream of the blade assembly, each of the multiple gas turbine cores being independently operative in a first state, in which rotational energy is provided to rotate the blade assembly, and a second state, in which rotational energy is not provided to rotate the blade assembly.

An upright in-line cycle having a frame, front steerable wheel, drivable rear wheel, drive sprocket, driven sprocket, oscillatory steering levers, a fork assembly, a drive crank assembly, and drive with connecting rods operably connected such that the oscillatory levers are pivotally mounted on the fork joumaled to connecting rods such that the oscillatory levers are substantially perpendicular to the connecting rods and the connecting rods are substantially parallel to the plane of the ground. The oscillatory levers and connecting rods are operably connected so that the alternate pushing or pulling on the oscillatory levers drives the cycle forward, convening upper body energy into rotational energy. The manner in which the oscillatory levers are journaled to the forward end of the connecting rods, by tie rod ends or two-way joints, permits the levers to pivot in a lateral left or right direction thereby permitting steering of the front wheel. The front and rearward ends of the connecting rods are provided may be removed either through an open ended shape or with a quick release to allow the connecting rods to be disconnected and removed. The oscillatory levers can then be clasped together with a ridged member so that levers no longer oscillate and the bike may be ridden as a lower body powered cycle, as in a conventional cycle.