Prime-mover dynamo plants – Miscellaneous – Drive gearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-05-22
Ponomarenko, Nicholas (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Miscellaneous
Drive gearing
C290S00100C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236118
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for generating electricity and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for utilizing the kinetic energy expended when manually opening a door.
2. Description of the Related Art
Doors are repeatedly opened and closed a countless number of times each day, for example, at busy shopping malls, at mass transportation stations such as subway stations and train stations, and in office buildings. Harnessing all that mechanical energy would be highly advantageous. Converting all that kinetic energy to electrical energy would be an extremely efficient and cost effective way of generating electricity.
The prior art describes a number of apparatuses used to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, for example, a means for utilizing the surplus energy exerted in operating revolving doors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,624,656 issued on Apr. 12, 1927 to B. B. Bryan, Jr. The apparatus involves the installation of a power wheel co-axially on a revolving door.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,283 issued on Jun. 18, 1985 to V. P. Latvus describes an energy converter. The device converts the mechanical energy of slow and random movements to a more useful form of high-speed rotation.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a method of generating electricity solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of an opening door to electrical energy.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus that conveniently and efficiently stores mechanical energy.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus with one way rotational coupling.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
To meet the above objectives, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for conveniently and efficiently converting the kinetic energy expended when a door is opened to electrical energy that be used in a variety of applications, for example, lighting a room or building. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an electrical generator, an oil filled gear box, a spring containing spring mechanism, and one way rotation coupling via a connecting rod and ratchet assembly. The connecting rod-ratchet assembly functions as a lever converting the ordinarily wasted mechanical energy from door opening to useful electricity.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 36428 (1999-12-01), Moore et al.
patent: 1624656 (1927-04-01), Bryan, Jr.
patent: 3800212 (1974-03-01), Branco et al.
patent: 3970939 (1976-07-01), Willis
patent: 4433355 (1984-02-01), Chew et al.
patent: 4524283 (1985-06-01), Latvus
patent: 4698967 (1987-10-01), Longora
patent: 5203110 (1993-04-01), Hormann
patent: 5831417 (1998-11-01), Chu
Perdomo Joseph L
Vasija Luciano
Litman Richard C.
Ponomarenko Nicholas
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