Illumination – Self powered lamp – Generator power source
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-04-24
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Self powered lamp
Generator power source
C362S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220719
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a renewable energy flashlight.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Flashlights are extremely useful as portable lighting devices. However, several features of conventional flashlights limit their usefulness. Flashlights are commonly needed in emergencies, such as when the owner's car breaks down or the owner's electricity goes out. But there is no guarantee that when the emergency occurs, the flashlight will work. Currently, most flashlights use batteries, which rely on chemical reactions and therefore have limited useful life, as well as limited storage life. So, even if the flashlight was put in a drawer with fresh batteries, it may not work three years later when it is needed. Batteries can also cause corrosion due to leakage, rendering the flashlight unusable, even with fresh batteries. Further, most flashlights use incandescent lamps, which are prone to filament damage from shock, such as from being dropped. Incandescent lamps also burn out.
A second concern with conventional flashlights is how wasteful they are, both in the environmental sense and in a financial sense. Batteries are rapidly becoming a hazard to our environment due to their current methods of disposal. Also, they are expensive, and have to be replaced frequently.
A need remains in the art for a renewable energy flashlight that always works, even after being dropped or left in the car for years, without requiring batteries or incandescent lamps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a renewable energy flashlight that always works, even after being dropped or left in the car for years, without requiring batteries or incandescent lamps.
The renewable energy flashlight of the present invention utilizes a magnet, which is oscillated through a coil of wire by shaking the flashlight, to generate electricity for charging a capacitor to power a light emitting diode.
The renewable energy flashlight comprises an elongated housing forming an opening at one end, a barrel assembly located within the housing which includes a hollow elongated barrel disposed within the housing, a wire coil wrapped around the barrel and disposed between the barrel and the housing, a magnet disposed within the barrel and sized to freely oscillate within the barrel when the barrel is shaken, two springs attached within the barrel and at either end of the barrel to cause the magnet to recoil when the magnet strikes the springs, wherein the magnet oscillates within the barrel when the barrel is shaken, whereby the magnet passes back and forth through the wire coil and causes current to flow within the coil. As an alternative, rebound magnets oriented to repel the charging magnet may be installed within the barrel at either end, to cause the magnet to recoil from the ends and oscillate efficiently. The flashlight also includes an electronics assembly located within the housing, including a capacitor for storing charge, a rectifier connected to the capacitor, means for conducting current flowing in the wire coil to the rectifier, which rectifies the current and provides rectified current to the capacitor, charging the capacitor, a light emitting diode (LED) located near the housing opening, and switch means for selectively connecting the charged capacitor to the LED, whereby the LED selectively lights up.
As a feature, the flashlight includes an LED protecting diode connected between the LED and the capacitor, for protecting the LED from high voltage surges. A resistor and a capacitor protecting diode connected between the LED and the capacitor, protect the capacitor from sustained overvoltage conditions. The LED protecting diode and the capacitor protecting diode are zener diodes.
The switch comprises a reed switch located within the housing, and a selectively movable magnet located external to the housing for activating the reed switch. Generally the charging magnet and the switch magnet are neodymium magnets. The wire coil is formed of magnet wire, and the housing and the barrel are formed of plastic. The springs are formed of stainless steel. Alternatively, the rebound magnets are neodymium magnets.
The flashlight also includes a lens affixed within the housing opening adjacent to the LED, for focusing light from the LED. The lens and the housing are hermetically sealed. This forms a hermetically sealed compartment containing the electronics assembly and the barrel assembly, making the flashlight explosion proof.
In general, the lens is located less than its focal distance away from the LED, whereby the light from the LED forms an expanding beam.
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Platt James Victor
Springer Douglass Anderson
Vetorino Steven Robert
Applied Innovative Technologies, Inc.
Bales Jennifer L.
Macheledt Bales & Johnson LLP
Tso Laura K.
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