Patent ID: 6291900
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: H02P

Abstract:
A manually powered apparatus for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy comprising:a crank;a spring drive mechanically coupled to said crank for releasing mechanical energy, wherein said spring drive has first and second unwind cycles;an electrical generator mechanically coupled to said spring drive for converting mechanical energy released by said spring drive into electrical energy, said electrical energy including at least first current levels and second current levels, said first and second current levels decreasing over time, said electrical generator supplying said first current levels in response to said first unwind cycle of said spring drive and supplying said second current levels in response to said second unwind cycle of said spring drive;an electrical load electrically coupled to said electrical generator, said electrical load requiring a predetermined current for operation, said first current levels being greater than said predetermined current and said second current levels being less than said predetermined current;a battery buffer electrically coupled between said electrical generator and said electrical load, said battery buffer being charged during said first unwind cycle of said spring drive, said battery buffer being discharged during said second unwind cycle of said spring drive;an isolator electrically coupled between said battery buffer and said electrical generator, said isolator minimizing reverse current flow from said battery buffer to said electrical generator; anda disconnector mechanically coupled to said spring drive and electrically coupled between said electrical load and said battery buffer, said disconnector decoupling said electrical load from said battery buffer when an unwinding of said spring drive is substantially completed.