Abstract:
The invention provides a wind-powered generator assembly for powering relatively small electronic devices. The wind-powered electrical assembly comprises an electrical device and an electrical generator. The electrical generator can be electrically connected to the electrical device. The electrical generator is operable to provide an electric current to the electrical device to operate the electrical device. The electrical generator has a rotor. The electrical assembly further comprises a wind-powered actuator assembly configured to rotate when subject to an operating wind and a gear train arranged with the electrical generator for operating the electrical generator. The gear train can include a plurality of gears wherein a first gear can be operably arranged with a spring assembly. A second gear of the drive train can be operably arranged with the wind-powered actuator assembly and a third gear can be mounted to the rotor of the electrical generator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention pertains to wind-powered generators, and more particularly to wind-powered generators for powering relatively small electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In areas not connected to a power grid or in the event of an electrical power outage, for example, an alternative source for electricity is often desirable, particularly for providing illumination. Often in such a situation, batteries for flashlights are not on hand or no longer provide a charge. Generators can be relatively large and inconvenient for use with small devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention provides a wind-powered generator assembly for powering relatively small electronic devices. In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a wind-powered electrical assembly comprising an electrical device and an electrical generator. The electrical generator can be electrically connected to the electrical device. The electrical generator is operable to provide an electric current to the electrical device to operate the electrical device. The electrical generator has a rotor. The electrical assembly further comprises a wind-powered actuator assembly configured to rotate when subject to an operating wind and a gear train arranged with the electrical generator for operating the electrical generator. The gear train can include a plurality of gears wherein a first gear can be operably arranged with a spring assembly. The spring assembly can have a reel mounted to the shaft of the first gear and a tape spring for rotationally biasing the reel to rotate in a return direction. The tape spring can be wound on the reel and connected such that when the shaft is moved in an operating direction, the reel rotates in a forward direction and the tape spring develops a return force. The return force can urge the reel and the shaft of the first gear to move in a return direction. The return direction can oppose the forward direction. A second gear of the drive train can be operably arranged with the wind-powered actuator assembly and a third gear can be mounted to the rotor of the electrical generator. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the invention is in the form of a light assembly. The light assembly comprises a light source, an electrical generator, and a wind actuator assembly. The electrical generator is electrically connected to the light source and is operable to provide an electric current to the light source to operate the light source for providing light. The electrical generator has a rotor. The wind actuator assembly is arranged with the electrical generator for operating the electrical generator by wind power. The wind actuator assembly includes at least one blade attached to a rotatable shaft, and a drive train connected to the shaft and the electrical generator for rotating the rotor of the electrical generator. The drive train includes a plurality of gears, one gear of the drive train being mounted to the shaft of wind actuator assembly and another gear being mounted to the rotor of the electrical generator. In one embodiment, the wind powered generator includes an aerodynamic housing, wherein the wind actuator assembly protrudes from the shell. In other embodiments, the invention is useful for powering other electrical devices, such as a mobile phone or a fan, for example. 
         [0005]    The features of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a light assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the light assembly comprising a wind-powered generator and a light source. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is side elevational view of the wind-powered generator and a perspective view of the light source of the light assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1  with the top half of the housing thereof removed for illustrative purposes. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1  with the top half of the housing thereof removed for illustrative purposes. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1  with the housing removed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the operable arrangement of the wind actuator assembly, the gear train, and the electrical generator the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 2   
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the wind actuator assembly of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the first transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the third transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the fourth transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the fifth transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the spring housing of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective of the spring housing of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the sixth transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the seventh transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the eighth transfer gear of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the generator of the wind-powered generator of  FIG. 1 , the generator having a rod-combination driven gear extending therefrom. 
           [0029]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a generator suitable for use with the wind-powered generator of the present invention, the generator having a spur gear extending therefrom. 
           [0030]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery pack of the light assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a wind-powered generator according to the present invention with a cellular phone electrically connected thereto. 
           [0032]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged perspective view of a wind-powered generator according to the present invention with an electric fan electrically connected thereto. 
           [0033]      FIG. 28  is another enlarged perspective view of the light assembly of  FIG. 1  having a fan and a cellular phone electrically connected thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a light assembly  50  according to the present invention including a wind-powered generator assembly  52  including an electrical generator device  60  ( FIG. 4 ) contained within a housing  54 , a wind actuator assembly  56 , and a light source  58 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the housing  54  may be opened to expose the generator device  60 . As shown, the wind-powered generator assembly  52  comprises a generator  64 , a gear train  66 , a spring housing  68 , the wind actuator assembly  56  including a plurality of blades  70 ,  72 ,  74  and a shaft  76 , a frame  78 , and a rechargeable battery  80 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the blades  70 ,  72 ,  74  of the wind actuator assembly  56  are coupled to the shaft  76  via a rotor  82  to power rotation of the shaft  76  in an operating direction. The shaft  76  is operatively coupled to the gear train  66 . The spring pawl  86  mechanism is embedded within the gear train  66 , thereby dividing the gear train  66  into an actuator section  88  and a generator section  90 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the spring pawl mechanism  86  is operably arranged with the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92 , which is part of the actuator side  88  of the gear train  66 . The spring pawl mechanism  86  is operably connected to the shaft  76  of the wind actuator assembly  76  via the actuator section  88  of the gear train  66  in order to prevent the shaft  76  from rotating in a direction opposite the operating direction. The spring housing  68  is connected to the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  such that a tape spring  210  ( FIG. 18 ) within the spring housing  68  is wound upon rotational movement of the shaft  96  in the operating direction. The spring housing  68  is also operably arranged with the generator section  90  of the gear train  66  for providing rotational movement of the generator section  90  when the tape spring is unwound. The generator section  90  of the gear train  66  in turn, is operably arranged with the generator  64  such that the rotational movement of the gear train  66  is converted to electricity by the generator  64 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the generator  64  is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery  80  by a cable  222 . The rechargeable battery  80  is electrically connected to the light source by cable  224  to provide electricity thereto. The frame  78  is used to mount and support components of the electrical generator device  60 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the housing  54  is provided to contain and protect components of the electrical generator device. The housing  54  embodies an aerodynamic design without any sharp edges that is configured to present a relatively unobstructed flow path for an operating wind. An operating wind can include air flowing through the wind actuator assembly  56  over the housing  54  from the front end  100  to the rear end  102  of the housing  54  in a direction  104 . The wind actuator assembly  56  projects from the front end  100  of the housing  54  in order to receive the operating wind. The housing  54  can have a generally cylindrical body  106  wherein the rear end  102  is generally flat and circular. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the front end  100  of the housing may include an upper section  103 , a middle section  105 , and a lower section  107 . The front end  100  may generally taper to the middle section  105 , which represents the forwardmost part of the housing  54 . The upper section  103  may initially descend vertically from the body  106  and then extend down and forward to the middle section  105  along a concave curve. The lower section  105  may extend up to middle section  105  along a generally conical path. The wind actuator assembly  56  extends forward from the upper section  103  such that the rotor is located generally in front of the upper section  103 . The housing may include an upper half  114  and a lower  112  that are separable. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the top half may be removed from the bottom half  112  to expose the generator device  60 . The bottom half  114  may cradle the generator device  60  and the battery  80 . 
         [0041]    In other embodiments, the wind-powered generator assembly can have other types of housings. In other embodiments the housing can include legs or can be mounted on top of a tower or building in order to better harness an operating wind. In other embodiments, the wind-powered generator may not include a housing. In yet other embodiments, the wind-powered generator assembly can be rotationally mounted to a support to allow the wind-powered generator assembly to be positioned such that its front end faces into the wind. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the wind actuator assembly  56  is operated by an operating wind traveling in the direction  104  toward the wind actuator assembly  56 . The wind-powered generator assembly  52  can be arranged such that the front end  100  faces into the wind. The blades  70 ,  72 , ( 74  not shown) of the wind actuator  56  are configured such that wind traveling in a direction  104  will force the blades  70 ,  72 ,  74 , and thereby the rotor  108  and shaft  76 , to rotate in the operating direction. In other embodiments, the wind actuator assembly can have a different number of blades or differently configured blades. In another embodiment, the wind actuator assembly can be a vertical axis wind actuator such as, for example, a Darrieus type wind actuator. The shaft  76  transmits the rotational force generated by the wind actuator assembly  56  to the electrical generator  64  through the gear train  66  to generate electricity. The aerodynamic design of the housing  54  facilitates the flow of an operating wind through the wind-powered generator assembly  52  to increase the wind power harnessed by the wind actuator assembly  56  and transmitted to the electrical generator  64 . 
         [0043]    The operable arrangement of the wind actuator assembly  56 , the gear train  66 , and the electrical generator  64  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The wind actuator assembly  56  includes three blades  70 ,  72 ,  74  connected to the rotor  108 . The wind actuator assembly  56  further includes the shaft  76  that connects the rotor  108  to a wind actuator gear  110 . The wind actuator gear  110  is operably connected to the gear train  66 . The gear train  66  includes eight transfer gears  92 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  and a spring housing gear  130 . The transfer gears  92 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  and the spring housing gear  130  transmit rotational force from the wind actuator gear  110  to the generator  64 . Each transfer gear  92 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  includes a shaft  96 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144  and a driven gear  146 ,  148 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  for receiving rotational force. Each transfer gear  92 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , save the fifth transfer gear  92 , includes a driving gear  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174  for transferring rotational force. The driven gear or the driving gear on any of the transfer gears can be a spur gear or a rod combination unit. 
         [0044]    The wind actuator gear  110  is operably engaged with the actuator section  88  of the gear train  66 , which includes the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transfer gears  92 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 . The actuator section  88  of the gear train  66  transmits rotational force in the operating direction to the spring housing  68 . The driven gear  154  of the fifth transfer gear  92  is operably engaged with the driving gear  168  of the fourth transfer gear  122  while the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  passes through the first frame plate  180  to operably attach to the spring housing  68 . A spring ratchet gear  182  is attached to the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  on the actuator side of the first frame plate  180 . The spring pawl mechanism  86  is mounted to the actuator side of the first plate  180  and operably engaged with the spring ratchet gear  182 . The spring housing  68  is operably attached to the spring housing gear  132 , which, together with the sixth, seventh, and eighth transfer gears  124 ,  126 ,  128 , constitutes the generator section  90  of the gear train  66 . The generator section  90  of the gear train  66  transmits rotational force in the operating direction to the electrical generator  64 . The generator  64  includes a rotor  190  and a driven gear  192 . The driven gear  192  of the rotor  190  receives the rotational force from gear train  66  and the electrical generator  64  uses the rotational energy to produce electricity. 
         [0045]    The generator device  60  can include a transfer mechanism unit  45  that comprises the spring housing  68 , the spring housing gear  130 , the first frame plate  180 , the shaft  96 , the fifth transfer gear  92 , the spring pawl mechanism  86 , the spring ratchet gear  182 , and a biasing member  214 . The transfer mechanism unit  45  can receive the wind energy harnessed by the wind actuator assembly  56  via the actuator section  88  and transfer that energy to the electrical generator  64  via the generator section  90  of the gear train  66  to produce electricity. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the frame  78  comprises first and second plates  180 ,  194  disposed in spaced relationship to each other with the spring housing  68 , the gear train  66 , and the generator  64  supported by the plates  180 ,  194 . The first plate  180 , shown in  FIG. 9 , is similar to the second plate  194 , shown in  FIG. 10 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , four connecting rods  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206  are secured to the plates  180 ,  194 . The connecting rods  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206  can secure the plates  180 ,  194  together. The connecting rods  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206  may pass through holes in the plates  180 ,  194  and can be secured on either end to the first and second plates  180 ,  194  by nuts. The spring housing  68  and the generator  64  are disposed generally between the plates  180 ,  194 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the shafts of the transfer gears are rotatably mounted to at least one of the plates  180 ,  194  such that the transfer gears are free to rotate with respect to the plates  180 ,  194  along an axis defined by each respective shaft. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the driven gear  146  of the first transfer gear  116  is operably arranged with the wind actuator gear  110  such that rotation of the wind actuator gear  110  rotates the first transfer gear  116 . The driving gear  162  of the first transfer gear  116  is operably arranged with the driven gear  148  of the second transfer gear  118  such that rotation of the first transfer gear  116  also rotates the second transfer gear  118 . The driving gear  164  of the second transfer gear  118  is operably arranged with the driven gear  150  of the third transfer gear  120  such that rotation of the second transfer gear  118  also rotates the third transfer gear  120 . The driving gear  166  of the third transfer gear  120  is operably arranged with the driven gear  152  of the fourth transfer gear  122  such that rotation of the third transfer gear  120  also rotates the fourth transfer gear  122 . The driving gear  168  of the fourth transfer gear  122  is operably arranged with the driven gear  154  of the fifth transfer gear  92  such that rotation of the fourth transfer gear  122  also rotates the fifth transfer gear  92 . The shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  is operably arranged with the spring housing  68  such that rotation of the fifth transfer gear  92  also rotates the spring housing gear  132 . The spring pawl mechanism  86  and spring ratchet gear  182  ensure that the fifth transfer gear  92  only rotates in the operating direction. The spring housing gear  130  is operably arranged with the driven gear  156  of the sixth transfer gear  124  such that rotation of the spring housing gear  130  also rotates the sixth transfer gear  124 . The driving gear  170  of the sixth transfer gear  124  is operably arranged with the driven gear  158  of the seventh transfer gear  126  such that rotation of the sixth transfer gear  124  also rotates the seventh transfer gear  126 . The driving gear  172  of the seventh transfer gear  128  is operably arranged with the driven gear  160  of the eighth transfer gear  128  such that rotation of the seventh transfer gear  126  also rotates the eighth transfer gear  128 . The driving gear  174  of the eighth transfer gear  128  is operably arranged with the driven gear  192  of the generator  64  such that the generator creates electricity when the eighth transfer gear  128  is rotated. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the spring housing  68  includes a reel  209 , a tape spring  210  wound around the reel  210 , the spring housing gear  130  secured to the reel  209 , and an extension member  212  extending from the spring housing gear  130 . The shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  is operably arranged with the spring housing  68 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the spring housing  68  is supported by the first plate  180  via the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  96 . The shaft  96  is rotatably supported within a mounting hole of the plate  180  such that the shaft  96  is free to rotate with respect to the plate  180 . The spring housing  68  is supported by the second plate  194  via the extension member. The extension member is rotatably supported within a mounting hole of the plate  194  such that the spring housing gear  132  is free to rotate with respect to the plate  194 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the spring pawl mechanism  86  includes a spring pawl that is engaged with a spring ratchet gear  182 . The spring ratchet gear  182  is mounted to the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92 . The spring pawl  86  is pivotally mounted to the actuator side of the first plate  180 . A biasing member  214  is provided to urge the spring pawl  86  into operative engagement with the spring ratchet gear  182 . The biasing member  214  is mounted to the actuator side of the first plate  180 . A return stop member is mounted to the first plate and is arranged with the spring ratchet gear. 
         [0051]    The rotation of the shaft  96  of the fifth transfer gear  92  in the operating direction winds the tape spring around the reel portion of the shaft  96 . The winding of the tape spring creates a spring force, which is exerted against the reel portion of the shaft  96  in the return direction. As mentioned above, the spring pawl mechanism  86  resists this force on the shaft  96 , resulting in the tape spring urging the spring housing  68  and the spring housing gear  132  to rotate in the forward, operating direction as the tape spring unwinds. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , the generator  64  is relatively cylindrical in shape. The generator comprises a body  216 , a shaft  218 , a driven gear  192 , and a bracket  220 . The shaft  218  extends from the body  216  with the driven gear  192  disposed at a distal end thereof. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the driving gear  174  of the eighth transfer gear  128  is in operable position with the driven gear  192  of the generator  64  such that when the eighth transfer gear  128  rotates, the driven gear  182  will rotate the shaft  218  resulting in the generation of electrical energy by the generator  64 . Referring to  FIG. 23 , the mounting bracket  220  can be used to mount the generator  64  to the second plate. As shown in this figure, the driven gear  192  is a rod-combination. In another embodiment of the generator  300 , as shown in  FIG. 24 , the driven gear  302  can be a spur gear. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 25 , the rechargeable battery or battery pack  80  can be connected to the generator such that the electricity created by the generator can be stored and used at a later point in time rather than immediately during operation of the generator. A cable  222  can be used to connect the battery  80  to the generator. 
         [0054]    Many types of electrical devices can be powered by the invention. For example, the wind-powered generator assembly  52  can be used to power items such as the light source  58  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), a mobile phone  224  (as shown in  FIG. 26 ), or a fan  226  (as shown in  FIG. 27 ). Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 28 , the wind-powered generator device  52  can be connected to more than one device at a time, e.g. the assembly can include a light source  58  and other devices such as the fan  226  and the mobile phone  224 . In yet other embodiments, the manual-powered generator can be used to power any suitable electrically-powered device. 
         [0055]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0056]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0057]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.