Abstract:
A power source for generating electrical power. The power source including: a shaft rotatably disposed relative to a structure; an elastic element having one end attached to the shaft and another end attached to the structure for storing potential energy upon rotation of the shaft in a first angular direction; a generator operatively coupled relative to the shaft; and a retaining mechanism movable between an engaged position for retaining the shaft from rotating in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction and a power generating position permitting the shaft to rotate in the second angular direction. Wherein, when the retaining mechanism is moved to the power generating position, the stored potential energy in the elastic element is converted to kinetic energy to rotate the shaft which in turn rotates the generator coupled to the shaft so as to produce electrical power.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier filed provisional application No. 62/026,003 filed on Jul. 17, 2014, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to miniature dynamo type electrical generators and corresponding power sources, and more particularly, to miniature electrical generators and power sources for projectiles fired by guns, mortars and the like or hand grenades and the like. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Chemical reserve batteries have long been used in various munitions, weapon systems and other similar applications in which electrical energy is required over relatively short periods of times. In addition, unique to the military is the need for munitions batteries that may be stored for up to twenty years without maintenance. Reserve batteries are batteries designed to be stored for years, even decades, without performance degradation. Reserve batteries are stored in an inert state and can be activated within a fraction of a second with no degradation of battery capacity or power. Typical Reserve batteries are thermal batteries and liquid reserve batteries. 
         [0006]    The typical liquid reserve battery is kept inert during storage by keeping the electrolyte separate from the electrodes. The electrolyte is kept in a glass or metal ampoule inside the battery case. Prior to use, the battery is activated by breaking the ampoule and allowing the electrolyte to flood the electrodes. The ampoule is broken either mechanically or by the high g shock experienced from being shot from the cannon. 
         [0007]    Thermal batteries represent a class of reserve batteries that operate at high temperatures. Unlike liquid reserve batteries, in thermal batteries the electrolyte is already in the cells and therefore does not require a distribution mechanism such as spinning The electrolyte is dry, solid and non-conductive, thereby leaving the battery in a non-operational and inert condition. These batteries incorporate pyrotechnic heat sources to melt the electrolyte just prior to use in order to make them electrically conductive and thereby making the battery active. Thermal batteries have long been used in munitions and other similar applications to provide a relatively large amount of power during a relatively short period of time, mainly during the munitions flight. Thermal batteries have high power density and can provide a large amount of power as long as the electrolyte of the thermal battery stays liquid, thereby conductive. 
         [0008]    Reserve batteries are expensive to produce, primarily since the process of their manufacture is highly labor intensive and involve mostly manual assembly. For example, the process of manufacturing thermal batteries is highly labor intensive and requires relatively expensive facilities. Fabrication usually involves costly batch processes, including pressing electrodes and electrolytes into rigid wafers, and assembling batteries by hand. The reserve batteries are encased in a hermetically-sealed metal container that is usually cylindrical in shape. In munitions, thermal batteries may be initiated during launch via inertial or electrical igniters, or may be initiated later during the flight via electrical igniters. The liquid reserve batteries are usually activated during launch by breaking the electrolyte ampoule. 
         [0009]    Chemical reserve batteries, including thermal batteries and liquid reserve batteries, are generally very expensive to produce, require specialized manufacturing processes and equipment and quality control, and are generally required to be developed for each application at hand. 
         [0010]    All existing and future smart and guided weapons, including gun-fired projectiles, mortars, and small and large gravity dropped weapons, require electric energy for their operation. For many fuzing operations such as fuzing “safe” and “arm” (S&amp;A) and sensory functionalities and many other “smart” fuzing and initiation functionalities, the amount of electrical energy that is needed is low and may be as low as 10-50 mJ, and even less. In fact, with such electrical energy levels, low-power electronics could be easily powered to provide the above fuzing or the like functionalities. The amount of power required to operate many other electronic components, for example those used for diagnostics and health monitoring purposes, or for receiving a communicated signal or the like is also very small and can be readily achieved with electrical energy in the above range. In all such applications, particularly for powering electronics for fuzing and other similar “safe” and “arm” functionalities, it is highly desirable to have low-cost and safe alternatives to chemical reserve batteries. This is particularly the case for the above applications since it is generally difficult to produce very small, miniature, reserve batteries of any kind. 
         [0011]    In addition, in certain munitions applications a relatively small amount of electrical energy, sometimes as low as 10-50 mJ is required before firing to bring up at least a portion of the onboard electronics and the like and/or to transfer firing and other information into the munitions memory and the like. In such applications, electrical energy is currently provided either by onboard electronics or by electrical energy transferred to onboard capacitors using for example induction coupling or optical or radio frequency means before the firing. In certain applications liquid reserve or thermal batteries inside the munitions are initiated to provide the required electrical energy. All such options makes the design and operation of the munitions complex, add significantly to their cost and generally require a significant amount of space onboard. The latter option also has the disadvantage of if the round is not fired within a relatively short amount of time, the initiated reserve battery can no longer provide the required amount of power and the round becomes inoperative. 
         [0012]    A need therefore exists for alternatives to chemical reserve batteries for low power applications such as pre-fire data transfer and hold powering and for powering fuzing electronics and other similar functionalities when the required electrical energy levels are low, and for powering industrial and commercial products such as self-powered health monitoring and emergency sensor. 
         [0013]    For munitions applications, such miniature electrical generators and power sources, hereinafter referred to as power sources, have to have a very long shelf life of up to 20 years; be low cost; and be capable of being scaled to the required power level requirements, shape and size, with minimal design and manufacturing change efforts. 
         [0014]    A need also exist for miniature power sources for munitions applications such as gun-fired munitions, mortars and grenades in which their potential energy storage springs (elastic elements) have no stored potential energy and the required potential energy is stored in them as a result of launch acceleration. 
         [0015]    A need also exists for miniature power sources for munitions and other industrial and commercial applications in which potential energy is stored in energy storage spring (elastic) elements of the device a priori. Hereinafter, all such mechanical potential energy storage elements (whether helical or other types of springs or elastic elements or structural flexibility) will be referred to simply as springs. A release mechanism is then used to release the stored potential energy and allow it to be converted to electrical energy via a mechanical to electrical energy conversion device such as a continuously rotating or a linear or rotary vibratory magnet and coil generator device. 
         [0016]    A need also exists for miniature power sources that are manually operated through a push button type mechanisms provided on the surface of munitions to generate electrical energy for their pre-fire or the like powering or through said push button or toggle or other similar type of on-off mechanisms to generate electrical energy for powering various industrial and commercial low power devices. The mechanical energy to electrical energy conversion elements of such power sources may be based on magnet and coil generators or piezoelectric or any other such energy conversion devices. 
         [0017]    An objective is to provide non-chemical miniature electrical generators and corresponding power sources for the aforementioned and the like low power applications. In these power sources, mechanical potential energy can be stored in the power source and used to generate electrical energy upon occurrence of certain events, such as firing of a projectile by a gun or by the release (or ejection) of a gravity dropped weapon or through certain manual operation. This is in contrast to chemical reserve batteries in which stored chemical energy is released upon a certain event (such as firing by a gun or by an electrical charge), thereby allowing the battery to provide electrical energy. 
         [0018]    Another objective is to provide non-chemical power sources are miniaturized and are manually operated through a push button type mechanisms provided on the surface of munitions to generate electrical energy for pre-fire or the like powering or through said push button or toggle or other similar type of on-off mechanisms to generate electrical energy for powering various industrial and commercial low power devices. 
         [0019]    Here, a means of storing potential mechanical energy can be elastic deformation, such as in various types of spring elements and/or the structural flexibility of the structure of the system in which it is used such as the structure of a projectile or the like, and not potential energy due to gravity. It is, however, appreciated by those skilled in the art that potential energy may also be stored by other means such as by pressurizing compressible gasses such as air. The mechanical energy may be stored a priori in the said mechanical potential energy storage springs or be manually input at the time of use. The mechanical potential energy stored in the power source storage springs can then be released via certain mechanisms to be described either upon the occurrence of certain intended event(s), such as firing and/or spinning of a projectile or releasing of a gravity-dropped weapon or other events appropriate to the device employing the power source or manually through certain mechanisms. The released potential energy can then be used to generate electrical energy using well known methods such as by the use of active materials based elements such as piezoelectric elements or magnet and coil type generators. 
         [0020]    To this end, the mechanical stored potential energy is preferably transferred to a flywheel as kinetic energy which is then used to generate electrical energy through a continuous rotation of a rotary magnet and coil generator to achieve high mechanical energy to electrical energy conversion efficiency. Gearing mechanisms may also be employed to increase speed of generator rotation to further increase the power source energy conversion efficiency. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, the mechanical stored potential energy is used to cause vibration of a mass-spring system. The vibration energy is then transformed into electrical energy by one of the aforementioned piezoelectric, coil and magnet or the like elements. 
         [0022]    A second object is to provide methods and mechanisms for releasing the stored potential energy in the power sources with a priori stored mechanical potential energy. Such mechanisms include various hand operated mechanisms or various external event initiated mechanisms. Examples of such event initiated mechanisms include those operated due to gun firing acceleration; deceleration of gun-fired projectile (the so-called set-forward acceleration); the process and/or mechanism of releasing (e.g., gravity dropping) the weapon from its mounting rack or the like; pulling out or ejection of a releasing element (e.g., a releasing pin or wire); actuation or breaking of a stop element or the like via detonation of small charges; etc. 
         [0023]    For the power sources employing piezoelectric elements for converting mechanical energy of vibration to electrical energy, methods described for mass-spring systems used in the piezoelectric based power generators described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,231,874 and 7,312,557 can generally be used in the construction of the disclosed power sources, particularly for those mechanical reserve power sources to be used in gun-fired projectiles and mortars which are subject to very high-G firing acceleration levels. 
         [0024]    In addition, in such mechanical reserve power sources, the piezoelectric elements (stacks) employed to convert mechanical energy of vibration to electrical energy may also be used as sensors to measure setback and set-forward acceleration levels, target impact impulse levels and direction, the time of such events and more as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,599 or 8,266,963 or 8,205,555 or 8,191,475 or 7,762,192 or 7,762,191. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Accordingly, a method for the development of miniature electrical generators and corresponding power sources is provided. In these power sources, mechanical potential energy is stored a priori or during activation phase such as by pushing of a button or actuating of a switching mechanism in elastic elements such as springs. The stored potential energy is then released manually or upon occurrence of certain event via certain mechanisms, such as gun firing of a projectile or gravity dropping of a weapon or throwing of a hand grenade or through actuation of certain mechanism for example manually or via detonation of a small charge or the like. The released energy can then be transformed into kinetic energy of a flywheel or the like to rotate a magnet and coil rotary generator or to vibration energy of a mass-spring system, which is then harvested by mechanical to electrical energy conversion elements such as piezoelectric elements or magnet and coil elements. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, methods and apparatus for storing potential energy in the power sources, and methods and apparatus for releasing the stored potential energy manually or upon the occurrence of several events are provided. The mechanical potential energy may be stored a priori or generated during the power source activation phase. 
         [0027]    The event upon which the stored mechanical potential energy of the disclosed mechanical power sources is released and the start of electrical power generation can be used to provide “safe” and “arm” (S&amp;A) or other similar safety functionality, particularly when the power source is used for powering fuzing means. The generated electrical energy may also be used to power electronic circuitry and/or logics used to provide additional “safe” and “arm” (S&amp;A) functionality for fuzing or other similar applications. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for the “safe” and “arm” (S&amp;A) or other safety functionality with and without electronics circuitry and/or logics are also provided. 
         [0028]    When using mass-spring type vibrating elements in the power-source, the device mass-spring elements may be configured to be excited also by the vibration and rotary oscillations of the munitions during the flight, thereby allowing the power source to generate additional electrical energy. The power source may also be provided with the means to generate vibration of its mass-spring element during the flight due to aerodynamics forces, e.g., by the means to generate flutter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic of one embodiment of the miniature reserve power source with preloaded potential energy storage element and manual electrical energy generation initiation. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example of addition of a “safety pin” to the miniature reserve power source of  FIG. 1  to prevent its accidental initiation. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates another example of the addition of a “safety pin” to the miniature reserve power source of  FIG. 1  to prevent its accidental initiation. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates another example of the addition of a “safety pin” to the miniature reserve power source of  FIG. 1  which is removable by detonation of a small charge to initiate electrical energy generation. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic of another embodiment of the miniature power source with manually operated handle actuation which first stores potential energy in the device torsion spring element and then releases a locking element to initiate electrical energy generation. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates the cross-sectional view A-A of the power source embodiment of  FIG. 5  showing the potential energy storage and energy generation initiation mechanism of the device. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic of a “push button” type embodiment of the miniature power source which generates electrical energy each time the device “button” is depressed. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates the cross-sectional view B-B of the power source embodiment of  FIG. 7  showing the device “button” and the provided guide in the power source body. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates a schematic of an alternative “push button” type embodiment of the miniature power source which generates electrical energy each time the device “button” is depressed. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates the cross-sectional view C-C of the power source embodiment of  FIG. 9  showing the “push button” shaft and its anti-rotation key and guide. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  illustrates a schematic of another alternative “push button” type embodiment of the miniature power source which generates electrical energy each time the device “button” is depressed. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates the block diagram of a typical electrical power system and the electrical energy consuming or storage system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]    Although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of devices, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of generating power onboard munitions such as gun-fired munitions, mortar and grenades. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to generating power onboard such munitions, the invention will be described in such environment. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present methods and devices can also be used in generating power in other devices, including commercial and industrial sensors and other low power electronic devices for direct powering and/or for charging appropriate electrical energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries or capacitors. 
         [0043]    The basic design and operation of the first embodiment  10  of the mechanical reserve power source of the present invention is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 1 . The mechanical reserve power source  10  is considered to be mounted in a structure  11  of the power source. The mechanical reserve power source  10  consists of a shaft  12 , which is free to rotate in the bearing  13  mounted in the device structure  11 . The shaft  12  is also provided with the end piece  14  to which it is rigidly attached and which can be an integral part of the shaft  12 . A torsion (such as a power type) spring  15  is also attached on one end to the structure  11  of the power source  10  and on the other end  41  to the shaft  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , a shaft  16  is provided that engages the end piece  14  of the shaft  12  via a one-way clutch  17 . The shaft  16  is attached to the input of a magnet and coil dynamo  18 , which is also attached to the structure  11  of the power source  10 . A flywheel  19  can also be provided on the shaft  16  as shown in  FIG. 1  to provide for a smooth operation of the power source  10 . The end piece  14  is provided with a recess  20  which may be engaged by the tip  21  of the link  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The link  22  is in turn attached to the link  23  via the pin joint  24 . The link  23  is in turn attached to the power source structure  11  by the pin joint  25 . 
         [0044]    The power source  10  is originally assembled as follows. Before engaging the tip  21  of the link  22  in the recess  20  of the end piece  14 , the shaft  12  of the power source is rotated—in this case in the clockwise direction as observed from the top—to preload the torsion power spring to a desired level. The tip  21  of the link  22  is then engaged with the recess  20  of the end piece  14 , thereby locking the end piece  14  to the structure  11  of the power source and preventing it to unwind the torsion power spring  15 . As a result, mechanical potential energy is stored in the torsion power spring  15 . The assembled power source  10  is now ready for use in the intended device. 
         [0045]    The reserve power source embodiment  10  is designed to be manually initiated. To this end, the user would at the desired time rotate the link  23  in the counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrow  26 , for example, by applying a force to the link  23  in the direction of the arrow  27 , thereby causing the tip  21  of the link  22  to exit the recess  20  in the end piece  14 . As a result, the end piece  14  is now free to be rotated by the preloaded torsion power spring  15 . The one-way clutch  17  is directed such that the resulting clockwise (as viewed from the top) rotation of the end piece  14  would transmit the torsion power spring torque to the shaft  16 . As a result, the potential energy stored in the torsion power spring  15  is transferred mostly to the flywheel  19  and the shaft  16  and the rotor of the generator  18  as kinetic energy, while the magnet and coil generator  18  would begin to transform the transferred kinetic energy to electrical energy to power the intended devices. Once the potential energy stored in the torsion power spring  15  is transferred to the assembly of the shaft  16 , flywheel  19  and the generator  18 , the one-way clutch  17  allows the shaft  16  to continue to rotate with respect to the end piece  14 . The kinetic energy transferred to the assembly of shaft  16 , flywheel  19  and rotor of the generator  18  will then keep on being transformed into electrical energy until the kinetic energy is exhausted and the assembly would come to a stop. In general, for the sake of maximizing the mechanical to electrical energy conversion efficiency, the generated electrical energy is desired to be used as generated or stored in an electrical energy storage device, such as a capacitor or a rechargeable battery. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that once the end piece  14  is released by the aforementioned actuation of the release link  23 , the links  22  and  23  are desired to be prevented from interfering with the operation of the moving components of the reserve power source  10 . To this end, stops  28  and  30  may be provided to limit the motion of the link  23 . A preloaded tensile spring  29  that connects the links  22  and  23  as shown in  FIG. 1  may also be provided to pull the link  22  towards the link  23  upon disengagement with the end piece  14  and away from interfering with the motion of the other components of the power source  10 . A preloaded compressive spring  31  can also be provided to bias the link  23  towards the stop  30  to prevent its accidental actuation and initiation of power generation as previously described. 
         [0047]    Another feature that may be readily added to the reserve power source embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1  is the means of proving a “safety pin” which would lock the initiating link  23  to the structure  11  of the power source. The “safety pin” can, for example, be readily included at one of the stops  28  or  30 , as shown in the close up view of  FIG. 2  in which this region of the reserve power source  10  of  FIG. 1  is drawn with the added “safety pin” feature. In this added feature shown in  FIG. 2 , the link  23  is provided with an extension  33 , which is provided with a hole  35 . A matching extension  32  is also provided on the structure  11  of the reserve power source  10  and is also provided with a hole  34 , which in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , i.e., before the previously described initiation of the power source  10  to generate electrical energy, lines up with the hole  35 . A “safety pin”  36  can then be passed through the two holes  34  and  35  to lock the link  23  to the structure  11  of the reserve power source  10 . The “safety pin”  36  can be provided with a finger hole end  37  for the user to readily pull out the pin  36  and allow the user to force the link  23  to release the end piece  14  and as was previously described to initiate the power source  10  to generate electrical energy. 
         [0048]    In the above description of the reserve power source embodiment  10 , a preloaded compressive spring  31  is indicated to be used to bias the link  23  towards the stop  30  to prevent its accidental actuation and initiation of power generation. It will be, however, appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of the aforementioned “safety pin”  36  eliminates the need for the preloaded compressive spring  31  for this purpose. The preloaded compressive spring  31  may still be desirable so that between the time of “safety pin” removal and the intended reserve power source initiation, the link  23  is not accidentally actuated to initiate the electrical energy generation. 
         [0049]    In an alternative design, the spring  31 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may be a preloaded tensile spring. As a result, as the “safety pin”  36  is pulled out as previously described, then the preloaded tensile spring  31  would pull on the link  23  and thereby release the end piece  14  as was previously described and initiate electrical energy generation process. 
         [0050]    In reserve power source embodiment  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mechanism consisting of links  22  and  23  is shown to be used to lock the end piece  14  to prevent the potential energy stored in the preloaded torsion power spring  15  from being released and initiate electrical energy generation. It is however appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous other similarly functioning and manually operated mechanisms may also be used to perform the same function. Such mechanisms would only need to provide the means of pulling a locking pin, wedge, ball, etc., from engagement with the end piece  14  and thereby allowing the preloaded torsion power spring to freely rotate the end piece. As an example, as can be seen in the schematic of  FIG. 3 , the tip  38  of the “safety pin”  39  ( 36  in  FIG. 2 ) itself may be used directly to lock the end piece  14  to the structure  11  of the reserve power source by being inserted in the recess  20  of the end piece. Then as the user pulls out (or back) the “safety pin”  39 , such as via the finger hole end  40 , the end piece  14  is released and the reserve power source  10  begins to generate electrical energy. As another example, a button (not shown) may be provided on the structure  11  of the reserve power source  10 , which when pushed would apply a force in the direction of the arrow  27  to rotate the link  23  in the direction of the arrow  26 , thereby causing the end piece  14  to be released and the reserve power source to begin to generate electrical energy as was previously described. 
         [0051]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the any one of the above designs of the reserve power source  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , and particularly the design with a “safety pin”  36 ,  FIG. 2 , with a preloaded compressive spring  31  is highly suitable for use in munitions such as hand grenades that are equipped with electronic and related devices that require electrical energy to operate. In such an application, the user must first pull out the “safety pin”  36 , and then press the link (lever)  23  to initiate electrical energy generation. 
         [0052]    In the reserve power source embodiment  10 , with the “safety pin” shown in the schematic of  FIG. 3 , the “safety pin”  39  is designed to be manually removed by the user to initiate electrical energy generation. Alternatively, the means of pulling “safety pins” of different type, for example those similar to the ones in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  or others with locking wedge elements, locking balls, etc., may be removed (pulled back or rotated away or the like) via detonation of a small charge. An example of such a “safety pin” removal mechanism actuated by the detonation of a small gas generating charge is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 4 . Here the mechanism is constructed as a cylinder  42  which is attached to the housing  11  of the reserve power source  10 . The cylinder  42  houses a piston  43  to which a piston rod  44  is attached. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the tip  47  of the piston rod  44  is shown to be in engagement with the recess  20  on the end piece  14 , thereby locking it to the structure  11  of the reserve power source  10 . The cylinder is also provided with an electrically initiated gas generating charge  45 , with the initiation wires  46 . Upon initiation of the gas generating charge  45 , gas pressure builds up in the cylinder  42  on the side of the gas generating charge  45 , thereby forcing the piston  43  to move away from the end piece  14 , thereby causing the tip  47  of the piston rod  44  to disengage the end piece, thereby allowing the reserve power source to begin to generate electrical energy. 
         [0053]    In the “safety arm” release mechanism of  FIG. 4 , an electrically initiated gas generating charge is shown to be used. It is, however, appreciated by those skilled in the art that an inertially initiated gas generating charge may also be employed. Such inertially initiated devices are well known in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,587,979; 7,587,980; 7,437,995; 8,042,469, 8,061,271; 7,832,335; 8,418,617; 8,651,022 and 8,550,001), and for munitions applications they could be designed to initiate due to the firing setback acceleration or firing set forward acceleration or due to target impact shock loading or firing spin acceleration or spinning velocity induced centripetal acceleration. 
         [0054]    Another embodiment of a power source  50  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 5 . All components of the power source  50  are identical to those of the embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1 , except for the modification to the end piece  48  ( 14  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ) and its release mechanism. In addition, the torsion power spring  15  (such as a high stiffness torsion spring—hereinafter referred to as torsion spring) is not preloaded, i.e., the power source has no stored mechanical potential energy prior to the initiation process to be described. As a result, the power source  50  is no longer a “reserve” type power source. 
         [0055]    The cross-sectional view A-A,  FIG. 5 , showing the indicated changes to the end piece  48  and the basic method and mechanism of storing mechanical potential energy in the torsion spring  15  and its release is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0056]    As can be seen in the cross-sectional view A-A of  FIG. 6 , the end piece  48  ( 14  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ) is provided with a similar recess  52  ( 20  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ) and is also provided with an actuating lever  54 . A locking element  49  is also provided that can slide back and forth in the sliding bearing  51  provided in the structure  11  of the power source  50 . In the configuration shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the tip  53  of the locking element  49  is in engagement with the recess  52  of the end piece  48 , thereby locking it to the structure  11  of the power source and preventing the end piece and the shaft  12  from rotating. In addition, in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the torsion spring  15  is not preloaded and the power source would have zero stored mechanical potential energy to convert to electrical energy. The latter feature is highly desirable in devices where safety is of great importance such as in various types of munitions, such as hand grenades. 
         [0057]    In operation, the user rotates the lever  54  and thereby the end piece  48  in the clockwise direction as shown by the arrow  61 , for example by applying a force in the direction of the arrow  62  to the lever  54  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The resulting counterclockwise rotation of the shaft  12 ,  FIG. 6 , causes the torsion spring  15 ,  FIG. 5 , to be loaded and mechanical potential energy be stored in the torsion spring. As the lever  54  is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction and increasing amount of mechanical potential energy is stored in the torsion spring  15 . The lever  54  is provided with an extension element  55  which is provided with a curved surface profile  58 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The locking element  49  is also provided with an engagement top piece  56 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6 , with an inclined surface  57  as shown in  FIG. 6 . As can be observed in  FIG. 5 , the extension element  55  is sized such that it can pass over the surface of the locking element  49  (in front of the engagement top piece  56 ) but its surface  58  would otherwise engage the surface  57  of the engagement top piece  56 . Then as the lever  54  is rotated in the clockwise direction, at some point, the tip  59  of the extension element  55  moves over the frontal surface of the locking element  49 , followed by engagement of the surface  58  with the surface  57 . Then as the lever  54  is rotated further in the clockwise direction, the curved surface  58  will force the locking element  49  to move to the right,  FIG. 6 , thereby disengaging the tip  53  of the locking element  49  from the recess  52  of the end piece  48 . The torsion spring  15  will then be free to rotate the shaft  12  and thereby begin the previously described process of generating electrical energy. 
         [0058]    It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the power source embodiment  50  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a preloaded compressive spring element  63 ,  FIG. 6  (not shown in  FIG. 5  for clarity) may also be added to bias the tip  53  of the locking element  49  into the engagement with the recess  52  of the end piece  48 . Such a biasing spring may be desirable in cases in which the device may be subjected to incidental shock loading or vibration or the like that may cause the power source to be accidentally initiated. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a torsion power spring and a torsion spring were used, respectively, to store potential mechanical energy for generation of electrical energy. It is, however, appreciated by those skilled in the art that in applications in which the shaft  12  is rotated only a small fraction of a full turn, probably at most 90-120 degrees, which is mostly the case for the power source embodiment of  FIG. 5 , then other types of springs such as regular or preloaded tensile or compressive springs or their combination or almost any other type of elastic element may also be similarly used for the purpose of storing mechanical potential energy. 
         [0059]    Another embodiment of power source  60  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment  60 , a “push button” element  65  is provided that can slide up and down in the structure  64  of the power source. The push button element  65  is provided with side elements  66 , which are fixed to the push button element  65  and can slide freely in the guides  67  provided in the structure  64  of the power source, as shown in  FIG. 7  and in the cross-sectional view B-B of the power source shown in  FIG. 8 . Stop element  70  which is fixed to the structure  64  of the power source is also provided to limit downward displacement of the push button element  65 . At least one preloaded compressive spring  71  is also provided to bias the push button element upwards. At least one stop  72  can also be provided to limit upward displacement of the push button element  65 . 
         [0060]    In a cavity  68  provided in the push button element  65 ,  FIG. 7 , is provided a relatively large pitch threaded portion  73 , which mates with a matching threaded surface  74  on a shaft  69  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The shaft  69  is also provided with a free end  76 , over which is mounted a flywheel  77  via a one way clutch  78 . The flywheel  77  is then connected to the input shaft  81  of a magnet and coil type electrical energy generator  82  via a coupling element  79  which is fixedly attached to the flywheel  77 , as shown in the schematic of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0061]    The internal and external threaded surface  73  and  74 , respectively, are designed with relatively large pitch and are provided with enough clearance so that by pressing the push button element  65  down in the direction of the arrow  75 , the shaft  69  is rotated with minimal resistance (other than inertial resistance of the flywheel, coupling  79  and rotor of the generator  82 ; generator  82  torque and frictional forces). 
         [0062]    In operation, the user presses on the push button element  65  rapidly by applying a force in the direction of the arrow  75 ,  FIG. 7 . Downward translation of the push button element  65  causes the shaft  69  to rotate, transmitting the rotation through the one-way clutch  78  to the flywheel  77  and through the coupling  79  to the input shaft  81  of the electrical generator  82 . The one-way clutch is configured such that while the shaft  69  is being rotated by the push button element as it moves down in the direction of the arrow  75 , the motion is transmitted to the assembly of the flywheel  77 , and that the flywheel  77  is free to continue to rotate once the downward translation of the push button element has ended. The user can press the push button element  65  down hard (apply a relatively large force) to transfer a relatively large amount of energy to the flywheel  77  and its assembly. The user can also press the push button element  65  down until its motion is stopped by the stops  70 . The user will then allow the at least one preloaded compressive spring  71  to push the push button element  65  back to its uppermost position shown in the schematic of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0063]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the work down by the user by displacing the push button element  65  downwards certain distance by applying certain amount of force is transferred to the assembly of the flywheel  77 , coupling  79  and the rotor of the generator  82  as kinetic energy—less the friction and other losses and the amount of electrical energy generated during the process. The kinetic energy stored in the assembly is then transformed to electrical energy by the generator  82 . In the meantime, the user can keep on pressing down on the push button element  65  and letting it bounce back by the at least one preloaded compressive spring  71 , each time adding more kinetic energy to the flywheel and its assembly for conversion to electrical energy. 
         [0064]    In the schematic of  FIG. 7  regular screw threads are shown to be provided on the mating internal and external surfaces  73  and  71 , respectively. It is, however, appreciated by those skilled in the art that to increase the efficiency of the power source embodiment  60  in converting the work done by the user to electrical energy by reducing the friction related losses between the contacting surfaces  73  and  71 , one may instead use a ball screw. Ball screws are well known in the art and are commonly used in machinery to reduce friction losses in power screws. 
         [0065]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the basic design and operation of the “push button” type power source embodiment is illustrated by the schematic of  FIG. 7  for the sake of clearly identifying each component of the power source and describing their function and the operation of the overall power source. In practice, however, it is generally highly desirable to have a very compact power source. For example, the at least one springs  71  may be designed as a single conical spring that is assembled around the shaft  69  and collapses as the push button element  65  is pressed down into a single layer. The flywheel  77  and the rotor of the generator may also be fabricated as one unit in a pancake type generator design to significantly reduce the size of the power source for a prescribed amount of energy generation requirement. In practice, similar approaches are readily implemented on the designs of the other embodiments described previously and later in this disclosure to achieve significantly more compact power source designs. 
         [0066]    In the power source embodiment  60 , no mechanical energy storage element (spring or other type of elastic element) is used for a priori storage of mechanical potential energy. As a result, the power source  60  is a simple power source and not a “reserve” type power source. This feature of this power source of having zero stored mechanical energy prior to the electrical energy generation process to be described is highly desirable in devices where safety is of great importance, such as in various types of munitions, such as hand grenades. 
         [0067]    An alternative design  80  of the power source embodiment  60  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 9 . This alternative embodiment  80  is also a “push button” type. In this embodiment  80 , a “push button” element  83  with an attached shaft  84  which can slide up and down in the bearing  85  provided in the structure  86  of the power source  80 . While sliding up and down in the bearing  85 , the shaft  84  is prevented from rotation with respect to the structure  86  of the power source by a key member  87 , which is engaged with the guide  99  in the structure  86  of the power source  80 , as is shown in the cross-sectional view C-C of  FIG. 10 . A slightly preloaded compressive spring  88  is provided around the shaft  84  between the push button element  83  and the surface  90  of the structure  86  of the power source  80  to bias the said push button element away from the surface  90 . The shaft  84  is also provided with a stop element  89  which limits the biasing action of the spring  88  as shown in the schematic of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0068]    The shaft  84  is provided with a section  91 , which is threaded as a high pitch screw. Mating with the threaded screw is the nut element  92 , over which is mounted a flywheel  93 , via a one-way clutch  94 . A thrust bearing  94   a  is provided under the nut element  92  to support the nut element  92  against the structure  86  of the power source  80 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the flywheel  93  is fabricated with outside gearing that engages with a pinion  95 , which is mounted on a shaft  96  of a magnet and coil electrical generator  97 . The use of the gearing allows the rotary speed of the electrical generator  97  to be increased and thereby increasing the amount of electrical power that the generator  97  can produce. 
         [0069]    In operation, the user presses on the push button element  83  by applying a force in the direction of the arrow  98 ,  FIG. 9 . Downward translation of the push button element  83  and the shaft  84  causes the threaded section  91  to rotate the nut element  92 . The nut element  92  in turn will rotate the flywheel  93  through the one-way clutch  94 . The flywheel  93  (outer gear) will in turn rotate the pinion  95 , which would directly rotate the rotor shaft  96  of the electrical generator  97 . Electrical energy thereby begins to be generated by the electrical generator  97 . The one-way clutch  94  is configured such that while the nut element  92  is being rotated by the threaded section  91  of the push button shaft  84  as the push button  83  is being translated down in the direction of the arrow  83 , the rotation of the nut element  92  is transmitted to the flywheel  93 , and the flywheel  93  is free to continue to rotate once the downward translation of the push button element has ended. 
         [0070]    The user can press the push button element  83  down hard (apply a relatively large force) to transfer a relatively large amount of energy to the flywheel  93 . The user can also press the push button element  83  down until its motion is stopped by the stops  89 . The user will then allow the preloaded compressive spring  88  to push the push button element  83  back to its uppermost position shown in the schematic of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0071]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the work down by the user by displacing the push button element  83  downwards a certain distance by applying a certain amount of force is transferred to the assembly of the flywheel  93 , pinion  95 , the nut element  92  and the rotor of the generator  97  as kinetic energy—less the friction and other losses and the amount of electrical energy generated during the process. The kinetic energy stored in the assembly is then transformed to electrical energy by the generator  97 . In the meantime, the user can keep on pressing down on the push button element  83  and letting it bounce back by the spring  88 , each time adding more kinetic energy to the flywheel and its assembly for conversion to electrical energy. 
         [0072]    Yet another embodiment  100  of the power source embodiment  60  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 11 . This alternative embodiment  100  is also a “push button” type. The design and operation of this embodiment is the same as the embodiment  80  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  and is indicated with the same numerals, except for the method and components for transferring motion and mechanical energy from the flywheel  93  to the electrical energy generator type employed. In the embodiment  100  of  FIG. 11 , a coupling element  101  is fixedly attached to the flywheel  93 . The coupling element  101  is annular in shape to prevent interference with the motion of the nut element  92 , the one-way clutch  94  and the threaded portion  91  of the push button shaft  84 . The coupling element  101  is then directly connected to the rotating side of the pancake type magnet and coil electrical generator  102 , which is in turn fixed to the structure  86  (body) of the power source  100 . The pancake type electrical generator  102  type used is the one with open center to allow for the motion of the threaded portion  91  of the push button shaft  84  and which is provided with a thrust or other bearing that can support an axial load in reaction to the force applied to the push button element  83  to drive the push button shaft  84  down in the direction of the arrow  98 . 
         [0073]    The operation of the “push button” power source  100  is the same as that of the embodiments  60  and  80  of  FIGS. 7 and 9 , respectively. In operation, the user presses on the push button element  83  by applying a force in the direction of the arrow  98 ,  FIG. 11 . Downward translation of the push button element  83  and the shaft  84  causes the threaded section  91  to rotate the nut element  92 . The nut element  92  in turn will rotate the flywheel  93  through the one-way clutch  94 . The flywheel  93  will in turn rotate the electrical generator  102  via the coupling  101 . Electrical energy thereby begins to be generated by the electrical generator  102 . The one-way clutch  94  is configured such that while the nut element  92  is being rotated by the threaded section  91  of the push button shaft  84  as the push button  83  is being translated down in the direction of the arrow  83 , the rotation of the nut element  92  is transmitted to the flywheel  93 , and that the flywheel  93  is free to continue to rotate once the downward translation of the push button element has ended. 
         [0074]    In the above power source embodiments  50 ,  60 ,  80  and  100  of  FIGS. 5 ,  7 ,  9  and  11 , respectively, a spring (elastic) element is deformed by direct rotation of a link (power source  50  of  FIG. 5 ) or translation of an element (power sources  60 ,  80  and  100 ) by the user. The motions would in turn deform a spring (elastic) element and store mechanical potential energy in the spring (elastic) element. Alternatively, a number of linkage and/or gear mechanisms or other similar mechanical motion or force amplifying or reducing or otherwise modifying mechanisms may be provided to increase the performance of the power source, i.e., the amount of electrical energy and/or power that it can generate and/or reduce its size or vary its finished shape to certain available or desirable shape. 
         [0075]    It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the electrical energy generated by the above embodiments may either be used directly to power certain electrical or electronic circuitry and/or to store in certain electrical energy storage device, such as capacitors, super-capacitors or rechargeable batteries. In almost all such cases the electrical energy generated by the power sources have to be regulated by electronic and logic circuitry to provide electrical power to the intended electrical power consuming devices. The block diagram of the resulting typical electrical power system is shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0076]    In  FIG. 12 , the block  103  is intended to indicate one or more of the disclosed power sources  10 ,  50 ,  60 ,  80  and  100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  11 , respectively. The electrical energy generated by the power source(s) is then regulated by the electronic and logic circuitry  104  and used directly in the electrical energy consuming device  105  and/or used to charge the electrical energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery or capacitor  106 . In general, a related charging circuitry  107  is also required for safe charging of any electrical energy storage device  106 . 
         [0077]    While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.